Vasopressin decreases immunogold labeling of apical actin in the toad bladder granular cell.

Studies with the confocal microscope have shown that arginine vasopressin (AVP) depolymerizes F-actin in the apical region of the toad bladder granular cell. However, the resolution of the fluorescence microscope is not great enough to reveal the exact pattern of depolymerization or the relative extent to which microvillar and subapical membrane actin pools contribute to overall depolymerization. We have developed an electron microscopic immunogold method that shows a significant decrease in immunogold labeling of actin in the region just below the apical membrane, with the decrease most pronounced in regions adjacent to the microvilli. There was no significant change of immunogold labeling within the microvilli themselves. Our studies show a reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton in the region of the granular cell, where water channel-carrying vesicles are positioned and fuse in response to AVP.


A plasma membrane proton ATPase in specialized cells of rat epididymis.

Acidification of the luminal fluid in the epididymis is believed to play an important role in sperm maturation. Previous studies have shown that specialized cells in the epithelium lining the epididymis contain high levels of carbonic anhydrase and that these cells have rod-shaped intramembraneous particles when examined by freeze fracture. Both of these features are characteristic of proton-transporting intercalated cells in the kidney collecting duct. We now show that apical cells in the head of the epididymis and clear cells in the body and tail of the epididymis express high levels of a vacuolar proton-pumping adenosinetriphosphatase on their apical plasma membranes and on intracellular vesicles. By analogy with kidney intercalated cells, these cell types may be specialized for acid secretion in the epididymis.


V-A and A-V modes in whole body and regional kinetics: domain of validity from a physiological model.

In turnover studies, both at whole body and regional level, sources of tracer and tracee are in general nonidentical thus resulting in nonuniformity of specific activity (SA). Guidelines are available in literature to deal with the heterogeneous SA problem, and either the V-A or A-V modes, based on the arterial and mixed venous blood SA, respectively, have been recommended for different substrates. In particular, the A-V mode is considered the method of choice for studying lactate, amino acids, free fatty acid, etc. Guidelines are based on specific models chosen to describe kinetic and circulatory events of the substance under study but are often conflicting. A unitary physiological framework to understand assumptions of various models is also lacking. In this paper, we first review these models to assess their domain of validity. In particular, we point out major drawbacks that relate to the tissue compartment being treated as a lumped well-mixed pool with a single SA value. We then attempt to handle the nonuniform tissue SA by employing a more physiological model. The tissue system is thought to be made up of elementary units connected in parallel and categorized according to their functional ability to affect incoming SA. Potential changes of SA within individual units are examined. Thus each tissue unit may provide a different contribution to the overall change in SA, as measured in mixed venous blood. A spatial profile of SA is also identified both along the direction of blood flow and transversely toward the inner cellular space. This distributed model allows assessment of the domain of validity of V-A and A-V modes. We show that, in general, the V-A mode underestimates the production rate both at whole body and regional level, whereas the A-V mode can either under- or overestimate it.


Functional changes in salivary glands of autoimmune disease-prone NOD mice.

Lymphocytic infiltration of the salivary glands in autoimmune diseases results in the human condition known as xerostomia. To date, an animal model for the autoimmune development of salivary gland dysfunction has yet to be described. With the autoimmune diabetes-prone nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse strain, salivary flow rates and total saliva protein concentration in both male and female mice showed a progressive decline in the nondiabetic and diabetic states. Submandibular gland weight decreased from control mice with the progression to onset of diabetes in both sexes, whereas the weight of the parotid gland remained unchanged. The level of saliva amylase activity, when measured relative to unit volume, decreased in nondiabetic males but increased upon onset of diabetes to control values. When expressed relative to protein concentration in saliva, amylase activity was depressed for both sets of NOD mice but was higher upon diabetes onset than in the nondiabetic animals. In females a similar pattern was observed except that amylase activity expressed relative to unit volume was not significantly depressed in either set of NOD mice. The same observations were made for glandular amylase activity. The level of epidermal growth factor (a product of the ductal cells of the submandibular gland) was reduced over 500- and 18-fold for male and female diabetic mice, respectively. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels of total saliva showed changes in mobility as well as concentration of several proteins in the NOD mice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Effect of a high-fat diet on the incorporation of stored triacylglycerol into hepatic VLDL.

Triacylglycerol (TG) stored in cytoplasmic lipid droplets of hepatocytes was labeled by in vivo [1-(14)C]oleic acid injection to study the effect of a high-fat diet on its incorporation into very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL). Compared with the control diet, hepatocytes of fat-fed rats 1) contained 7.6 times more cytoplasmic (floating fat) TG and 1.9 times more endoplasmic reticulum (microsomal) TG; 2) had 8 and 6 times lower TG specific activities in cytoplasm and endoplasmic reticulum, respectively; 3) incorporated 22% less 14C label into hepatocyte esterified lipids (TG, cholesterol, phospholipid); 4) secreted 48 and 33% less radioactive and total VLDL-TG, respectively; 5) oxidized more cytoplasmic TG-fatty acid (FA); and 6) showed a 50% decreased total utilization of stored TG-FA. With both diets, the lysosomal inhibitor chloroquine concomitantly decreased productions of labeled VLDL-TG, CO2, and acid-soluble oxidation products. The decreased incorporation of stored TG into VLDL-TG appreciably contributes to the overall inhibition of hepatic VLDL secretion by fat feeding. It appears to be related to the decreased mobilization rate of stored TG and its increased channelling toward oxidation.


Whole body protein metabolism and resting energy expenditure in pregnant Gambian women.

Whole body protein metabolism and resting energy expenditure (REE) were measured at 11, 23, and 33 wk of pregnancy in nine pregnant (not malnourished) Gambian women and in eight matched nonpregnant nonlactating (NPNL) matched controls. Rates of whole body nitrogen flux, protein synthesis, and protein breakdown were determined in the fed state from the level of isotope enrichment of urinary urea and ammonia during a period of 9 h after a single oral dose of [15N]glycine. At regular intervals, REE was measured by indirect calorimetry (hood system). Based on the arithmetic end-product average of values obtained with urea and ammonia, a significant increase in whole body protein synthesis was observed during the second trimester (5.8 +/- 0.4 g.kg-1.day-1) relative to values obtained both for the NPNL controls (4.5 +/- 0.3 g.kg-1.day-1) and those during the first trimester (4.7 +/- 0.3 g.kg-1.day-1). There was a significant rise in REE during the third trimester both in the preprandial and postprandial states. No correlation was found between REE after meal ingestion and the rate of whole body protein synthesis.


Inhibition of central actions of cytokines on fever and thermogenesis by lipocortin-1 involves CRF.

In the present studies, the mechanisms underlying the inhibitory actions of lipocortin-1 on the pyrogenic and thermogenic properties of cytokines were investigated. Central (icv) injection of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF, 4.7 micrograms) or the recombinant cytokines interleukin (IL)-1 alpha (50 ng), IL-1 beta (5 ng), IL-6 (20 ng), IL-8 (20 ng), or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha, 1 microgram) in conscious rats produced significant increases in resting oxygen consumption (VO2, 13-26%) and colonic temperature (0.7-1.6 degrees C) within 2 h postinjection. Administration (icv) of a recombinant fragment (NH2-terminus, 1-188 amino acids) of human lipocortin-1 (1.2 micrograms) produced small increases in VO2 (< 5%) and body temperature (< 0.3 degrees C). Pretreatment (-5 min) with lipocortin-1 significantly attenuated the thermogenic and pyrogenic effects of centrally injected IL-1 beta (80% inhibition), IL-6 (60%), IL-8 (80%), or CRF (60%). However, pretreatment with lipocortin-1 failed to modify the actions of IL-1 alpha or TNF-alpha. We have previously demonstrated that the pyrogenic and thermogenic effects of IL-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-8 are dependent on the central actions of CRF, whereas IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha act independently of CRF. Fever and thermogenesis induced by all of these cytokines (with the exception of IL-8) can also be prevented by administration of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor. The data presented here suggest that the potent antipyretic effects of lipocortin-1 may result from inhibition of the release or actions of CRF rather than modulation of eicosanoid synthesis.


Influence of somatotropin on lipid metabolism and IGF gene expression in porcine adipose tissue.

The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of porcine somatotropin (pST) treatment (2 mg/day) and dietary fat (10%) separately and in combination on the metabolic activity of subcutaneous adipose tissue, serum adipogenic activity, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) gene expression within adipose tissue from growing 5- to 6-mo-old barrows. This study attempted to determine how these factors might contribute to the reported changes in adiposity of treated swine. Biopsies of adipose tissue were collected after 28 days of treatment following anesthesia with thiopental sodium (15 mg/kg iv). Somatotropin inhibited in vitro glucose oxidation and lipogenesis in adipose tissue but did not affect fatty acid esterification. Adipogenic activity of serum was not altered by pST treatment. Subcutaneous adipose tissue contained mRNA for IGF-I and -II, and pST administration increased the abundance of IGF-I mRNA. Dietary fat had no effect on these variables. Thus somatotropin reduces glucose metabolism in porcine subcutaneous adipose tissue. Preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation are not affected by somatotropin through its actions on systemic factors. Dietary fat provides no additional benefit in combination with pST administration to affect accretion of adipose tissue in growing swine.


Role of FFA-glucose cycle in glucoregulation during exercise in total absence of insulin.

Muscle contraction in vitro increases glucose uptake (GU), independent of insulin, but in vivo, the exercise-induced increase in GU is impaired in insulin-deficient diabetic dogs. We wished to determine whether, in vivo, suppression of the free fatty acid (FFA)-glucose cycle with methylpalmoxirate (MP, inhibitor of FFA oxidation) alone or combined with propranolol (PRO, beta-blocker) could improve GU during exercise in the absence of insulin. We performed four groups of exercise experiments (6 km/h, 10% slope) in depancreatized insulin-deprived dogs: 1) control (n = 6); 2) MP treated (5 oral doses of 10 mg/kg, twice daily, n = 6); 3) treated with MP+octanoate (OCT; oxidation unaffected by MP, 27 mumol.kg-1.min-1 iv during exercise; n = 5); and 4) MP+PRO treated (5 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 iv during exercise, n = 6). MP abolished ketosis (inhibition of hepatic FFA oxidation), decreased basal glucose production (GP), and increased metabolic clearance of glucose (MCR). During exercise, MP attenuated the increment in GP (P < 0.01), which was reversed by OCT. MP did not affect the exercise-induced increase in GU and MCR. With MP+PRO, FFAs decreased and lactate did not rise during exercise. GP was not further suppressed, but GU and MCR were increased (P < 0.01) to 89 and 31% of normal, respectively. In insulin-deprived depancreatized dogs, glucose cycling was increased to a greater extent than GP, as in type II diabetes. By the end of exercise, glucose cycling increased (P < 0.05), but to a similar extent as GP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Isotopomer spectral analysis of triglyceride fatty acid synthesis in 3T3-L1 cells.

