Inhibitors Of Arachidonic Acid Metabolism Research Articles

Effect of different inhibitors on the intracellularly and extracellularly generated chemiluminescence induced by formylmethionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine in polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Cellular response in the presence of mannitol, benzoate, taurine, indomethacin and NDGA

When polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) interact with the soluble stimulus formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), the cells increase their production of oxidative metabolites. This increased production can be measured as lumino-amplified light emission or chemiluminescence (CL). In the present report, experimental systems which allow a quantitation of extracellularly and intracellularly generated metabolites have been used, and the effect of mannitol, benzoate, taurine, indomethacin and nordihydroguaiaretic acid has been investigated. The presence of the hypochlorous acid scavenger taurine had no effect on the intracellular response, whereas the extracellular response was reduced with around 50%. The hydroxyl radical scavenger mannitol had only minor effects on the response, whereas benzoate, another hydroxyl radical scavenger, reduced the extracellular response with around 50% and the intracellular response with more than 90%. Indomethacin, an inhibitor of arachidonic acid metabolism, did not influence the response, whereas NDGA, also an inhibitor of the arachidonic acid metabolism, totally abolished both the extracellular and the intracellular response. The use of scavengers/inhibitors as a means of determining the mechanisms of light emission, and the origin of chemiluminescence produced by neutrophils stimulated by FMLP is discussed.

Treatment of S antigen uveoretinitis with lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors.

The role of metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA) in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis was studied using inhibitors of AA metabolism. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), which inhibits predominantly the lipoxygenase (LO) pathway, or indomethacin, a specific cyclo-oxygenase (CO) inhibitor, was administered to rats immunized with retinal S antigen. Levels of various AA metabolites were measured in the inflamed uvea, and the severity of intraocular inflammation was quantitated by morphometric analysis. Histopathologically, the uveoretinitis was significantly suppressed following treatment with NDGA, while indomethacin treatment resulted in augmentation of the disease (p less than 0.05). These results tend to indicate that the inhibition of the LO rather than the CO pathway may be more beneficial in the treatment of autoimmune uveitis.

Regulation of ion transport in porcine distal colon: Effects of putative neurotransmitters

Porcine distal colon epithelium was mounted in Ussing chambers and bathed with porcine Ringer's solution. The effects of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, norepinephrine, and carbamylcholine on Na and Cl fluxes and transepithelial electrical parameters were determined after their serosal administration. Vasoactive intestinal peptide increased the Cl-dependent component of the short-circuit current with a half-maximal effect at 115 nmol/L. Transepithelial Na and Cl flux studies demonstrated that the increase in current was caused by stimulation of Cl secretion. Norepinephrine also stimulated Cl secretion and increased the serosal-to-mucosal Na flux, producing a half-maximal effect at 1.6 mumol/L. Selective blockade of alpha 1 adrenoceptors by 0.5 mumol/L prazosin produced an eightfold decrease in norepinephrine potency. Carbamylcholine produced a significant increase in Cl secretion and decreased absorption of both Na and Cl with a concentration of 10 mumol/L producing a half-maximal effect. The muscarinic cholinoceptor blocker atropine (0.1 mumol/L) produced a 22-fold decrease in carbamylcholine potency. The effects of all three transmitter substances were unaffected after pretreatment of tissues with the neuronal conduction-blocker tetrodotoxin or an inhibitor of arachidonic acid metabolism. These results indicate that (a) vasoactive intestinal polypeptide stimulates Cl secretion without affecting Na absorption; (b) norepinephrine acting through alpha 1 adrenoceptors stimulates net Cl secretion and activates a serosal-to-mucosal Na transport mechanism; and (c) carbamylcholine acting through muscarinic receptors stimulates Cl secretion and inhibits Na and Cl absorption.

Histochemical Analysis of Experimental Granulomatous Uveitis

We have previously demonstrated the effects of various inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism on experimental lens-induced granulomatous uveitis. In the present study, we investigated the effect of these same inhibitors on the expression of lysosomal enzymes at different stages of choroidal inflammation in experimental lens-induced granulomatous uveitis and compared this to the inflammation observed at each stage examined. Lysosomal enzymes such as acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase and succinate dehydrogenase are known to be liberated during the maturation of mononuclear phagocytes to epithelioid cell granulomas. Although animals treated with nordihydroguaiaretic acid showed less severe inflammation than did indomethacin-treated or control animals, none of these agents appeared to affect the expression of acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase, as determined histochemically. Succinate dehydrogenase could not be detected in any of the eyes examined, even though sections of liver and kidney from these same animals were positive for this enzyme.

