High-energy Adenine Nucleotides Research Articles

Xanthine oxidase inhibitor ameliorates postischemic renal injury in mice by promoting resynthesis of adenine nucleotides.

Although oxidative stress plays central roles in postischemic renal injury, region-specific alterations in energy and redox metabolism caused by short-duration ischemia remain unknown. Imaging mass spectrometry enabled us to reveal spatial heterogeneity of energy and redox metabolites in the postischemic murine kidney. After 10-minute ischemia and 24-hour reperfusion (10mIR), in the cortex and outer stripes of the outer medulla, ATP substantially decreased, but not in the inner stripes of the outer medulla and inner medulla. 10mIR caused renal injury with elevation of fractional excretion of sodium, although histological damage by oxidative stress was limited. Ischemia-induced NADH elevation in the cortex indicated prolonged production of reactive oxygen species by xanthine oxidase (XOD). However, consumption of reduced glutathione after reperfusion suggested the amelioration of oxidative stress. An XOD inhibitor, febuxostat, which blocks the degradation pathway of adenine nucleotides, promoted ATP recovery and exerted renoprotective effects in the postischemic kidney. Because effects of febuxostat were canceled by silencing of the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase 1 gene in cultured tubular cells, mechanisms for the renoprotective effects appear to involve the purine salvage pathway, which uses hypoxanthine to resynthesize adenine nucleotides, including ATP. These findings suggest a novel therapeutic approach for acute ischemia/reperfusion renal injury with febuxostat through salvaging high-energy adenine nucleotides.

AMP Deaminase 3 Accelerates Protein Degradation in C2C12 Myotubes

Skeletal muscle atrophy is characterized by increased rates of protein degradation and net loss of protein. Unfortunately, there are no suitable pharmaceutical treatments for atrophy. The expression of AMP Deaminase 3 (AMPD3: AMP ↔ IMP + NH3), which degrades high-energy adenine nucleotides, is increased up to 100-fold during atrophy, but surprisingly its function in atrophy is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine if increased AMPD3 expression alone would accelerate protein degradation and thus initiate muscle atrophy. Methods C2C12 myotubes were infected with adenoviruses encoding AMPD3 or GFP. Protein degradation and protein synthesis rates were determined by the pulse-chase of 3H-tyrosine. Total AMPD activity (IMP formation) and nucleotide (ATP, ADP, AMP, and IMP) content were measured in cell homogenates by UPLC. Results AMPD3 overexpression for 24 h significantly increased AMPD activity and [IMP], demonstrating a sustained mismatch between energy supply and demand. Degradation rate of long-lived proteins was greater in AMPD3 (1.17%/hr) vs GFP controls (0.85%/hr) (p<0.01), while protein synthesis rate remained unchanged. The accelerated proteolysis rate was entirely sufficient to explain the 15% lower (p<0.01) total protein content in AMPD3 infected myotubes. Conclusions These data demonstrate that AMPD3 overexpression in muscle creates an energetic imbalance and initiates atrophy through increased proteolysis. Therefore, our data implicate AMPD3 and perhaps cellular energetics as promising targets for new treatments of atrophy. ACSM Foundation Grant.

Thyroid hormone regulation of cardiac bioenergetics: role of intracellular creatine.

The effect of thyroid hormone (T(3)) on the content of myocardial creatine (Cr), Cr phosphate (CrP), and high-energy adenine nucleotides and on cardiac function was examined. In the hearts of control and T(3)-treated rats perfused in vitro, while "low" and "high" contractile work was performed, T(3) treatment resulted in a approximately 50% reduction in CrP, Cr, total Cr content (Cr + CrP), and in the CrP-to-Cr ratio. In addition, there was a slight fall in myocardial content of ATP and a large rise in calculated free ADP (fADP), resulting in a significant decrease in the ATP-to-fADP ratio in the hearts of hyperthyroid compared with euthyroid rats. Moreover, there was a substantial decrease in the level of ATP in hearts of T(3)-treated rats under high work conditions. Importantly, the ratio of cardiac work to oxygen consumption was not altered by thyroid status. Treatment with T(3) also resulted in an almost threefold reduction in the content of Na(+)/Cr transporter mRNA in the ventricular myocardium and skeletal muscle but not in the brain. We conclude with the following: 1) changes in the expression of the Na(+)/Cr transporter mRNA correlate with Cr + CrP in the myocardium; 2) hearts of hyperthyroid rats contain lower levels of ATP and higher levels of fADP under both low and high work conditions but no reduction in efficiency of work output; and 3) the reduction in Cr and ATP in hearts of hyperthyroid rats may be the basis for the reduced maximal work capacity of the hyperthyroid heart.

