PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “DIAZOXIDE”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,045 records · Page 58Linked to original sources

A novel K(ATP) current in cultured neonatal rat atrial appendage cardiomyocytes.

The functional and pharmacological properties of ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channels were studied in primary cultured neonatal rat atrial appendage cardiomyocytes. Activation of a whole-cell inward rectifying K(+) current depended on the pipette ATP concentration and correlated with a membrane hyperpolarization close to the K(+) equilibrium potential. The K(ATP) current could be activated either spontaneously or by a hypotonic stretch of the membrane induced by lowering the osmolality of the bathing solution from 290 to 260 mOsm/kg H(2)O or by the K(+) channel openers diazoxide and cromakalim with EC(50) approximately 1 and 10 nmol/L, respectively. The activated atrial K(ATP) current was highly sensitive to glyburide, with an IC(50) of 1.22+/-0.15 nmol/L. Recorded in inside-out patches, the neonatal atrial K(ATP) channel displayed a conductance of 58.0+/-2.2 pS and opened in bursts of 133.8+/-20.4 ms duration, with an open time duration of 1.40+/-0.10 ms and a close time duration of 0.66+/-0.04 ms for negative potentials. The channel had a half-maximal open probability at 0.1 mmol/L ATP, was activated by 100 micromol/L diazoxide, and was inhibited by glyburide, with an IC(50) in the nanomolar range. Thus, pending further tests at low concentrations of K(ATP) channel openers, the single-channel data confirm the results obtained with whole-cell recordings. The neonatal atrial appendage K(ATP) channel thus shows a unique functional and pharmacological profile resembling the pancreatic beta-cell channel for its high affinity for glyburide and diazoxide and for its conductance, but also resembling the ventricular channel subtype for its high affinity for cromakalim, its burst duration, and its sensitivity to ATP. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction experiments showed the expression of Kir6.1, Kir6.2, SUR1A, SUR1B, SUR2A, and SUR2B subunits, a finding supporting the hypothesis that the neonatal atrial K(ATP) channel corresponds to a novel heteromultimeric association of K(ATP) channel subunits.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel activation protects cerebellar granule neurons from apoptosis induced by oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (mitoK(ATP)) channels are present in the brain, and several reports have shown that mitoK(ATP) channel openers protect the brain against ischemic injury. However, the precise mechanisms of this protection are not well established. We hypothesized that mitoK(ATP) channel openers prevent apoptosis by preserving mitochondrial membrane potential. METHODS: We investigated the effect of mitoK(ATP) channel openers on apoptosis induced by oxidative stress using cultured cerebellar granule neurons. RESULTS: The mitoK(ATP) channel opener diazoxide (100 micromol/L) significantly suppressed the number of cells with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL)-positive nuclei and the increase in caspase-3 activity induced by 20 micromol/L H2O2. Diazoxide and another opener, pinacidil, prevented the loss of mitochondrial inner membrane potential (Delta(Psi)m) induced by H2O2. These effects were abolished by 5-hydroxydecanoate (500 micromol/L), a mitoK(ATP) channel blocker. Cyclosporin A and bongkrekic acid, inhibitors of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, also prevented Delta(Psi)m loss, confirming the involvement of the mitochondrial permeability transition in the apoptotic cascade in neurons. Furthermore, diazoxide prevented the increase in extracellular glutamate concentration induced by H2O2, but this effect was not attributable to activation of surface K(ATP) channels. CONCLUSIONS: MitoK(ATP) channel openers inhibited apoptosis by preserving mitochondrial inner membrane potential. These beneficial effects may suggest a possible new target for neuroprotection.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Role of intracellular Na(+) kinetics in preconditioned rat heart.

