Activated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes elicit endothelium-dependent contraction in isolated pig coronary arteries

Methylguanidine reduces the development of non septic shock induced by zymosan in mice

In the present study we evaluate the effect of methylguanidine (MG), a product of protein catabolism, in a model of acute inflammation (zymosan induced inflammation) in mice where oxyradical and nitric oxide (NO) play a crucial role. Our data show that MG, given intraperitoneally at the dose of 30 mg/Kg, inhibits the inflammatory response reducing significantly (P < 0.05) peritoneal exudates formation, mononuclear cell infiltration and histological injury in mice. Furthermore, our data suggests that there is a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in kidney, liver and pancreas injury as demonstrated by the reduction in amylase, lipase, creatinine, AST, ALT, bilirubine and alkaline phosfatase levels. MG is also able to reduce the appearance of nitrotyrosine and of the nuclear enzyme poly (adenosine diphosphate [ADP]-ribose) synthase (PARS) immunoreactivity in the inflamed intestinal and lung tissues. The histological examination revealed a significant reduction in zymosan-induced intestinal and lung damage in MG-treated mice. Taken together, the present results demonstrate that MG exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects on zymosan-induced shock.

Beneficial effects of Mn(III)tetrakis (4-benzoic acid) porphyrin (MnTBAP), a superoxide dismutase mimetic, in zymosan-induced shock

1 The therapeutic efficacy of Mn(III)tetrakis (4-benzoic acid) porphyrin (MnTBAP), a novel superoxide dismutase mimetic which scavenges peroxynitrite, was investigated in rats subjected to shock induced by peritoneal injection of zymosan. 2 Our data show that MnTBAP (given at 1, 3 and 10 mg kg-1 intraperitoneally, 1 and 6 h after zymosan injection) significantly reduce in dose dependent manner the development of peritonitis (peritoneal exudation, high nitrate/nitrite and peroxynitrite plasma levels, leukocyte infiltration and histological examination). 3 Furthermore, our data suggest that there is a reduction in the lung, small intestine and liver myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and lipid peroxidation activity from MnTBAP-treated rats. 4 MnTBAP also reduced the appearance of nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity in the inflamed tissues. 5 Furthermore, a significant reduction of suppression of mitochondrial respiration, DNA strand breakage and reduction of cellular levels of NAD+ was observed in ex vivo macrophages harvested from the peritoneal cavity of zymosan-treated rat. 6 In vivo treatment with MnTBAP significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner peroxynitrite formation and prevented the appearance of DNA damage, the decrease in mitochondrial respiration and the loss of cellular levels of NAD+. 7 In conclusion our results showed that MnTBAP was effective in preventing the development of zymosan-induced shock.

Protective effects of poly (ADP-ribose) synthase inhibitors in zymosan-activated plasma induced paw edema

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of poly (ADP-ribose) synthetase (PARS) in a model of acute local inflammation (zymosan-activated plasma (ZAP)-induced paw edema), in which the oxyradicals, nitric oxide and peroxynitrite, are known to play a crucial role. Injection of zymosan-activated plasma (ZAP) into the rat paw induced edema formation. The maximal increase in paw volume was observed at three hours after administration (maximal in paw volume: 1.29+/-0.09 ml). At this time point, there was a marked increase in neutrophil infiltration in the paw, as measured by an increase in myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the paw tissue (260+/-25 mU/100 mg wet tissue). However, ZAP-induced paw edema was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner by treatment with 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB) or nicotinamide (NIC), two inhibitors of PARS, at 1, 2, 3, 4 hours after ZAP injection. PARS inhibition also caused a significant reduction of MPO activity. The paw tissues were also examined immunohistochemically for the presence of nitrotyrosine (a footprint for peroxynitrite formation). At 3 h following ZAP injection, staining for nitrotyrosine were also found to be localised within discrete cells in the inflamed paw tissue. Treatment with PARS inhibitor prevented the appearance of nitrotyrosine in the tissues. Our results suggest that in paw edema induced by ZAP, inhibition of PARS exert potent anti-inflammatory effects.