Inhibitors of the lipoxygenase pathway specifically block orthopoxvirus replication

Inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism, 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA), BW755c, and nordihydroguaiaretic acid were found to specifically interfere with the replication of cowpox virus (an orthopoxvirus) both in vivo and in vitro. Further studies in vitro showed that the drugs ETYA and BW755c were effective in inhibiting the replication of two additional orthopoxviruses, ectromelia and vaccinia viruses, but not human parainfluenza virus-3. In ETYA-treated and cowpox virus-infected cells, early and late gene expression were near normal levels, whereas the assembly of virus-specific membranes was severely reduced. These results are compatible with a model of orthopoxvirus replication that has an obligate requirement for arachidonic acid or one of its metabolic forms, possibly in the assembly of virus-specific membranes.

Inhibition of Human Neutrophil Activation by the Allergic Mediator Release Inhibitor, CI-949

The allergic mediator release inhibitor Cl-949 [5-methoxy-3-(1-methylethoxy)-1-phenyl-N-1H-tetrazol-5-yl-1H -indole-2-carboxamide, L-arginine salt] was evaluated for its effects on human neutrophil functions. Cl-949 (100 microM) inhibited spontaneous migration and chemotaxis toward f-met-leu-phe (FMLP) by 49.1% and 45.8%, respectively. At the same concentration, Cl-949 inhibited the phagocytosis of serum-opsonized zymosan (SOZ) by 39.0%. Cl-949 inhibited leukotriene B4 and thromboxane B2 release in response to SOZ with IC50s of 2.0 microM and 3.3 microM, while inhibiting the response to FMLP with IC50s of 1.7 and 2.0 microM. Cl-949 also inhibited myeloperoxidase release from primary lysosomal granules in response to the following stimuli with the respective IC50s (microM): C5a (40.3); FMLP (34.4): SOZ (21.4); concanavalin A (Con A) 3.9); and calcium ionophore A23187 (91.2). In contrast, Cl-949 inhibited lysozyme release from secondary granules in response to SOZ and Con A with IC50s of 99.3 and 56.1 microM, while inhibiting the response to C5a, FMLP, and A23187 by 41.2%, 52.4%, and 10.0%, respectively, at 100 microM. Cl-949 (100 microM) had no inhibitory effect against lysozyme release in response to L-alpha-1,2 dioctanoylglycerol (DiC8), or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Cl-949 inhibited superoxide anion generation stimulated by FMLP and Con A with IC50s of 33.9 and 25.8 microM, while inhibiting the response to C5a, SOZ, and A23187 by 36.6%, 24.8%, and 14.1% and having no effect on the response to DiC8 or PMA at 100 microM. These results demonstrate preferential inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism and degranulation of primary lysosomal granules by Cl-949 with selectivity for stimuli which promote intracellular calcium mobilization or calcium influx.

Possible implication of arachidonic acid metabolism in the decrease of chemiluminescence production after exposure of murine peritoneal macrophages to diethylnitrosamine and tumour promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate

The effect of the carcinogen diethylnitrosamine (DEN) on prostaglandins (PGs), leukotrienes (LTs) and reactive oxygen intermediates production by murine peritoneal macrophages was assessed. In vitro exposure to DEN (0.8, 1.6 and 8 mM) resulted in a dose-dependent stimulation of the PGs and LTs generation by macrophages. DEN-exposed peritoneal macrophages demonstrated enhanced production of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites following stimulation with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) as compared to macrophages stimulated with TPA alone. Studies of [3H]AA release from glycerolipids of prelabelled macrophages and of the distribution of AA metabolites between intra and extracellular compartments indicated that DEN induced de novo synthesis of AA metabolites. The stimulation of AA metabolism by DEN was decreased by H-7 and staurosporine, protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, and so could be dependent on PKC activation. The generation of PGs by macrophages after DEN exposure was also inhibited by indomethacin (cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor). DEN at high concentrations (1.6-16 mM) inhibited chemiluminescence production by peritoneal macrophages in a dose-dependent manner, triggered by tumour promoter TPA; lower concentrations (0.8 and 1.2 mM) increased this reactive oxygen intermediates dependent chemiluminescence production induced by TPA. The role of AA metabolism in the alteration of chemiluminescence production by murine peritoneal macrophages treated in vitro with DEN and triggered by TPA has been evaluated by using AA metabolism inhibitors. The stimulation of chemiluminescence by TPA was inhibited by the addition of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor, 4-p-BPB; this metabolic inhibitor did not affect the decrease of chemiluminescence production induced by DEN. The cyclo-oxygenase (CO) inhibitor, indomethacin, reversed the inhibition of TPA-induced chemiluminescence caused by DEN. These results suggest that AA and/or a lipoxygenase product can potentiate the reactive oxygen intermediates production by macrophages stimulated by TPA. The CO pathway could be involved in the inhibition by DEN of the reactive oxygen intermediates generating enzyme system. It is suggested that this inhibition could be related to AA metabolites issued from the CO pathway or to DEN oxygenated metabolites issued from the co-oxidation of the DEN by the PGs endoperoxide synthase. These results also raise the problem of macrophage dysfunction by chemical carcinogens and the implication of the CO pathway in this process.

Mechanism of phosgene-induced lung toxicity: role of arachidonate mediators

We have previously shown that phosgene markedly increases lung weight gain and pulmonary vascular permeability in rabbits. The current experiments were designed to determine whether cyclooxygenase- and lipoxygenase-derived mediators contribute to the phosgene induced lung injury. We exposed rabbits to phosgene (1,500 ppm/min), killed the animals 30 min later, and then perfused the lungs with a saline buffer for 90 min. Phosgene markedly increased lung weight gain, did not appear to increase the synthesis of cyclooxygenase metabolites, but increased 10-fold the synthesis of lipoxygenase products. Pre- or posttreatment with indomethacin decreased thromboxane and prostacyclin levels without affecting leukotriene synthesis and partially reduced the lung weight gain caused by phosgene. Methylprednisolone pretreatment completely blocked the increase in leukotriene synthesis and lung weight gain. Posttreatment with 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA), a nonmetabolized competitive inhibitor of arachidonic acid metabolism, or the leukotriene receptor blockers, FPL 55712 and LY 171883, also dramatically reduced the lung weight gain caused by phosgene. These results suggest that lipoxygenase products contribute to the phosgene-induced lung damage. Because phosgene exposure did not increase cyclooxygenase synthesis or pulmonary arterial pressure, we tested whether phosgene affects the lung's ability to generate or to react to thromboxane. Infusing arachidonic acid increased thromboxane synthesis to the same extent in phosgene-exposed lungs as in control lungs; however, phosgene exposure significantly reduced pulmonary vascular reactivity to thromboxane but not to angiotension II and KCl.

Bradykinin‐2 receptor‐mediated release of 3H‐arachidonic acid and formation of prostaglandin E2 in human gingival fibroblasts

Bradykinin stimulated production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and the release of 3H-arachidonic acid by gingival fibroblasts in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The effect on PGE2 biosynthesis was seen already after 15 seconds and was maximal after 5 minutes. Several structurally unrelated inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism via the cyclooxygenase pathway totally abolished the PGE2 response to bradykinin. The stimulation of PGE2 formation was seen at and above 10 nmol/l of bradykinin. Des-Arg9-bradykinin was 100-fold less potent compared to bradykinin. Des-Arg9-Leu8-bradykinin did not antagonize bradykinin-induced PGE2 formation. Met-Lys-bradykinin and Lys-bradykinin also enhanced PGE2 formation in gingival fibroblasts. The stimulatory action of bradykinin on 3H-arachidonic acid release was observed after 30 s and progressively increased for at least 15 min. The stimulatory effect on 3H-arachidonic acid release by bradykinin was seen at and above 10 nmol/l, whereas des-Arg9-bradykinin was without effect up to a concentration of 1 mumol/l. Indomethacin did not affect bradykinin-induced 3H-arachidonic acid release. These data show that bradykinin, via a B2-receptor-mediated pathway, can stimulate arachidonic acid release and subsequent prostanoid formation in gingival fibroblasts. Consequently, gingival fibroblasts may contribute, by a bradykinin-regulated reaction, to the enhanced amounts of prostanoids found in gingival tissues and crevicular fluids in patients with periodontal diseases.

