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Effects of adjuvants to local anaesthetics on their duration. I. Studies of dextrans of widely varying molecular weight and adrenaline in rat infraorbital nerve block.

Local anaesthetics of the amide type were studied in a modified rat infraorbital nerve block model, with which it was possible to determine varying degrees of sensory block. Of the agents investigated, 0.5% bupivacaine tended to give a longer duration of block than 2% prilocaine or 2% lidocaine, while 0.5% etidocaine had the shortest duration. The duration of prilocaine was prolonged by addition of adrenaline, 5 micrograms/ml, more than that of the other agents. Addition of dextrans of Mw 40-110 X 10(3) did not cause any prolongation of block induced by bupivacaine. When mixed with dextrans over a wide range of Mw (40-4900 X 10(3), prilocaine exhibited significant prolongations of its action by up to 200%. The extent of prolongation was dependent on the degree of block, the concentration of dextrans in the local anaesthetic solution, and the Mw of the dextran although in a less uniform way. An increase in the relative viscosity of the solutions might be a factor of importance for the prolonging effect of addition of dextran to local anaesthetics. Since a formulation providing analgesia of a long duration would be of clinical value, further studies on combinations of the comparatively low-toxicity agent prilocaine and macromolecular substances are of interest.

Anesthetics, Local↗

Adenosine deaminase covalently linked to soluble dextran. The effect of immobilization on thermodynamic and kinetic parameters.

Dextran-linked adenosine deaminase (EC 3.5.4.4) has been prepared. The polymer-linked enzyme possesses an optimal enzymatic activity of 27 units/mg immobilized protein (non-bound enzyme: 200 units/mg protein). Support-bound adenosine deaminase (4.5 microgram protein/mg dextran) shows an enhanced heat stability, a moderately increased Km, and a decreased V value compared to those of the free enzyme. The pH dependences of V and pKm values of dextran-linked adenosine deaminase show only two inflection points compared to three for the free enzyme, which are equivalent to the pK values of the enzyme. Since the missing third inflection point (pH 9.8) can be assigned to the pK value of the epsilon-amino group of lysyl residues, it can be concluded, that immobilization of adenosine deaminase on cyanogen-bromide-activated dextran took place via these lysyl residues. The remaining pK values found from the other inflection points are moderately shifted owing to the altered secondary structure. From the temperature dependence of the enzymatic activity, a 40% decrease of the activation energy of the support-bound enzyme was found, indicating diffusion controlled deamination. The immobilization of adenosine deaminase results in a fluorescence quenching of 80%, without shifting the ultraviolet maximum of the emission spectrum. As already shown for unmodified dextran, the matrix of polymer-linked adenosine deaminase is degradable by a bacterial endodextranase (EC 3.2.1.11).

Adenosine Deaminase↗

Dextran-linked purine nucleosides as substrates and inhibitors of adenosine deaminase.

Dextran-bound adenosine, inosine, and nebularine have been prepared by carbodiimide coupling of their 2',3'-O-(4-carboxyethyl-1-methylbutylidene) cyclic acetal derivatives to 6-aminohexyldextran or 12-aminododecanyldextran. The latter polymers were prepared by cyanogen-bromide activation of dextran T80 followed by reaction with 1,6-diaminohexane or 1,12-diaminododecane. A high CNBr concentration leads to high-molecular-weight material, probably due to cross-linking, accompanied by a decrease in the digestion velocity using endo-dextranase from Penicillium species (EC 3.2.1.11). The dextran-bound nucleosides, as well as the nucleoside 2',3'-O-(4-ethoxycarbonyl-1-methylbutylidene) acetal derivatives, were tested as substrates and inhibitors for adenosine deaminase. The Km of the adenosine acetal ester is identical to that of adenosine which shows that acetalation does not hinder complex formation. Since the maximum velocity of deamination is decreased fourfold, the modified substrate does not fit as well as the nucleoside. The polymer-bound acetals show a 3-8-fold increase of Km or Ki and unchanged V compared to the corresponding acetals while dextranase digestion of the support does not alter the kinetic data. This indicates that the length of the polysaccharide chain does not interfere either with the complex formation or with the catalytic activity of the modified substrate. Since the activation energies of the deamination reactions of adenosine, its acetal ester, and dextran-linked adenosine are all similar (29.8-32.3 kJ mol-1) it is concluded that no diffusion control of the enzymatic reaction results from the binding of the nucleoside acetals to dextran T80.