Protective effect of N-acetylcysteine on multiple organ failure induced by zymosan in the rat

BACKGROUND AND METHODS

In the present study, we evaluated the effect of N-acetylcysteine treatment in a nonseptic shock model induced by zymosan in the rat. Animals were randomly divided into eight groups (ten animals in each group). The first group was treated with ip administration of saline solution (0.90% NaCl) and served as the sham group. The second group was treated with ip administration of zymosan (500 mg/kg suspended in saline solution). In the third and fourth groups, rats received ip administration of N-acetylcysteine (40 mg/kg; 1 and 6 hrs after administration of zymosan or saline). In the fifth and sixth groups, rats received ip administration of N-acetylcysteine (20 mg/kg; 1 and 6 hrs after zymosan or saline administration). In the seventh and eighth groups, rats received ip administration of N-acetylcysteine (10 mg/kg; 1 and 6 hrs after zymosan or saline administration). After zymosan or saline injection, animals were monitored for the evaluation of systemic toxicity (conjunctivitis, ruffled fur, diarrhea, and lethargy), loss of body weight, and mortality for 72 hrs. Exudate formation, leukocyte infiltration, nitrate/nitrite production, lung and intestine myeloperoxidase activity and lipid peroxidation, and histologic examination were evaluated at 18 hrs after zymosan administration.

RESULTS

Administration of zymosan in the rat induced acute peritonitis, as assessed by a marked increase in the leukocyte count in the exudate, as well as by an increase in the exudate nitrate/nitrite concentration. Lung and intestine myeloperoxidase activity and lipid peroxidation was significantly increased in zymosan-treated rats. This inflammatory process coincided with the damage of lung and small intestine. Peritoneal administration of zymosan in the rat also induced a significant increase in the plasma levels of nitrite and nitrate and stable metabolites of nitric oxide and in levels of peroxynitrite, as measured by the oxidation of the fluorescent dihydrorhodamine 123 at 18 hrs after zymosan challenge. Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated a marked increase in the immunoreactivity to nitrotyrosine, a specific "footprint" of peroxynitrite, in the lung of zymosan-shocked rats. Pretreatment of zymosan-shocked rats with ip administration of N-acetylcysteine (40, 20, and 10 mg/kg, 1 and 6 hrs after zymosan) prevented the development of peritonitis and reduced peroxynitrite formation in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, ip administration of N-acetylcysteine (40 mg/kg, 1 and 6 hrs after zymosan) was effective in preventing the development of lung and intestine injury and neutrophil infiltration, as determined by myeloperoxidase evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, the present results demonstrate that N-acetylcysteine exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects.

Protective effects of melatonin in zymosan-activated plasma-induced paw inflammation

The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of the pineal hormone melatonin in a model of acute local inflammation (zymosan-activated plasma-induced paw oedema), in which oxyradicals, nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite are known to play a crucial role in the inflammatory process. The intraplantar injection of zymosan-activated plasma elicited an inflammatory response that was characterized by a time-dependent increase in paw oedema, neutrophil infiltration and increased levels of nitrite/nitrate in the paw exudate. The maximal increase in paw volume was observed at 3 h after administration (maximal in paw volume: 1.34 +/- 0.09 ml). At this time point, myeloperoxidase activity and lipid peroxidation were markedly increased in the zymosan-activated plasma-treated paw (226 +/- 10.2 mU/100 mg wet tissue, 31 +/- 2.1 mM/mg wet tissue, respectively). However, zymosan-activated plasma-induced paw oedema was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner by treatment with melatonin (given at 62.5 and 125 microg/paw) at 1, 2, 3, 4 h after injection of zymosan-activated plasma. Melatonin treatment also caused a significant reduction of the myeloperoxidase activity and lipid peroxidation and inhibited nitrite/nitrate levels in the paw exudate. The paw tissues were also examined immunohistochemically for the presence of nitrotyrosine (a marker of peroxynitrite formation). At 3 h following injection of zymosan-activated plasma, staining for nitrotyrosine was also found to be localised in the inflamed paw tissue. Treatment with melatonin (125 microg/paw) reduced the appearance of nitrotyrosine in the tissues. Our findings support the view that melatonin exerts anti-inflammatory effects.