5,6-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid, a novel arachidonate metabolite. Mechanism of vasoactivity in the rat.

We have reported that 5,6-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (5,6-EET) was the only cytochrome P-450-dependent arachidonic acid (AA) epoxide to dilate the isolated, perfused caudal artery of the rat. We have investigated the mechanisms by which 5,6-EET dilates the rat-tail artery by studying the effect of deendothelialization and inhibition of AA metabolic pathways (cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase, and cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase) on the vascular action of the epoxide. Rat isolated caudal arteries were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution at 37 degrees C, pH 7.4, and gassed with 95% O2-5% CO2. Arterial tone was elevated with phenylephrine; acetylcholine (0.5 nmol) was used to detect the presence of intact, functional endothelium. Doses of 5,6-EET, from 6.25 to 25.0 nmol, were injected close-arterially. After obtaining control responses, the same doses were randomly retested after deendothelialization or in the presence of inhibitors of AA metabolism. Removal of the endothelium decreased by 70% the vasodilator responses to 5,6-EET. The endothelial dependency was a function of the epoxide interacting with cyclooxygenase of the endothelium, because indomethacin (3 microM) and aspirin (50 microM) prevented the vasodilator response to 5,6-EET while not affecting the response to acetylcholine. SKF-525A (1.1 microM) and metyrapone (150 microM) did not affect the responses to the 5,6-EET, whereas clotrimazole (0.7 microM) and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (2.5 microM) had nonspecific effects, decreasing responses to 5,6-EET and acetylcholine. Because 5,6-EET failed to stimulate detectable release of prostanoids into the effluent from the caudal artery, we conclude that 5,6-EET requires conversion by cyclooxygenase for expression of its vasoactivity.

Myo-inositol and prostaglandins reverse the glucose inhibition of neural tube fusion in cultured mouse embryos

Neural tube defects in infants of diabetic mothers constitute an important and frequent cause of neonatal mortality/morbidity and long-term chronic handicaps. The mechanism by which normal neural tube fusion occurs is not known. The failure of rostral neural tube fusion seen in mouse embryos incubated in the presence of excess-D-glucose can be significantly prevented by the supplementation of myo-inositol to the culture medium. This protective effect of myo-inositol is reversed by indomethacin, an inhibitor of arachidonic acid metabolism leading to prostaglandin synthesis. Prostaglandin E2 added to the culture medium completely protects against the glucose-induced neural tube defect. These data suggest that the failure of neural tube fusion seen in diabetic embryopathy is mediated through a mechanism involving abnormalities in both the myo-inositol and arachidonic acid pathways, resulting in a functional deficiency of prostaglandins at a critical time of neural tube fusion.

Ca2+‐Independent Stimulation of Adenylate Cyclase Activity by Muscarinic Receptors in Rat Olfactory Bulb

In rat olfactory bulb homogenate, carbachol stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in a concentration-dependent manner (EC50 = 1.1 microM). The carbachol stimulation occurred fully in membranes that had been prepared in the presence of 1 mM EGTA and incubated in a Ca2(+)-free enzyme reaction medium. Under these conditions, exogenous calmodulin (1 microM) failed to stimulate adenylate cyclase activity. In miniprisms of olfactory bulb, carbachol (1 mM) increased accumulation of inositol phosphates, but this response was markedly reduced in a Ca2(+)-free medium. Moreover, the carbachol stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity was not affected by staurosporine at a concentration (1 microM) that completely blocked the stimulatory effect of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, an activator of Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase. Quinacrine, a nonselective phospholipase A2 inhibitor, reduced the carbachol stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity, but this inhibition appeared to be competitive with a Ki of 0.2 microM. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid and indomethacin, two inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism, failed to affect the carbachol response. These results indicate that in rat olfactory bulb, muscarinic receptors stimulate adenylate cyclase activity through a mechanism that is independent of Ca2+ and phospholipid hydrolysis.