A new analysis of stable isotope data for biosynthesis reaction, isotopomer spectral analysis (ISA), is demonstrated. ISA is theoretically applicable for polymerization biosynthesis where data are collected using selected ion-monitoring gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. ISA utilizes the discrete spectrum of isotopomer abundances and the multinomial distribution to estimate two key parameters related to the biosynthesis. These parameters are 1) the dilution of the precursor immediately before biosynthesis and 2) the dilution of the newly synthesized product in the sampled compartment. Differentiated 3T3-L1 cells incorporated 2 mM [1,2-13C]acetate into triglyceride palmitate, yielding a spectrum of mass isotopomers of palmitate. The set of equations for the first nine isotopomers were solved for the two parameters using nonlinear regression. We found that precursor dilutions for acetate and glucose were constant over time, whereas the product dilution parameter increased with time, as expected for cells accumulating triglyceride palmitate. Mathematical procedures are presented for calculating 1) the predicted isotopomer fractional abundance values and 2) the correction for atoms other than the tracer atom in the mass ion.


Measurement of bicarbonate turnover in humans: applicability to estimation of energy expenditure.

Bicarbonate turnover and energy expenditure were assessed in six healthy male volunteers, by the use of a constant infusion of radiolabeled bicarbonate (NaH14CO3) administered over 36 h, while the volunteers were confined to a whole body indirect calorimeter. Recovery and dilution of isotope were assessed from measurements made on continuous collections of CO2, entering and leaving the calorimeter, urine, and intermittent spot breath and saliva samples. Mean recovery of infused label in gaseous CO2 was 95.6 +/- 1.1% (SD) between 12 and 36 h. Applying a 95% mean recovery of label to each subject individually enabled the use of integrated mean specific activity of CO2 in spot breath and urine samples to predict measured net CO2 production and energy expenditure to within about +/- 6%. Estimates based on urinary measurements were compromised slightly by the exchange of label through the bladder wall (this was dependent on pH and volume of urine). It is concluded that this constant-infusion labeled bicarbonate method offers a potentially useful means of assessing net CO2 production and total energy expenditure over the short term (e.g., 1-3 days).


Effects of differing insulin levels on response to equivalent hypoglycemia in conscious dogs.

The aim of this study was to determine if differing concentrations of insulin can modify the counterregulatory response to equivalent hypoglycemia. Insulin was infused intraportally into normal 18-h-fasted conscious dogs at 2 (low, n = 6) or 8 mU.kg-1.min-1 (high, n = 7) on separate occasions. This resulted in steady-state arterial insulin levels of 80 +/- 8 and 610 +/- 55 microU/ml, respectively. Glucose was infused during the high dose to maintain plasma glucose similar to low (50 +/- 1 mg/dl). Despite similar plasma glucose levels, epinephrine (2,589 +/- 260, 806 +/- 180 pg/ml), norepinephrine (535 +/- 60, 303 +/- 55 pg/ml), cortisol (12.1 +/- 1.5, 5.8 +/- 1.2 micrograms/dl), and pancreatic polypeptide (1,198 +/- 150, 598 +/- 250 pg/ml) were all increased in the presence of high-dose insulin (P < 0.05). Glucagon levels were similar during both insulin infusions. Hepatic glucose production, measured with [3-3H]-glucose, rose from 2.6 +/- 0.2 to 4.7 +/- 0.3 mg.kg-1.min-1 in response to high insulin (P < 0.01) but remained unchanged, 3.0 +/- 0.5 mg.kg-1.min-1, during low-dose infusions. Six hyperinsulinemic euglycemic control experiments (2 or 8 mU.kg-1.min-1, n = 3 in each) provided baseline data. By the final hour of the high-dose euglycemic clamps, cortisol (2.4 +/- 0.4 to 4.8 +/- 0.8 micrograms/dl) and norepinephrine (125 +/- 34 to 278 +/- 60 pg/ml) had increased (P < 0.05) compared with baseline. Plasma epinephrine levels remained unchanged during both series of euglycemic studies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Effect of hyperinsulinemia on ovine fetal leucine kinetics during prolonged maternal fasting.

The primary effect of insulin on whole body protein metabolism in postnatal life is to reduce proteolysis. To assess the role of insulin in the regulation of protein metabolism in prenatal life, leucine kinetics were determined in the ovine fetus at baseline and in response to hyperinsulinemia. These measurements were made in each fetus in two different maternal states: ad libitum maternal feeding and after a 5-day maternal fast. Maternal fasting resulted in significant increases in baseline fetal leucine rate of appearance (Ra; 51.9 +/- 16.7 vs. 37.3 +/- 3.6 mumol/min, P < 0.05) and leucine oxidation (30.1 +/- 8.9 vs. 8.8 +/- 2.2 mumol/min, P < 0.05). Hyperinsulinemia, which was associated with significant increases in fetal glucose utilization, did not affect total fetal leucine R(a) or leucine release from fetal proteolysis in either maternal state. Under well-fed maternal conditions, hyperinsulinemia produced no changes in the fetal oxidative or nonoxidative disposal of leucine. In contrast, during maternal fasting, hyperinsulinemia reduced fetal leucine oxidation (11.0 +/- 3.7 vs. 31.1 +/- 8.9 mumol/min, P < 0.05) and increased the nonoxidative disposal of leucine (35.4 +/- 4.0 vs. 19.0 +/- 6.1 mumol/min, P < 0.05). This resulted in a change in the fetal leucine accretion rate from negative to positive (-20.9 +/- 7.5 vs. 7.5 +/- 6.7 mumol/min, P < 0.05). These results suggest that, under conditions of restricted maternal substrate intake, fetal hyperinsulinemia and the attendant increase in fetal glucose utilization are associated with increased protein synthesis rather than decreased protein breakdown, thereby improving fetal leucine carcass accretion.


Endocrine effects of new bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide antagonists in rats.

Four new and specific pseudononapeptide bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptor antagonists, containing the D-forms of Trp or Trp analogue (Tpi) at position 6, were studied for their effects on the endocrine pancreas and GRP-(14-27)-induced gastrin release in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats. One of the analogues, D-Tpi6,Leu13-psi (CH2NH)Leu14-bombesin-(6-14) (RC-3095), was injected into the lateral brain ventricle just preceding intracerebroventricular administration of GRP-(14-27) to evaluate its antagonistic effect on GRP-induced serum growth hormone (GH) suppression. Analogues RC-3095, D-Trp6,Leu13-psi (CH2NH)Leu14-bombesin-(6-14) (RC-3125), and D-Trp6,Leu13-psi (CH2NH)Phe14-bombesin-(6-14) (RC-3420), but not D-Tpi6,Leu13-psi (CH2NH)Phe14-bombesin-(6-14) (RC-3105), significantly (P < 0.01) inhibited GRP-(14-27)-stimulated serum gastrin secretion. Analogues RC-3095, RC-3420, and RC-3105, but not RC-3125, demonstrated significant (P < 0.05) antagonistic activities on GRP-(14-27)-stimulated plasma glucagon secretion. Intracerebroventricular injection of RC-3095 (10 micrograms) immediately before GRP-(14-27) (1 microgram) completely prevented the GRP-(14-27)-induced serum GH suppression. These results indicate that 1) marked differences exist in the ability of these analogues to antagonize GRP-(14-27)-induced gastrin or glucagon release, suggesting the existence of different bombesin/GRP receptor subtypes, and 2) the central effect of bombesin/GRP on GH release from the pituitary is probably mediated through specific bombesin/GRP receptors.


Cyclooxygenase inhibitors blunt thromboxane action in human placental arteries by blocking thromboxane receptors.

The effects of cyclooxygenase inhibitors on thromboxane-mediated vasoconstriction in human placental arteries were studied in the isolated perfused fetoplacental cotyledon. The stable thromboxane agonist U-46619 caused a dose-related increase in perfusion pressure in the fetal side of the cotyledon. Meclofenamate (3.3 x 10(-5) M) significantly blunted the pressor response to U-46619, but not to angiotensin II, and inhibited thromboxane B2 formation in placental slices (IC50, 4.80 x 10(-8) M). The mechanism by which meclofenamate prevented thromboxane-induced vasoconstriction was studied using ligand-binding techniques in a membrane fraction prepared from placental cotyledons. Meclofenamate caused a dose-related inhibition of binding of the thromboxane receptor antagonist [3H]SQ 29548 with an IC50 of 2.61 x 10(-5) M. Scatchard analysis of equilibrium binding demonstrated that meclofenamate reduced the number of binding sites without altering the affinity of the receptor, suggesting a noncompetitive mechanism. Indomethacin also caused a dose-related inhibition of thromboxane binding (IC50, 3.27 x 10(-4) M). However, aspirin at a dose of 2.0 x 10(-3) M did not inhibit [3H]SQ 29548 binding. The data indicate that some cyclooxygenase inhibitors blunt thromboxane actions by interfering with binding at thromboxane receptor sites. These studies identify a new mechanism by which cyclooxygenase inhibition by some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can prevent thromboxane action in fetoplacental blood vessels in vitro independent of reductions in thromboxane formation.


Tissue-specific expression of bone proteins in femora of growing rats.

Total cellular RNA was extracted from bone cells of three different femoral compartments of 2-mo-old rats. The intact femora were first incubated with collagenase to obtain periosteal cells. The bisected periosteum-free diaphyses and metaphyses were then incubated with collagenase to obtain enriched populations of endosteal and cancellous bone cells, respectively. The total cellular RNA from these three tissues was separated by size using agarose gel electrophoresis, transferred to nylon filters, hybridized to 32P-labeled cDNA probes for glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAP), pre-pro-alpha (I) type I collagen (collagen), osteocalcin (BGP), and alkaline phosphatase (AP), and the cDNA/mRNA hybrids were visualized by radioautography. Bone matrix deposition was measured in each tissue compartment by tetracycline-based dynamic bone histomorphometry. The bone formation and apposition rates were greatest in the periosteum and least in metaphysis. Mean mRNA levels for collagen and BGP were positively correlated with mean bone formation and mineral apposition rates. Interestingly, mean AP mRNA levels were not correlated with indexes of bone formation. These results demonstrate that the steady-state mRNA levels for bone matrix proteins in femora show pronounced site specificity and correlate with the rates of bone matrix deposition.


Concomitant interindividual variation in body temperature and metabolic rate.

There is significant variation in metabolic rate in humans, independent of differences in body size, body composition, age, and gender. Although it has been generally held that the normal human "set-point" body temperature is 37 degrees C, these interindividual variations in metabolic rate also suggest possible variations in body temperature. To examine the possibility of correlations between metabolic rate and body temperature, triplicate measurements of oral temperatures were made before and after measurement of 24-h energy expenditure in a respiratory chamber in 23 Pima Indian men. Fasting oral temperatures varied more between individuals than can be attributed to methodological errors or intraindividual variation. Oral temperatures correlated with sleeping (r = 0.80, P < 0.0001), and 24-h (r = 0.48, P < 0.02) metabolic rates adjusted for differences in body size, body composition, and age. Similarly, in the 32 Caucasian men of the Minnesota Semi-Starvation Study, oral temperature correlated with adjusted metabolic rate, and the interindividual differences in body temperature were maintained throughout semistarvation and refeeding. These results suggest that a low body temperature and a low metabolic rate might be two signs of an obesity-prone syndrome in humans.


