Effects of the novel dihydropyridine BAY-K-8644 on adrenomedullary catecholamine release evoked by calcium reintroduction

Multiple calcium pathways induce the expression of SNAP-25 protein in chromaffin cells

Incubation of bovine adrenal chromaffin cells in high K+ (38 mM) during 24-48 h enhanced 2.5 to five times the expression of SNAP-25 protein and mRNA, respectively. This increase was reduced 86% by furnidipine (an L-type Ca2+ channel blocker) but was unaffected by either omega-conotoxin GVIA (an N-type Ca2+ channel blocker) or -agatoxin IVA (a P/Q-type Ca2+ channel blocker). Combined blockade of N and P/Q channels with omega-conotoxin MVIIC did, however, block by 76% the protein expression. The inhibitory effects of fumidipine were partially reversed when the external Ca2+ concentration was raised from 1.6 to 5 mM. These findings, together with the fact that nicotinic receptor activation or Ca2+ release from internal stores also enhanced SNAP-25 protein expression, suggest that an increment of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]), rather than its source or Ca2+ entry pathway, is the critical signal to induce the protein expression. The greater coupling between L-type Ca2+ channels and protein expression might be due to two facts: (a) L channels contributed 50% to the global [Ca2+]i rise induced by 38 mM K+ in indo-1-loaded chromaffin cells and (b) L channels undergo less inactivation than N or P/Q channels on sustained stimulation of these cells.

Voltage inactivation of Ca2+ entry and secretion associated with N- and P/Q-type but not L-type Ca2+ channels of bovine chromaffin cells

1. In this study we pose the question of why the bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cell needs various subtypes (L, N, P, Q) of the neuronal high-voltage activated Ca2+ channels to control a given physiological function, i.e. the exocytotic release of catecholamines. One plausible hypothesis is that Ca2+ channel subtypes undergo different patterns of inactivation during cell depolarization. 2. The net Ca2+ uptake (measured using 45Ca2+) into hyperpolarized cells (bathed in a nominally Ca2+-free solution containing 1.2 mM K+) after application of a Ca2+ pulse (5 s exposure to 100 mM K+ and 2 mM Ca2+), amounted to 0.65 +/- 0.02 fmol cell-1; in depolarized cells (bathed in nominally Ca2+-free solution containing 100 mM K+) the net Ca2+ uptake was 0.16 +/- 0.01 fmol cell-1. 3. This was paralleled by a dramatic reduction of the increase in the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i, caused by Ca2+ pulses applied to fura-2-loaded single cells, from 1181 +/- 104 nM in hyperpolarized cells to 115 +/- 9 nM in depolarized cells. 4. A similar decrease was observed when studying catecholamine release. Secretion was decreased when K+ concentration was increased from 1.2 to 100 mM; the Ca2+ pulse caused, when comparing the extreme conditions, the secretion of 807 +/- 35 nA of catecholamines in hyperpolarized cells and 220 +/- 19 nA in depolarized cells. 5. The inactivation by depolarization of Ca2+ entry and secretion occluded the blocking effects of combined omega-conotoxin GVIA (1 microM) and omega-agatoxin IVA (2 microM), thus suggesting that depolarization caused a selective inactivation of the N- and P/Q-type Ca2+ channels. 6. This was strengthened by two additional findings: (i) nifedipine (3 microM), an L-type Ca2+ channel blocker, suppressed the fraction of Ca2+ entry (24 %) and secretion (27 %) left unblocked by depolarization; (ii) FPL64176 (3 microM), an L-type Ca2+ channel 'activator', dramatically enhanced the entry of Ca2+ and the secretory response in depolarized cells. 7. In voltage-clamped cells, switching the holding potential from -80 to -40 mV promoted the loss of 80 % of the whole-cell inward Ca2+ channel current carried by 10 mM Ba2+ (IBa). The residual current was blocked by 80 % upon addition of 3 microM nifedipine and dramatically enhanced by 3 microM FPL64176. 8. Thus, it seems that the N- and P/Q-subtypes of calcium channels are more prone to inactivation at depolarizing voltages than the L-subtype. We propose that this different inactivation might occur physiologically during different patterns of action potential firing, triggered by endogenously released acetylcholine under various stressful conditions.

Re-evaluation of the P/Q Ca2+ channel components of Ba2+ currents in bovine chromaffin cells superfused with solutions containing low and high Ba2+ concentrations

This study was undertaken to reassess the set of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel subtypes expressed by bovine adrenal chromaffin cells maintained in primary cultures. Previous views on the pharmacology of such channels had to be revised in the light of the novel data which arose from the use in this study of low and high micromolar concentrations of omega-agatoxin IVA, and low (2 mM) and high (10 mM) concentrations of the charge carrier Ba2+. Whole-cell Ba2+ currents (IBa) through Ca2+ channels were elicited in voltage-clamped chromaffin cells, with a holding potential of -80 mV and depolarising pulses to 0 mV. Mean peak IBa was 425 pA in 2 mM Ba2+ (59 cells) and 787 pA in 10 mM Ba2+ (42 cells). In 2 mM Ba2+, omega-conotoxin MVIIC (3 microM) inhibited IBa by 79%; in 10 mM Ba2+, the blockade developed much more slowly and reached only 44%. A low concentration of omega-agatoxin IVA (20 nM) inhibited IBa by 9%; 2 microM inhibited IBa by 60%. This blockade was similar in low and high Ba2+ concentrations. After giving furnidipine (3 microM) and omega-conotoxin GVIA (1 microM), 2 microM omega-agatoxin IVA inhibited the remaining current (about 40-45%); this blockade was independent of the Ba2+ concentration. The current could be fully blocked by the cocktail furnidipine/omega-conotoxin GVIA/high omega-agatoxin IVA, both in low and high Ba2+ concentrations. The large Q-type channel component of IBa is blocked by micromolar concentrations of omega-agatoxin IVA and omega-conotoxin MVIIC. While solutions with a high Ba2+ concentration strongly delayed the development of blockade by omega-conotoxin MVIIC, the blockade by high concentrations of omega-agatoxin IVA was equally effective in solutions with a low or a high Ba2+ concentration. Hence, the use of appropriate Ba2+ and toxin concentrations in this study reveals that P-type Ca2+ channels are poorly expressed in bovine chromaffin cells; in contrast, a robust component of the current depends on Q-type Ca2+ channels. An R-type residual current is not present in these cells.