To elucidate the role of intracellular Na(+) kinetics in the mechanism for ischemic preconditioning (IPC), we measured intracellular Na(+) concentration ([Na(+)](i)) using (23)Na-magnetic resonance spectroscopy in isolated rat hearts. IPC significantly delayed the initial [Na(+)](i) increase (d[Na(+)](i)/dt) compared with non-IPC control, resulting in attenuation of Na(+) accumulation (Delta[Na(+)](i)) during 27 minutes of ischemia with better functional recovery. [Na(+)](i) in IPC, but not in control, recovered to preischemic level during a 6-minute reperfusion. The Na(+)-H(+) exchange inhibitor further suppressed d[Na(+)](i)/dt in both control and IPC hearts with concomitant improvement of functional recovery, suggesting little contribution to the mechanism of IPC. The mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K(+) (mito K(ATP)) channel activator diazoxide (30 micromol/L) completely mimicked both [Na(+)](i) kinetics and functional recovery in IPC without any additive effects to IPC. The mito K(ATP) channel blocker 5-hydroxydecanoic acid (100 micromol/L) lost protective effect as well as the attenuation of d[Na(+)](i)/dt and [Na(+)](i) recovery induced by diazoxide. However, 5-hydroxydecanoic acid also lost IPC-induced protection, but incompletely abolished the alteration of d[Na(+)](i)/dt and the [Na(+)](i) recovery. The Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase inhibitor ouabain (200 micromol/L) did not change d[Na(+)](i)/dt in non-IPC hearts, but it abolished the IPC- or diazoxide-induced reduction of d[Na(+)](i)/dt and the [Na(+)](i) recovery, whereas IPC followed by ouabain treatment showed partial functional recovery with smaller Delta[Na(+)](i) than other ouabain groups. In conclusion, alteration of Na(+) kinetics by preserving Na(+) efflux via Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase mediated by mito K(ATP) channel activation mainly contributes to functional protection in IPC hearts. The contribution of mito K(ATP) channel-independent pathway relating to Na(+) kinetics including reduced Na(+) influx is limited in functional protection of IPC.

Animals↗

Mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels inhibit apoptosis induced by oxidative stress in cardiac cells.

Mitochondria can either enhance or suppress cell death. Cytochrome c release from mitochondria and depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi) are crucial events in triggering apoptosis. In contrast, activation of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (mitoK(ATP)) channels prevents lethal ischemic injury in vivo, implicating these channels as key players in the process of ischemic preconditioning. We probed the relationship between mitoK(ATP) channels and apoptosis in cultured neonatal rat cardiac ventricular myocytes. Incubation with 200 micromol/L hydrogen peroxide induced TUNEL positivity, cytochrome c translocation, caspase-3 activation, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, and dissipation of DeltaPsi. Pharmacological opening of mitoK(ATP) channels by diazoxide (100 micromol/L) preserved mitochondrial integrity and suppressed all markers of apoptosis. Diazoxide prevented DeltaPsi depolarization in a concentration-dependent manner (EC(50) approximately 40 micromol/L, with saturation by 100 micromol/L), as shown by both flow cytometry and quantitative image analysis of cells stained with fluorescent DeltaPsi indicators. These cytoprotective effects of diazoxide were reproduced by pinacidil, another mitoK(ATP) agonist, and blocked by the mitoK(ATP) channel antagonist 5-hydroxydecanoate (500 micromol/L). Our findings identify a novel mitochondrial pathway that is protective against apoptosis. The results also pinpoint mitoK(ATP) channels as logical therapeutic targets in diseases of enhanced apoptosis and oxidative stress.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels attenuate matrix Ca(2+) overload during simulated ischemia and reperfusion: possible mechanism of cardioprotection.

Mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (mitoK(ATP)) channels play a key role in ischemic preconditioning of the heart. However, the mechanism of cardioprotection remains controversial. We measured rhod-2 fluorescence in adult rabbit ventricular cardiomyocytes as an index of mitochondrial matrix Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](m)), using time-lapse confocal microscopy. To simulate ischemia and reperfusion (I/R), cells were exposed to metabolic inhibition (50 minutes) followed by washout with control solution. Rhod-2 fluorescence gradually increased during simulated ischemia and rose even further with reperfusion. The mitoK(ATP) channel opener diazoxide attenuated the accumulation of [Ca(2+)](m) during simulated I/R (EC(50)=18 micromol/L). These effects of diazoxide were blocked by the mitoK(ATP) channel antagonist 5-hydroxydecanoate (5HD). In contrast, inhibitors of the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), cyclosporin A and bongkrekic acid, did not alter [Ca(2+)](m) accumulation during ischemia, but markedly suppressed the surge in rhod-2 fluorescence during reperfusion. Measurements of mitochondrial membrane potential, DeltaPsi(m), in permeabilized myocytes revealed that diazoxide depolarized DeltaPsi(m) (by 12% at 10 micromol/L, P<0.01) in a 5HD-inhibitable manner. Our data support the hypothesis that attenuation of mitochondrial Ca(2+) overload, as a consequence of partial mitochondrial membrane depolarization by mitoK(ATP) channels, underlies cardioprotection. Furthermore, mitoK(ATP) channels and the MPT differentially affect mitochondrial calcium homeostasis: mitoK(ATP) channels suppress calcium accumulation during I/R, while the MPT comes into play only upon reperfusion.

Bongkrekic Acid↗

Opening of mitochondrial K(ATP) channels attenuates the ouabain-induced calcium overload in mitochondria.

We tested whether opening of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K(+) (mitoK(ATP)) channels depolarizes mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)) and thereby prevents the mitochondrial Ca(2+) overload. With the use of a Nipkow disk confocal system, the mitochondrial Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](m)) and DeltaPsi(m) in rat ventricular myocytes were measured by loading cells with Rhod-2 and JC-1, respectively. Exposure to ouabain (1 mmol/L) for 30 minutes produced mitochondrial Ca(2+) overload, and the intensity of Rhod-2 fluorescence significantly increased to 173+/-16% of baseline (P<0.001). Treatment of myocytes with the mitoK(ATP) channel opener diazoxide (100 micromol/L) blunted the ouabain-induced mitochondrial Ca(2+) overload (131+/-10% of baseline; P<0.001 versus ouabain). Moreover, diazoxide significantly depolarized the DeltaPsi(m) and reduced the intensity of JC-1 fluorescence during application of ouabain to 89+/-2% of baseline (P<0.05). These effects of diazoxide were blocked by the mitoK(ATP) channel blocker 5-hydroxydecanoate (500 micromol/L). These results indicate that opening of mitoK(ATP) channels prevents a mitochondrial Ca(2+) overload in association with DeltaPsi(m) depolarization and thereby protects myocardium against ischemic damage.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Evidence that glucose can control insulin release independently from its action on ATP-sensitive K+ channels in mouse B cells.

Glucose stimulation of insulin release involves closure of ATP-sensitive K+ channels, depolarization, and Ca2+ influx in B cells. Mouse islets were used to investigate whether glucose can still regulate insulin release when it cannot control ATP-sensitive K+ channels. Opening of these channels by diazoxide (100-250 mumol/liter) blocked the effects of glucose on B cell membrane potential (intracellular microelectrodes), free cytosolic Ca2+ (fura-2 method), and insulin release, but it did not prevent those of high K (30 mmol/liter). K-induced insulin release in the presence of diazoxide was, however, dose dependently increased by glucose, which was already effective at concentrations (2-6 mmol/liter) that are subthreshold under normal conditions (low K and no diazoxide). This effect was not accompanied by detectable changes in B cell membrane potential. Measurements of 45Ca fluxes and cytosolic Ca2+ indicated that glucose slightly increased Ca2+ influx during the first minutes of depolarization by K, but not in the steady state when its effect on insulin release was the largest. In conclusion, there exists a mechanism by which glucose can control insulin release independently from changes in K(+)-ATP channel activity, in membrane potential, and in cytosolic Ca2+. This mechanism may serve to amplify the secretory response to the triggering signal (closure of K(+)-ATP channels--depolarization--Ca2+ influx) induced by glucose.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Intracellular ATP can regulate afferent arteriolar tone via ATP-sensitive K+ channels in the rabbit.