Role of peroxynitrite and poly (ADP-ribosyl) synthetase activation in cardiovascular derangement induced by zymosan in the rat

Peritoneal administration of zymosan in the rat induced a severe inflammatory process characterised by an increase in the plasma levels of nitrite and nitrate, stable metabolites of nitric oxide (NO) and in the levels of peroxynitrite, as measured by the oxidation of the fluorescent dye dihydrorhodamine 123, at 18 hours zymosan challenge. Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated a marked increase in the immunoreactivity to nitrotyrosine, a specific "footprint" of peroxynitrite, in the aorta of zymosan-shocked rats. In ex vivo experiments, thoracic aorta rings of zymosan-treated rats showed a reduced contraction to noradrenaline and reduced responsiveness to the relaxant effect to acetylcholine (vascular hyporeactivity and endothelial dysfunction, respectively). Treatment of zymosan-shocked rats with 3-aminobenzamide or Nicotinamide, inhibitors of poly ADP-ribosil synthetase (PARS) activity reduced the production of peroxynitrite and significantly prevented the cardiovascular dysfunction. Our data suggest that peroxynitrite and PARS activation play a role in the zymosan-induced cardiovascular derangements in the rat.

Protective effect of melatonin on cellular energy depletion mediated by peroxynitrite and poly (ADP-ribose) synthetase activation in a non-septic shock model induced by zymosan in the rat

DNA single-strand breakage and activation of the nuclear enzyme poly (ADP-ribose) synthetase (PARS) triggers an energy-consuming, inefficient repair cycle, which contributes to peroxynitrite-induced cellular injury. Recently it was proposed that zymosan, a non-bacterial agent, causes cellular injury by inducing the production of peroxynitrite and consequent PARS activation. Here we investigated whether in vivo melatonin treatment inhibits cellular injury induced by peroxynitrite production and PARS activation in macrophages collected from rats subjected to zymosan-induced shock. Macrophages harvested from the peritoneal cavity exhibited a significant production of peroxynitrite, as measured by the oxidation of the fluorescent dye dihydrorhodamine 123. Furthermore, zymosan-induced shock caused a suppression of macrophage mitochondrial respiration, DNA strand breakage, activation of PARS and reduction of cellular levels of NAD+. In vivo treatment with melatonin (25 and 50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, 1 hr after zymosan injection) significantly reduced in dose-dependent manner peroxynitrite formation and prevented the appearance of DNA damage, the decrease in mitochondrial respiration, the loss of cellular levels of NAD+, and the PARS activation. Our study supports the view that the antioxidant and antiinflammatory effect of melatonin is also correlated with the inhibition of peroxynitrite production and PARS activation. In conclusion, melatonin may be a novel pharmacological approach to prevent cell injury in inflammation.

Protective effect of melatonin in a non-septic shock model induced by zymosan in the rat

In vitro studies have demonstrated that melatonin is a scavenger of oxyradicals and peroxynitrite and an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) production. Recently, it has been proposed that zymosan, a non-bacterial agent, causes inflammation by inducing the production of various cytokines and pro-inflammatory mediators. In the present study we evaluated the effect of melatonin treatment in a non-septic shock model induced by zymosan in the rat. Administration of zymosan (500 mg/kg intraperitoneally) in the rat induced acute peritonitis, as assessed by a marked increase in the leukocyte count in the exudate, as well as by an increase in the exudate nitrate/nitrite concentration. This inflammatory process coincided with the damage of lung, small intestine, and liver, as assessed by histological examination and by increase of myeloperoxidase activity, indicative of neutrophil infiltration. Peritoneal administration of zymosan in the rat induced also an significant increase in the plasma levels of nitrite and nitrate, stable metabolites of nitric oxide (NO), and in the levels of peroxynitrite, as measured by the oxidation of the fluorescent dye dihydrorhodamine 123, at 18 hr after zymosan challenge. Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated a marked increase in the immunoreactivity to nitrotyrosine, a specific "footprint" of peroxynitrite, in the lung of zymosan-shocked rats. Pretreatment of zymosan-shocked rats with melatonin (25 and 50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, 5 min before zymosan) prevented in a dose dependent manner the development of peritonitis and reduced peroxynitrite formation. In addition, melatonin (50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, 5 min before zymosan) was effective in preventing the development of organ failure since tissue injury and neutrophil infiltration, by myeloperoxidase evaluation, was reduced in lung, small intestine, and liver. Taken together, the present results demonstrate that melatonin exerts potent antiinflammatory effects.