Effects of Ca2+ channel antagonist subtypes on mitochondrial Ca2+ transport

This study was carried out to define the effects of various Ca2+ channel modulatory drugs on mitochondrial Ca2+ movements. Bovine adrenal medulla mitochondria took up Ca2+ at an initial rate of 6.8 nmol mg protein-1 5 s-1, with a Km of 15 microM and a Bmax of 30 nmol mg protein-1. At 30 microM, neither verapamil, diltiazem, nitrendipine nor Bay K 8644 [methyl-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl)- pyridine-5-carboxylate] affected the initial rate of Ca2+ uptake. Ca(2+)-loaded mitochondria retained their Ca2+ contents in the presence of ruthenium red for at least 30 min. Cinnarizine and flunarizine, but not verapamil, diltiazem, isradipine, Bay K 8644 or nitrendipine, caused a fast and dramatic Na(+)-independent Ca2+ loss. Other Ca2+ channel antagonists assayed such as penfluridol, R56865 [N-[1-(4-(4-fluorophenoxy)butyl)]-4-piperidinyl-N-methyl-2- benzothiazolamine], lidoflazine, R87926 [(+)-(S)-4-(2-benzothiazolyl-methylamino)-alpha-[(3,4-difluorophenoxy ) methyl] 1 piperidine] and sabeluzole, also had a mitochondrial Ca2+ depleting effect which seemed to be directly related to their octanol/water partition coefficient. The Na(+)-dependent Ca2+ efflux from mitochondria was completely inhibited by diltiazem and greatly blocked by nitrendipine. Isradipine caused a moderate blockade and Bay K 8644 and verapamil had no effect. All these data open the possibility of developing novel Ca2+ channel antagonists having selective actions on plasmalemmal Ca2+ channels, and others with additional and different effects on mitochondrial Ca2+ transport.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Q- and L-type Ca2+ channels dominate the control of secretion in bovine chromaffin cells

Potassium-stimulated catecholamine release from superfused bovine adrenal chromaffin cells (70 mM K+ in the presence of 2 mM Ca2+ for 10 s, applied at 5-min intervals) was inhibited by the dihydropyridine furnidipine (3 microM) by 50%. omega-Conotoxin MVIIC (CTx-MVIIC, 3 microM) also reduced the secretory response by about half. Combined CTx-MVIIC plus furnidipine blocked 100% catecholamine release. 45Ca2+ uptake and cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in K(+)-depolarized cells were partially blocked by furnidipine or CTx-MVIIC, and completely inhibited by both agents. The whole cell current through Ca2+ channels carried by Ba2+ (IBa) was partially blocked by CTx-MVIIC. Although omega-conotoxin GVIA (CTx-GVIA, 1 microM) and omega-agatoxin IVA (Aga-IVA, 0.2 microM) partially inhibited 45Ca2+ entry, IBa and the increase in [Ca2+]i, the combination of both toxins did not affect the K(+)-evoked secretory response. The results are compatible with the presence in bovine chromaffin cells of a Q-like Ca2+ channel which has a prominent role in controlling exocytosis. They also suggest that Q- and L-type Ca2+ channels, but not N- or P-types are localized near exocytotic active sites in the plasmalemma.

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor of the bovine chromaffin cell, a new target for dihydropyridines

The effects of 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives on divalent cation transients and catecholamine release stimulated by either high K+ or the nicotinic receptor agonist dimethyl-phenyl-piperazinium (DMPP) have been compared in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. The activation of Ca2+ entry pathways was followed by measuring 45Ca2+ or Mn2+ uptake, or by the changes of [Ca2+]i in fura-2-loaded chromaffin cells. Various dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel blockers (nimodipine, PCA50938, nifedipine, nitrendipine, furnidipine) abolished the DMPP-mediated effects, but prevented only partially the activation by high [K+]0 of 45Ca2+ uptake. The IC50 for DMPP-induced activation was around 1 microM. The L-type Ca2+ channel activator Bay K 8644 potentiated the uptake of 45Ca2+ induced by K+ depolarization at concentrations between 10 nM and 1 microM, but completely inhibited the uptake of 45Ca2+ by DMPP (IC50, 0.9 microM). Both high [K+]0 and DMPP produced membrane depolarization as measured using bis-oxonol. The DMPP-evoked, but not the K(+)-evoked membrane depolarization was prevented by Na+ removal, suggesting that the depolarization was due to Na+ entry through the acetylcholine receptor ionophore. Nimodipine at 10 microM abolished the depolarization induced by DMPP, leaving the K(+)-evoked depolarization unaffected. Tetrodotoxin (2 microM) did not affect the DMPP- or high K(+)-mediated cell depolarization. Whole-cell inward current evoked by 100 microM DMPP (IDMPP) was measured in cells voltage-clamped at -80 mV. Nimodipine (10 microM) reduced IDMPP by 36%; Bay K 8644 (10 microM) inhibited IDMPP by 67%. DMPP-evoked catecholamine release from superfused chromaffin cells was reduced by over 90% with 10 microM nimodipine; in contrast, K(+)-evoked release was decreased by 20%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of nifedipine and Bay-K-8644 on the release of catecholamines from the dog adrenal gland in response to splanchnic nerve stimulation

