Salt stress impact on the molecular structure and function of the photosynthetic apparatus--the protective role of polyamines

In the present study the green alga Scenedesmus obliquus was used to assess the effects of high salinity (high NaCl-concentration) on the structure and function of the photosynthetic apparatus and the possibility for alleviation by exogenous putrescine (Put). Chlorophyll fluorescence data revealed the range of the changes induced in the photosynthetic apparatus by different NaCl concentrations, which altogether pointed towards an increased excitation pressure. At the same time, changes in the levels of endogenous polyamine concentrations, both in cell and in isolated thylakoid preparations were also evidenced. Certain polyamine changes (Put reduction) were correlated with changes in the structure and function of the photosynthetic apparatus, such as the increase in the functional size of the antenna and the reduction in the density of active photosystem II reaction centers. Thus, exogenously added Put was used to compensate for this stress condition and to adjust the above mentioned changes, so that to confer some kind of tolerance to the photosynthetic apparatus against enhanced NaCl-salinity and permit cell growth even in NaCl concentrations that under natural conditions would be toxic.

Amiloride inhibition on NaCl responses of the chorda tympani nerve in two 129 substrains of mice, 129P3/J and 129X1/SvJ

Amiloride, a sodium channel blocker, is known to suppress NaCl responses of the chorda tympani (CT) nerve in various mammalian species. In mice, the NaCl suppressing effect of amiloride is reported to differ among strains. In C57BL mice, amiloride inhibits NaCl responses to about 50% of control, whereas no such clear suppression was evident in prior studies with 129 mice. However, evidence from behavioral studies is not entirely consistent with this. Recently, it has been found that genetic backgrounds of 129 mice differ within substrains. 129X1/SvJ (formerly 129/SvJ) mice differ from the 129P3/J (formerly 129/J) strain by 25% of sequence length polymorphisms. Therefore, we examined possible substrain difference between 129P3/J and 129X1/SvJ mice in the amiloride sensitivity of electrophysiologically recorded NaCl responses. Amiloride significantly suppressed CT responses to NaCl without affecting responses to KCl both in 129P3/J and 129X1/SvJ mice. However, the magnitude of the amiloride inhibition was significantly larger (approximately 50% of control in response to 0.01-1.0 M NaCl by 100 microM amiloride) in 129X1/SvJ than in 129P3/J mice (approximately 20% of control in response to 0.03-0.3 M NaCl by 100 microM amiloride). Threshold amiloride concentration for suppression of responses to 0.3 M NaCl was 30 microM in 129P3/J mice, which was higher than that in 129X1/SvJ mice (10 microM). In 129X1/SvJ mice, the threshold amiloride concentration eliciting inhibition of NaCl responses and the magnitude of the inhibition were comparable with those in C57BL/6 mice. These results suggest that amiloride sensitivity of NaCl responses differs even among the 129 substrains, 129P3/J and 129 X1/SvJ, and the substrain difference of 129 mice in amiloride sensitivity is as large as that between two inbred strains (129P3/J and C57BL/6).

Increased reactive oxygen species contribute to high NaCl-induced activation of the osmoregulatory transcription factor TonEBP/OREBP

The signaling pathways leading to high NaCl-induced activation of the transcription factor tonicity-responsive enhancer binding protein/osmotic response element binding protein (TonEBP/OREBP) remain incompletely understood. High NaCl has been reported to produce oxidative stress. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are a component of oxidative stress, contribute to regulation of transcription factors. The present study was undertaken to test whether the high NaCl-induced increase in ROS contributes to tonicity-dependent activation of TonEBP/OREBP. Human embryonic kidney 293 cells were used as a model. We find that raising NaCl increases ROS, including superoxide. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, and MnTBAP, an inhibitor of superoxide, reduce high NaCl-induced superoxide activity and suppress both high NaCl-induced increase in TonEBP/OREBP transcriptional activity and high NaCl-induced increase in expression of BGT1mRNA, a transcriptional target of TonEBP/OREBP. Catalase, which decomposes hydrogen peroxide, does not have these effects, whether applied exogenously or overexpressed within the cells. Furthermore, NAC and MnTBAP, but not catalase, blunt high NaCl-induced increase in TonEBP/OREBP transactivation. N(G)-monomethyl-l-arginine, a general inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, has no significant effect on either high NaCl-induced increase in superoxide or TonEBP/OREBP transcriptional activity, suggesting that the effects of ROS do not involve nitric oxide. Ouabain, an inhibitor of Na-K-ATPase, attenuates high NaCl-induced superoxide activity and inhibits TonEBP/OREBP transcriptional activity. We conclude that the high NaCl-induced increase in ROS, including superoxide, contributes to activation of TonEBP/OREBP by increasing its transactivation.