Adenosine Deaminase↗

Studies of DEAE-dextran-mediated gene transfer.

DEAE-dextran-mediated gene transfer was studied for the introduction of pSV2neo DNA into Fisher-rat 3T3 (FR3T3) cells. Zeta (zeta) potentials of the DEAE-dextran-DNA complexes and FR3T3 cells were found to be dependent on the concentration of DEAE-dextran in the medium. The maximum transfection efficiency occurred at a DEAE-dextran/DNA ratio of 50:1 or thereabouts. The interaction between DNA and cells is determined by the adsorption process. The results obtained, along with the correlation between the kinetic adsorption behaviour of 3H-labelled DNA and the transfection efficiency, indicated that adsorption of DEAE-dextran-DNA complexes to the negatively charged cell surfaces, due to electrostatic and dispersion attraction, plays the decisive role in determining the DNA transfection efficiencies.

3T3 Cells↗

Dextran-induced release of serotonin from isolated rat peritoneal mast cells.

Dextran (9 mg/ml incubate) was found to induce a serotonin (5-HT) release from isolated rat peritoneal mast cells of about 10% within an incubation period of 5 min. at 37 degrees. The extent of release was not increased by using higher concentrations of dextran or by increasing the incubation period from 5 to 20 min. The dextran-induced release of 5-HT was increased to 50-60% when the mast cells were preincubated with phosphatidylserine (PS) in doses of 2.6-4.3 microgram/ml incubate. Higher concentrations of PS alone induced a rapid 5-HT release of approximately 50-60%. The 5-HT release process studied was found to possess both similarities and dissimilarities with the previously described dextran-induced release process of histamine, also studied in isolated rat peritoneal mast cells. The results supported previous indirect evidence of a 5-HT release from mast cells in the early phase of the dextran-induced anaphylactoid reaction in the rat.

Animals↗

Effect of serotonin antagonists on the dextran-induced anaphylactoid reaction in the rat.

Dextran injected intravenously into rats causes a rapid lowering of the extent of activation of factor XII and of the plasma levels of prekallikrein and plasminogen, and at the same time a profound fall in blood pressure. The effects on these dextran-induced reactions of three serotonin antagonistic lysergic acid derivatives were studied in the rat: bromolysergic acid diethylamide (BOL 148), methysergide, and ergotamine. BOL 148 was found to be the only effective inhibitor of the blood pressure fall, possessing an inhibitory effect over the dose range 1.0-4.0 mg/kg intravenously. The finding supports the assumption that part of the dextran-induced blood pressure fall is mediated by serotonin through D-receptors. All three serotonin antagonists showed a serotonin-like lowering effect on the activation of factor XII and on the level of prekallikrein in plasma (BOL 148 1.0-4.0 mg/kg; methysergide 0.10-0.60 mg/kg; ergotamine 0.10-0.60 mg/kg). The results with the serotonin antagonist alone and in combination with dextran provided evidence that the serotonin-mediated part of the blood pressure fall can not be secondary to the effect of dextran on the plasma parameters assayed.

Anaphylaxis↗

The initial phase of the dextran-induced anaphylactoid reaction in the rat: a comparison of inhibitors of the blood pressure fall.

The histamine H2-receptor antagonist cimetidine (25-100 mg/kg) caused a partial inhibition of the pronounced blood pressure fall induced by dextran (Macrodex, 40-100 mg/kg) in the rat. The inhibition by cimetidine could not be distinguished from the inhibition achieved by the serotonin D-receptor antagonist bromolysergic acid diethylamide (BOL, 1-4 mg/kg). Doses of cimetidine and BOL that gave submaximum inhibitory effects separately, showed approximately additive effects when combined. The combined effect of these drugs never exceeded the maximum effects of the drugs separately, whereas injection of tranexamic acid (AMCHA, 100-300 mg/kg) together with cimetidine or BOL, increased the total inhibition. Previous works showed that dextran injected intravenously into rats reduced the level of plasminogen (PG) and plasminogen proactivator (pro-PGA) in plasma (Briseid et al. 1979; Berstad 1980a; Berstad & Briseid 1982). High doses of AMCHA (200 mg/kg) did not inhibit these effects, but significantly increased the lowering caused by dextran of the capacity of high molecular weight kininogen (HMWK) to function as a cofactor in the activation of factor XII. BOL (1-4 mg/kg, Berstad 1981) and cimetidine (50-100 mg/kg) also reduced the cofactor capacity of HMWK in the doses that were required to provide a manifest inhibition of the dextran-induced blood pressure fall. It is suggested that the early phase of the state of shock induced by dextran in the rat can be counteracted at different sites, correlated with histamine and serotonin receptors on the one hand, and with an effect antagonized by AMCHA, on the other. The lowest effective doses of cimetidine and BOL were rather high, suggesting a less specific mechanism for their effects than inhibition at selective receptor sites.