Role of hepatocytes and bile duct cells in preservation-reperfusion injury of liver grafts.

In liver transplantation, it is currently hypothesized that nonparenchymal cell damage and/or activation is the major cause of preservation-related graft injury. Because parenchymal cells (hepatocytes) appear morphologically well preserved even after extended cold preservation, their injury after warm reperfusion is ascribed to the consequences of nonparenchymal cell damage and/or activation. However, accumulating evidence over the past decade indicated that the current hypothesis cannot fully explain preservation-related liver graft injury. We review data obtained in animal and human liver transplantation and isolated perfused animal livers, as well as isolated cell models to highlight growing evidence of the importance of hepatocyte disturbances in the pathogenesis of normal and fatty graft injury. Particular attention is given to preservation time-dependent decreases in high-energy adenine nucleotide levels in liver cells, a circumstance that (1) sensitizes hepatocytes to various stimuli and insults, (2) correlates well with graft function after liver transplantation, and (3) may also underlie the preservation time-dependent increase in endothelial cell damage. We also review damage to bile duct cells, which is increasingly being recognized as important in the long-lasting phase of reperfusion injury. The role of hydrophobic bile salts in that context is particularly assessed. Finally, a number of avenues aimed at preserving hepatocyte and bile duct cell integrity are discussed in the context of liver transplantation therapy as a complement to reducing nonparenchymal cell damage and/or activation.

Regulation of cardiac Ca2+ release channel (ryanodine receptor) by Ca2+, H+, Mg2+, and adenine nucleotides under normal and simulated ischemic conditions.

In myocardial ischemia, pHi and [ATP] fall, whereas the free [Ca2+] and [Mg2+] rise. The effects of these changes on cardiac Ca2+ release channel (ryanodine receptor) activity were investigated in [3H]ryanodine binding and single-channel measurements, using isolated membrane and purified channel preparations. In the absence of the two channel ligands Mg2+ and ATP, cardiac Ca2+ release channels were half-maximally activated at pH 7.4 by approximately 4 mumol/L cytosolic Ca2+ and half-maximally inhibited by approximately 9 mmol/L cytosolic Ca2+. Regulation of channel activity by Ca2+ was modulated by Mg2+ and ATP. Single-channel activities were more sensitive to a change of cytosolic pH than SR lumenal pH. Reduction in lumenal and/or cytosolic pH from 7.3 to 6.5 and 6.0 resulted in decreased single-channel activities without a change in single-channel conductance. [3H]Ryanodine binding measurements also indicated that acidosis impairs cardiac Ca2+ release channel activity. Mg2+ and adenine nucleotide concentrations regulated the extent of inhibition and the Ca2+ dependence of binding. In the presence of 5 mmol/L Mg2+ and 5 mmol/L beta, gamma-methyleneadenosine 5'-triphosphate (AMPPCP, a nonhydrolyzable ATP analogue), the free [Ca2+] for half-maximal [3H]ryanodine binding was increased from 1.9 mumol/L at pH 7.3 to 36 mumol/L at pH 6.5 and to 89 mumol/L at pH 6.2. These results suggest that ionic and metabolic changes that might be expected to affect sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release channel activity in ischemic myocardium include an altered Ca2+ sensitivity of the channel, a fall in pH, and a loss of the high-energy adenine nucleotide pool, leading to an increased inhibition by Mg2+.