[Mechanisms of protective action of wheat germ agglutinin on cell growth in wheat seedling roots under salinity]

Effects of 20 nM wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) on relative growth rate, mitotic index (MI) and the cell area in the root extension zone were investigated in seedling of Triticum aestivum L. under the influence of 2% NaCl. It was elucidated that pretreatment of wheat seedling with WGA prevented a salinity induced inhibition of root cell growth, and accelerated the restoration of cell growth after stress removal. The protective WGA effect on root cell growth may be due, presumably, to reorganization of phytohormone balance caused by WGA treatment, which could lead to accumulation of LAA and decrease in the ABA level.

[Mechanisms of action of antidepressants: new data from Escitalopram]

A first improvement in the treatment of depression was achieved in 1970-80 with the development of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) because these drugs, which are as potent antidepressants as the tricyclics, are devoid of most of the secondary effects of the latter drugs (orthostatic hypotension, weight gain, dry mouth, etc, mainly caused by their capacity to block alpha1-adrenergic, H1 histaminergic and muscarinic receptors). However, SSRI did not solve all the problems inherent to the treatment of depression because (i) approximately 30% of depressed patients do not respond to these drugs, and (ii) their antidepressant effect becomes really significant only after 3-4 weeks of treatment, like that observed with tricyclics. A further improvement in the development of antidepressant drugs has recently been made with the synthesis of the S enantiomer of citalopram, called Escitalopram. Indeed, this active enantiomer is the most selective among all SSRI available to date, including citalopram. In addition, the potency of Escitalopram to inhibit serotonin reuptake (K(i)=2,1 nM) and to induce antidepressant-like effects in relevant animal paradigms (forced swimming test; chronic mild stress; stress-induced ultrasonic vocalization) is markedly increased as compared with citalopram and other SSRI. In particular, in the forced swimming test, which is especially relevant for assessing the potential antidepressant properties of drugs, Escitalopram was shown to be at least 15 fold more potent than any other SSRI to delay helplessness-induced immobility of rats. Even more interestingly, under chronic treatment conditions, Escitalopram was found to be significantly more rapid than any other antidepressant (tricyclics such as imipramine, SSRI such as fluoxetine) to restore sucrose intake in rats subjected to chronic mild stress, suggesting a reduced delay in its antidepressant action. This was indeed fully confirmed in humans as only 1-2 weeks of treatment with Escitalopram was enough to significantly reduce MADRS score in depressed subjects, compared to 3-4 weeks with any other antidepressant drug. These unique properties led to further investigations of the pharmacological profile of Escitalopram. It thus appeared that, at equipotent doses, the S enantiomer was significantly more efficient than citalopram (racemate) to increase the extracellular levels of serotonin within the frontal cortex of freely moving rats bearing a locally implanted microdialysis probe. Further experiments showed that R-citalopram counteracted the capacity of Escitalopram to enhance extracellular 5-HT levels, thereby explaining why the racemate had only a limited action in this regard. In addition, behavioural studies (stress-induced ultrasonic vocalization test) also showed that R-citalopram exerts effects opposite to those (antidepressant--and anxiolytic--like effects) of Escitalopram. The reason for these differences between the two enantiomers might concern the secondary molecular targets at which citalopram acts, but with affinities at least two orders of magnitude less than for the serotonin transporter. Indeed, R-citalopram has a 7-10-fold higher affinity for H1 histaminergic (K(i)=180 nM) and alpha1-adrenergic (K(i)=560 nM) receptors than Escitalopram (respective K(is) > or = 2 000 nM), and this difference might contribute not only to the better selectivity of the latter enantiomer for its therapeutically relevant target (i.e. the serotonin transporter) but also to its improved capacity to enhance central 5-HT neurotransmission. On the other hand, the global affinity of Escitalopram (K(i)=200-430 nM) for both subtypes of sigma receptors (sigma1 and sigma2) is higher than that of R-citalopram (and of the racemate citalopram; K(i)=200-1 500 nM), and this might also strengthen the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of the S enantiomer because behavioural studies showed that selective sigma1 and sigma2 agonists are endowed with both antidepressant--and anxiolytic-like properties in relevant animal models. However, to date, the exact nature (agonist or antagonist) of the action of Escitalopram at sigma receptors is not known yet, and this question has to be addressed in future investigations. Altogether, these data open novel perspectives for both a better treatment of depressive disorders and a better knowledge of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying antidepressant therapy, and, possibly, depression itself.