Anaphylaxis↗

Capillary permeability of sulphate-substituted and neutral dextran fractions in the rat hindquarter vascular bed.

In order to investigate the impact of molecular charge on capillary permeability to macromolecules, capillary reflection coefficients (sigma) for various concentrations of two neutral dextran fractions (Mw 70 000 and 139 000) and one negatively charged, sulphate-substituted dextran fraction (Mw 109 000) were determined in the isolated perfused rat hindquarter preparation, during stable haemodynamic conditions. The capillary reflection coefficient was calculated as the ratio between the estimated colloid osmotic pressure in vivo, determined by an osmotic transient technique, and that in vitro, measured with an osmometer. Despite its intermediate size the sulphated dextran (D 109-S) showed a markedly higher sigma than the two neutral ones (D 70 and D 139) and, further, whereas sigma for D 70 and D 139 decreased with increasing dextran concentration, sigma for D 109-S remained constant over the whole range of concentrations investigated. At dextran concentrations equivalent to an in vivo colloid osmotic pressure of 23.5 mmHg, sigma averaged 0.901 for D 109-S, compared with 0.547 and 0.693 for D 70 and D 139, respectively, and with 0.87 for albumin in normal plasma. It is suggested that capillary macromolecular permeability is due to both structural and electrophysical properties of the microvascular barrier, where negative charges of the endothelial glycocalyx and of wall-adsorbed plasma proteins cause repulsion of circulating large polyanions.

Animals↗

Pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and activity of intravenous dextran sulfate in human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Polysulfated polysaccharides are attractive candidates for antiviral drug development because of their potent in vitro activities against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpesviruses, and other enveloped viruses. To determine the potential anti-HIV activity of a prototypical polysulfated polysaccharide, we administered the maximally tolerated dose of dextran sulfate by continuous intravenous infusion to 10 subjects with symptomatic HIV infection for up to 14 days. Since parenteral dextran sulfate is an anticoagulant, the infusion was adjusted to produce the greatest acceptable increase in activated partial thromboplastin time. Drug concentrations in plasma achieved with this protocol were up to 200-fold greater than the 50% inhibitory concentration for free HIV infectivity in vitro. Despite this, circulating HIV antigen (p24) levels increased in all eight subjects who received the drug for more than 3 days (median proportional increase, 73.5%; range, 32 to 130%); this increase was highly significant when it was compared with that in a large cohort of untreated historical controls (Fisher's exact test, P less than 0.001). Frequent decreases in infusion rate were required in all subjects to maintain a constant activated partial thromboplastin time; plasma dextran sulfate levels did not fall as the infusion rate decreased, suggesting a decline in estimated drug clearance over time. Continuous intravenous dextran sulfate was toxic, producing profound but reversible thrombocytopenia in all eight subjects who received drug for more than 3 days and extensive but reversible alopecia in five of these subjects. Because of its toxicity and lack of beneficial effect on surrogate markers, dextran sulfate is unlikely to have a practical role in the treatment of symptomatic HIV infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Effect of Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-512F dextransucrase carboxy-terminal deletions on dextran and oligosaccharide synthesis.

Dextransucrase (DSR-S) from Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-512F is a glucosyltransferase that catalyzes synthesis of soluble dextran from sucrose. In the presence of efficient acceptor molecules, such as maltose, the reaction pathway is shifted toward glucooligosaccharide synthesis. Like glucosyltransferases from oral streptococci, DSR-S possesses a C-terminal glucan-binding domain composed of a series of tandem repeats. In order to determine the role of the C-terminal region of DSR-S in dextran or oligosaccharide synthesis, four DSR-S genes with deletions at the 3' end were constructed. The results showed that the C-terminal region modulated the initial velocity of dextran synthesis but that the K(m) for sucrose, the optimum pH, and the activation energy were all unaffected by the deletions. The C-terminal domain modulated the rate of oligosaccharide synthesis whatever acceptor molecule was used (a good acceptor molecule such as maltose or a poor acceptor molecule such as fructose). The C-terminal domain seemed to play no role in the catalytic process in dextran and oligosaccharide synthesis. In fact, it seems that the role of the C-terminal domain of DSR-S may be to facilitate the translation of dextran and oligosaccharides from the catalytic site.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Single-molecule imaging of interaction between dextran and glucosyltransferase from Streptococcus sobrinus.