Ammonium chloride-induced acidosis increases protein breakdown and amino acid oxidation in humans.

The effect of acidosis on whole body protein turnover was determined from the kinetics of infused L-[1-13C]leucine. Seven healthy subjects were studied before (basal) and after (acid) the induction of acidosis with 5 days oral ammonium chloride (basal pH 7.42 +/- 0.01, acid pH 7.35 +/- 0.03). Bicarbonate recovery, measured from the kinetics of infused NaH13CO3, was increased in the acidotic state (basal 72.9 +/- 1.2 vs. acid 77.6 +/- 1.6%; P = 0.06). Leucine appearance from body protein (PD), leucine disappearance into body protein (PS), and leucine oxidation (O) increased significantly (PD: basal 120.5 +/- 5.6 vs. acid 153.9 +/- 6.2, P < 0.01; PS: basal 98.8 +/- 5.6 vs. acid 127.0 +/- 4.7, P < 0.01; O: basal 21.6 +/- 1.1 vs. acid 26.9 +/- 2.3 mumol.kg-1.h-1, P < 0.01). Plasma levels of the amino acids threonine, serine, asparagine, citrulline, valine, leucine, ornithine, lysine, histidine, arginine, and hydroxyproline increased significantly with the induction of acidosis. These results confirm that acidosis in humans is a catabolic factor stimulating protein degradation and amino acid oxidation.


Effects of peptide YY on the human cardiovascular system: reversal of responses to vasoactive intestinal peptide.

Peptide YY (PYY) reverses the increased intestinal secretion stimulated by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in humans. VIP also dilates blood vessels, so we investigated the effect of PYY on the cardiovascular system. Six volunteers received PYY, 0.4 and 1.2 pmol.kg-1 x min-1 i.v. for 2 h, reproducing plasma levels seen postprandially and during a diarrheal illness, respectively. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. PYY infused at 0.4 pmol.kg-1 x min-1 had no effect on cardiovascular parameters. PYY infused at 1.2 pmol.kg-1 x min-1 caused a fall in both stroke volume from 128 +/- 8 to 110 +/- 8 ml/beat (mean +/- 95 confidence interval, P < 0.01) and cardiac output from 7.2 +/- 0.4 to 6.1 +/- 0.4 l/min (P < 0.01). Effects of infusion of PYY into the brachial artery at doses of 0-16 pmol/min were assessed using venous occlusion plethysmography in six subjects. PYY infusion caused a dose-dependent fall in forearm blood flow. Six subjects received VIP, 5 pmol.kg-1 x min-1 i.v., causing a rise in heart rate from 55 +/- 3 to 70 +/- 3 beats/min and increased cardiac output from 7.3 +/- 1.1 to 13.1 +/- 1.1 l/min. The addition of PYY, 0.4 pmol.kg-1 x min-1 i.v., did not affect the heart rate significantly but decreased the cardiac output to 10.4 +/- 1.1 l/min (P < 0.01). Infusions of PYY into the brachial artery at 5 pmol/min decreased local vasodilation induced by VIP infused at 2 pmol/min at the same site by 40% (P < 0.01), even though this dose of PYY had no significant effect on local blood flow when given alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Differences in GH secretion from individual somatotropes in rats genetically selected for fast and slow growth.

A reverse hemolytic plaque assay was used to examine effects of selection for fast (F) and slow (S) growth on growth hormone (GH) secretion by individual somatotropes. Anterior pituitaries (AP) from 32 male Charles River CD strain rats selected for F and S growth for 20 generations were used. Four rats per line were used at 4, 6, 8, or 10 wk of age. Body weight (P < 0.0001) of F rats was greater compared with S rats. AP (P < 0.05) were heavier at 8 and 10 wk of age in F compared with S line rats. Percentages of GH-secreting cells were unaffected by age (range = 32.7-35.5%) and line [F = 33.1 +/- 1.2% (SE) vs. S = 34.5 +/- 1.2%] or by human GH-releasing factor (hGRF). At 8 and 10 wk, mean plaque-forming area was greater (P < 0.0001) in F compared with S rats under both nonstimulated (2,704 +/- 202 vs. 1,648 +/- 202 microns2) and hGRF-stimulated secretion (4,503 +/- 202 vs. 2,682 +/- 202 microns2). Results indicate that differences in growth observed in the two lines may be due to a greater secretory capacity of individual somatotropes rather than to a greater percentage of somatotropes or sensitivity of somatotropes to secretagogue.


K+ channels in adrenal zona glomerulosa cells. I. Characterization of distinct channel types.

Four distinct types of K+ channels were identified in rat and bovine adrenal zona glomerulosa (ZG) cells and characterized using single-channel recording techniques. Inward rectifier channels were the most frequently observed K+ channel types in the membrane patches of both rat and bovine ZG cells. The slope conductance of the inward current was 42 pS with an extracellular K+ concentration of 150 mM. The probability of the open state of these channels increased with depolarization. With the use of inside-out membrane patches with symmetric 150 mM K+ solutions, the rectifying behavior was found to require Mg2+ on the intracellular side of the membrane. Delayed rectifier K+ channels with conductances of 27 and 48 pS were found with rat ZG cells. These channels persisted with prolonged positive voltage steps and showed long mean open times with increasing depolarization. Transient outward currents with a conductance of 28 pS were observed only in bovine ZG cells. These channels showed substantial inactivation during positive voltage steps of 250 ms duration. Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels with a large conductance (228 pS) were identified in rat and bovine ZG cells. These different classes of K+ channels may be important for the control of resting membrane potential and the generation of action potentials, thus participating in the regulation of Ca2+ influx and aldosterone secretion in ZG cells.


Single K+ channels in adrenal zona glomerulosa cells. II. Inhibition by angiotensin II.

The effects of angiotensin II (ANG II) on single K+ channels were studied in rat and bovine adrenal zona glomerulosa (ZG) cells, using the patch-clamp technique. ANG II (0.1-10 nM) induced substantial inhibition of inward rectifier and delayed rectifier K+ channel activities in rat and bovine ZG cells. Analysis of single-channel activities showed that the ANG II-induced channel-blocking effect involved reductions in the probability of the open state (Po) and the mean open time. The changes in these channel parameters occurred at all test voltages, indicating that the effect of ANG II was voltage independent. ANG II could not interact directly with the extracellular sides of the membranes in these experiments using cell-attached patches. Therefore, the effect of ANG II on K+ channels must occur through an indirect cytosolic transduction pathway. The ANG II-induced block of K+ channels will result in membrane depolarization, which may activate voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, thereby increasing cytosolic free Ca2+ and stimulating aldosterone secretion. These channel-modulating actions of ANG II may be an important step in the initial sequence of events underlying its transduction mechanism.


Metabolism of pregnant-lactating rats is adapted to pregnancy rather than to lactation.

In pregnant-lactating rats implantation was induced on day 4 of lactation so that, as an exception, lactation coincided with the period of high fetal growth. The already present suckling litters of these animals lagged behind in growth, but the "second" litters were at birth normal in size and weight. Such pregnant-lactating rats were tested in vivo with intravenous glucose loads and compared with cyclic and lactating rats. Glucose tolerance was unaffected by the reproductive state. Pregnant-lactating rats showed, just as during their first pregnancy, low basal glucose levels. Their basal insulin levels and insulin responses, however, were decreased in comparison with the first pregnancy and resembled those of lactating rats. This may be due to an increased insulin turnover, because in vitro insulin responsiveness and insulin content of both "pregnant-lactating" and "pregnant" islets were increased in comparison with "cyclic" and "lactating" islets. It was concluded that the metabolism of pregnant-lactating rats is adapted to the pregnant rather than to the lactational state.


Posthepatic rate of appearance of insulin: measurement and validation in the nonsteady state.

To assess the accuracy with which insulin appearance rates in the peripheral circulation can be measured out of steady state, seven conscious dogs were simultaneously infused with somatostatin and insulin at known variable rates. Tritiated insulin was infused concurrently at a constant rate. Insulin rates of appearance were estimated continuously on the basis of a two-compartment model for systemic insulin kinetics. The calculations were performed assuming that insulin kinetics were linear (tracer data not used) and nonlinear or time varying (tracer data used to assess the variation). The average error in areas under the curve was -3.5 +/- 2.5 and 27.0 +/- 14.2% when nonlinear or linear kinetics were assumed. The maximal errors when linearity was assumed was 39.9 +/- 11.3% and decreased to 16.3 +/- 2.6% when the tracer data was used to account for changes in the fractional removal rate of insulin. The accuracy of the linear estimates improved as the fractional removal rate remained closer to constant. These data suggest that a priori assumptions should not be made on the linearity of the insulin system in a given experimental situation.


Effect of gender on insulin resistance associated with aging.

To examine whether age-related changes in energy metabolism are influenced by gender, 20 females and 20 males varying in age from 21 to 80 yr were studied with euglycemic insulin clamp in combination with indirect calorimetry and infusion of [3-3H]glucose. Lean body mass (LBM) was measured with the tritiated water technique. Fat percentage correlated with age in males (r = 0.60; P < 0.05) but not in females. Although the rates of insulin-stimulated total glucose disposal and nonoxidative glucose metabolism were similar in females and males, nonoxidative glucose metabolism expressed per kilogram body weight (r = -0.64; P < 0.01) or per kilogram LBM (r = -0.46; P < 0.05) was inversely correlated with age only in males. Basal metabolic rate expressed per kilogram body weight decreased with age in both sexes, but no correlation with age was observed when data were expressed per kilogram LBM. The data clearly demonstrate different effects of age on energy metabolism in males and females.


Fetal serine fluxes across fetal liver, hindlimb, and placenta in late gestation.

Eleven studies of fetal serine fluxes were performed in chronically catheterized fetal lambs by continuous infusion of [1-13C]- and [U-14C]serine into a fetal brachial vein. At tracer serine steady state, samples were collected from the fetal abdominal aorta, umbilical vein, fetal hepatic vein, and fetal femoral vein and from the maternal femoral artery and uterine vein. Analyses were performed for plasma serine and glycine concentration, for serine and glycine 13C mole percent enrichment, and for whole blood 14CO2 and O2 concentrations. Uterine and umbilical blood flows were also measured. The placenta had a significant net uptake of fetal serine (2.1 +/- 0.5 mumol.min-1.kg-1, P < 0.01). Fetal plasma serine disposal rate (DR) was 42.5 +/- 3.9 mumol.min-1.kg-1.CO2 production from decarboxylation of fetal plasma serine represented 7.9 +/- 0.5% of DR, or 10.1 +/- 1.2 mumol CO2.min-1.kg-1. Fetal plasma glycine enrichment was 59.7 +/- 4.9% of fetal plasma serine enrichment. There was a significant loss of tracer serine from the fetal circulation into the placenta accounting for approximately 45% of infused tracer. Fifteen percent of this was converted to glycine and released into the umbilical circulation. There was a significant uptake of tracer serine by both fetal liver and fetal hindlimb with a significant CO2 production by both sites with serine oxidation predominantly in the carcass. These results indicate a high fetal serine disposal rate in the lamb, with rapid fetoplacental serine exchange, resulting in a net uptake of fetal serine by the placenta.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Meal stimulation of albumin synthesis: a significant contributor to whole body protein synthesis in humans.