1. The effects of nifedipine and Bay-K-8644 on the release of adrenal catecholamines were examined in anaesthetized dogs. 2. Splanchnic nerve stimulation (SNS) at 1 and 3 Hz produced frequency-dependent increases in adrenaline (ADR) and noradrenaline (NA) output determined from adrenal venous blood. 3. Neither nifedipine (10 and 30 micrograms/kg, i.v.) nor Bay-K-8644 (10 and 30 micrograms/kg, i.v.) modified the SNS-induced increases in catecholamine output. Basal catecholamine output tended to be increased and decreased by nifedipine and Bay-K-8644, respectively. 4. Nifedipine produced significant decreases in arterial pressure and renal blood flow rate. Bay-K-8644 produced a significant increase in arterial pressure associated with a decrease in renal blood flow rate. 5. These results suggest that dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels do not play a major role in adrenal catecholamine release evoked by SNS.

(+)-isradipine but not (-)-Bay-K-8644 exhibits voltage-dependent effects on cat adrenal catecholamine release

1. Catecholamine release from cat adrenal glands perfused at a high rate (4 ml min-1) at 37 degrees C with polarizing (1.2 or 5.9 mM K+) or depolarizing (17.7, 35, 59 or 118 mM K+) solutions, was triggered by 5 or 10 s pulses of Ca2+ (0.5 or 2.5 mM) in the presence of various concentrations of K+. 2. In polarized glands, secretion was greater the higher the K+ concentration present during the secretory K+/Ca2+ test pulse. Thus, in 17.7 mM K+, catecholamine released was 162 +/- 27 ng per pulse, while in 118 mM K+ secretion rose to 1839 +/- 98 ng per pulse. In depolarized glands, secretion reached a peak of around 1000 ng per pulse in 35-59 mM K+; in 118 mM K+, secretion did not increase further, suggesting that voltage changes are implicated in the control of the secretory process. 3. Blockade of secretion by increased concentrations of (+)-isradipine was much more manifest in polarized glands. The higher the degree of depolarization was (35, 59 or 118 mM K+), the lower the IC50 s were. So, the ratios between the IC50 s in polarized and depolarized glands rose from 3.92 in 35 mM K+ to 26.7 in 118 mM K+. 4. In contrast, the Ca2+ channel activator (-)-Bay K 8644 potentiated catecholamine release evoked by K+/Ca2+ pulses equally well in polarized or depolarized glands. The ratios between EC50 s in polarized or depolarized glands were, respectively, 0.30, 0.59 and 0.69 for 17.7, 35 and 118 mM K+. 5. In simultaneous experiments, the two enantiomers of Bay K 8644 exhibited opposite effects on secretion. (+)-Bay K 8644 (a Ca21 channel blocker) inhibited secretion better in depolarized than in polarized glands, whilst (-)-Bay K 8644 potentiated secretion in a voltage-independent manner. 6. Potentiation of secretion by (-)-Bay K 8644 was concentration-dependent from 10-8 to 10-6M. At 10- 5M, such potentiation largely disappeared in both polarized and depolarized glands. However, this dual effect of (-)Bay K 8644 was better seen in depolarizing conditions, suggesting that using the same enantiomer, the voltage-dependence is only seen when blockade of secretion dominates. 7. In the presence of increasing concentrations of (-)Bay K 8644 (3 x 10-9, 3 x 10-8 and 3 x 10-7M), the concentration-response curves for (+)isradipine to inhibit secretion were displaced to the right. However, a Schild plot of (dose ratio - 1) against (-)-Bay K 8644 concentrations gave a slope of 0.6, suggesting that the interactions between (+)-isradipine and (-)Bay K 8644 were non-competitive in nature. The pA2 for (-)-Bay K 8644 was 9.13. 8. Overall, the results suggest that potentiation of secretion by (-)Bay K 8644 (a voltage-independent phenomenon), and blockade by (+)-isradipine or (+-Bay K 8644 (a voltage-dependent phenomenon) might be exerted through binding of the dihydropyridines activators and blockers to separate sites on chromaffin cell L-type Ca2 + channels.

Voltage-dependent inactivation of catecholamine secretion evoked by brief calcium pulses in the cat adrenal medulla