Using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, we directly observed the interaction between dextran and glucosyltransferase I (GTF) of Streptococcus sobrinus. Tetramethylrhodamine (TMR)-labeled GTF molecules were individually imaged as they were associating with and then dissociating from the dextran fixed on the glass surface in the evanescent field. Similarly dynamic behavior of TMR-labeled dextran molecules was also observed on the GTF-fixed surface. The duration of the stay on the surface (dwell time) was measured for each of these molecules by counting the number of video frames that had recorded the image. A histogram of dwell time for a population of several hundred molecules indicated that the GTF-dextran interaction obeyed an apparent first-order kinetics. The rate constraints estimated for TMR-labeled GTF at pH 6.8 and 25 degrees C in the absence and presence of sucrose were 9.2 and 13.3 s(-1), respectively, indicating that sucrose accelerated the dissociation of GTF from dextran. However, the accelerated rate was still much lower than the catalytic center activity of GTF (> or = 25 s(-1)) under comparable conditions.

Dextrans↗

Nutrition of Streptococcus bovis in relation to dextran formation.

Barnes, Isabel J. (Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y.), H. W. Seeley, and P. J. VanDeMark. Nutrition of Streptococcus bovis in relation to dextran formation. J. Bacteriol. 82:85-93. 1961.-Three nutritional types of Streptococcus bovis were encountered. Minimal media for their growth are described. Transferable growth in defined media was always accompanied by dextran production and the nutrition for dextran production could not be distinguished from the minimal nutritional requirements of the organism for growth. Measurable, free CO(2) was evolved from a complex medium during the growth of S. bovis. Several compounds were found to replace partially the CO(2) requirement of the species. When fractured cell preparations containing S. bovis dextran were employed as antigens, rabbits failed to yield sera which would precipitate S. bovis or leuconostoc dextrans.

Dextrans↗

Dextran sulfate blocks antibody binding to the principal neutralizing domain of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 without interfering with gp120-CD4 interactions.

The mechanism of the antiviral activity of sulfated polysaccharides on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) was investigated by determining the effect of dextran sulfate on the binding of CD4 and several anti-gp120 monoclonal antibodies to both recombinant and cell surface gp120. Dextran sulfate did not interfere with the binding of sCD4 to rgp120 on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) plates or in solution and did not block sCD4 binding to HIV-1-infected cells expressing gp120 on the cell surface. Dextran sulfate had minimal effects on rgp120 binding to CD4+ cells at concentrations which effectively prevent HIV replication. In contrast, it potently inhibited the binding of both rgp120 and cell surface gp120 to several monoclonal antibodies directed against the principal neutralizing domain of gp120 (V3). In an ELISA format, dextran sulfate enhanced the binding of monoclonal antibodies against amino-terminal regions of gp120 and had no effect on antibodies directed to other regions of gp120, including the carboxy terminus. The inhibitory effects of polyanionic polysaccharides on viral binding, viral replication, and formation of syncytia therefore appear mediated by interactions with positively charged amino acids concentrated in the V3 region. This high local positive charge density, unique to the V3 loop, leads us to propose that this property is critical to the function of the V3 region in mediating envelope binding and subsequent fusion between viral and cell membranes. The specific interaction of dextran sulfate with this domain suggests that structurally related molecules on the cell surface, such as heparan sulfate, may be additional targets for HIV binding and infection.

Animals↗

The permeability of the posterior blood ocular barrier after xenon photocoagulation: a study using fluorescein labelled dextrans.

Xenon photocoagulation burns in the rabbit fundus were studied angiographically with fluorescein labelled dextrans of molecular weights in the range 3000 to 150 000. Recent photocoagulation burns showed dye leakage to all molecular weights used. Angiograms 2 days after burns had been produced showed leakage of dextrans of molecular weights up to and including 70 000 but no leakage of dextran of 150 000 molecular weight. At 7 days after photocoagulation healed burns remained permeable to dextrans of molecular weight 3000 or 20 000, but in the majority of eyes such burns did not leak dextrans of over 40 000 molecular weight. The clinical significance of the selective nature of photocoagulative damage to the posterior blood ocular barrier is discussed.

Animals↗

Incidences of fatal postoperative pulmonary embolism after prophylaxis with dextran 70 and low-dose heparin: an international multicentre study.