The present studies were performed to test the hypothesis that the liver, by increasing the synthesis of specific plasma proteins during the absorption of an amino acid meal, may play an important role in the temporary "storage" of ingested essential amino acids and to explore the effects of glucocorticosteroids and recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on these processes. The fractional synthetic rates of albumin and fibrinogen were determined using simultaneous infusions of intravenous [1-14C]leucine and intraduodenal [4,5-3H]leucine after 22 h fasting and during absorption of glucose and amino acids in four groups of normal subjects treated for 1 wk with placebo, prednisone (0.8 mg.kg-1.day-1), rhGH (0.1 mg.kg-1.day-1), or combined treatment. When compared with the fasted state and independent of the route of tracer delivery and hormonal treatment, albumin, but not fibrinogen, synthesis increased (P < 0.0001) during absorption of a mixed glucose amino acid meal in all groups. This increase in albumin synthesis accounted for 28% of the increase in whole body protein synthesis associated with feeding and for 24, 22, and 14% in the prednisone, rhGH, and combined treatment groups, respectively. These data suggest that the stimulation of albumin synthesis observed during feeding prevents irreversible oxidative losses of a significant fraction of ingested essential amino acids and may serve as a vehicle to capture excess dietary amino acids and transport them to peripheral tissues to sustain local protein synthesis.


Regulation of prostacyclin production by [Ca2+]i and protein kinase C in aortic smooth muscle cells.

The respective roles of protein kinase C (PKC) and of cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in prostacyclin synthesis were investigated in aortic smooth muscle cells by using A23187 and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) to bypass the hormonal receptor. Exposure of the cells to A23187 markedly increased prostacyclin production, which was not affected by the PKC inhibitor staurosporine or by PKC depletion after prolonged incubation (48 h) of cells with PMA. The increase in [Ca2+]i induced by A23187 did not affect membranous or cytosolic PKC activity in control and PMA-stimulated cells. Activation of PKC by PMA, a weak stimulant of prostacyclin production by itself, strongly potentiated A23187-induced prostacyclin production, as well as that induced by the calcium-mobilizing hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP). The potentiating effect persisted for 30 min after the removal of PMA. However, this "memory" effect was not due to sustained levels of membranous PKC activity but probably to the prolonged influence of PKC-induced phosphorylation(s). Taken together, our results suggest that, although an increase in [Ca2+]i is sufficient for inducing prostacyclin production in rat aortic smooth muscle cells, activation of PKC is necessary for AVP-induced prostacyclin production in this same tissue.


Rebound elevation of fibronectin after tissue injury and ischemia: role of fibronectin synthesis.

Plasma fibronectin (pFn) stimulates macrophage phagocytosis of tissue debris; pFn deposition in tissues may influence vascular integrity. Although the acute depletion of pFn after surgery and/or injury has been described, less attention has been given to the rebound hyperfibronectinemia presumably "triggered" by the early pFn depletion. Using a model that compartmentalized the site of tissue injury and thus attenuated the initial pFn depletion, we studied this rebound elevation of pFn in anesthetized rats (250-350 g) after the surgical trauma of groin dissection alone (sham group) or surgery coupled with 4 h of hindlimb ischemia (experimental group). Nonoperated control rats were also anesthetized. Shams had baseline (preoperative) 6-, 8-, and 22-h postoperative pFn levels of 573 +/- 61, 598 +/- 62, 695 +/- 57, and 929 +/- 87 micrograms/ml, respectively. In the surgery-ischemia group, pFn also elevated to 1,117 +/- 40 micrograms/ml at 22 h postsurgery. Nonoperated control rats (only anesthetized) had no elevation of pFn. Intravenous infusion of gelatin-coated lipid particles (50 mg/100 g) depleted pFn by 89.3% but was unable to prevent the rebound elevation of pFn. The blood clearance of 125I-labeled pFn was very similar in control, sham, and experimental rats. In contrast, pFn synthesis over the 22-h period was dramatically altered and equal to 2.12 +/- 0.16, 3.40 +/- 0.56, and 4.49 +/- 0.17 mg pFn synthesized/100 g body wt, in control, sham, and experimental rats respectively. Thus a rapid increase in pFn synthesis contributes to the rebound hyperfibronectinemia after sublethal surgical injury.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Role of prostaglandins in regulation of gastric mucosal blood flow and acid secretion.

The role of prostaglandins in the rat gastric mucosal vascular response to acid stimulation was studied. Blood flow was measured with laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and with red blood cell velocity measurements in the superficial mucosa; acid secretion was determined by titration. Baseline acid output was calculated to be 0.026 +/- 0.011 mueq/min. Pentagastrin (20 and 40 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 iv) significantly increased acid output to 0.387 +/- 0.104 and 0.546 +/- 0.220 mueq/min and LDF to 119 +/- 10 and 132 +/- 13% of control, respectively. LDF was significantly reduced by 15% after indomethacin (3 mg/kg iv) and was not changed by pentagastrin, whereas acid secretion increased to similar levels as without indomethacin pretreatment. The H2-agonist impromidine (100 and 500 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 iv) induced a dose-dependent increase in acid secretion (0.178 +/- 0.068 and 0.330 +/- 0.072 mueq/min, respectively) while blood flow was unchanged. Despite a substantial blood flow reduction (-38%) by indomethacin, impromidine did not alter blood flow, and acid secretion was dose dependently increased to similar values as without indomethacin pretreatment. These results provide further evidence that there is not necessarily any correlation between blood flow and acid secretion and that the pentagastrin-induced blood flow increase depends on prostaglandin release.


Intestinal myoelectrical activity and transit time in chronic portal hypertension.

This study was designed to determine the effects of portal hypertension on intestinal myoelectrical activity and propulsion. In a single surgery, adult rats were implanted with a serosal electrode at each quarter of the small intestine, and portal hypertension was produced by calibrated constriction of the portal vein. To determine intestinal transit, portal vein-stenosed (PVS) and sham-operated animals were chronically implanted with a catheter in the proximal small intestine. Transit time was determined by measuring the progression of radioactive chromium along the bowel. Studies were conducted 6, 9, and 14 days after surgical preparation. Portal hypertension was associated with both transient and persistent changes in intestinal myoelectrical activity during the experimental period. Slow wave frequency was significantly reduced in the proximal small intestine on all test days and in the distal small intestine on day 14. Occurrence of the migrating myoelectric complex was reduced on days 6 and 9. Phase III amplitude was significantly reduced in the distal small intestine on all test days. Changes in intestinal myoelectrical activity in PVS animals were not associated with measurable changes in intestinal propulsion. The results suggest that both transient and persistent changes in intestinal myoelectrical activity occur during the 2-wk period after portal vein stenosis. The functional significance of the changes is unknown.


Intestinal uptake and lymphatic absorption of beta-carotene in ferrets: a model for human beta-carotene metabolism.

To determine the appropriateness of the ferret as a model for human beta-carotene (beta-C) metabolism, we have perfused both 15,15'-beta-[14C]C and unlabeled beta-C through the upper 30-cm portion of the small intestine of ferrets in vivo. The effluents of a mesenteric lymph duct cannulation and a common bile duct cannulation, as well as portal vein blood periodically sampled via an indwelling catheter, were collected. Ten percent (9.5 +/- 0.06%) of the total administered beta-C was taken up by the intestine after a 4-h perfusion. Of the radioactivity taken up, 68.6 +/- 6.5% remained in the intestinal mucosa, 3.2 +/- 0.2% was recovered in the lymph, and 28.2 +/- 6.5% (calculated) was absorbed via the portal system. The total uptake/absorption of beta-C was 12.9 +/- 6.8 nmol.h-1.30 cm intestine-1. Large amounts of unchanged beta-C and relatively small amounts of both beta-apo-12'-carotenal and beta-apo-10'-carotenal were isolated in the intestinal mucosa after a 4-h perfusion with beta-C. Considerable amounts of metabolites more polar than retinol were formed and comprised 35% of the total radioactivity recovered in the intestinal mucosa. Polar metabolites were absorbed mostly into the portal venous system, whereas retinol and retinyl esters were absorbed mainly into the mesenteric lymph. Of the total absorbed radioactivity in lymph, 10 +/- 1.0% appeared as unchanged beta-C, with peak absorption occurring at 3 h after beginning the perfusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Role of adenosine in postprandial and reactive hyperemia in canine jejunum.

The role of adenosine in postprandial jejunal hyperemia was investigated by determining the effect of placement of predigested food into the jejunal lumen on blood flow and oxygen consumption before and during intra-arterial infusion of dipyridamole (1.5 microM arterial concn) or adenosine deaminase (9 U/ml arterial concn) in anesthetized dogs. Neither drug significantly altered resting jejunal blood flow and oxygen consumption. Before dipyridamole or deaminase, food placement increased blood flow by 30-36%, 26-42%, and 21-46%, and oxygen consumption by 13-22%, 21-22%, and 26-29%, during 0- to 3-, 4- to 7-, and 8- to 11-min placement periods, respectively. Adenosine deaminase abolished the entire 11-min hyperemia, whereas dipyridamole significantly enhanced the initial 7-min hyperemia (45-49%). Both drugs abolished the initial 7-min food-induced increase in oxygen consumption. Dipyridamole attenuated (14%), whereas deaminase did not alter (28%), the increased oxygen consumption that occurred at 8-11 min. Adenosine deaminase also prevented the food-induced increase in venoarterial adenosine concentration difference. In separate series of experiments, luminal placement of food significantly increased jejunal lymphatic adenosine concentration and release. Also, reactive hyperemia was accompanied by an increase in venous adenosine concentration and release. This study provides further evidence to support the thesis that adenosine plays a role in postprandial and reactive hyperemia in the canine jejunum.


Effect of putrescine on S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase in a small intestinal crypt cell line.

Two key enzymes in polyamine biosynthesis are ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC). SAMDC decarboxylates S-adenosylmethionine, which then donates aminopropyl groups for spermidine and spermine synthesis. The purpose of our study was to determine whether putrescine, taken up from medium or synthesized endogenously by ODC, alters SAMDC activity. Studies were conducted in the IEC-6 cell line derived from rat small intestinal crypt cells. Cells were grown in Dulbecco's minimal essential medium containing 5% dialyzed fetal bovine serum (dFBS). They were deprived of serum for 24 h before experiments. Basal SAMDC activity was increased significantly by > or = 10(-4) M of putrescine. Lower doses had no significant effect. The same doses of putrescine decreased ODC activity to near zero. Asparagine at 10 mM or 5% dFBS not only stimulated ODC activity and the intracellular putrescine levels but also increased significantly SAMDC activity as well. ODC activity peaked at 3 h, and the maximum level of SAMDC occurred 3-4 h after exposure to asparagine or serum. Treatment with DL-alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), a specific ODC inhibitor, prevented the increases in both cellular putrescine levels and SAMDC activity in asparagine- and serum-treated cells. In the presence of DFMO, exogenous putrescine returned SAMDC activity toward control levels but had no effect on ODC. A very slight increase of SAMDC half-life in IEC-6 cells grown in the presence of putrescine was not statistically significant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Effects of fractionated doses of ionizing radiation on colonic motor activity.