Time dependence of accumulation and binding of inorganic and organic arsenic species in rabbit erythrocytes

The uptake by rabbit erythrocytes of 0.4 mM arsenite, As(III), arsenate, As(V), monomethylarsinate, MMA(V) and dimethylarsonate, DMA(V) were compared over 24 h. In membrane-free hemolysate, the distribution of As between proteins (10 kDa) and ultrafiltrate was determined by ultrafiltration and arsenic species in the ultrafiltrate were identified by thin layer chromatography methods. 1H spin-echo Fourier transform NMR was used to follow the binding of these arsenic species to glutathione (GSH). 31P-NMR was used to observe their effects on high-energy adenine nucleotide levels (ATP, ADP). These results demonstrate that As(III) readily accumulates in cells, reaches a quasi-plateau at 78% of the total As in the incubation system after 1 h and 88% of the total As after 24 h. On average, 20% of the total erythrocyte As(III) burden is associated with the protein fraction, particularly with hemoglobin (Hb). About 68% of the erythrocyte As(III) burden is bound to GSH. As(III) has no effect on ATP levels during a 5-h incubation. By comparison, As(V) enters erythrocytes more slowly (53% of the total As after 5 h). Erythrocytes take up 81% of the As(V) in the reaction system after a 24 h incubation. Of the total As burden in As(V)-exposed erythrocytes, 22% was associated with the proteins (10 kDa) and possibly reduced to As(III) and 59% was in the ultrafiltrate (8% as As(III) and 51% as As(V)). This finding indicates that, over a 24 h incubation period, the reduction of As(V) to As(III) may account for 30% of the total As in rabbit erythrocytes. As(V) present in the erythrocytes enters the phosphate pool and depletes ATP. In comparison, about 65% of the total MMA(V) or about 44% of the total DMA(V) in the incubation system is taken up by rabbit erythrocytes during a 24 h incubation. Neither organoAs species perturbed the Hb signals observed by spin-echo Fourier transform NMR and the binding to GSH was minimal. Unlike As(V), MMA(V) and DMA(V) do not perturb phosphate metabolism, showing that, despite their pentavalent oxidation state, these arsenic species are not analogs for phosphate.

Stimicrolation of Glycolysis by Histidine Buffers in Mammalian Liver during Cold Hypoxia

This study was designed to address the reasons why glycolysis in mammalian liver is unable to function more efficiently during periods of cold hypoxia. Our hypothesis was that control of intracellular pH, by use of amino acid buffers with high pKa values, would allow prolonged flux through glycolysis and better maintenance of liver high-energy adenine nucleotide pool. The effects of two concentrations of histidine (90 and 180 mM) and one of carnosine (90 mM), a histidyl dipeptide, on energy metabolism and levels of glycolytic substrate (glucose) and anaerobic endproduct (lactate) were investigated during cold hypoxia using rat livers to model the mammalian system. The transition to anaerobic metabolism was apparent by an immediate rise in lactate levels upon entry into cold hypoxia. By 10-14 h hypoxia, contents of the endproduct had increased by 10, 13.5, and 14.5 μmol/g in buffers containing 90 and 180 mM. histidine and 90 mM carnosine, respectively. As well, ATP, total adenylate contents, and "energy charge" ratios exhibited a rapid decline from initial values of 2.3-3.3 μmol/g, 4.3-5.5 μmol/g, and 0.64-0.75, respectively, over the first 2-4 h of cold hypoxia. With respect to efficacy, the 180 mM histidine buffer exhibited the most positive maintenance of adenylate levels, followed closely by 90 mM carnosine, and finally 90 mM histidine as the least effective of the three buffers. Nevertheless, all three buffers examined in this study showed positive effects compared to similarly treated livers stored in a solution of minor buffering capacity (a citrate-based solution) over the same time period. The data support the hypothesis that glycolytic flux and cellular energetics can be maintained by the inclusion of efficient buffering agents during periods of cold hypoxia.

Preimplantation alteration of adenine nucleotides in cryopreserved heart valves

To assess the initial metabolic phase of cellular injury from cardiac valve processing, high-energy phosphate concentrations were analyzed in valve leaflets subsequent to critical processing steps. Using a porcine model, valves were processed in a manner identical to human homografts, with 58 randomly assigned to five groups representing distinct preparation phases. Group I (controls) sustained 40 minutes of warm ischemia concluded by liquid nitrogen immersion. Remaining groups similarly endured 40 minutes of ischemia, but were subsequently prepared according to stepwise design: II, warm ischemia + 24 hours of 4 °C ischemia; III, warm ischemia + 24 hours of 4 °C antibiotic disinfection; IV, warm ischemia + 24 hours at 4 °C (without antibiotics) + cryopreservation (−1 °C/min cryoprotected freezing); and V, warm ischemia + disinfection + cryopreservation. At each regimen's conclusion leaflet extracts were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography for high-energy adenine nucleotides (adenosine triphosphate, adenosine diphosphate, adenosine monophosphate) and catabolites. A 47% and 86% decrease in cellular adenosine triphosphate level was observed in group III and group V leaflets, respectively. The level of total adenine nucleotides was maintained up to cryopreservation; thereafter a 74% decrease was noted. Catabolite analysis confirmed incomplete degradation of adenine nudeotides indicating cellular metabolic resilience throughout standard homograft preparation in valves previously exposed to 40 minutes of warm ischemia.