Studies were performed to assess whether ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels on rabbit preglomerular vessels can influence afferent arteriolar (AA) tone. K+ channels with a slope conductance of 258 +/- 13 (n = 7) pS and pronounced voltage dependence were demonstrated in excised patches from vascular smooth muscle cells of microdissected preglomerular segments. Channel activity was markedly reduced by 1 mM ATP and in a dose-dependent fashion by glibenclamide (10(-9) M to 10(-6) M), a specific antagonist of KATP channels. 10(-5) M diazoxide, a K+ channel opener, activated these channels in the presence of ATP, and this effect was also blocked by glibenclamide. To determine the role of these KATP channels in the control of vascular tone, diazoxide was tested on isolated perfused AA. After preconstriction from a control diameter of 13.1 +/- 1.1 to 3.5 +/- 2.1 microns with phenylephrine (PE), addition of 10(-5) M diazoxide dilated vessels to 11.2 +/- 0.7 microns, which was not different from control. Further addition of 10(-5) M glibenclamide reconstricted the vessels to 5.8 +/- 1.5 microns (n = 5; P less than 0.03). In support of its specificity for KATP channels, glibenclamide did not reverse verapamil induced dilation in a separate series of experiments. To determine whether intracellular ATP levels can effect AA tone, studies were conducted to test the effect of the glycolytic inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose. After preconstriction from 13.4 +/- 3.2 to 7.7 +/- 1.3 microns with PE, bath glucose was replaced with 6 mM 2-deoxy-D-glucose. Within 10 min, the arteriole dilated to a mean value of 11.8 +/- 1.4 microns (n = 6; NS compared to control). Subsequent addition of 10(-5) M glibenclamide significantly reconstricted the vessels to a diameter of 8.6 +/- 0.5 micron (P less than 0.04). These data demonstrate that KATP channels are present on the preglomerular vasculature and that changes in intracellular ATP can directly influence afferent arteriolar tone via these channels.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Genotype-phenotype correlations in children with congenital hyperinsulinism due to recessive mutations of the adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel genes.

Congenital hyperinsulinism (HI) is most commonly caused by recessive mutations of the pancreatic beta-cell ATP-sensitive potassium channel (K(ATP)), encoded by two genes on chromosome 11p, SUR1 and Kir6.2. The two mutations that have been best studied, SUR1 g3992-9a and SUR1 delF1388, are null mutations yielding nonfunctional channels and are characterized by nonresponsiveness to diazoxide, a channel agonist, and absence of acute insulin responses (AIRs) to tolbutamide, a channel antagonist, or leucine. To examine phenotypes of other K(ATP) mutations, we measured AIRs to calcium, leucine, glucose, and tolbutamide in infants with recessive SUR1 or Kir6.2 mutations expressed as diffuse HI (n = 8) or focal HI (n = 14). Of the 24 total mutations, at least seven showed evidence of residual K(ATP) channel function. This included positive AIR to both tolbutamide and leucine in diffuse HI cases or positive AIR to leucine in focal HI cases. One patient with partial K(ATP) function also responded to treatment with the channel agonist, diazoxide. Six of the seven patients with partial defects had amino acid substitutions or insertions; whereas, the other patient was compound heterozygous for two premature stop codons. These results indicate that some K(ATP) mutations can yield partially functioning channels, including cases of hyperinsulinism that are fully responsive to diazoxide therapy.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

A direct effect of hyperinsulinemia on serum sex hormone-binding globulin levels in obese women with the polycystic ovary syndrome.