The colonic motor effects of fractionated irradiation were studied in five conscious dogs. Seven colonic and two ileal strain gauge transducers were implanted. After control recordings, an abdominal dose of 250 cGy was administered three times a week on alternate days for three successive weeks (total dose 2,250 cGy). Recordings were then continued for 3 wk after the completion of radiation. Colonic giant migrating contractions (GMCs) occurred at a frequency of 0.15 +/- 0.05 contractions/h in the control state. Only one of these contractions (8.3%) originated in the small bowel and propagated into the colon. Abdominal field irradiation significantly increased the incidence of colonic GMCs to 0.51 +/- 0.11 contractions/h (P < 0.05). Fifty-four percent of GMCs originated in the small intestine. GMCs during the radiation schedule were associated with explosive diarrhea on seven occasions. Irradiation did not alter the frequency of colonic migrating motor complexes, but the mean duration of contractile states decreased in the middle and distal colon. Diarrhea occurred as early as the second dose of radiation. Pathological changes in the colon were correlated with motor activity. Both small intestinal and colonic GMCs reverted to control frequencies after cessation of radiation exposure. Abdominal irradiation significantly altered the contractile activity of the colon. These changes are associated with abdominal cramping and diarrhea.


Response of migrating motor complex to variation of fasting intraluminal content.

The characteristics of the phases of the migrating motor complex (MMC) were studied in the antrum, duodenum, and jejunum after alteration of intraluminal gas and acaloric fluid in 17 healthy volunteers. Aspiration of gas and fluid from the upper gastrointestinal tract reduced motor activity. In the antrum and duodenum, phase II contraction amplitude decreased, while in the duodenum and jejunum, the duration of phase II decreased and phase I increased. Phase III contraction frequency decreased in the duodenum only. Intragastric instillation of gas caused an increase of phase II duration and contraction amplitude in all regions. Similar effects were observed after intragastric instillation of fluid. Fasting periodic motor activity is responsive to volume changes of intraluminal gas and acaloric liquid content.


Ontogeny of intestinal lactase: posttranslational regulation by thyroxine.

To assess the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of lactase ontogeny by thyroxine (T4), we performed an in vivo study of lactase catalytic activity, synthesis, subunit structure, degradation, and enterocyte migration rates in propylthiouracil-induced hypothyroid rat pups, hypothyroid pups injected with T4, and normally weaned rats. Although lactase catalytic activity remained elevated in the hypothyroid rats and declined normally in the other two groups, lactase synthesis was constant among the groups. Lactase subunit structure was identical in normally weaned and T4-injected animals, but the 100-kDa moiety, characteristic of weaned rats, was absent in the hypothyroid pups. The turnover of lactase enzyme was more rapid in euthyroid and T4-injected rats than in hypothyroid animals (t1/2 = 17, 20, and 30 h, respectively). In addition, enterocyte migration was accelerated in the T4-injected rats and reduced in the hypothyroid group compared with controls. However, transit rate was not directly related to lactase activity. Our results suggest that T4 regulates lactase ontogeny by posttranslational mechanisms that include altered processing and increased degradation of the lactase enzyme.


Pharmacology of portal-systemic collaterals in portal hypertensive rats: role of endothelium.

The portal-systemic collateral circulation of portal hypertensive rats was studied. The collaterals were perfused through the mesenteric vein with Krebs solution, which was allowed to escape through the jugular veins. The portal-collateral resistance can be quantitated from slopes of the pressure-flow relationships. In collaterals perfused at constant flow, both norepinephrine (NE) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) increased the perfusion pressure. Phentolamine caused surmountable antagonism of the constrictor effects of NE, suggesting an involvement of alpha-adrenoceptors. The effects of 5-HT were competitively blocked by the 5-HT2 receptor-selective antagonist ICI 169,369. Isoproterenol dilated NE-preconstricted collaterals. The effect of isoproterenol was blocked by propranolol, demonstrating that the effect was mediated by beta-adrenoceptors. Acetylcholine (ACh) dilated NE-preconstricted collaterals. The dilatation effect of ACh was absent in collaterals in which the endothelium was removed. The competitive inhibitor of the nitric oxide synthase, N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), increased collateral resistance and prevented the ACh-induced dilatation of the collaterals. The constrictor response to L-NNA and the blockade of the ACh-induced relaxation by both L-NNA and removal of endothelium are consistent with an involvement of nitric oxide. This experimental model can thus be used to explore the pathophysiological and the pharmacological properties of the collateral venous bed in portal hypertensive states.


Diaphragmatic contribution to gastroesophageal competence and reflux in dogs.

Events associated with gastroesophageal reflux have been determined by concurrent diaphragmatic and esophageal body electromyography, video radiography, and manometry in four conscious dogs. Three characteristic phenomena occurred in parallel immediately before and during gastroesophageal reflux: 1) transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation, 2) profound (99.5%) and selective inhibition of crural diaphragmatic activity, and 3) a previously unrecognized dorsal movement of the gastroesophageal junction (mean 1.3 cm) demonstrated by implanted radiological markers. The patterns associated with spontaneous acid and gas reflux were indistinguishable from those induced by gastric distension. Costolumbar diaphragmatic activity was stable up until the instant of sphincter opening, when there was a single costolumbar contraction of short duration and high amplitude. Esophageal shortening did not occur before reflux. Reflux that occurred after atropine-induced inhibition of lower esophageal sphincter tone to < 2 mmHg was intermittent and coincided with selective crural inhibition. These studies demonstrated that selective crural inhibition is a prerequisite for gastroesophageal reflux and suggest that the crural diaphragm is an important factor for the maintenance of gastroesophageal competence.


Effects of NH4Cl and dimethylamine on Cl- fluxes in resting and stimulated rat submandibular acinar cells.

Transmembrane movements of K+ and Cl- in salivary acinar cells are important in the formation of saliva, and may be affected by changes in intracellular pH (pHi). Exposure to NH4Cl increases pHi transiently, but NH4+ may have effects independent of pHi. To investigate how Cl- transport may be altered under these conditions, rat submandibular acini were exposed to NH4Cl, and transmembrane Cl- transport was studied with 36Cl-. NH4Cl increased intracellular Cl- in these cells. The initial phase of this increase was partially HCO(3-)-dependent and was inhibited by 1 mM 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), while the sustained phase was inhibited by 0.1 mM bumetanide. NH4Cl also inhibited acetylcholine-induced Cl- efflux from tracer preloaded cells. Changes in pH did not always correlate in time or extent with those of Cl- transport. We conclude that 1) exposure to NH4Cl increases Cl-uptake primarily by a bumetanide-sensitive transport system that did not reach steady state during the experiment, 2) exposure to NH4Cl also stimulates Cl- uptake by a DIDS-sensitive mechanism, and 3) only the latter is pHi sensitive.


Mouse hepatocyte membrane potential and chloride activity during osmotic stress.

Hepatocyte transmembrane potential (Vm) during osmotic stress responds as an osmometer, in part because of changes in membrane K+ conductance. This may contribute to the electromotive force that drives transmembrane Cl- fluxes. To test this, double-barreled ion-sensitive microelectrodes were used to measure changes in steady-state intracellular Cl- activity (aiCl) during osmotic stress applied to mouse liver slices. Hyperosmotic and hyposmotic conditions were created by rapidly switching to a solution in which sucrose concentrations were increased or reduced, respectively. Hyperosmotic stress [1.4 x control osmolality (280 mosmol/kgH2O)] decreased hepatocyte Vm 46% from -39 +/- 1 to -21 +/- 1 mV (SE; n = 16 animals). Corresponding aiCl increased twofold from 19 +/- 2 to 38 +/- 3 mM. This shifted the Cl- equilibrium potential (ECl) 19 mV, from -38 +/- 0.3 to -19 +/- 2 mV. Hyposmotic stress [0.71 x control osmolality (290 mosmol/kgH2O)] increased hepatocyte Vm 64% from -28 +/- 1 to -46 +/- 1 mV (SE; n = 13 animals). Corresponding aiCl decreased 0.53-fold from 17 +/- 1 to 8 +/- 1 mM. This shifted the ECl 20 mV from -26 +/- 2 to -46 +/- 3 mV. Thus hepatocyte aiCl is in electrochemical equilibrium with Vm. The paired measurements above were repeated after addition of K(+)-channel blockers quinine or Ba2+. Ba2+ (2 mM) had no effect on either Vm or aiCl during hyperosmotic stress; however, Ba2+ significantly inhibited changes in Vm and aiCl during hyposmotic stress. Effects of quinine (0.5 mM) on Vm and aiCl during both hyperosmotic stress and hyposmotic stress were similar to those of Ba2+.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Vulnerability of intestinal interstitial fluid to oxidant stress.

The objective of this study was to quantify free radical-mediated lipid, protein, and sulfhydryl oxidation in intestinal interstitial fluid (lymph) and plasma of fasted rats. Free radicals and oxidants were generated either by thermal decomposition of 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane)hydrochloride (AAPH), which yields peroxyl radicals, or by activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). Incubation of intestinal lymph with AAPH resulted in a time-dependent increase in the formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS; lipid peroxidation) and carbonyl content (protein oxidation). TBARS formation was completely inhibited by removal of the apo B-containing lipoproteins in lymph suggesting that very low-density lipoprotein is the major substrate for lipid peroxidation in fasted interstitial fluid. The sulfhydryl content of lymph was reduced significantly on exposure to the peroxyl radical generator. Incubation with activated PMNs revealed qualitatively similar changes in protein and sulfhydryl oxidation; however, there was no detectable TBARS formation. Exposure of plasma to AAPH produced similar increases in protein and sulfhydryl oxidation when plasma protein concentration was adjusted to that of lymph; however, TBARS formation was significantly lower compared with lymph. Incubation of dialyzed plasma with AAPH produced significantly greater amounts of TBARS. Taken together, our data suggest that plasma is more resistant to AAPH-induced lipid peroxidation than interstitial fluid and the substrate for TBARS formation in intestinal interstitial fluid is different from that of plasma.


Antibodies to tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibit liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy.

Certain cytokines that are produced in liver may act as growth factors to facilitate wound healing and, hence, may influence liver regeneration. However, this hypothesis has not been directly tested. To determine whether the cytokine response evoked by partial hepatectomy (PH) modulates the process of liver regeneration, adult male rats were injected intraperitoneally with either goat polyclonal antibodies to rat tumor necrosis factor (TNF; 15 micrograms/g body wt) or an equal amount of goat anti-rat immunoglobulin G 1 h before PH. Animals were killed at 12, 24, 48, or 72 h post-PH, 1 h after injection with [3H]thymidine. Serum TNF levels were measured with the L929 cytotoxicity assay, titers of antibody to TNF were determined by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations were measured by B9 cell bioassay. Liver regeneration was assessed by [3H]thymidine incorporation into hepatic DNA and by immunohistochemical evidence of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression. Antibodies to TNF were detected in treated rats but not in controls. Titers were highest at 12 h and progressively fell. Although TNF was never detected in serum, treatment with anti-TNF pre-PH significantly inhibited increases in serum IL-6 concentration post-PH. Anti-TNF pretreatment also inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA, as well as expression of PCNA by both hepatocytes and liver nonparenchymal cells. These data indicate that TNF positively modulates liver regeneration after PH.