1. Inactivation by voltage changes of 45Ca2+ uptake into and catecholamine release from cat adrenal glands perfused at a high rate (4 ml/min) at 37 degrees C with oxygenated Krebs-Tris solution has been studied. Experimental conditions were selected so that adrenal medullary chromaffin cells were depolarized for different time periods and with various K+ concentrations in the absence of Ca2+, prior to the application of 0.5 mM-Ca2+ for 10 s in the presence of 118 mM-K+ to test the rate of secretion (the 'Ca2+ pulse'). 2. Application of the Ca2+ pulse after perfusion with 5.9 mM-K+ led to a 100-fold increase of the basal rate of secretion. However, if the Ca2+ pulse was preceded by a 10 min period of perfusion with 118 mM-K+, the secretory response was decreased by over 80%. 3. Inactivation of secretion starts 10-30 s after high-K+ perfusion and is completed 2-5 min thereafter. Inactivation is readily reversed by perfusing the glands with normal K(+)-containing solution; the recovery phenomenon is also gradual and time-dependent, starting 30 s after repolarization and ending 300 s thereafter. 4. The rate of inactivation is much slower at 35 than at 118 mM-K+, suggesting that the process is strongly dependent on voltage. 5. Like catecholamine release, Ca2+ uptake into adrenal medullary chromaffin cells is inactivated in a voltage-dependent manner. This, together with the fact that Cd2+ blocked secretion completely and inactivation was seen equally using Ca2+ or Ba2+ as secretagogues, suggests that inactivation of a certain class of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels is responsible for the blockade of secretion. Such channels must be slowly inactivated by voltage and highly sensitive to dihydropyridines, since (+)PN200-110 (an L-type Ca2+ channel blocker) enhanced the rate of inactivation and (+/-)Bay K 8644 (an L-type Ca2+ channel activator) prevented it, indicating that they might belong to L-subtype Ca2+ channels. 6. The effects of (+/-)Bay K 8644 (100 nM) were seen on both the voltage and time dependence of inactivation. At a moderate depolarization (35 mM-K+), the drug prevented inactivation and caused potentiation of secretion which developed gradually; at strong depolarizations (118 mM-K+), Bay K 8644 prevented the time-dependent development of inactivation. (+)PN200-110 (30 nM) did not suddenly decrease catecholamine release at the earlier times of depolarization; what the drug did was to accelerate the normal rate of inactivation induced by depolarization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Vasoconstrictor effect of the Ca2+ agonist Bay K 8644 on human cerebral arteries

The effects of Bay K 8644 on the reactivity and 45Ca2+ uptake in segments from human cerebral arteries were studied. Bay K 8644 induced concentration-dependent contractions up to 10(-6) M; 10(-5) M produced a reduction of the maximal response. The Ca2+ agonist elicited these contractions by itself, and no previous depolarization was needed. The response to Bay K 8644 was antagonized competitively by nifedipine (5 x 10(-8) and 10(-7) M, pA2 value of 8.17) and non-competitively by verapamil (10(-6), 5 x 10(-6) and 10(-5) M). The contraction induced by 10(-7) M Bay K 8644 was inhibited by a Ca2+-free medium containing 1 mM EGTA. The subsequent cumulative Ca2+ addition, caused concentration-dependent contractions up to 2.5 mM Ca2+, which were reduced by nifedipine (10(-8) and 10(-7) M) or verapamil (5 x 10(-6) and 10(-5) M). When the EGTA concentration in the Ca2+-free solution was reduced to 0.1 mM, contractions induced by Ca2+ up to 5 mM, including 0 Ca2+, were increased with respect to those obtained in the presence of 1 mM EGTA. Basal 45Ca2+ uptake was not modified with Bay K 8644 (10(-6) M) or nifedipine (10(-6) M). K+ (25 and 50 mM) produced an increase on 45Ca2+ uptake, which was potentiated by Bay K 8644 (10(-6) M) and antagonized by nifedipine (10(-6) M); this latter agent reduced the potentiation elicited by the Ca2+ agonist.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

New mechanisms for positive inotropic agents: focus on the discovery and development of imazodan

Intense efforts during the last decade to identify a useful positive inotropic agent to replace digitalis for the treatment of congestive heart failure have led to the discovery of several dozen potential substitutes, of which a number are currently undergoing clinical trials. In addition to producing a variety of new therapeutic entities, research in this area has also yielded valuable new information regarding the fundamental events that regulate calcium homeostasis and contractile function in the cardiac cell. For example, several of these new inotropic agents, including the calcium-channel stimulator BAY-k 8644, the sodium-channel stimulator DPI-201-186, and the sodium-calcium exchange inhibitor dichlorobenzamil, have provided considerable insight into the role of sodium and calcium in regulating contractility and the molecular events that mediate potential-dependent ion channels. Likewise, the discovery and development of agents like imazodan, amrinone, enoximone, and other selective type III phosphodiesterase inhibitors have provided new information regarding multiple molecular forms of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, compartmentation of cyclic AMP, and the importance of soluble vs. membrane-bound phosphodiesterases.

Variable, voltage-dependent, blocking effects of nitrendipine, verapamil, diltiazem, cinnarizine and cadmium on adrenomedullary secretion

1. Catecholamine release from cat adrenal glands perfused at a high rate (4 ml min-1) at 37 degrees C with modified Krebs solutions lacking Ca and containing 1.2 mM K (hyperpolarizing solution) or 118 mM K (depolarizing solution) was triggered by 10-s pulses of Ca (0.5 mM) in the presence of 118 mM K. Hyperpolarized glands released 1280 +/- 135 ng per pulse and depolarized glands 831 +/- 98 ng per pulse (n = 29). 2. While the dihydropyridine Ca channel blocker nitrendipine inhibited secretion in hyperpolarized glands with an IC50 of 214 nM, in depolarizing conditions the drug was much more potent (IC50 = 0.99 nM). In contrast, the inorganic Ca channel blocker cadmium inhibited secretion with the same potency both in hyperpolarized or depolarized glands. 3. Cinnarizine, diltiazem and verapamil exhibited intermediate degrees of voltage-dependence in blocking secretion. The IC50 ratios between hyperpolarized and depolarized glands were 215, 36, 19, 8 and 0.76 respectively for nitrendipine, cinnarizine, diltiazem, verapamil and cadmium. Because the experimental design (strong depolarization in the absence of Ca) favours the highest opening probability of Ca channels, it seems that these drugs bind preferentially to their receptors when these channels are in their open state. 4. Variable voltage-dependent effects of the five Ca channel blockers on adrenomedullary catecholamine release suggests different sites and mechanisms of action on, or near L-type Ca channels in chromaffin cells. In addition, these findings might help to explain why these drugs exhibit tissue selectivity and why they act differently in normal polarized as compared to ischaemic depolarized cells.