Vitamin C attenuates abnormal vasomotor reactivity in spasm coronary arteries in patients with coronary spastic angina

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to examine effect of vitamin C, an antioxidant, on the abnormal vasomotor reactivity in spasm coronary arteries.

BACKGROUND

Oxygen free radicals generated in the arterial walls have been shown to cause endothelial vasomotor dysfunction.

METHODS

Responses of the epicardial arterial diameters of the left coronary arteries to the intracoronary infusion of acetylcholine (ACh) (10 and 50 microg/min) were measured by quantitative coronary angiography before and during combined intracoronary infusion of vitamin C (10 mg/min) or saline as a placebo in 32 patients with coronary spastic angina and in 34 control subjects.

RESULTS

Vitamin C infusion suppressed the constrictor response of the epicardial diameter to ACh in spasm coronary arteries but had no significant effect in the control coronary arteries (percent change in distal diameter in response to 10 microg/min of ACh [constriction (-), dilation (+), mean +/- SEM] before vitamin C: -8.2 +/- 2.9% in spasm arteries, +8.4 +/- 2.9%* in control arteries; during vitamin C: +0.2 +/- 3.8%* in spasm arteries, +7.2 +/- 1.3%* in control arteries [*p < 0.01 vs. spasm arteries before vitamin CI). The coronary sinus-arterial difference in plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances during ACh infusion, an indicator of lipid peroxidation in coronary circulation, was higher in patients with coronary spastic angina than in control subjects (p < 0.01) but was suppressed in patients with coronary spastic angina to comparable levels in control subjects by combined infusion of vitamin C. Saline infusion had no effect.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that vitamin C attenuates vasomotor dysfunction in epicardial coronary arteries in patients with coronary spastic angina. Oxygen free radicals may at least in part play a role in the abnormal coronary vasomotor reactivity in response to ACh in spasm coronary arteries.

The 21-aminosteroid U-74389G reduces cerebral superoxide anion concentration following fluid percussion injury of the brain

We examined the effects of the 21-aminosteroid antioxidant U-74389G (16-desmethyl-tirilazad) on the concentration of extracellular superoxide anion following fluid percussion traumatic brain injury (TBI) measured by a cytochrome c-coated electrode and on local cerebral perfusion (CBFld) measured by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). U-74389G in a dose of 3 mg/kg reduced superoxide anion concentrations 60 min after TBI significantly but had no significant effect on CBFld. These results indicate that reduction of CBF after TBI can be dissociated from superoxide anion production. Persistent ischemia may limit neuroprotection efficacy and may contribute to divergent outcome results in clinical and animal trials using agents to modify reactive oxygen species.

Role of nitric oxide and free radicals in the contractile response to non-preactivated leukocytes

Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that nitric oxide (NO) can reduce the release of free radicals from activated leukocytes. The aim of this study was to assess the role of endothelium-derived nitric oxide and leukocyte-derived free radicals in the contractile response to non-preactivated leukocytes. Vessel tension studies were performed in rabbit endothelium-intact aortic vessel rings precontracted with 5-hydroxytryptamine (1 microM). Addition of leukocytes isolated from rabbit blood were added to the rings in increasing concentrations (10(3)-10(6) cell ml(-1)) under control conditions and in the presence of L-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME 1 mM), D-NAME (1 mM), or superoxide dismutase (100 U ml(-1)). The responses to superoxide radical (generated by xanthine plus xanthine oxidase, X/XO), hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorite and peroxynitrite were also assessed. The nature of the free radicals released from non-activated isolated leukocytes, zymosan-stimulated leukocytes (in whole blood) and isolated vessel rings was assessed using luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence. Cumulative addition of leukocyte suspensions to aortic rings caused a concentration-dependent contractile response which was abolished by preincubation of the vessel ring with L-NAME. D-NAME and superoxide dismutase were without effect. All the free radicals tested produced a relaxation of the precontracted aortic ring. The response to X/XO was not affected by superoxide dismutase, but abolished by catalase. The responses to hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorite were both found to be dependent upon the presence of endothelium and NO. The response to peroxynitrite was endothelium-independent and was blocked by methylene blue. While the main free radical released from unstimulated leukocytes and vessel rings was superoxide, the main radical released from activated leukocytes was found to be hypochlorite. These results suggest that the vascular contraction seen in response to non-preactivated leukocytes is due to inhibition, by NO, of the release of free radicals from the leukocytes when activated by contact with the vascular endothelium, thus allowing co-released vasoconstrictor substances to exert their effect.