To determine whether hyperinsulinemia can directly reduce serum sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels in obese women with the polycystic ovary syndrome, six obese women with this disorder were studied. Before study, ovarian steroid production was suppressed in each woman by the administration of 7.5 mg of a long-acting GnRH agonist, leuprolide depot, im, on days -56, -28, and 0. This resulted in substantial reductions in serum concentrations of testosterone (from 1.72 +/- 0.29 nmol/L on day -56 to 0.32 +/- 0.09 nmol/L on day 0), non-SHBG-bound testosterone (from 104 +/- 16 pmol/L on day -56 to 19 +/- 5 pmol/L on day 0), androstenedione (from 7.25 +/- 1.65 nmol/L on day -56 to 2.78 +/- 0.94 nmol/L on day 0), estrone (from 371 +/- 71 pmol/L on day -56 to 156 +/- 29 pmol/L on day 0), estradiol (from 235 +/- 26 pmol/L on day -56 to 90 +/- 24 pmol/L on day 0), and progesterone (from 0.28 +/- 0.12 nmol/L on day -56 to 0.08 +/- 0.02 nmol/L on day 0). Serum SHBG levels, however, did not change (18.8 +/- 2.8 nmol/L on day -56 vs. 17.8 +/- 2.6 nmol/L on day 0). While continuing leuprolide treatment, the women were administered oral diazoxide (300 mg/day) for 10 days to suppress serum insulin levels. Diazoxide treatment resulted in suppressed insulin release during a 100-g oral glucose tolerance test (insulin area under the curve, 262 +/- 55 nmol/min.L on day 0 vs. 102 +/- 33 nmol/min.L on day 10; P less than 0.05) and deterioration of glucose tolerance. Serum testosterone, androstenedione, estrone, estradiol, and progesterone levels did not change during combined diazoxide and leuprolide treatment. In contrast, serum SHBG levels rose by 32% from 17.8 +/- 2.6 nmol/L on day 0 to 23.5 +/- 2.0 nmol/L on day 10 (P less than 0.003). Due primarily to the rise in serum SHBG levels, serum non-SHBG-bound testosterone levels fell by 43% from 19 +/- 5 pmol/L on day 0 to 11 +/- 4 pmol/L on day 10 (P = 0.05). These observations suggest that hyperinsulinemia directly reduces serum SHBG levels in obese women with the polycystic ovary syndrome independently of any effect on serum sex steroids.

Adult↗

Intracellular mechanism of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel activation with isoflurane.

UNLABELLED: The precise mechanism of isoflurane and mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel (mitoK(ATP)) interaction is still unclear, although the mitoK(ATP) is involved in isoflurane-induced preconditioning. We examined the role of various intracellular signaling systems in mitoK(ATP) activation with isoflurane. Mitochondrial flavoprotein fluorescence (MFF) was measured to quantify mitoK(ATP) activity in guinea pig cardiomyocytes. To confirm isoflurane-induced MFF, cells were exposed to Tyrode's solution containing either isoflurane (1.0 +/- 0.1 mM) or diazoxide and then both drugs together (n = 10 each). In other studies, the following drugs were each added during isoflurane administration: adenosine or the adenosine receptor antagonist 8-(p-sulfophenyl)-theophylline (SPT); the protein kinase C (PKC) activators phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) and phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu); the PKC inhibitors polymyxin B and staurosporine; the tyrosine kinase inhibitor lavendustin A; or the mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor SB203580 (n = 10 each). Isoflurane potentiated MFF induced by diazoxide (100 micro M), and diazoxide also increased isoflurane-induced MFF. PMA (0.2 micro M), PDBu (1 micro M), and adenosine (100 micro M) induced MFF. However, SPT (100 micro M), polymyxin B (50 micro M), staurosporine (200 nM), lavendustin A (0.5 micro M), and SB203580 (10 micro M) all failed to inhibit the effect of isoflurane. Our results show that isoflurane, adenosine, and PKC activate mitoK(ATP). However, our data do not support an action of isoflurane through pathways involving adenosine, PKC, tyrosine kinase, or mitogen-activated protein kinase. These results suggest that isoflurane may directly activate mitoK(ATP). IMPLICATIONS: Our results show that isoflurane activates mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium (mitoK(ATP)) channels, but not through pathways involving adenosine, protein kinase C, tyrosine kinase, or p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Isoflurane may directly activate mitoK(ATP) channels.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Cardioprotective effects of K ATP channel activation during hypoxia in goldfish Carassius auratus.