Biochemical profile of CO/1828, a new dual inhibitor of arachidonic acid metabolism

Biochemical profile of CO/1828, a new dual inhibitor of arachidonic acid metabolism

Arachidonate Metabolism in the Anterior Pituitary: Effect of Arachidonate Inhibitors on Basal and Stimulated Secretion of Prolactin, Growth Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone. I. Hormone Release from Incubated or Perifused Pituitary Fragments

Abstract The potential involvement of arachidonic acid metabolites in the regulation of adenohypophyseal secretion was analysed on pituitary glands from male rats incubated in the presence of various inhibitors with different mechanisms of action: two inhibitors of phospholipase A(2) (parabromophenacylbromide, PB and compound CB 874), an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase- and lipoxygenase-catalysed pathways (5, 8, 11, 14-eicosatetraynoic acid, ETYA) and an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase (epsilon-lysyl acetylsalicylate, ASP). Under conditions which minimize side effects of the drugs, all inhibitors reduced prostaglandin synthesis and release, without affecting the metabolic integrity of the tissues (assessed by their intracellular adenosine triphosphate levels). All agents tested (PB, ETYA, ASP) suppressed prolactin secretion induced either by thyrotropin-releasing hormone or vasoactive intestinal peptide. Basal prolactin secretion was sensitive to phospholipase A(2) inhibitors. Similar inhibitions were obtained with ETYA and CB 874 on growth hormone secretion under basal conditions as well as after stimulation by growth hormone-releasing factor, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, or vasoactive intestinal peptide. In contrast, luteinizing hormone secretion, stimulated or not by gonadotropin-releasing hormone, was not sensitive to any of the agents used. It is concluded that, in intact male hemipituitaries, arachidonic acid metabolism is involved in the stimulation of prolactin and growth hormone secretion by neuropeptides. In contrast, luteinizing hormone release does not seem to depend on that mechanism. It has been verified that the inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism do not directly interfere with adenylate cyclase, or with the activation of protein kinase C, two enzymes which are involved in the regulation of secretory mechanisms.

Arachidonate Metabolism in the Anterior Pituitary: Effect of Arachidonate Inhibitors on Basal and Stimulated Secretion of Prolactin, Growth Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone. II. Hormone Release from Dispersed Pituitary Cells

Abstract In the accompanying study, we reported the effects of inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism on the regulation of prolactin, growth hormone (GH) and luteinizing hormone secretion by male hemipituitaries. The present work extends these investigations to primary cell cultures of the same origin. Arachidonic acid metabolism was inhibited by either 5, 8, 11, 14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA), a blocker of cyclooxygenase- and lipoxygenase-catalysed pathways, or the cyclooxygenase inhibitors, indomethacin and aspirin. ETYA inhibited basal GH secretion by 60%, an effect which was reversed by micromolar concentrations of exogenous arachidonic acid. ETYA was much less effective on growth hormone-releasing factor-induced GH release, a result which contrasts with data obtained on intact glands. Growth hormone-releasing factor stimulation of adenylate cyclase was not affected by ETYA. Cyclooxygenase inhibitors decreased basal secretion to a more limited extent (-30%) and were ineffective on growth hormone-releasing factor-stimulated release. Basal prolactin secretion was reduced by 30% in the presence of ETYA and unaffected by cyclooxygenase inhibitors. As with GH, the effect was reversed by exogenous arachidonic acid. However, in contrast to growth hormone-releasing factor-stimulated GH secretion, thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation of prolactin release was able to overcome the inhibition by ETYA in a dose-dependent manner. Again, the insensitivity of thyrotropin-releasing hormone-stimulated prolactin release to ETYA contrasts with the data obtained in intact tissue. Moreover, ETYA inhibited (-60%) prostaglandin E(2) production; thyrotropin-releasing hormone was unable to increase the prostaglandin levels in control or ETYA-treated cells. This confirms the data obtained with cyclooxygenase inhibitors, suggesting that prostaglandins are not involved in prolactin secretion. Intracellular accumulation of Ca(2+) by the ionophore A23187 and protein kinase C stimulation by the phorbol ester 12-O- tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA), strongly stimulated GH and prolactin release. Under these conditions, ETYA was no longer able to inhibit secretion of the hormones. As with intact glands, basal and gonadotropin-releasing hormone or TPA-induced luteinizing hormone secretion were unaffected by any of the inhibitors used. It is concluded that blockade of the arachidonic acid cascade interferes with a secretory pathway involved mainly with basal release of prolactin and GH, but not luteinizing hormone. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone, a secretagogue known to trigger phospholipase C and, hence, to stimulate Ca(2+) mobilization and protein kinase C, overcame ETYA inhibition of prolactin secretion. Growth hormone-releasing factor, a secretagogue recognized by adenylate cyclase coupled receptors, did not overcome ETYA inhibition of GH secretion. However, both secretagogues strongly stimulated hormone release from their target cells in the presence of ETYA. The arachidonic acid cascade thus seems less important in neuromediator-induced secretion coupling processes in dispersed pituitary cells, than in the intact gland. These observations suggest that eicosanoids are more likely to mediate paracrine or autocrine modulations of secretory mechanisms, rather than to function as intracellular messengers.