Role of peroxynitrite and activation of poly (ADP-ribose) synthase in the vascular failure induced by zymosan-activated plasma

1. Zymosan is a wall component of the yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae. Injection of zymosan into experimental animals is known to produce an intense inflammatory response. Recent studies demonstrated that the zymosan-induced inflammatory response in vivo can be ameliorated by inhibitors of nitric oxide (NO) biosynthesis. The cytotoxic effects of NO are, in part, mediated by the oxidant preoxynitrite and subsequent activation of the nuclear enzyme poly (ADP-ribose) synthetase (PARS). In the present in vitro study, we have investigated the cellular mechanisms of vascular failure elicited by zymosan-activated plasma and the contribution of peroxynitrite production and activation of PARS to the changes. 2. Incubation of rat aortic smooth muscle cells with zymosan-activated plasma (ZAP) induced the production of nitrite, the breakdown product of NO, due to the expression of the inducible isoform of NO synthase (iNOS) over 6 24 h. In addition, ZAP triggered the production of peroxynitrite in these cells, as measured by the oxidation of the fluorescent dye dihydrorhodamine 123 and by nitrotyrosine Western blotting. 3. Incubation of the smooth muscle cells with ZAP induced DNA single strand breakage and PARS activation. These effects were reduced by inhibition of NOS with NG-methyl-L-arginine (L-NMA, 3 mM), and by glutathione (3 mM), a scavenger of peroxynitrite. The PARS inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide (1 mM) inhibited the ZAP-induced activation of PARS. 4. Incubation of thoracic aortae with ZAP in vitro caused a reduction of the contractions of the blood vessels to noradrenaline (vascular hyporeactivity) and elicited a reduced responsiveness to the endothelium-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine (endothelial dysfunction). 5. Preincubation of the thoracic aortae with L-NMA (1 mM), glutathione (3 mM) or by the PARS inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide (1 mM) prevented the development of vascular hyporeactivity in response to ZAP. Moreover, glutathione and 3-aminobenzamide treatment protected against the ZAP-induced development of endothelial dysfunction. The PARS-related loss of the vascular contractility was evident at 30 min after incubation in endothelium-intact, but not in endothelium-denuded vessels and also manifested at 6 h after incubation with ZAP in endothelium-denuded rings. The acute response is probably related, therefore, to peroxynitrite formation (involving the endothelial NO synthase), whereas the delayed response may be related to the expression of iNOS in the smooth muscle. 6. The data obtained suggest that zymosan-activated plasma causes vascular dysfunction by inducing the simultaneous formation of superoxide and NO. These radicals combine to form peroxynitrite, which, in turn causes DNA injury and PARS activation. The protective effect of 3-aminobenzamide demonstrates that PARS activation contributes both to the development of vascular hyporeactivity and endothelial dysfunction during the vascular failure induced by ZAP.

Deficiency in nitric oxide bioactivity in epicardial coronary arteries of cigarette smokers

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to examine nitric oxide-mediated regulation of epicardial coronary arterial tone in cigarette smokers.

BACKGROUND

Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease and is highly prevalent in patients with coronary spastic angina. Long-term exposure to cigarette smoking has been recently reported to suppress endothelium-dependent arterial relaxation in vivo humans.