Mucins: structure, function, and role in pulmonary diseases.

Mucins, major components of the extracellular mucus blanket that protect and lubricate mammalian epithelia, are high-molecular-mass glycoconjugates (154 to > or = 7,000 kDa) with hundreds of oligosaccharide chains in O-glycosidic linkages to a protein backbone. The apparent expression of more than one type of oligosaccharide core structure in mucins isolated from pathological material may reflect either inherent limitations in analysis, disease-related alterations in parameters affecting glycosylation and post-translational modifications (e.g., nucleotide-sugar concentrations, expression of specific glycosyltransferases, rates of transport through the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi) or the activation of mucin protein genes that are more highly expressed in disease states with different glycosylation patterns. Recent studies have revealed the existence of a family of at least four human mucin proteins; MUC1, MUC2, MUC3, MUC4, each of which contains a variable number of tandem repeats that differ in sequence and size. Full-length sequences of cDNA clones encoding human mucin proteins are currently available only for MUC1 which, in contrast to most airway and intestinal mucins, is membrane associated and not secreted. Current information on mucin oligosaccharides and proteins is reviewed herein. More detailed knowledge of the protein and oligosaccharide structures of mucins will be important in identifying specific role(s) in health and disease, i.e., in the physiological functions of mucus.


H2O2 injury causes Ca(2+)-dependent and -independent hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine in alveolar epithelial cells.

Oxidants may play a central role in the pathogenesis of adult respiratory distress syndrome, and phospholipase activation is a potential mechanism of oxidant-induced injury of alveolar epithelial cells. Studies were performed in rat alveolar type II epithelial cells (RAEC) after 3 days in culture. As measured by 51Cr and lactate dehydrogenase release, H2O2 caused time- and dose-dependent cytotoxicity to RAEC. RAEC phospholipids labeled with [14C]-stearic acid ([14C]SA) and [3H]arachidonic acid ([3H]AA) released free fatty acids in response to H2O2 in a manner that closely paralleled the cytotoxicity indexes. Analysis of phospholipid subclasses indicated that phosphatidylcholine was preferentially affected. Analysis for putative products of phospholipase activity revealed significant increases in diacylglycerol and phosphorylcholine, expected products of phospholipase C, as well as significant increases in L-alpha-lysophosphatidylcholine and L-alpha-glycerophosphocholine, expected products of phospholipase A2. Increases in phospholipase D activity were not detected. To determine whether H2O2-stimulated phospholipase activity might be Ca2+ stimulated, RAEC were loaded with fura-2/AM, and changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) were monitored by epifluorescent microscopy. Exposure to H2O2 caused elevations in [Ca2+]i, and the time and dose relationships were consistent with the hypothesis that the release of [14C]SA and [3H]AA is related to changes in cellular Ca2+ concentrations. Additionally, pretreatment with MAPTAM, an intracellular chelator of calcium, partially blocked H2O2-mediated [3H]AA liberation. However, experiments in saponin-permeabilized RAEC, in which [Ca2+]i was strongly buffered by ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, indicate that H2O2-induced phospholipase activity also has a Ca(2+)-independent component.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Respiratory activity of lung mitochondria isolated from oxygen-exposed rats.

The effects of in vivo oxygen exposure on mitochondrial energy metabolism were assessed by measurements of ADP-stimulated rates of oxygen utilization in lung homogenates and mitochondria isolated from rats after 24 h of exposure to 100% oxygen. Oxygen utilizations supported by FAD-linked metabolism of succinate and alpha-glycerophosphate were unaffected by oxygen exposure. On the other hand, mitochondrial respiratory activities supported by the NAD-linked substrates, isocitrate and alpha-ketoglutarate, were significantly reduced by 32 and 25%, respectively. These results could not be explained by changes in mitochondrial pyridine nucleotide or calcium contents. The activity of mitochondrial isocitrate dehydrogenase, measured in the absence of respiratory chain activity, was shown to be unaltered by oxygen exposure, suggesting that a potential site of oxygen-induced impairment is located within the respiratory chain rather than at the enzyme site of reducing equivalent transfer from NAD to components of the respiratory chain. Because lung mitochondrial alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activity was unaffected by oxygen exposure, it may maintain the oxidation of cytosolic reducing equivalents and subsequent energy generation under conditions when NAD-linked proton-shuttle mechanisms are impaired.


Intact lung cytochrome P-450 is not required for hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.

Lung cytochrome P-450 has been suggested to play a role in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. We reexamined this hypothesis using specific suicide substrate inhibitors of cytochrome P-450, 1-aminobenzotriazole (1-ABT), and chloramphenicol. In isolated, blood-perfused rat lungs, 1-ABT (0.5 mg/ml) and chloramphenicol (1 mg/ml) inhibited lung microsomal cytochrome P-450 (ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase) activity to 24 and 44% of control, respectively, and blunted hypoxia and angiotensin II-induced vasoconstriction. The depression of vascular contraction by 1-ABT was not due to an effect on calcium channels, since similar concentrations of 1-ABT had no inhibitory activity on electrical field-stimulated contractile response in rabbit papillary muscle strips. However, when 1-ABT was washed out of the lung after preincubation, the vascular reactivity to hypoxia and angiotensin II was restored despite persistent depression of lung cytochrome P-450 activity to 26% of control values. In isolated rat aortic and pulmonary arterial rings, addition of 1-ABT or metyrapone to the organ bath acutely reversed norepinephrine-induced contraction but preincubation with 1-ABT, metyrapone, or chloramphenicol had no effect on subsequent norepinephrine contractions. We conclude that 1-ABT inhibited lung vascular reactivity by a mechanism independent of cytochrome P-450 inhibition or calcium channel blockade and that an intact lung cytochrome P-450 system is not required for hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in rat lungs.


Influence of growth oxygen level on eicosanoid release from lung endothelial cells during hypoxia.

Eicosanoid products of arachidonic acid are suspected modulators of hypoxic vasoconstriction in the pulmonary vasculature. Vascular endothelial cells (EC) release several eicosanoids, but there is disagreement regarding the effect of hypoxia on EC eicosanoid release. We postulated that the oxygen level of growth in culture might influence the release of eicosanoids during acute hypoxia. We studied EC cultured from the main pulmonary arteries of pigs and grown at either 5% or near 20% oxygen, representing the normal limits of oxygen exposure to endothelium in normal lungs. Although cultures grown in 5% oxygen grew slightly faster by 4 days, the confluent cell number, protein content, and baseline eicosanoid release were no different compared with paired cultures grown in 20% oxygen. However, with an acute decrease in oxygen level, cultures grown in 5% oxygen released less prostaglandin E2, F2 alpha, and 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha compared with amounts released at the growth oxygen level. In contrast, cultures grown in 20% oxygen released increased amounts of these eicosanoids compared with release at the growth oxygen level. Release of thromboxane B2 was not significantly different during hypoxia between cultures grown at 5% vs. 20% oxygen. In other experiments, cyclooxygenase activity, stimulated arachidonic acid release by calcium ionophore A23187, and uptake of arachidonic acid were no different in cultures grown at 5% vs. 20% oxygen. However, arachidonic acid release during hypoxia was reduced in 5% cultures and increased in 20% cultures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Rat lung antioxidant enzymes: differences in perinatal gene expression and regulation.

The lung activity of the antioxidant enzymes (AOEs) copper, zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GP), but not manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn SOD), increases in rats during late gestation; the concentrations of Cu,Zn SOD mRNA and CAT mRNA also rise. During early postnatal exposure to > 95% O2, the lung activity of Cu,Zn SOD, CAT, and GP increases. We now show 1) the lung concentration of Mn SOD mRNA and GP mRNA does not increase in late gestation; 2) Mn SOD activity and the concentration of its mRNA and of GP mRNA increase during exposure of neonatal rats to > 95% O2; and 3) as previously shown for CAT mRNA, the increase in lung concentration of the mRNAs for Cu,Zn SOD, Mn SOD, and GP during early postnatal hyperoxia occurs with a 70-80% prolongation of the half-life of these mRNAs. We conclude that 1) in late gestation the level at which lung AOE gene expression is regulated differs among the enzymes, 2) the level at which lung AOE gene expression is regulated shortly after birth in response to > 95% O2 is uniform among the enzymes, and 3) the lung's AOE response to neonatal hyperoxia is not merely a step-up of its prenatal regulation but involves different regulatory mechanisms based on increased stability of AOE mRNAs.


Cigarette smoking decreases bioactive interleukin-6 secretion by alveolar macrophages.

Studies suggest smokers have decreased alveolar macrophage (AM) accessory cell (AC) function and a reduced incidence of immune-mediated lung diseases such as sarcoidosis. Impaired AM secretion of cytokines important in T-cell immune responses could explain this observation. We investigated production and secretion of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in smokers and nonsmokers. Lipopolysaccharide-induced AM IL-1 secretion in smokers was significantly reduced compared with nonsmoker AM. However, intracellular IL-1 in smoker AM was higher than in nonsmokers, suggesting that reduced IL-1 secretion was due to impaired release rather than reduced production. Smoker AM secreted significantly less bioactive IL-6 measured in a bioassay compared with nonsmoker AM. Intracellular IL-6 was virtually undetectable in both groups. In some smokers IL-6 production determined by immunoprecipitation was reduced. However, as a group antigenic IL-6 secretion determined by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay was similar in smokers and nonsmokers, suggesting that smoker AM may cosecrete an inhibitor of IL-6 bioactivity. Indeed, AM supernatants from smokers inhibited B9 proliferation in response to maximal recombinant IL-6 stimulation, whereas supernatants from nonsmokers did not. We conclude that AM from smokers secrete less cytokines important in T-cell proliferation than AM from nonsmokers and suggest that for IL-6 this impairment is related to both decreased production of antigenic protein as well as cosecretion of an IL-6 inhibitor.


Intracellular processing of pulmonary surfactant protein B in an endosomal/lysosomal compartment.

The hydrophobic surfactant protein B (SP-B) is synthesized in alveolar type II cells as a 40-kDa precursor protein that is processed via 39- and 23-kDa intermediates to the mature 8-kDa size. To determine the site of SP-B processing, the subcellular distribution of the precursor and mature forms of SP-B was investigated on ultrathin cryosections of human lung using two polyclonal antibodies that discriminate between precursor forms and the mature form of SP-B. An antibody against the human lysosomal membrane glycoprotein CD63 was used to identify organelles in the endosomal/lysosomal pathway. Precursor SP-B was present in the endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi complex, and multivesicular bodies but was absent from lamellar bodies and plasma membrane. Mature SP-B was present in multivesicular bodies and lamellar bodies but almost completely absent in the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex. Semiquantitative evaluation of the immunogold labeling by counting the gold particles representing precursor or mature SP-B in the different compartments showed that the mature-to-precursor ratio was low in the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex (0.13 and 0.11, respectively), increased in the multivesicular bodies to 3.4, and was very high (65) in lamellar bodies. Multivesicular bodies and lamellar bodies contain the lysosomal membrane marker CD63 and are therefore part of the lysosomal pathway. These data strongly suggest that precursor SP-B is proteolytically processed to its mature 8-kDa form intracellularly in an endosomal/lysosomal compartment, most probably in multivesicular bodies.