1,2-Dihydro-1-oxopyrrolo[3,2,1-kl]phenothiazine-2-carboxamides and congeners, dual cyclooxygenase/5-lipoxygenase inhibitors with anti-inflammatory activity

A series of 1,2-dihydro-1-oxopyrrolo[3,2,1-kl]phenothiazine, 1,2-dihydro-1-oxopyrrolo[3,2,1-kl]phenoxazine, and 1,2-dihydro-1-oxopyrrolo[3,2,1-de]acridine-2-carboxamides were prepared by reaction of 1,2-dihydro-1-oxo-pyrrolo[3,2,1-kl]phenothiazine or other corresponding phenoxazine and acridan ethyl or methyl esters with appropriate amines. Several members of this family were found to be potent, dual inhibitors of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism and to have in vivo antiinflammatory activity in the rat foot edema assay. Structure-activity relationships within this family of compounds are described. 1,2-Dihydro-N-(2-thiazolyl)-1-oxopyrrolo[3,2,1-kl]phenothiazine-1- carboxamide (34) was found to be one of the best compounds to display potent cyclooxygenase/5-lipoxygenase inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism. Its IC50s against the enzymes sourced from rat basophillic leukemia-1 (RBL-1) cells were 0.07 and 1.4 microM, respectively. It was active in the rat foot edema test for antiinflammatory effect (48% inhibition at 33 mg/kg po) and in the mouse phenylbenzoquinone induced writhing test for analgesic effect (93% inhibition at 32 mg/kg po).

Glucocorticoids Fail to Inhibit Arachidonic Acid Metabolism Stimulated by Hydrogen Peroxide in the Alveolar Macrophage

We have previously demonstrated that the biologically important oxidant hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) triggers release and metabolism of arachidonic acid (AA) in the alveolar macrophage (AM). In this study, we evaluated the ability of glucocorticoids to inhibit rat AM AA metabolism stimulated by H2O2, as compared to the particulate zymosan. Methylprednisolone and other glucocorticoids failed to significantly inhibit release of AA stimulated by H2O2, while markedly reducing AA release in response to zymosan. Similarly, methylprednisolone only weakly inhibited synthesis of thromboxane (Tx)B2 stimulated by H2O2, while inhibiting zymosan-induced eicosanoid synthesis to a marked degree. On the other hand, the phospholipase inhibitor mepacrine strongly inhibited AA release and TxB2 formation stimulated by both H2O2 and zymosan, indicating that H2O2 induced AA metabolism is indeed susceptible to pharmacologic inhibition. The failure of glucocorticoids to inhibit AA metabolism stimulated by H2O2 in the AM may in part explain their inability to ameliorate oxidant-mediated lung inflammation and injury.

Involvement of endothelin in the regulation of human vascular tonus. Potent vasoconstrictor effect and existence in endothelial cells.