The activation of ATP-sensitive potassium (K ATP) ion channels in the heart is thought to exert a cardioprotective effect under low oxygen conditions, possibly enhancing tolerance of environmental hypoxia in aquatic vertebrates. The purpose of this study was to examine the possibility that hypoxia-induced activation of cardiac K ATP channels, whether in the sarcolemma (sarcK ATP) or mitochondria (mitoK ATP), enhances viability in cardiac muscle cells from a species highly tolerant of low oxygen environments, the goldfish Carassius auratus. During moderate hypoxia (6-7 kPa), the activation of sarcK ATP channels was indicated by a reduction in transmembrane action potential duration (APD). This response to hypoxia was mimicked by the NO-donor SNAP (100 micromol l(-1)) and the stable cGMP analog 8-Br-cGMP, but abolished by glibenclamide or l-NAME, an inhibitor of NO synthesis. The mitoK ATP channel opener diazoxide did not affect APD. Isolated ventricular muscle cells were then incubated under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Cell viability was decreased in hypoxia; however, the negative effects of low oxygen were reduced during simultaneous exposure to SNAP, 8-Br-cGMP, and diazoxide. The cardioprotective effect of diazoxide, but not 8-Br-cGMP, was reduced by the mitoK ATP channel blocker 5-HD. These data suggest that hypoxia-induced activation of sarcK ATP or mitoK ATP channels could enhance tolerance of low-oxygen environments in this species, and that sarcK ATP activity is increased through a NO and cGMP-dependent pathway.

Acclimatization↗

Glucose triggers protein kinase A-dependent insulin secretion in mouse pancreatic islets through activation of the K+ATP channel-dependent pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the significance of protein kinase A (PKA) in glucose triggering of ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(+)(ATP)) channel-dependent insulin secretion and in glucose amplification of K(+)(ATP) channel-independent insulin secretion. METHODS: Insulin release from cultured perifused mouse pancreatic islets was determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: In islets cultured at 5.5 mmol/l glucose, and then perifused in physiological Krebs-Ringer medium, the PKA inhibitors, H89 (10 micromol/l) and PKI 6-22 amide (30 micromol/l) did not inhibit glucose (16.7 mmol/l)-induced insulin secretion, but inhibited stimulation by the adenylyl cyclase activator, forskolin (10 micromol/l). In the presence of 60 mmol/l K(+) and 250 micromol/l diazoxide, which stimulates maximum Ca(2+) influx independently of K(+)(ATP) channels, H89 (10 micromol/l) inhibited Ca(2+)-evoked insulin secretion, but failed to prevent glucose amplification of K(+)(ATP) channel-independent insulin secretion. In the presence of 1 mmol/l ouabain and 250 micromol/l diazoxide, which cause modest Ca(2+) influx, glucose amplification of K(+)(ATP) channel-independent insulin secretion was observed without concomitant Ca(2+) stimulation of PKA activity. In islets cultured at 16.7 mmol/l glucose, glucose (16.7 mmol/l)-induced insulin secretion in physiological Krebs-Ringer medium was augmented and now inhibited by H89 (10 micromol/l), implicating that culture at 16.7 mmol/l glucose may increase Ca(2+)-sensitive adenylyl cyclase activity and hence PKA activity. In accordance, Ca(2+)-evoked insulin secretion at 60 mmol/l K(+) and 250 micromol/l diazoxide was improved, whereas glucose amplification of K(+)(ATP) channel-independent insulin secretion was unaffected. CONCLUSIONS: Glucose may activate PKA through triggering of the K(+)(ATP) channel-dependent pathway. Glucose amplification of K(+)(ATP) channel-independent insulin secretion, on the other hand, occurs by PKA-independent mechanisms.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Appearance of glucose-induced insulin release in fetal rat beta-cells.