Mechanisms of fibrin formation and lysis by human lung fibroblasts: influence of TGF-beta and TNF-alpha.

Fibrin gels form within the alveolar and interstitial compartments of the injured lung, and fibroblasts invade and facilitate organization of these transitional gels. We studied the effects of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on fibrinolytic and procoagulant activities of human lung fibroblasts (HLF) to determine their capacity to regulate pulmonary fibrin deposition. Fibrinolytic activity of cell lysates and media (n = 6 HLF cultures) were uniformly depressed by TGF-beta or TNF-alpha. In dose and time-course studies, HLF plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) was increased by TGF-beta, whereas TNF-alpha induced release of PAI-1 into the media. HLF and media urokinase concentrations were depressed by TGF-beta, whereas urokinase was unchanged or increased by TNF-alpha. Tissue plasminogen activator was mainly cell associated and unchanged by TGF-beta or TNF-alpha. HLF antiplasmin activity was not detected. Plasma recalcification times of HLF media were decreased by TNF-alpha but unchanged by TGF-beta. These studies suggest that TGF-beta and TNF-alpha impair the ability of HLF to degrade fibrin by disturbing the balance of HLF plasminogen activators and PAI and that these cytokines concurrently leave unchanged or increase the capacity of HLF to initiate fibrin formation. Cytokines likely to occur in the injured lung induce abnormalities of fibrinolysis in HLF from adults; such abnormalities favor extravascular fibrin deposition, a characteristic feature of alveolitis.


Differential effect of platelet-derived growth factor on glycosaminoglycan synthesis by fetal rat lung cells.

Lung morphogenesis is in part regulated by extracellular matrix (ECM), and cytokines may indirectly control lung development via modulation of ECM. In the present study, we investigated the effect of different platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) isoforms AA, AB, and BB on the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) by fetal rat lung cells. Independent of gestational age, PDGF-BB, but not PDGF-AA or -AB, stimulated GAG synthesis of fetal lung fibroblasts. In contrast, GAG synthesis by epithelial cells was not affected by any of the PDGF molecules. The stimulatory effect of PDGF-BB on fibroblast GAG biosynthesis was dose (> 10 ng/ml) and time (> 8 h) dependent. The relative proportion of the individual GAG molecules was not altered by PDGF-BB exposure. Blockage of tyrosine kinase activity with staurosporine did abolish the effect of PDGF-BB on fibroblast GAG formation. Actinomycin D and cycloheximide did not abrogate the PDGF-BB effect, suggesting that no new RNA or protein synthesis is required. The proteoglycan synthesis blocker, beta-D-xyloside, also did not inhibit the PDGF-BB action on fibroblast GAG synthesis. These data suggest that the effect of PDGF on GAG synthesis is cell type and isoform specific and is most likely a direct effect on the GAG chain elongation enzymes.


ANF inhibits norepinephrine-stimulated fluid absorption in rat proximal straight tubules.

We have previously shown that atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) only inhibits fluid absorption in the proximal straight tubule after the tissue has been exposed to angiotensin (ANG) II. In this paper, the interaction between ANF and norepinephrine (NE) in the proximal straight tubule was investigated. ANF alone (10(-9) M) added to the bath had no significant effect on fluid absorption. In contrast, when tubules were first treated with 10(-7) M NE, 10(-9) M ANF reduced fluid absorption from 0.63 +/- 0.09 to 0.41 +/- 0.04 nl.mm-1.min-1. NE alone stimulated fluid absorption by 33%. Dibutyryl-guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP; 50 microM) mimicked the effects of ANF, reducing fluid absorption from 0.73 +/- 0.06 to 0.35 +/- 0.07 nl.mm-1.min-1 in NE-treated tubules. However, it had no effect on fluid absorption in the absence of NE. These studies suggest that 1) ANF can regulate fluid absorption in the proximal nephron; 2) this inhibition occurs only after transport has been stimulated by agents such as NE (or ANG II); 3) cGMP is part of the second messenger system of ANF in the rat proximal straight tubule; and 4) the primary interaction between ANF and NE (or ANG II) occurs in the second messenger cascades subsequent to steps that affect levels of cGMP.


Effect of cold exposure and nutrient intake on sympathetic nervous system activity in rat kidney.

Renal sympathetic nervous system (SNS) responses to environmental temperature and diet were evaluated using [3H]norepinephrine ([3H]NE) turnover as the index of sympathetic activity. Pharmacological studies first demonstrated that renal NE was localized principally within storage granules of renal sympathetic nerves and regulated by central sympathetic outflow. Acute exposure to cold (4 degrees C), which increased cardiac SNS activity (P < 0.00005), had no effect on renal SNS. A 48-h fast suppressed renal [3H]NE turnover by 37% (P = 0.00024) and cardiac [3H]NE turnover by 48% (P = 0.00608). Dietary supplementation with sucrose did not affect [3H]NE turnover in kidney in either of two separate experiments, although it increased cardiac NE turnover in both. On the other hand, lard feeding significantly increased [3H]NE turnover in both kidney and heart, whereas dietary protein supplementation exerted no effect on either renal or cardiac [3H]NE turnover. These studies demonstrate a unique pattern of sympathetic regulation in kidney, one which is highly responsive to fasting and dietary fat, but not to cold exposure or dietary sucrose.


Effects of dietary protein and salt on rat renal osmolytes: covariation in urea and GPC contents.

Renal medullary cells contain high levels of (glycine) betaine, glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC), myo-inositol, and sorbitol. Two functions of these have been proposed: 1) that they are compatible osmolytes which regulate cell volume (against high external NaCl) without inhibiting proteins and 2) that methylamines (GPC and betaine) are counteracting osmolytes which stabilize proteins against perturbation from high renal urea. As a test of the latter, osmolyte contents in kidney medullas were measured in rats subjected to three types of dietary manipulation: 1) diets with protein and NaCl contents varied oppositely, 2) diets with a constant low NaCl and varied protein content, and 3) a low-calorie diet. With low-protein and low-calorie diets, only renal contents of urea, GPC, and inositol decreased; betaine and sorbitol contents increased such that contents of total nonurea organic osmolytes remained constant. With high-protein diets, only renal contents of sodium, urea, and GPC increased, with the latter giving total organic osmolytes a consistent correlation to sodium. Across all diets, the only consistent (linear) correlations were 1) between urea and GPC contents, supporting previous suggestions that GPC is the major counteractant to urea, and 2) between total organic osmolytes and sodium (but not urea) contents, as predicted by the compatible osmolytes hypothesis.


Intrarenal handling of proteins in rats using fractional micropuncture technique.

Previous micropuncture studies on protein handling along the nephron could not exclude the possibility of contamination by extratubular proteins. Thus we developed a fractional micropuncture method. Renal tubules were punctured with an outer puncture pipette, into which an inner collection pipette was inserted repeatedly to collect tubular fluid, usually up to four fractions. The albumin concentration of tubular fluid was highest in the first fraction and gradually decreased to a constant level, indicating physiological albumin concentrations. On the other hand, low-molecular-weight protein (LMWP) concentrations showed no significant difference among the four fractions. By plotting the protein delivery in the fourth fraction along the nephron, glomerular filtrated protein concentrations were estimated by extrapolating the tubular fluid-to-plasma inulin concentration ratio into one. The glomerular filtrated albumin was 22.9 micrograms/ml (0.00062 in filtration coefficient), and that of LMWP was 72.1 (0.988). Albumin was almost evenly reabsorbed in early (37%) and late (34%) proximal convoluted tubules and the straight tubules (23%). On the other hand, LMWP was more strongly reabsorbed in the early proximal convoluted tubules (54%) than in the late ones (28%) or the straight portion (5%). The fractional micropuncture procedure provides direct evidence of protein handling along the nephron without extratubular protein contamination.


Endothelin-1 is an autocrine factor in rat inner medullary collecting ducts.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) may be an important factor in the regulation of inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) physiology. This segment of the nephron synthesizes ET-1, expresses endothelin receptors, and responds to exogenous ET-1 by reducing Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity and water transport. Taken together, these findings suggest an autocrine role for ET-1 in the regulation of IMCD function; however, because of the polarized nature of the IMCD, it is not known if ET-1 secretion, receptors, and receptor activation occur on the same side of the cell. To examine this question, rat IMCD cells were grown to confluence on semipermeable membranes. These cells exhibited polar morphology with high transepithelial electrical resistances. Immunoreactive ET-1 was secreted primarily into the basolateral side. Furthermore, 125I-ET-1 bound predominantly to the basolateral surface. Finally, ET-1 (10(-8) M) stimulated prostaglandin E2 production only when added to the basolateral side. These data indicate, therefore, that ET-1 is capable of autocrine regulation of IMCD cells and that this effect occurs predominantly on the basolateral side.


Effect of vasoactive agents on induction of Egr-1 in rat mesangial cells: correlation with mitogenicity.

The early growth response gene 1 (Egr-1) is a member of the family of immediate early response genes. Egr-1 encodes a nuclear phosphoprotein that binds a specific nonameric DNA sequence through three zinc-finger domains and functions as a transcriptional activator. We tested whether the vasoactive agents platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), arginine vasopressin (AVP), serotonin (5-HT), and angiotensin II (ANG II) induced Egr-1 mRNA in cultured rat mesangial cells (MCs) and investigated the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in mediating the induction process. PDGF, AVP, and 5-HT induced Egr-1 mRNA within 15 min, reaching peak levels at 45-60 min. After PDGF and 5-HT stimulation, Egr-1 mRNA levels returned to baseline within 4 h, whereas AVP induced a sustained increase for up to 8 h. There was a very close correlation between doses required for Egr-1 induction and induction of MC proliferation. ANG II was a very weak MC mitogen and induced only a small increase in Egr-1 mRNA. Comparison of control cells with cells depleted of PKC by 48 h of PMA treatment revealed that induction of Egr-1 by PDGF and 5-HT is independent of PKC. In contrast, however, the Egr-1 response to AVP was diminished in PKC-depleted cells. AVP induced Egr-1 mRNA 10.9-fold in control cells, compared with 7.8-fold in PKC-depleted cells. Egr-1 mRNA after AVP stimulation remained elevated in control cells for up to 8 h but returned to baseline after 120 min in PKC-depleted cells. Similar results were obtained using the PKC-inhibitor H-7. Using immunocytochemistry, PDGF and AVP were found to induce Egr-1 protein within 30 min localized to the nucleus. We conclude that there is a strong correlation between induction of Egr-1 after stimulation with PDGF, AVP, 5-HT, and ANG II and the proliferative response elicited by these agents in MCs. AVP induces Egr-1 by both PKC-dependent and PKC-independent pathways, whereas the effects of PDGF and 5-HT are independent of PKC.