Chemopreventive effects of curcumin on glandular stomach carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and sodium chloride in rats

The modifying effects of pure curcumin on glandular stomach carcinogenesis were investigated during the post-initiation phase in male Wistar rats treated with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanisine (MNNG) and sodium chloride. A total of 110 male 6-week-old rats were divided into four groups. Groups 1-3 (consisting of 30 rats/group) were given MNNG in their drinking water at a concentration of 100 ppm and simultaneously fed a diet supplemented with 5% NaCl for 8 weeks. They were then fed a diet containing either 0.2% (group 1) or 0.05% (group 2) pure curcumin or kept on a basal diet alone (group 3) for 55 weeks. The rats of the curcumin-treated groups (groups 1 and 2) were then switched to the basal diet for the following 4 weeks before sacrifice. Group 4 (20 rats) served as a non-treatment control. The total incidence of combined atypical hyperplasias and adenocarcinomas in the glandular stomachs was rather lower in groups 1 (93%) and 2 (90%) than in group 3 (100%), albeit without statistical significance. However, the mean number of atypical hyperplasias or adenocarcinomas of the glandular stomachs in group 1 (4.70) was significantly less than the value of group 3 (7.17) (p<0.05). Thus, the development of cancerous and precancerous lesions in the glandular stomach was decreased by exposure to pure curcumin. The present results indicate that the compound exerts chemopreventive effects, when given during the post-initiation phase of glandular stomach carcinogenesis in rats.

De novo synthesis of minus strand RNA by the rotavirus RNA polymerase in a cell-free system involves a novel mechanism of initiation

The replicase activity of rotavirus open cores has been used to study the synthesis of (-) strand RNA from viral (+) strand RNA in a cell-free replication system. The last 7 nt of the (+) strand RNA, 5'-UGUGACC-3', are highly conserved and are necessary for efficient (-) strand synthesis in vitro. Characterization of the cell-free replication system revealed that the addition of NaCl inhibited (-) strand synthesis. By preincubating open cores with (+) strand RNA and ATP, CTP, and GTP prior to the addition of NaCl and UTP, the salt-sensitive step was overcome. Thus, (-) strand initiation, but not elongation, was a salt-sensitive process in the cell-free system. Further analysis of the requirements for initiation showed that preincubating open cores and the (+) strand RNA with GTP or UTP, but not with ATP or CTP, allowed (-) strand synthesis to occur in the presence of NaCl. Mutagenesis suggested that in the presence of GTP, (-) strand synthesis initiated at the 3'-terminal C residue of the (+) strand template, whereas in the absence of GTP, an aberrant initiation event occurred at the third residue upstream from the 3' end of the (+) strand RNA. During preincubation with GTP, formation of the dinucleotides pGpG and ppGpG was detected; however, no such products were made during preincubation with ATP, CTP, or UTP. Replication assays showed that pGpG, but not GpG, pApG, or ApG, served as a specific primer for (-) strand synthesis and that the synthesis of pGpG may occur by a template-independent process. From these data, we conclude that initiation of rotavirus (-) strand synthesis involves the formation of a ternary complex consisting of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, viral (+) strand RNA, and possibly a 5'-phosphorylated dinucleotide, that is, pGpG or ppGpG.

Heterologous expression of a mammalian epithelial sodium channel in yeast

The alpha and beta subunits of the amiloride-sensitive rat epithelial sodium channel (alpha beta ENaC) were expressed in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We used a combination of yeast strains, including a mutant in the secretory pathway (sec6), and Western blotting techniques, to show that alpha beta ENaC was synthesized and targeted through the secretory system to the plasma membrane. Yeasts expressing alpha beta ENaC were more sensitive to salt than the parent strain. In addition, amiloride, a specific blocker of ENaC, was found to suppress salt sensitivity in the yeast strain expressing alpha beta ENaC.