Effects of Bay K 8644 on spontaneous and evoked transmitter release at the mouse neuromuscular junction

The dihydropyridine, Bay K 8644, was applied in vitro to mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm muscle preparations. The drug increased both spontaneous and evoked release of acetylcholine from the motor nerve terminal in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The rise in miniature endplate potential frequency, however, was the result of an increased intraterminal mobilization of free calcium, rather than well-established activation of voltage-dependent calcium channels. This view is supported by the following observations: (1) an increase in frequency was apparent in Ca2+-free medium; (2) Bay K 8644 is known to require a moderate depolarization to affect Ca2+ channels, but no membrane depolarization was detected; and (3) exposure to low Ca2+ and high Mg2+ medium did not diminish the effect on miniature endplate potential frequency. In a medium containing low Ca2+ and high Mg2+, Bay K 8644 increased quantal content of the evoked endplate potentials to a greater degree and with a faster time course than the frequency of miniature endplate potentials. This enhancement in evoked release did not appear to be caused solely by an increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+, but rather reflected at least in part the Bay K 8644-induced activation of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, perhaps L-type, at the presynaptic nerve terminal. Thus, we propose that Bay K 8644 exerts dual effects on the motor nerve endings, characterized by a primary action on the presynaptic Ca2+ channels and a secondary action associated with the elevation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration.

Ba2+-induced ATP release from adrenal medullary chromaffin cells is mediated by Ba2+ entry through both voltage- and receptor-gated Ca2+ channels

We have measured on-line the exocytotic secretion of ATP from adrenal medullary chromaffin cells induced by Ba2+ using a luciferin/luciferase assay. We have found that Ba2+-induced ATP release requires the entry of Ba2+ through either voltage- or receptor-gated Ca2+ channels. This conclusion is based on the observations that short preincubations with low concentrations of either nicotine or K+ greatly enhance Ba2+-induced ATP release and that this augmentation can be blocked with the nicotinic receptor antagonist, hexamethonium, and the Ca2+ antagonist, nifedipine, respectively. Moreover, both nicotine and K+ stimulate 133Ba2+ uptake, which in the case of K+ is inhibited by nifedipine. These results support the hypothesis that the cellular events leading to Ba2+-induced secretion coincide at least in part with the events leading to Ca2+-dependent exocytosis.

Characterization of dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels in rat brain synaptosomes

We examined the effects of dihydropyridine Ca2+-channel agonists on synaptosomal voltage-dependent Ca2+ entry and endogenous dopamine release. The (-) isomer of Bay K 8644 and the (+) isomer of Sandoz compound 202-791 were 100-1000 times more potent than their respective opposite enantiomers in enhancing Ca2+ uptake and dopamine release from striatal synaptosomes. The active isomer of each of these compounds increased Ca2+ entry and dopamine release to the same extent at a concentration of 1 nM. Fast-phase Ca2+ entry into synaptosomes isolated from cerebellum, cortex, and hippocampus was sensitive to nanomolar concentrations of Bay K 8644. No effect of Bay K 8644 was observed in synaptosomes isolated from brainstem. Bay K 8644 increased synaptosomal Ca2+ uptake and endogenous dopamine release from striatal synaptosomes only during the initial seconds of KCl-induced depolarization. The greatest increase was observed during the first second of depolarization. No effect was observed after greater than or equal to 5 sec of depolarization. Bay K 8644 did not alter Ca2+ uptake or dopamine release under resting conditions (5 mM KCl) or in response to KCl at greater than 15 mM. The activity of Bay K 8644 was also attenuated by lowering the concentrations of divalent cations in the incubation medium. Agonist activity was observed at Mg2+ concentrations greater than 500 microM (Ca2+ held at 100 microM) and Ca2+ concentrations greater than 100 microM (Mg2+ held at 1000 microM). These results suggest that the Ca2+ channels present in synaptosomes are sensitive to nanomolar concentrations of dihydropyridine agonists under a narrow range of experimental conditions.

Pressor responses induced by Bay K 8644 involve both release of adrenal catecholamines and calcium channel activation

1. The dihydropyridine calcium channel activator, Bay K 8644, is believed to increase mean arterial blood pressure in several animal models, as a result of direct activation of vascular smooth muscle cells by increasing calcium influx through the voltage-dependent calcium channels. The purpose of the current study was to elucidate further the mechanism of action of Bay K 8644, by examining the possibility that the pressor response to Bay K 8644 may also be the result of indirect activation of the vascular smooth muscle cells by release of adrenal catecholamines. 2. Intravenous administration of Bay K 8644 increased mean arterial pressure in a dose-dependent manner in conscious, normotensive rats. This pressor response was blocked by calcium channel blockers (nifedipine, verapamil, and diltiazem) at doses lower than were necessary to decrease resting mean arterial pressure. 3. alpha-Adrenoceptor antagonists (phentolamine, yohimbine, and prazosin) completely blocked the Bay K 8644-induced pressor responses and converted them to depressor responses. Adrenalectomy did not alter the inhibitory effect of phentolamine on the pressor response to Bay K 8644. However, adrenalectomy or adrenal demedullectomy prevented the phentolamine-induced reversal of the Bay K 8644 pressor response to a depressor response. In addition, adrenalectomy did not affect the ability of phentolamine to reverse the pressor response to exogenous adrenaline administration to a depressor response. 4. These data suggest that the pressor response to Bay K 8644 may involve both direct activation of vascular smooth muscle cells and indirect activation of the muscle cells by release of adrenal catecholamines.