Fetal rat pancreatic cells were isolated from pancreatic primordia on days 12-14 of pregnancy and cultured for 48 h in the presence of 5 mmol/l glucose. Insulin accumulation in the medium over the next 24 h was measured. Cultured cells from day 12 fetuses secreted about 1 fmol insulin per pancreas in response to 5 or 15 mmol/l glucose irrespective of whether 1 mmol/l tolbutamide, 400 mumol/l diazoxide, 5 mmol/l theophylline or 10 mmol/l mannoheptulose was present. In contrast, insulin released from day 13 cultured cells increased significantly from 3.0 +/- 0.6 to 6.2 +/- 2.2 fmol per pancreas, when the glucose concentration was raised. Tolbutamide increased, diazoxide and mannoheptulose decreased and theophylline had no effect on insulin release. Even more pronounced effects were found on insulin release from day 14 cultured cells, in which theophylline also increased the release. In addition, insulin release from cells from pregnancy day 14 was 75 +/- 16 amol/min per pancreas when the cells were perifused for 15-20 min in the presence of 5 mmol/l glucose within 3 h of isolation. Increasing the glucose concentration to 15 mmol/l or adding tolbutamide increased, whereas diazoxide decreased, insulin release in the freshly isolated cells. The insulin content of rat pancreata from pregnancy day 13 was 0.06 +/- 0.01 pmol per pancreas and increased approximately 10-fold every second day up to 6.7 +/- 0.9 pmol on day 17 of pregnancy. Between day 17 and 19 the pancreatic insulin content increased about fivefold to 39 +/- 2 pmol. The present data suggest that critical components of the insulin-secretory machinery, including ATP-regulated K+ channels, glucokinase and adenylate cyclase activities, are present in the developing beta-cell earlier than hitherto thought.

Animals↗

The treatment of resistant hypertension.

Resistant hypertension can be defined in terms of lack of blood pressure response to hypotensive agents, but there may be a big difference between standing and lying blood pressure levels. In general target organ damage and papilloedema improve if the standing blood pressure is controlled; however, progression can occasionally be documented when only the supine blood pressure remains uncontrolled. Resistant hypertension was a frequent phenomenon when ganglion blocking agents and hydrallazine were the only effective hypotensive agents. With the advent of the thiazides, effective control of the blood pressure became the exception rather than the rule; however, it was not until the advent of adrenergic blocking agents that reduction of supine blood pressures was regularly achieved. The addition of hydrallazine or prazosin to a combination of a thiazide and beta-adrenoreceptor blocking agent produces a further significant fall in the blood pressure lying and standing. This combination will control the blood pressure in most patients, but a few remain refractory to maximum doses and will require treatment with oral diazoxide or minoxidil. Both these powerful vasodilators are very effective in resistant hypertension. Oral diazoxide permits excellent control and allows a 10-fold reduction in the doses of other agents. Minoxidil usually needs to be combined with moderate doses of beta-blocking agents to reduce the marked reflex tachycardia. Only a 50% reduction in other hypotensive agents was achieved in patients treated with minoxidil and two patients proved resistant to minoxidil, but subsequently responded to oral diazoxide.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Differential activation of protein kinase C between ischemic and pharmacological preconditioning in the rabbit heart.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the differential activation of protein kinase C between ischemic (IPC) and pharmacological preconditioning (PPC) in the rabbit heart. Control, IPC, diazoxide (Diaz), and chelerythrine (Chel)+IPC groups underwent prolonged coronary artery occlusion (CAO) for 30 minutes followed by 180 minutes' reperfusion (protocol I). In protocol II, sham, IPC-only, Diaz-only, and Chel+IPC-only groups did not undergo prolonged CAO. IPC was induced with 4 cycles of 5-min regional ischemia and 10-min reperfusion before prolonged CAO. Diaz (5 mg/kg) was administered 30 min before prolonged CAO. Chel (5 mg/kg) was administered 5 min before the IPC procedure. Infarct size was determined by tetrazolium staining. Assessment of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms from a left ventricular (LV) sample was conducted by western blotting. Apoptosis in situ was determined by TUNEL assay. The infarction area in the IPC (11.6 +/- 1.0%) and Diaz (19.5 +/- 3.8%) groups was reduced significantly (p< 0.01, p< 0.05) relative to the control group (40.0 +/- 3.8%). The reduction by IPC was abolished by pretreatment with Chel. Apoptosis was significantly decreased (p< 0.01) in the IPC and diazoxide groups compared with the control and Chel+IPC groups (control: 4.78 +/- 0.56% vs. IPC: 2.00 +/- 0.38% vs. Diaz: 2.20 +/- 0.32% vs. Chel+IPC: 4.32 +/- 0.41%) and DNA laddering was attenuated in the IPC and Diaz groups. Membrane PKC-epsilon levels in the IPC and Diaz groups increased significantly relative to the control and Chel+IPC groups. Membrane PKC-epsilon levels in the IPC-only group showed greater increases than the Diaz-only and Chel+IPC-only groups. These findings suggest that whereas PPC suppresses apoptosis when diazoxide opens mitochondrial K(ATP) channels and then activates PKC-epsilon through ischemia-reperfusion, IPC activates PKC-epsilon in the particulate fraction prior to continuous ischemia-reperfusion. We concluded that the difference between IPC and PPC appears to consist in the difference in the timing of PKC-epsilon activation, though both IPC and PPC provide the cardioprotection in ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Alkaloids↗