Endothelin, a recently discovered endothelium-derived peptide, has been reported to produce potent vasoconstriction in various vessels of experimental animals. To study the involvement of endothelin in the regulation of vascular tonus in humans, isolated human mesenteric arteries were investigated by both pharmacological and immunohistochemical methods. The vasoconstrictor action of endothelin-1 was examined on ring segments of human mesenteric arteries. Endothelin-1 induced a slowly developing and sustained contraction, with an EC50 value (half-maximal effective concentration) of 2.9 x 10(-9) M, two orders of magnitude smaller than that of norepinephrine (EC50 of 3.9 x 10(-7) M), indicating that the vasoconstrictor action of endothelin-1 is about 100 times more potent than that of norepinephrine. The contractile effect of endothelin-1 was affected neither by adrenergic, cholinergic, histaminergic, nor serotonergic antagonists, nor by inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism. The vasoconstrictor response to endothelin-1 was effectively antagonized by nicardipine, a dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel blocker. Endothelin-1 profoundly augmented contractile response to Ca2+ in partially depolarized tissues. Immunohistochemical studies revealed for the first time that endothelin-like immunoreactivity was localized in endothelial cells of human mesenteric artery. The results of the present study indicate that endothelin-1 is one of the most potent vasoconstrictors in the human mesenteric artery and that it induces vasoconstriction via an ultimately accelerating Ca2+ influx through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. Since endothelin-1 can be located in human endothelial cells, it may play an important physiological or pathophysiological role.

Phospholipase A 2, an in vivo immunomodulator

Arachidonic acid (AA) can be released from membrane phospholipids by the action of phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2). There is evidence that unsaturated fatty acids, particularly AA, released from membrane phospholipids are required to activate the respiratory burst of macrophages. The data reported here indicate that peritoneal macrophages harvested 30 min after i.p. injection of PLA 2 can phagocytose Candida albicans more efficiently and emit more chemoluminescence (CL) than normal cells when stimulated by zymosan. PLA 2 injection also enhances the CL of peritoneal cells from mice already stimulated by immunomodulators such as trehalose dimycolate (TDM), bestatin, or oncostatic drugs such as aclacinomycin (ACM). CL is not sensitive to potassium cyanide (KCN), but is inhibited by catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and high doses of indomethacin (10- 3M). In vivo PLA 2 treatment stimulates the synthesis of both cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase derivatives of AA metabolism (PGE 2, 6-keto, PGF 1∞ TXB 2 and LTC 4). Inhibitors of AA metabolism (NDGA, indomethacin) modulate the production of free oxidizing radicals in this experimental model, partly because of their effect on AA metabolism, as determined by the measuring immunoreactive products. However, this work indicates that the effects of these inhibitors, which have been extensively used in CL studies, should be interpreted with caution, since their specificity for AA metabolism is relative.

Bradykinin and Respiratory Mucous Membranes: Analysis of Bradykinin Binding Site Distribution and Secretory ResponsesIn VitroandIn Vivo

Bradykinin (BK) and lysyl-BK (lys-BK, kallidin) have been proposed as potentially important mediators of rhinorrhea. Possible mechanisms by which BK might contribute to rhinorrhea were investigated by several approaches. (1) The autoradiographic distribution of 125I-BK binding sites in human inferior turbinate nasal mucosa was determined. (2) The effects of BK and lys-BK and antagonists on radiolabeled respiratory glycoconjugate (RGC) release from human nasal mucosa was measured. (3) The secretory effects of BK were studied in cat tracheal mucosa maintained in short-term explant culture, and in ferret trachea maintained in Ussing chambers. (4) The effects of BK on macromolecule secretion in guinea pig nasal mucosa was studied in vivo. Autoradiographic examination of human nasal mucosa revealed that 125I-BK specifically bound to small muscular arteries, venous sinusoids, and submucosal fibers. No specific binding to submucosal glands or goblet cells was noted. Human nasal fragments secreted significantly increased amounts of RGC in response to 10 microM BK (15.0% +/- 1.8 compared with control values; mean +/- standard error of the mean; n = 7; p less than 0.01 by Student's unpaired t test), 10 microM lys-BK (12.2% +/- 3.3; n = 5; p less than 0.05), and 100 microM methacholine (35.7% +/- 2.3; p less than 0.0001). The addition of 1 microM BK, or 1 microM lys-BK, did not induce release. The addition of the BK receptor antagonist des-Arg9-[Leu8]-BK (10 microM) or inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism with 50 microM nordihydroguaiaretic acid or 65 microM ibuprofen inhibited the prosecretory effect of 10 microM BK.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)