Relative sensitivities of chromaffin cell calcium channels to organic and inorganic calcium antagonists

K-evoked 45Ca uptake into, and catecholamine release from cat adrenomedullary tissues were potently inhibited by the dihydropyridine (DHP) Ca antagonist (+)-PN 200-110 (IC50 = 0.8 nM). Verapamil and diltiazem were 2000-fold less potent and flunarizine behaved as the least potent blocker (IC50 = 2980 nM); other DHP had a full range of potencies between (+)-PN 200-110 and verapamil. The order of potencies for inorganic antagonists was Zn greater than Cd greater than La greater than Ni greater than Co greater than Mn greater than Mg. Since a great controversy exists on the sensitivity of Ca channels to various antagonists, this comprehensive study will facilitate the selection of appropriate Ca antagonists to answer fundamental questions concerning chromaffin and neural Ca channels.

M2 muscarinoceptor-associated ionophore at the cat adrenal medulla

Atropine and pirenzepine displaced 3H-quinuclydinyl-benzylate binding and inhibited methacholine-evoked catecholamine release with a similar order of potencies, atropine being 200 fold more potent than pirenzepine. In contrast to high-K, methacholine-evoked 45Ca uptake or catecholamine release were not blocked by (+)PN200-110. Bay-K-8644 did not modify the secretory response to methacholine either in the presence of Ca or Sr but potentiated K-evoked secretion. In depolarized glands, methacholine still evoked its usual secretory response. The results suggest that muscarinic stimulation of cat adrenal chromaffin cells stimulates Ca entry though an ionophore other than voltage-dependent Ca channels; such ionophore seems to be chemically operated through a M2 muscarinoceptor.

Dihydropyridine chirality at the chromaffin cell calcium channel

The racemic mixture of the dihydropyridine PN200-110 (Sandoz) inhibits K+-evoked catecholamine release from cat adrenal glands with an IC50 of 4.1 nM; IC50's for (+)- and (-)-PN200-110 were 0.84 and 45.8 nM, respectively. While the (+)-enantiomer of the dihydropyridine Sandoz 202-791 potentiated secretion (EC50 = 100 nM), the (-)-enantiomer behaved as a potent inhibitor (IC50 = 10 nM). Since K+-evoked 45Ca-uptake was also potently inhibited by (+)-PN200-110, it seems that the chromaffin cell dihydropyridine receptor is associated to the voltage-dependent Ca-channel and that it exhibits an exquisite stereoselectivity.

Dihydropyridine modulation of the chromaffin cell secretory response

Prolonged perfusion of cat adrenal glands with Krebs-bicarbonate solutions containing nicotine, muscarine, or excess K rapidly increased the rate of catecholamine output proportional to the concentrations of secretagogue used. The secretory responses to nicotine or high K reached a peak and declined to almost basal rates of secretion after about 10 min of stimulation. The dihydropyridine Ca channel agonist Bay K 8644 potentiated markedly the secretory responses to 1 microM nicotine and to 17.7 mM K but not to higher concentrations of these secretagogues. The muscarinic response did not decrease with time and was modestly potentiated by Bay K 8644. Similar curves were obtained with 17.7 mM K plus Bay K 8644 and with 59 mM K alone. CGP28392, another agonist, was about 10 times less potent than Bay K 8644 in potentiating the secretory responses to 17.7 mM K. Bay K 8644 also potentiated the release of [3H]noradrenaline evoked by stimulation of cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells with 17.7 mM K or 2 microM nicotine but not with higher concentrations of K or nicotine. Dihydropyridine Ca channel antagonists reversed the effects of Bay K 8644 with the following order of potency: niludipine greater than nifedipine = nimodipine greater than nitrendipine. The secretory rates from intact chromaffin cells treated with the Ca ionophores X537A or A23187, or those evoked by Ca-EGTA buffers from digitonin-permeabilized cells, were not affected by Bay K 8644. These results are compatible with the following conclusions: Bay K 8644 selectively potentiates catecholamine secretory responses mediated through the activation of voltage-sensitive Ca channels; during nicotine or high-K stimulation, Ca gains access to the cell interior through a common permeability pathway, the Ca channel.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Maitotoxin and Bay-K-8644: two putative calcium channel activators with different effects on endogenous dopamine release from tuberoinfundibular neurons

In the present study we report on the effects of two putative calcium channel activators, maitotoxin and the dihydropyridine BAY-K-8644, on endogenous dopamine release from tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neurons. Maitotoxin stimulated basal dopamine release and this effect was calcium-dependent. By contrast BAY-K-8644 failed to produce any modification of basal or high potassium-induced dopamine release. These results suggest that maitotoxin, unlike BAY-K-8644, represents a suitable tool to investigate the functional role of calcium channels in central dopaminergic neurons.