Coupling of beta-cell desensitization by hyperglycemia to excessive stimulation and circulating insulin in glucose-infused rats.

Nondiabetic rats were infused with glucose for 48 h to maintain moderate or marked hyperglycemia (mean blood glucose 13.2 +/- 0.7 or 22.8 +/- 0.3 mM, respectively). The two levels of hyperglycemia increased plasma insulin levels severalfold but decreased the insulin response to 27 mM glucose by 19 and 95%, respectively, versus saline infusion. Diazoxide (5 mg.kg-1.h-1), when continuously infused during the hyperglycemia protocols, completely inhibited the glucose-induced rise in plasma insulin levels. Diazoxide transformed beta-cell insensitivity to stimulation: glucose-induced insulin release was thus increased 318% after moderate hyperglycemia and 707% after marked hyperglycemia. These stimulatory effects of diazoxide were reversed by exogenous insulin infusion (8 or 2 U/24 h) in a dose-dependent manner. It is concluded that excessive beta-cell stimulation rather than glucotoxicity underlies hyperglycemia-induced beta-cell insensitivity. Effects of hyperinsulinemia can form part of the mechanisms whereby excessive stimulation affects beta-cell secretion.

Animals↗

Dual functional role of membrane depolarization/Ca2+ influx in rat pancreatic B-cell.

Transient exposure of rat pancreatic B-cell to 50 mM K+ ([K+50]) makes exocytosis unresponsive to further depolarization, i.e., stimulation with 100 mM K+ or 1 uM glyburide, which closes the ATP-sensitive K+ (K+ATP) channel, simultaneously with [K+50] does not produce any greater insulin secretion compared with [K+50] alone. In sharp contrast, 16.7 mM glucose ([G16.7]) applied simultaneously with [K+50] elicits an insulin response markedly greater than that produced by [K+50] alone, which is not attenuated by 100 uM diazoxide, an inhibitor of K+ATP channel closure. [G16.7]-induced insulin secretion at the basal K+ concn of 4.7 mM was greatly (93%) suppressed by 100 uM diazoxide. Insulin secretion induced by [K+50] plus [G16.7] ([K+50 + G16.7]) was markedly suppressed (70%) by 1 uM nifedipine, a Ca(2+)-channel blocker and was completely abolished by 2 mM 2-cyclohexen-1-one, which reportedly decreases reduced glutathione level and blocks glucokinase. This finding indicates that insulin release induced by [K+50 + G16.7] is not due to leakage produced by toxic stimuli but to activation of exocytosis. When graded concentrations (25 and 50 mM) of K+ were applied simultaneously with [G16.7] in the presence of 100 uM diazoxide, insulin response was clearly dependent on K+ concentration, indicating that the physiological range of membrane depolarization also activates the glucose-responsive effector. Membrane depolarization/Ca2+ influx directly stimulates hormone exocytosis on one hand and activates the K+ATP channel-independent glucose-responsive effector or effectors on the other in the B-cell. The nature of the glucose-responsive effector or effectors remains to be established.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