Strain difference in amiloride-sensitivity of salt-induced responses in mouse non-dissociated taste cells

The chorda tympani nerve responses to NaCl in a mouse strain, C57BL/6 are known to be much more sensitive than those in BALB/c. We compared the NaCl-induced responses obtained from taste cells of the fungiform papillae in these two strains of mice. Amiloride inhibited, in the same degree, the responses induced by a bath-application of normal extracellular solution (NES) containing 140 mM NaCl in either taste cells of C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice. In contrast, amiloride inhibited 62% of responses induced by an apically applied 0.5 M NaCl in the C57BL/6 strain, but only 33% of responses in the BALB/c strain. These results suggest that the difference in amiloride-sensitivity between taste cells in both strains mainly derives from the difference in density of functional amiloride sensitive Na+ channels at the apical receptive membrane but not at the basolateral membrane.

The role of nitric oxide in saline-induced natriuresis and diuresis in rats

This study was designed to determine to what extent nitric oxide (NO) mediates the natriuretic and diuretic responses to acute isotonic saline (0.9 gram % NaCl) volume expansion (SVE, 0.5 ml min-1 kg-1). Studies were performed on 49 pentobarbital anesthetized (65 mg/kg) female Sprague-Dawley rats with or without a NO synthase inhibitor, Nomega-nitro-L-arginine (LNA). Group 1 received saline at 27 microliter/min for 1 hr (baseline) and then SVE for 1 hr; Groups 2-4 received LNA at 10, 150, and 200 microgram kg-1 min-1, respectively, for 1 hr followed by LNA + SVE. To determine to what extent inhibition of NOS would reverse an ongoing SVE-induced natriuresis and diuresis, Group 5 was saline-volume-expanded for hours 1 and 2 whereas Group 6 was administered SVE during the first hour and then SVE + 150 microgram kg -1 min-1 LNA during the second hour. SVE caused a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of Group 1 and the LNA-treated rats (Groups 2-4). This SVE-induced increase in the GFR occurred despite the fact that baseline GFR was significantly lower in the two groups of rats that were infused with the highest doses of LNA (Groups 3-4). SVE was also associated with similar increases in urine flow rate, sodium and potassium excretion, and total osmolar excretion in Groups 1-4. On the other hand, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was significantly higher in Group 2 during SVE + LNA and during the baseline as well as during the SVE periods in Groups 3-4; MAP was also significantly elevated in Group 6 during SVE + LNA. Thus, despite the fact that MAP was higher in LNA-treated rats, sodium and urine flow rates were the same as in Group 1 (i.e., there was no evidence of a pressure natriuresis or diuresis in these animals). Along these lines, there was a small but significant positive linear correlation coefficient (r = 0.41, P = 0.05) between sodium excretion values and corresponding MAP values in SVE control rats but not in Groups 3-4 during SVE (r = 0.28, P = 0.26). The current data demonstrate that 1) NO does not mediate SVE-induced hyperfiltration in the rat, 2) NO also does not mediate SVE-induced natriuresis or diuresis, and 3), consistent with other reports, NO appears to mediate pressure natriuresis and diuresis.

Promoting effects of intravesical instillation of saline on bladder lesion development in rats pretreated with N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine are inhibited by bacillus Calmette-Guerin

The promoting effects of intravesical instillation of saline and the efficacy of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) for prophylaxis of bladder carcinogenesis were assessed. Rats were given 0.05% N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) for 10 weeks; they were then given 6 weekly intravesical instillations of BCG, saline or distilled water starting 1 week or 15 weeks after the BBN treatment. At 32 weeks, both the incidences and numbers of bladder cancers were elevated in animals receiving the saline. An exception was the early phase BCG group. Significant increases in tumor size were also noted for the saline, but not the distilled water group. The results indicate that intravesical instillation of saline promotes urinary bladder carcinogenesis. However, the inhibitory influence of BCG was suggested if administered at the early, but not the late phase, of carcinogenesis.