Effects of Bay K 8644 on cat adrenal catecholamine secretory responses to A23187 or ouabain

Calcium ionophore A23187 increases the rate of spontaneous catecholamine release from cat adrenal glands perfused at 37 degrees C with oxygenated Krebs bicarbonate solution, in a time- and Ca-concentration-dependent manner. The secretory profile obtained with the ionophore was not modified in the presence of the Ca channel activator Bay K 8644. Ouabain also enhanced the rate of spontaneous catecholamine outputs in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The threshold ouabain concentration capable of producing a clear, yet delayed secretory response was 10(-6) M. Increasing ouabain concentrations up to 10(-4) M enhanced catecholamine release and shortened the time to peak release. The dihydropyridine Ca channel activator Bay K 8644 (10(-6) M) markedly potentiated the secretory effects of all ouabain concentrations used (10(-7)-10(-4) M). However, the most impressive potentiations were seen at 10(-5)M ouabain; while at this concentration ouabain alone released 2.6 +/- 0.07 micrograms catecholamines per 30 min, in the presence of Bay K 8644 the release was 73.4 +/- 5.7 micrograms per 30 min. Conversely, at a fixed ouabain concentration (10(-5) M), the potentiation was also dependent on the Bay K 8644 concentration (10(-8)-10(-5) M). Although K deprivation inhibits Na pumping as does ouabain, Bay K 8644 did not modify the rate of catecholamine release evoked by K removal from the perfusion medium. Potassium deletion, nimodipine or high Mg all reversed the fully developed secretory response evoked by ouabain plus Bay K 8644. In glands depolarized by continuous perfusion with high K solutions, once the secretory response was inactivated, the introduction of ouabain caused an enhancement of the catecholamine secretory rate. This increase was dependent on the extracellular Na concentration and was not affected by Bay K 8644. In the presence of 6 mm Na the secretory effects of Bay K 8644 plus ouabain were abolished. 7 These results are compatible with the following conclusions: (i) Bay K 8644 potentiates only those catecholamine secretory responses that are known to be mediated through the activation of voltagesensitive Ca channels; the drug does not seem to affect secretory responses by acting on the membrane Na/Ca exchange system or at some intracellular Ca-dependent component of the secretory machinery of Ca buffering systems. (ii) It is likely that ouabain enhances the rates of adrenal catecholamine release by a dual mechanism: chromaffin cell depolarization and activation of a membrane Na/Ca exchange system.

Characterization of a dopaminergic receptor that modulates adrenomedullary catecholamine release

Nicotine evokes the release of catecholamines from bovine adrenal glands perfused with oxygenated Krebs-bicarbonate solution. Two 2-min pulses of 5 microM nicotine, at 40-min intervals (S1 and S2), gave net catecholamine outputs of 45.2 +/- 3.6 and 29.1 +/- 3.5 micrograms/8 min, respectively. Apomorphine (1 or 10 microM) markedly inhibited catecholamine release during S2 to 9.1 +/- 2.2 and 0.5 micrograms/8 min, respectively. Haloperidol (0.5 microM) reversed the inhibitory effects of apomorphine. Haloperidol alone enhanced catecholamine release induced by nicotine to 67.9 +/- 7.9 micrograms/8 min. [3H]Spiperone binds to adrenomedullary membranes with a KD of 0.24 nM and a Bmax of 117 fmol/mg of protein. Whereas spiperone and haloperidol potently displaced such binding, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine (dopamine) and sulpiride were poorer displacers, and SCH23390, prazosin, phenoxybenzamine, propranolol, BAY-K-8644, and nitrendipine did not displace [3H]spiperone bound. These data strongly suggest that, as in the cat, the bovine adrenal medulla chromaffin cell contains a dopaminergic receptor that modulates the catecholamine secretory process triggered by stimulation of the nicotinic cholinoceptor. Such a receptor seems to be of the D2 type and might be involved in a sympatho-adrenal cooperative mechanism contributing to the maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis during stressful situations as well as to the pathogenesis of hypertension. If so, selective dopaminergic agonists might prove clinically useful in the treatment of hypertension.

Continuous monitoring of catecholamine release from perfused cat adrenals

Catecholamine release from perfused cat adrenal glands has been continuously monitored by on-line connection of the perfusion fluid emanating from the gland to an electrochemical detector. This method allowed: the recording of basal levels and fluctuations of catecholamine release with good reliability; the study of the release of catecholamines in response to even submicromolar concentrations of nicotine or acetylcholine and 3 mM increments of the K+ concentration, perfused in pulses of a few seconds, and to determine the effects of drugs and ionic manipulations on such secretory responses; the analysis of the 'physiological' secretory response evoked by electrical stimulation of the splanchnic nerves, allowing the study of presynaptic as well as postsynaptic components of the effects of drugs and ions on chemical neurotransmission at the splanchnic--chromaffin cell synapse; the continuous monitoring of the kinetics of the secretory process during sustained depolarization with several secretagogues and its correlation with the kinetics of activation and inactivation of potential sensitive Ca channels. In addition, this method avoids the time-consuming procedures of collecting samples and assaying them individually through tedious fluorimetric or radioenzymatic techniques.

Inactivation of potassium-evoked adrenomedullary catecholamine release in the presence of calcium, strontium or BAY-K-8644

The rate of catecholamine release from cat adrenal glands perfused with Krebs solution containing 59 mM K declined exponentially during the first few minutes of depolarization. The rate of decline was considerably slower when Ca was substituted by Sr. The late addition of Ca, Sr or the Ca-channel activator BAY-K-8644 evoked a revival of secretion when catecholamine release was inactivated by prior K depolarization; the revival of secretion was independent of the depolarization time. These data demonstrate that inactivation of catecholamine release is specifically dependent on Ca; the modulatory role of Ca on secretion seems to be exerted at a step distal to the transmembraneous Ca channel.

Modulation of calcium channel function by drugs

Calcium channel blocking drugs, or "calcium antagonists", have been increasingly used in the last decade, both as valuable cardiovascular drugs, and as tools to investigate the pharmacology of the calcium channels which play a vital role in the excitation-activation coupling of many excitable cells. Three important developments, "patch clamping" to investigate single calcium channels, ligand binding studies to investigate the calcium antagonist "receptor sites", and the introduction of novel calcium channel activators, or "calcium agonists", have recently led to greater understanding of the mechanism of action of drugs on the calcium channel. We show here how the calcium channel modulators interact with the binding sites to increase or decrease calcium flux, and hence to modulate the activity of many excitable tissues. We predict that these new developments will soon result in the isolation of purified calcium channels, and investigation of their subtypes and drug sensitivities. This information could lead to the introduction of novel, more selective calcium antagonists for a variety of indications such as atherosclerosis or neurological disorders. Of particular interest is the potential of tissue-selective calcium agonistic drugs to combat cardiac failure or endocrinological disorders.