Reversal of Na+ retention in chronic caval dogs by verapamil: contribution of medullary circulation.

The effects of verapamil on papillary plasma flow (PPF) and Na+ excretion were studied in anesthetized chronic caval dogs with low cardiac output and Na+ retention. Infusion of verapamil into the left renal artery (5 and 10 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) caused a dose-dependent ipsilateral increase in renal blood flow and Na+ excretion (from 10 +/- 2 to 171 +/- 32 and 225 +/- 35 mu eq/min, respectively). PPF in the left kidney was 26.6 +/- 4.4 and was significantly greater than that measured in the contralateral kidney (13.3 +/- 2.4 ml.min-1.100 g-1) (P < 0.01). The natriuresis occurred independent of changes in cardiac output and peripheral vascular resistance. In a separate group of caval dogs in which stimulation of the renin-angiotensin and adrenergic systems was intensified with a tighter caval constriction, verapamil failed to induce renal vasodilation or natriuresis and PPF was not altered. Despite the disparate hemodynamic responses, verapamil stimulated renal production of both renin and prostaglandin E2 in both groups of caval dogs. We conclude that the ability of verapamil to induce papillary vasodilation may contribute to the natriuresis seen in the caval dog, in which the site of Na+ retention includes the loop of Henle.


Diabetic rat glomerular mesangial cells display normal inositol trisphosphate and calcium release.

Since diabetes may cause cellular myo-inositol depletion, we investigated whether the observed in vitro hypocontractile response of streptozotocin (STZ)-treated rat glomeruli to angiotensin II (ANG II) is associated with an alteration in inositol trisphosphate (IP3) mobilization of intracellular Ca2+. Contraction of diabetic isolated glomeruli induced by ANG II (5 microM), measured in vitro by changes in the planar area, was reduced by 60%, compared with normal up to 60 min (P < 0.05). In cells of isolated glomeruli, preloaded with myo-[3H]inositol, production of [3H]inositol phosphates ([3H]IPs) and [3H]inositol trisphosphate ([3H]IP3) was analyzed by Dowex chromatography. ANG II (1 microM) evoked an immediate peak (5-10 s) in total [3H]IPs of 60.5 +/- 18.8% (mean +/- SE) above basal (nonstimulated state) in normal glomeruli, and 88.4 +/- 19.4% in diabetic condition [not significant (NS), n = 8]. At 60 s, the normal and diabetic total [3H]IPs responses were not significantly different from each other. The immediate (10 s) [3H]IP3 response from normal glomeruli, 8.1 +/- 7.9% above basal, was not significantly different from that of diabetic glomeruli, 15.7 +/- 7.4%. ANG II receptor-mediated rise in cytosolic Ca2+ in the cells of normal and diabetic isolated glomeruli was compared by measuring the efflux of 45Ca2+. Isolated glomeruli were preloaded with 45Ca2+. Following ANG II stimulation, peak 45Ca2+ efflux values at 1 min were 141.7 +/- 15.9% (normal) vs. 143.7 +/- 7.8% (diabetic) of baseline (100%), respectively (NS, n = 4). Thapsigargin, 2 microM, specifically prevented ANG II-stimulated and IP3-mediated 45Ca2+ efflux (73% inhibition, P < 0.001) from cells of whole glomeruli.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Involvement and source of calcium in volume regulatory decrease of collapsed proximal convoluted tubule.

We examined the role of Ca2+ in the volume regulatory decrease (VRD) of rabbit collapsed proximal tubules. Reduction of bath osmolality by 125 mosmol/kgH2O led to an initial cell swelling of 62.3 +/- 7.5% followed by a partial regulatory phase bringing cell volume to a value of 13.3 +/- 2.9% above control (n = 5). This swelling was accompanied by a transient intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) increase from 174 +/- 33 to 306 +/- 67 nM (P < 0.05, n = 8). In the same condition, but in absence of extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]e) [1 mM ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA)], VRD following hypotonic shock was identical to that observed in presence of [Ca2+]e (n = 5), and [Ca2+]i increased transiently from 136 +/- 29 to 161 +/- 31 nM (P < 0.05, n = 5). Addition of 100 microM 8-(N,N-dimethylamino)octyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate hydrochloride (TMB-8), an agent known to inhibit Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, did not affect the initial cell swelling (63.4 +/- 4.2%), and VRD occurred to the same extent (25.0 +/- 7.1%, n = 4), although at a lower rate. In these conditions, [Ca2+]i, which was 113 +/- 30 nM in the isotonic solution, decreased progressively to 81 +/- 20 nM over the 5-min hypotonic period (n = 5). Mere preincubation with 100 microM TMB-8 before hypotonic shock led to a VRD identical to that observed in presence of Ca2+ and absence of TMB-8 while still blocking the Ca2+ release, with cell Ca2+ decreasing progressively from 179 +/- 32 to 87 +/- 21 nM (n = 7).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Inhibition of renin secretion from rat renal cortical slices by (R)-12-HETE.

The arachidonic acid metabolite 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) inhibits renin secretion both in vivo and in vitro, but the enzymatic origin of the 12-HETE responsible for renin inhibition is unknown. These studies examined the effect of the 12-HETE stereoisomers (R)-12-HETE (a product of the cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase enzyme system) and (S)-12-HETE (a product of the lipoxygenase enzyme system) on basal and stimulated renin secretion from superficial cortical slices in the rat. First, rat cortex was shown to produce 12-HETE; chiral-phase high-performance liquid chromatography revealed that cortex produced 81% (S)-12-HETE and 19% (R)-12-HETE. (R)-12-HETE reduced basal renin release by 28 +/- 4% to 49 +/- 5% at concentrations of 10(-9) to 10(-7) M (P < 0.05 to 0.01). (S)-12-HETE did not significantly affect renin release. (R)-12-HETE also blunted isoproterenol-stimulated renin secretion (P < 0.05) at a concentration of 10(-6) M. 20-HETE, another cytochrome P-450 product, did not exert a significant effect on renin release. In summary, both (R)-12-HETE and (S)-12-HETE are synthesized by renal cortical tissue. Only (R)-12-HETE directly inhibits in vitro renin release. These findings suggest that the renal cytochrome P-450 enzyme system is capable of directly influencing local renin secretion.


Fetal-maternal fluid and electrolyte relations during chronic fetal urine loss in sheep.

Our aim was to determine the effects of prolonged removal of fetal urine during late gestation on fetal-maternal fluid and electrolyte relationships. We measured the volume and composition of fetal urine and amniotic and allantoic fluids and the composition of fetal and maternal plasma in sheep before and during continuous urine drainage, which began at 130 days of gestation and continued until the onset of labor; a control group was also studied. The response to fetal urine drainage occurred in two phases. In the "acute" phase (1-3 days), amniotic and allantoic fluid volumes decreased significantly, presumably due to their reabsorption into the fetal chorionic circulation or swallowing of amniotic fluid by the fetus. During the "chronic" phase, starting 3-5 days after urine drainage, a significant reversal in the transplacental osmotic gradient occurred due to a decrease in maternal plasma osmolality. During the entire drainage period (14.1 +/- 1.1 days, mean +/- SE, n = 5) at least 542 ml/day of water and 24 mmol/day of electrolytes passed from the mother into the fetal circulation and fetal plasma osmolality was unchanged. We conclude that, despite the loss of substantial water and electrolytes, the fetus is able to maintain its growth and fluid and electrolyte homeostasis by obtaining water and electrolytes initially from the amniotic and allantoic fluids and subsequently from its mother. The movement of water and electrolytes to the fetus would have been facilitated by the reversed transplacental osmotic gradient.


Identification and localization of renal Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger by polymerase chain reaction.

The molecular identity of the renal Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger was determined by a homology-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) cloning strategy. Rat kidney RNA was amplified by PCR, using oligonucleotide primers based on regions of low degeneracy in the published canine cardiac Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger cDNA sequence, and the products were subcloned and sequenced. A 452-bp clone (NCX1) was identified, which shares 89% nucleotide and 98% amino acid sequence identity with the canine cardiac exchanger, suggesting that they are products of the same gene. NCX1 was shown, by Northern analysis, to hybridize to an abundant major transcript of 7 kb and a minor one of approximately 14 kb both localized predominantly to kidney cortex. Microdissected tubule PCR analysis revealed that NCX1 was enriched in distal convoluted tubule compared with other cortical nephron segments. Such a location is consistent with a Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger corresponding to NCX1 playing a major role in active Ca2+ reabsorption at this site.


Altered synthesis of proteoglycans by cyst-derived cells from autosomal-dominant polycystic kidneys.

Normal human renal epithelial cells (NK) and cells from cysts of autosomal-dominant polycystic kidneys (ADPKD) were radiolabeled with [35S]sulfate. A two- to three-fold decrease in the radioactivity incorporated into the proteoglycan (PG) fraction, as ascertained by tissue autoradiography and biochemical techniques, was observed in the ADPKD group. In subconfluent NK cells, PGs eluted as two peaks with different proportions of chondroitin sulfate (CS) and heparan sulfate (HS) in the cellular and media fractions. In the confluent stage, only a single major peak in the media and matrix fractions was seen and had variable proportions of CS and HS. In subconfluent ADPKD monolayers, cellular PGs eluted as two peaks, with the major peak of higher molecular weight compared with NK cells. In confluent stage, there was a single PG peak of a relatively higher molecular weight, with a variable increase in the proportions of CS vs. HS and lower charge-density characteristics. These findings indicate that size and species of PGs vary during subconfluent and confluent stages of culture and elucidate a defect in the biosynthesis of PGs in human ADPKD cells.


Adriamycin nephropathy: a model to study effects of pregnancy on renal disease in rats.

The influence of pregnancy on the evolution of primary renal disease is still a matter of controversy. Hypertension and derangement of renal function may occur. The pathophysiology of these complications is poorly understood. In the present study, we assessed the influence of pregnancy on the evolution of adriamycin (Adr) nephropathy. Four groups of animals were studied: 1) control virgin rats (C), 2) normal pregnant rats (NP), 3) virgin rats with nephropathy (Adr), and 4) pregnant rats with nephropathy (Adr-P). Inulin clearance measured at the end of pregnancy in awake rats was similar in NP (1.68 +/- 0.20 ml/min) and C (1.39 +/- 0.03 ml/min). In Adr-P rats, it tended to decrease (1.22 +/- 0.7 vs. 1.93 +/- 0.44 ml/min in Adr rats). Mean arterial pressure was increased in Adr-P rats (137 +/- 2.5 vs. 95 +/- 3.2 mmHg in NP; P < 0.001). Urinary protein excretion was 216 +/- 61 mg/day in Adr-P compared with 28.7 +/- 18 mg/day in Adr (P < 0.001). A significant increase in the glomerular thromboxane B2-to-prostaglandin E2 ratio was found in Adr-P rats (1.15 +/- 0.26 vs. 0.52 +/- 0.12 in Adr rats; P < 0.03). In NP rats, no change was observed. Kidneys and placentas were normal on light and electron microscopy. Thus pregnant rats with adriamycin nephropathy developed a clinical picture with several features of preeclampsia. Changes in glomerular prostanoid synthesis might play a role in the development of this complication.