The influence of alpha-amanitin on the NaCl-induced up-regulation of antioxidant enzyme activity in cotton callus tissue

Liquid suspensions of cotton callus tissue from a NaCl-sensitive cell line and a NaCl-tolerant cell line were subjected to the following treatments: (a) 0 and 150 mM NaCl, respectively (controls); (b) 75 and 250 mM NaCl, respectively; (c) 100 ng ml(-1) alpha-amanitin; or (d) pretreatment for 2 h with 100 ng ml(-1) alpha-amanitin followed by the respective NaCl treatments. The callus tissue was harvested at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8h and analyzed for antioxidant enzyme activity. In the NaCl-tolerant callus, the 250 mM NaCl treatment resulted in transient 2- to 4-fold increases above the control levels in the activities of ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and peroxidase within 1 h after treatment, while superoxide dismutase activity increased 4-fold within 4 h. This rapid increase suggests that the up-regulation of antioxidant capacity is an early response to NaCl stress and perhaps provides protection against oxidative damage until other acclimating mechanisms can be invoked. In the control callus, peroxidase activity remained unchanged, and significant increases in the other enzymes were not observed until 8 h after treatment with 75mM NaCl. Pre-treatment with alpha-amanitin prior to the NaCl treatment completely inhibited the NaCl-induced increase in the activities of all five enzymes in both cell lines. This data supports the conclusion that the NaCl-induced up-regulation of antioxidant enzyme activity in cotton callus tissue is transcriptionally regulated, proceeding via a de novo synthesis of poly(A)+RNA and is not due to the translation of existing transcripts or the mobilization of existing enzyme pools. In addition, the results suggest that it is not only the up-regulation of antioxidant activity that bestows a degree of tolerance to environmental stress, but also the speed with which this response occurs.

Stimulation of cell division in the rat by NaCl, KCl, MgCl2, and CaCl2, and inhibition of the sodium chloride effect on the glandular stomach by ascorbic acid and beta-carotene

Three questions associated with the stimulation of cell division by chloride salts have been investigated: (i) whether cations other than sodium show a similar effect, (ii) whether vitamins can have a preventive activity, and (iii) whether subchronic treatment with sodium chloride in the diet is also effective. Male Fischer 344 rats were given solutions of the chloride salts of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium by oral gavage. Water was used for control. After 4 h, a 24-h osmotic minipump containing 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine was implanted subcutaneously. The forestomach and glandular stomach, as well as liver and bladder were analyzed immunohistochemically 24 h later for the proportion of cells in S phase as an indicator of the rate of replicative DNA synthesis. For both the forestomach and the glandular stomach, potassium was as potent as sodium, and the divalent cations Mg and Ca were even more potent on a molar basis. Supplementation of the diet with ascorbic acid (2 g/kg food) or beta-carotene (12.5 mg/kg food) for 1 week before gavage of the sodium chloride solution resulted in an inhibition of the stimulation of cell division. A putative tumor-chemopreventive activity of the two vitamins might therefore not only rely on their antioxidative properties but may include effects on the cell cycle. A 4-week treatment with a sodium chloride supplement in the diet (2% and 4% supplement) resulted in a significant stimulation of cell division not only in both parts of the stomach and in the bladder (with the 4% supplement) but also in the liver (even with the 2% supplement). Sodium-chloride-stimulated cell turnover therefore is a sustained effect.

Attenuation by genistein of sodium-chloride-enhanced gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats

The effects of prolonged administration of genistein, a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor, on sodium-chloride-enhanced induction of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, and the labeling and apoptotic indices and vessel counts in the gastric mucosa and gastric cancers, were investigated in Wistar rats. After 25 weeks of the carcinogen treatment, rats were fed chow pellets containing 10% sodium chloride and were given s.c. injections of genistein at dosages of 15 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg body weight every other day. In week 52, the incidence of gastric cancers was significantly greater in rats fed sodium chloride than in untreated control rats. Prolonged administration of genistein at a dosage of 30 mg/kg, but not 15 mg/kg, body weight significantly reduced the incidence of gastric cancers, which was increased by oral treatment with sodium chloride. Genistein at the higher dose significantly decreased the labeling index and vessel counts of the antral mucosa and the gastric cancers (which were increased by treatment with sodium chloride) and significantly increased the apoptotic index of the antral mucosa and the cancers (which was lowered by the treatment with sodium chloride). These findings suggest that genistein attenuates gastric carcinogenesis promoted by sodium chloride, by inducing increased apoptosis and lower cell proliferation and angiogenesis of antral mucosa and gastric cancers.