Stimulation of calcium uptake in PC12 cells by the dihydropyridine agonist BAY K 8644

Methyl 1,4-dihydro-2, 6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl)-pyridine-5-carboxylate (BAY K 8644), an analog of dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists, stimulated 45Ca uptake into PC12 pheochromocytoma cells. Half-maximal stimulation occurred at 80 nM BAY K 8644. Enhancement of uptake was inhibited by cationic and organic calcium channel blockers, but not by tetrodotoxin, which is consistent with an effect on voltage-dependent calcium channels. Stimulation of 45Ca uptake by BAY K 8644 occurred only at elevated concentrations of extracellular K+, suggesting that BAY K 8644 may interact with calcium channels in the open (activated) state.

The effects of BAY-K-8644 on the contraction of cat middle cerebral and femoral arteries

The effects of BAY-K-8644 on the reactivity of cylindrical segments of cat middle cerebral and femoral arteries were studied. BAY-K-8644 induced dose-dependent contractile responses in cerebral arteries up to 10(-6) M; higher concentrations tended to cause relaxation of the segments. The dihydropyridine elicited contractions in femoral arteries only when these vessels were previously exposed to 15 mM K+. Nifedipine (3 X 10(-7) M) produced a parallel shift to the right of the dose-response curve to BAY-K-8644, whereas 5 X 10(-6)M verapamil markedly reduced the responses evoked by all concentrations of this drug. The removal of Ca2+ from the medium abolished the response evoked by the Ca2+-channel activator at 10(-7) M in both kinds of arteries. Under these conditions Ca2+ addition induced vasoconstriction, which was blocked by nifedipine (3 X 10(-7) M). Preincubation of femoral arteries with 10(-7) M BAY-K-8644 potentiated the effects evoked by 25, 50, 75 and 125 mM K+, but did not modify those produced by 10(-5) M noradrenaline. Nifedipine (10(-7) M and 3 X 10(-7) M) blocked the potentiation caused by this drug in a dose-dependent manner. Both the increase of the response elicited by BAY-K-8644 and the inhibitory effects of nifedipine were greater at 25 mM K+ than at 125 mM. These results suggest that BAY-K-8644 facilitates Ca2+ influx into smooth muscle through Ca2+ channels that are possibly voltage sensitive and the voltage independence of the drug-induced contractions in cerebral arteries.

Ion dependence of the release of noradrenaline by tetraethylammonium and 4-aminopyridine from cat splenic slices

Cat splenic slices prelabelled with [3H]-noradrenaline were incubated in oxygenated Krebs-bicarbonate solution at 37 degrees C, and the spontaneous total 3H release into different incubation media monitored. In normal Krebs bicarbonate solution, the spontaneous tritium fractional release amounted to 3.7% of the tissue radioactivity content per 5 min collection period. Tetraethylammonium (TEA) increased spontaneous transmitter release in a concentration-dependent manner; the release was maximal at 30 mM and was 3.5 times the basal release. 4-Aminopyridine (4-AP) also enhanced the spontaneous release of tritium. The response increased linearly with 4-AP concentration (1-10 mM). With 10 mM 4-AP, the release was as much as 6 times the basal transmitter release. Guanidine was much less potent than either TEA or 4-AP. The secretory response to TEA or 4-AP was little affected by changes in external Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, Cl-, H2PO4- or by tetrodotoxin. However, transmitter release evoked by TEA or 4-AP strongly depended upon the concentration of HCO3- of the incubation solution; in fact, the secretory response varied almost linearly between 1 and 25 mM HCO3-. The mechanisms underlying these effects are probably related to the well-known ability of TEA and 4-AP to block K+ conductance that would cause depolarization of the splenic sympathetic nerve terminals. The HCO3- requirements for the secretory response are probably related to the ability of CO2/HCO3- solutions to mobilize and release Ca2+ from intracellular organelles.

Competitive interactions between Bay K 8644 and nifedipine in K+ depolarized smooth muscle: a passive role for Ca2+?

The kinetics of the interactions between Bay K 8644, a calcium channel activator, and the "calcium-antagonists" nifedipine, verapamil and diltiazem have been investigated. Nifedipine shifted cumulative concentration-response curves for Ca2+ to the right in K+ depolarized taenia preparations from the guinea-pig caecum. The apparent pA2 was 9.3 +/- 0.2 (slope 1.44; 95% confidence limits 0.99-1.88). Bay K 8644 (10-1,000 nmol/l) reduced the inhibitory effects of nifedipine, shifting the Schild plots to the right, without affecting the slope of the nifedipine:Ca2+ interaction. Thus, the interaction between the dihydropyridines was independent of external Ca2+. The parallel shifts of the Schild plots allow a novel interpretation of the "agonist" potency of Bay K 8644 because the compound had an apparent pA2 of 8.8 (slope 0.92) as an "antagonist" of the inhibitory effects of nifedipine. In contrast, Bay K 8644 was a non-competitive antagonist of the inhibitory effects of verapamil and diltiazem on Ca2+-induced contractions. These findings emphasize the differences between the various classes of "calcium-antagonists" and show that Bay K 8644 is a powerful tool discriminating between them.