METHODS

Responses of epicardial coronary artery diameter to single or combined infusion of acetylcholine and NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) into the left main coronary artery were examined in 11 current smokers and 17 nonsmokers using quantitative coronary angiography.

RESULTS

Acetylcholine dilated one-third of the proximal segments and most of the distal segments of coronary arteries in nonsmokers, whereas it constricted most of the proximal and distal segments in smokers. L-NMMA decreased the basal diameter of coronary arteries in nonsmokers but had minimal effect on the basal diameter in smokers. L-NMMA abolished the dilator response to acetylcholine in the coronary arteries of nonsmokers but had minimal effect on the constrictor response to acetylcholine in the arteries of smokers. The dilator response to nitroglycerin was significantly increased in the coronary arteries of smokers compared with in those of nonsmokers. The constrictor response to L-NMMA at rest was significantly correlated with the dilator response to nitroglycerin and with the diameter changes to acetylcholine in both smokers and nonsmokers.

CONCLUSIONS

Nitric oxide bioactivity at rest and at acetylcholine-stimulated conditions in smokers was decreased, leading to the supersensitivity of the artery to the dilator effect of nitroglycerin as well as the constrictor effect of acetylcholine in smokers. Cigarette smoking affects nitric oxide-mediated regulation of coronary artery tone.

Effects of activated granulocytes and O2- on microcirculatory injury in acute gastric mucosal lesion in rats induced by sodium cinchophen

The contribution of granulocytes and their byproducts to acute gastric mucosal lesion (AGML) is unclear. Our previous study showed that granulocytes produced O2- in the gastric mucosa of rats treated with 300 mg/kg of cinchophen (cinchophen ulcer, CU) and in rats subjected to 30 min-ischemia-reperfusion (IR). The present study investigated the effects of granulocytes and O2- on microcirculatory injury (MCI) in the gastric mucosa in both models. To evaluate MCI, we measured the amount of extravasated Evans blue, and monitored changes in blood flow and the formation of vascular casts in the gastric mucosa of rats with and without leukopenia. Mucosal levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) were also measured, to determine granulocyte migration into the stomach. Our findings were: (1) IL-8 was decreased 30-45 min after CU injection (C-I) or after the start of occlusion (S-O), and levels had increased 90 min after either treatment. (2) Evans blue increased 120-150 min after C-I or S-O. These increases were lower in leukopenic than in non-leukopenic rats. (3) The blood flow decreased after C-I or reperfusion and continued at the same level during the 180-min measurement period. In CU leukopenic rats, the blood flow decreased slowly and was restored gradually. In IR leukopenic rats, the blood flow did not decrease. (4) There was a partial lack of capillary network, narrowing of capillaries, and extravasation of resin 90-120 min after C-I and S-O, and the disturbances were reduced in leukopenic rats in both models. (5) The extravasation of resin was reduced by the administration of superoxide dismutase (SOD) at the time O2- from granulocytes was being produced. (6) These reductions in the extravasation of resin due to leukopenia or SOD were smaller in CU than in IR rats. These findings indicate that granulocytes and O2- contribute to some extent to the MCI in CU rats.

Cardioprotective actions of oligotide, a single stranded polydeoxyribonucleotide complex, in myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion injury

1. The efficacy of oligotide, a single stranded polydeoxyribonucleotide complex, was examined in a feline model of myocardial ischaemia (MI: 90 min) and reperfusion (R: 270 min). Oligotide (15 mg kg-1 bolus) was administered intravenously 80 min after occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery (i.e., 10 min prior to R) and continued for an additional 280 min (10 mg kg-1 h-1 infusion). 2. Oligotide-treated cats showed significantly smaller myocardial necroses and lower cardiac myeloperoxidase activities (significantly lower neutrophil infiltration) in the necrotic zone as compared to MI+R cats receiving only vehicle. 3. LAD coronary arteries isolated from MI+R cats exhibited a significant endothelial dysfunction (i.e., reduced endothelium-dependent relaxation), and significantly increased adherence of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) ex vivo. However, oligotide significantly preserved endothelial function and attenuated PMN adherence in ischaemic LAD coronary arteries. 4. Oligotide attenuated P-selectin expression on thrombin-stimulated platelets as well as PMN adherence to thrombin-stimulated coronary endothelium. Immunohistochemical examination in vivo revealed that oligotide treatment also significantly inhibited coronary endothelial P-selectin expression after 90 min MI and 20 min R. 5. Oligotide exerted a significant cardioprotection in MI+R injury. The mechanism appears to be related to attenuation of PMN-endothelial interaction and eventual infiltration into the ischaemic myocardium.