Role of non-NMDA receptors in osmotic and glutamate stimulation of vasopressin release: effect of rapid receptor desensitization

Previous studies demonstrated that the increase in vasopressin (VP) release and induction of VPmRNA content by osmotic stimulation was blocked by kynurenic acid, a non-specific antagonist of excitatory amino acid (EAA) receptors. In order to identify the type of EAA receptor involved, perifused explants of the hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal system (HNS) were exposed to a ramp increase in osmolality (40 mOsm over 6 h achieved by increasing NaCl) in the presence and absence of 10 microM 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX), an antagonist of non-n-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) excitatory amino acid receptors. Vasopressin release and VP mRNA content were significantly increased by exposure to the osmotic stimulus. 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione inhibited osmotically stimulated VP release (F=16.65, P=0.0008) without significantly reducing basal release. It also prevented the osmotically stimulated increase in VP mRNA content (P <0.05). Although these results implicated glutamate, the primary endogenous ligand for EAA receptors, in the regulation of VP, exogenous glutamate was ineffective in stimulating VP release from HNS explants in either low-Mg2+ or Mg2+-replete medium. However, blockade of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptor desensitization with cyclothiazide (100 microM) caused a marked increase in VP release in response to 100 microM glutamate, and blockade of kainate receptor desensitization with concanavalin A resulted in a small, but significant increase in VP release in response to 1 mM glutamate. These results support a role for non-NMDA receptor activation in osmotic regulation of VP release.

NaCl-preferring NZB/B1NJ mice and NaCl-avoiding CBA/J mice have similar amiloride inhibition of chorda tympani responses to NaCl

Integrated chorda tympani nerve responses to NaCl were studied in two mouse strains, an NaCl-preferring NZB/B1NJ and an NaCl-avoiding CBA/J. The NaCl responses of both strains had similar magnitude and were suppressed by amiloride to a similar extent. This suggests that peripheral gustatory responsiveness to NaCl is not the only mechanism underlying mouse strain variation in NaCl acceptance.

Initial heme uptake from albumin by short-term cultured rat hepatocytes is mediated by a transport mechanism differing from that of other organic anions

Although it is known that circulating heme accumulates in liver cells, the process by which heme enters hepatocytes is only partly understood. Hemopexin and a putative hemopexin receptor on hepatocyte membranes may mediate the uptake process. However, whether there are sufficient hemopexin receptors on rat hepatocytes to account for the bulk of heme entering cells is unknown. It is likely that heme may be transferred directly from albumin with the help of a plasma membrane heme transporter. To clarify the transport mechanism of heme into liver cells, we studied the uptake by short-term cultured rat hepatocytes of 55Fe-heme incubated with rat serum albumin. In these cells, the initial uptake of 55Fe-heme at 37 degrees C was five- to eightfold higher than that at 4 degrees C, linear for at least 5 minutes, and saturable. The Km of heme uptake was 0.95 +/- 0.27 micromol/L, and the Vmax was 0.12 +/- 0.01 pmol/min/mg protein (n = 3). Neither isosmotic substitution of sucrose for NaCl in the medium nor adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion, perturbations that are known to reduce uptake of bilirubin, sulfobromophthalein (BSP), and taurocholate, had any influence on 55Fe-heme uptake. In addition, heme uptake was not reduced in the presence of a greater than 500-fold molar excess of BSP. These results indicate that hepatocytes take up heme by a process that is distinct from that of these other organic anions.

Amiloride inhibition of chorda tympani responses to NaCl and its temperature dependency in mice

Inhibitory effects of amiloride on salt responses of the chorda tympani nerve and its temperature dependency were compared among three inbred strains of mice (C57BL, BALB and 129). In C57BL mice, lingual treatment with amiloride significantly suppressed responses to 0.1-1.0 M NaCl at two different temperatures, 24 +/- 2 degrees C and 12 +/- 2 degrees C. The magnitude of the amiloride-inhibited component of NaCl response was slightly larger at the higher temperature. In contrast, in BALB mice, amiloride suppression of NaCl responses was observed only at the lower temperature. No such suppression was exhibited by 129 mice at either temperature levels. These results suggest that there exist at least two different amiloride-sensitive receptor components for NaCl in mice: one is more sensitive to NaCl at the higher temperature, and the other is more sensitive at the lower temperature. It is hypothesized, C57BL mice possess the former (or both) component(s), whereas BALB mice have the latter one. The 129 strain may be lacking both components.