A total of 4352 patients were admitted to a prospective' randomised multicentre trial comparing the prophylactic efficacy of dextran 70 and low-dose heparin against fatal pulmonary embolism after elective operations for general, orthopaedic, urological, and gynaecological conditions. Out of 3984 patients correctly admitted, 1993 were allocated to receive dextran 70 and 1991 to receive low-dose heparin. Withdrawal of prophylaxis because of bleeding or technical difficulties occurred more often in the heparin group, but allergic reactions were more common in the dextran group. Of the 75 patients who died within 30 days after operation, 38 had been given dextran and 37 low-dose heparin. Necropsy was performed in 33 and 32 of these cases respectively. In six patients in each group pulmonary embolism was the sole or a contributory cause of death. Of these, five patients in the dextran group and two in the heparin group had received a full course of prophylaxis. There was no statistically significant difference between the two treatment groups in the incidence of fatal pulmonary embolism after a full course of prophylaxis.

Aged↗

Modification of hemoglobin upon covalent coupling to dextran: enhanced stability against acid denaturation and reduced affinity for haptoglobin.

Alkylation of human hemoglobin by bromoacetylaminoethylamino-substituted dextran gave rise to a covalent dextran-hemoglobin complex with enhanced stability against acid denaturation, and reduced affinity for binding to haptoglobin, compared with free hemoglobin. These effects increased with increasing size of the dextran moiety and were not elicited by either free dextran or alkylation of hemoglobin by iodoacetamide. These observations are consistent with an inhibition by covalently attached dextran of the binding of beta-subunit of hemoglobin to haptoglobin.

Alkylation↗

Permeability of neutral vs. anionic dextrans in cultured brain microvascular endothelium.

The luminal surface of vascular endothelium contains glycocalyx residues that establish an overall negative charge. Recent evidence has suggested that local endothelial surface charge properties may account for the permeability properties of various macromolecules. It has also been suggested that altered membrane charge on the luminal side may play a role in thrombogenesis and atherogenesis. The relationship of macromolecule charge to endothelial cell permeability was examined in vitro using mouse brain microvessel endothelial cells grown to confluence on a nitrocellulose filter separating a double-chamber system. Endothelial permeability to 4K and 10K fluorescein-labeled neutral dextrans was compared with the permeability to 4K and 10K fluorescein-labeled anionic dextrans (sulfated). After 1 h, there was significantly greater permeability of neutral fluorescein-labeled dextran than of anionic fluorescein-labeled dextran in each particle size. In addition, there was significantly greater permeability of 4K than 10K fluorescein-labeled dextrans of either charge. The findings indicate that charge in addition to size plays an important role in the movement of macromolecules across cultured microvascular endothelial cells.

Animals↗

Attenuation of postischemic microvascular disturbances in striated muscle by hyperosmolar saline dextran.

The underlying mechanisms of the beneficial therapeutic effects of small-volume resuscitation with hyperosmolar solutions for treatment of hypovolemic shock are still poorly understood. Using the dorsal skinfold chamber model and intravital fluorescence microscopy, we investigated the effects of hyperosmolar saline dextran on ischemia-reperfusion injury in striated skin muscle of awake normovolemic golden hamsters. Test solutions (4 ml/kg body wt i.v.) were administered 2 min before reperfusion after 4 h of pressure-induced ischemia. In animals receiving 0.9% saline (control), we observed a drastic enhancement of leukocyte rolling along and sticking to the endothelium of postcapillary venules 0.5 h after reperfusion. Postischemic leukocyte rolling and sticking were significantly reduced when animals were treated with 7.2% saline alone (HSS), 10% Dextran 60 in 0.9% saline (HDS), or 10% Dextran 60 in 7.2% saline (HHS). In control animals, capillary perfusion was reduced to approximately 60% of preischemic values 0.5 h after reperfusion. Concomitantly, leakage of the macromolecule fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (5 mg in 0.1 ml saline i.v., M(r) 150,000) into the perivascular space increased from 0% before ischemia to approximately 12% at 0.5 h reperfusion. In contrast, when animals were treated with HSS, HDS, or HHS before reperfusion, capillary perfusion decreased to a significantly minor extent of approximately 15%, and macromolecular leakage was slightly increased to approximately 5%. Our results suggest that hyperosmolar saline dextran effectively attenuates postischemic microvascular disturbances elicited by ischemia-reperfusion, presumably through reduction of postischemic leukocyte-endothelium interaction and capillary swelling.

Animals↗