Regulation of luminol-dependent chemiluminescence and degranulation by bovine neutrophils stimulated with opsonized zymosan

The purpose of this study was to elucidate likely signal transduction pathways in activated bovine neutrophils, by comparing the effects of various inhibitors on the bovine neutrophil respiratory burst and degranulation in vitro. The protein kinase C(PKC) inhibitors staurosporine, and chelerythine, and the beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist DL-propranolol, markedly inhibited opsonized zymosan (OZ) stimulated luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (LDCL). The G-protein inhibitor pertussis toxin (PT), the protein tyrosine inhibitor genistein, and the calcium channel blocker verapamil also reduced LDCL in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, the lipoxygenase inhibitor zileuton had only a slight effect, and the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin had no effect on LDCL. The effects of these inhibitors on degranulation was also examined. Staurosporine, propranolol, and pertussis toxin significantly decreased primary granule (beta-glucosaminidase) release in response to OZ. These inhibitors also significantly reduced both phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-induced primary and secondary granule (lactoferrin) release. Regulation of secondary granule (lactoferrin) release was complex, as it was significantly depressed by propranolol, enhanced by PT and unaffected by staurosporine. These findings suggest that PKC, beta-adrenergic receptors, G-proteins, protein tyrosine kinase(s) and Ca(2+) uptake, may all be involved in some part of the process of bovine neutrophil activation. Moreover, stimulation of LDCL and degranulation may be mediated through distinct signal transduction pathways.

Protective effect of natural flavonoids on rat peritoneal macrophages injury caused by asbestos fibers

Exposure of macrophages to asbestos fibers resulted in enhancement of the production of oxygen radicals, determined by a lucigenin enhanced chemiluminescence (LEC) assay, a formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), a LDH release into the incubation mixture, and a rapid lysis of the cells. Rutin (Rut) and quercetin (Qr) were effective in inhibiting LEC, TBARS formation, and reducing peritoneal macrophages injury caused by asbestos. The concentrations pre-treatment of antioxidants that were required to prevent the injury of peritoneal macrophages caused by asbestos by 50% (IC50) were 90 microM and 290 microM for Qr and Rut, respectively. Both flavonoids were found to be oxidized during exposure of peritoneal macrophages to asbestos and the oxidation was SOD sensitive. The efficacy of flavonoids as antioxidant agents as well as superoxide ion scavengers was also evaluated using appropriate model systems, and both quercetin and rutin were found to be effective in scavenging O2.-. These findings indicate that flavonoids are able to prevent the respiratory burst in rat peritoneal macrophages exposed to asbestos at the stage of activated oxygen species generation, mainly as superoxide scavengers. On the basis of this study it was concluded that natural flavonoids quercetin and rutin would be promising drug candidates for a prophylactic asbestos-induced disease.

Oxygen-derived free radicals mediate isoflurane-induced vasoconstriction of rabbit coronary resistance arteries

Isoflurane induces endothelium-dependent constriction of rabbit coronary resistance arteries in vitro. This effect is inhibited by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. To determine whether thromboxane or oxygen-derived free radicals, a byproduct in the cyclooxygenase pathway, mediate this effect, subepicardial coronary arterioles (103 +/- 21 mu) from New Zealand White rabbits were studied in vitro in a pressurized (40 mm Hg), no-flow state using videomicroscopy. The vessels were subjected to increasing concentrations of isoflurane, 0%-3%, in the presence of Dazmegrel (a specific inhibitor of thromboxane synthesis; Pfizer Ltd., Sandwich, UK) or SOD-Mn (manganese superoxide dismutase, a scavenger of superoxide radicals) or mannitol (hydroxyl radical scavenger) 20 or 100 mM or in their absence (control). The control vessels showed a concentration-dependent constriction to isoflurane (P < 0.0001), with reduction in internal diameter of 11.4% +/- 3.5% at isoflurane 3%. This response was unaffected by Dazmegrel (P = 0.78), but was abolished by SOD-Mn (P < 0.01) or mannitol (P < 0.01). We conclude that isoflurane causes concentration-dependent constriction of rabbit coronary resistance arteries and that this effect is mediated by oxygen-derived free radicals.