Coronary flow regulation in patients with ischemic heart disease: release of purines and prostacyclin and the effect of inhibitors of prostaglandin formation.

The present investigation was undertaken to study cardiac release of adenosine and prostacyclin (prostaglandin [PG] I2) in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD), and to assess coronary vascular resistance before and after inhibition of synthesis in such patients. In 48 patients with IHD, arterial and coronary sinus blood samples were taken at rest, during atrial pacing to angina, and after pacing. Levels of purines were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and the PGI2 metabolite 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was measured with radioimmunoassay. Coronary sinus blood flow was determined with retrograde continuous thermodilution before and after oral administration of indomethacin, aspirin, naproxen, or ibuprofen. Atrial pacing induced myocardial ischemia, as evidenced by typical chest pain and arrested lactate extraction. Adenosine was extracted at rest, but during ischemia there was a significant release of its metabolite hypoxanthine, indicating increased myocardial breakdown of high-energy adenine nucleotides. Arterial and coronary sinus concentrations of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha were low and no significant differences between them were found. After administration of the PG-synthesis inhibitor indomethacin, coronary vascular resistance was elevated, as was the cardiac oxygen extraction. The three other PG-synthesis inhibitors (aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen) did not, however, induce any change in coronary vascular resistance or in the cardiac extraction of oxygen. On the basis of these data we suggest that in patients with IHD cardiac ischemia results in increased myocardial production and release of purines, cardiac ischemia does not elicit any detectable increase in coronary production of prostacyclin, and the increased coronary resistance induced by indomethacin does not reflect the involvement of locally formed PG in the maintenance of coronary flow, but is rather a direct effect of the drug.

Dual action of high energy adenine nucleotides in comparison with responses evoked by other adenine derivatives and intramural nerve stimulation on smooth muscle

Fundic strips from stomach smooth muscle of the guinea-pig responded with a contraction preceded by a relatively small relaxation upon addition of the high energy adenine nucleotides ADP and ATP at 37°C. The contractile response was concentration-dependent in the range of 10 −8-10 −4 M, while the relaxation appeared at higher concentrations (10 −6-10 −4 M). The contractile phase observed in the presence of ADP or ATP was inhibited by the prostaglandin antagonist p-benzyl-4-(1-oxo-2-(4-chlorobenzyl)-3-phenylpropyl)phenyl phosphanate (N-0164; 5 × 10 −8 M). The low energy nucleotide AMP, adenosine and the ATP analogue β, γ-methyleneadenosine 5′-triphosphate caused relaxation of the stomach muscle. This relaxation was not affected by N-0164 (5 × 10 −8 M). Stimulation of the non-adrenergic inhibitory nerves caused relaxation of the muscle cells, in contrast to the effect of ATP. This seems to be in conflict with the purinergic nerve hypothesis. However, the relaxation evoked by field stimulation may have been due to adenosine if it can be assumed that ATP is degraded after its possible release from nerve terminals. Furthermore, the limited availability of ATP if released from nerves for the short period of stimulation is presumably ineffective to stimulate prostaglandin biosynthesis. The results suggest that synthesis of prostaglandins is promoted by the high energy adenine nucleotides ADP and ATP which induce contraction of stomach smooth muscle in contrast with the low energy adenine derivatives and stimulation of the intramural non-adrenergic nerves which produce muscle relaxation.

Effect of peritonitis on mitochondrial respiration

Rats were exposed to a lethal form of Klebsiella pneumoniae peritonitis and the mitochondrial respiration of their livers was studied either 18 hours after the injection of the organism or immediately after clinical death. No indication of impaired mitochondrial function was found compared to normal controls. The level of high-energy adenine nucleotides was lower than normal in the livers of rats killed at 18 hours and lower still in the group examined at death. The results suggest that this model of experimental sepsis does not cause irreversible damage to liver mitochondria.