Cerebral vasospasm and free radicals

The literature implicating free radical reactions in the genesis of cerebral vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is reviewed. While this condition has features of a prototypical free radical-mediated disease and a plausible theory can be outlined, data to support the theory are limited. An association of lipid peroxidation with vasospasm has been observed, but more sophisticated techniques for detection of free radicals and for detection of free radical damage to arterial wall proteins and nucleic acids have not been used. There are conflicting reports about efficacy of various antioxidant treatments for vasospasm. In these studies, concomitant experiments have usually not confirmed that the treatments have decreased free radicals or lipid peroxides in cerebrospinal fluid. Because smooth muscle contraction is involved in vasospasm, it would be interesting to investigate the actions of free radicals on smooth muscle cells using, for example, isometric tension recordings and patch clamp techniques. Studies of cardiac myocytes indicate that free radicals alter conductances through potassium and calcium channels and through the sodium-calcium exchanger and may result in elevations in intracellular calcium. Few studies have been performed on cerebral smooth muscle cells. In one study, exposure of cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells to free radicals resulted in increased outward currents, decreased membrane resistance, cell contraction, appearance of membrane blebs, and cell death. In summary, more investigations using better experimental techniques are required before free radicals and reactions induced by them can be said with certainty to be the primary cause of vasospasm.

Lysophosphatidylcholine in oxidized low-density lipoprotein increases endothelial susceptibility to polymorphonuclear leukocyte-induced endothelial dysfunction in porcine coronary arteries. Role of protein kinase C

We have shown that transferred lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) from oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) to endothelial surface membrane activates protein kinase C (PKC) in endothelial cells, suggesting that Ox-LDL could alter endothelial functions through PKC activation. The purposes of the present study were to examine whether the endothelial susceptibility to polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) may be altered in Ox-LDL-treated coronary arteries, which have properties closely resembling those observed in atherosclerotic arteries, and to determine the mechanism(s) by which Ox-LDL may affect the endothelial susceptibility to PMNs. Isolated porcine coronary arteries were cannulated and perfused with oxygenated culture medium with or without LDLs or lipids at a constant flow (37 degrees C, pH 7.4). The treatment of porcine coronary arteries with Ox-LDL increased endothelial adhesiveness to PMNs and augmented PMN-induced impairment of endothelium-dependent arterial relaxation (EDR). Furthermore, Ox-LDL stimulated the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the porcine coronary arterial endothelium. These effects of Ox-LDL were not mediated by the scavenger-receptor-mediated process but were attributed to lysoPC in Ox-LDL. Blocking of the PMN adherence to endothelium by using anti-CD18 monoclonal antibody abolished the PMN-induced impairment of EDR. Coincubation with staurosporine or calphostin C, inhibitors of PKC, during treatment of the arteries with Ox-LDL or lysoPC attenuated the augmentative effects of Ox-LDL and lysoPC on endothelial ICAM-1 expression, endothelial adhesiveness to PMNs, and PMN-induced EDR impairment. Treatment of the arteries with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, a potent stimulator of PKC, induced ICAM-1 expression and enhanced the endothelial adhesiveness to PMNs and PMN-induced EDR impairment, mimicking the effects of Ox-LDL. These results suggest that lysoPC in Ox-LDL induces endothelial ICAM-1 expression, which facilitates PMN adherence to endothelium and the subsequent augmentation of PMN-induced EDR impairment. PKC activation in endothelial cells by lysoPC in Ox-LDL may at least in part be involved in these effects of Ox-LDL. LysoPC in Ox-LDL increases endothelial susceptibility to PMN-induced endothelial dysfunction.