Role of resident peritoneal cells in eosinophil migration induced by saline

In the present study, we investigated the role of resident peritoneal cells as well as the mediators involved in the eosinophil migration induced by large volumes of physiological saline. Two consecutive intraperitoneal injections of saline given 48 h apart, induced a selective recruitment of eosinophils into the cavity. This response was not observed with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Saline-induced eosinophil migration may be mediated at least in part by LTB4, since the lipoxygenase inhibitors BW A4C and MK 886 prevented the response. In the presence of saline, but not of PBS, mast cells and macrophages incubated in vitro released a factor which induced eosinophil migration when injected into the peritoneal cavity of rats. This release was inhibited by BW A4C and MK 886. These results indicate the importance of mast cells and macrophages in the eosinophil migration induced by saline and suggest the participation of LTB4 in this phenomenon. An abrupt reduction in the extracellular potassium concentration at the membrane of resident cells may be responsible for the saline effects since addition of potassium ions to saline abolished the eosinophil chemotactic activity of the same as well as its ability to stimulate the release of eosinophil chemotactic factor in vitro. Dexamethasone blocked both the saline-induced eosinophil migration and the release of eosinophil chemotactic factor by mast cells and macrophages. Pretreatment of the animals with dexamethasone inhibited the eosinophil migration induced either by the supernatants of saline-stimulated mast cells and macrophages or by LTB4. These results indicate that the release of additional mediators is necessary in order to account for the final eosinophil migration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Inhibition of salt-induced gustatory responses in the frog (Rana catesbeiana) by 5'-GMP

Millimolar concentration of sodium 5'-guanylate (5'-GMP), a 'umami' substance, inhibited salt-induced gustatory neural responses, particularly tonic components, of the bullfrog when the tongue was adapted to a low salt (5 mM NaCl) solution but not when adapted to normal saline that contained 115 mM NaCl. The result suggests that 5'-GMP is a modulator of adaptation process in salt response in the bullfrog taste system.

ANP inhibits NaCl absorption and elicits Cl secretion in porcine colon: evidence for cGMP and Ca mediation

The effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on ion transport were examined in the isolated, short-circuited proximal colon epithelium of the pig. Addition of ANP to the serosal solution decreased the rate of neutral Na and Cl absorption and elicited electrogenic Cl secretion. Amiloride, at a concentration that inhibits Na-H exchange, produced an identical inhibition of Na transport and abolished the ANP-induced decrease in Na absorption. In contrast, serosal addition of bumetanide, an inhibitor of Na-K-2Cl cotransport, partially inhibited the short-circuit current (Isc) response to ANP. Whereas 8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-BrcGMP) produced qualitatively similar effects as ANP, relatively high concentrations of N6,2'-O-dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (DBcAMP) or prostaglandin E2 were required to alter NaCl transport. Furthermore, incubation of colonic mucosa with ANP induced a threefold increase in cGMP content, whereas cAMP was unaffected. The ANP-induced Cl secretion and Isc were diminished with tetrodotoxin and verapamil, whereas these agents were without effect on the ANP-induced inhibition of Na and Cl absorption. Results indicate that ANP inhibits net colonic absorption of ions by antiabsorptive and secretory mechanisms that are dependent on both cGMP and Ca.

Effect of chronic administration of dexfenfluramine on blood pressure in salt-sensitive rats

Chronic administration of dexfenfluramine, at a relatively low daily dose, slowed the development of salt-induced elevation of blood pressure in salt-sensitive (Dahl DS and Rapp SS) rats. This effect could not be accounted for by drug-related anorexia alone. Elevated serotonin activity, possibly in the brain, may underlie this antihypertensive action of dexfenfluramine.

Amiloride sensitivity of chorda tympani response to NaCl in Fischer 344 and Wistar rats

Fischer 344 (F-344) rats fail to prefer NaCl solutions to water at any concentration and avoid NaCl solutions preferred by other strains, including Wistar rats. Behavioral and electrophysiological responses of the mammalian gustatory system to NaCl have been shown to depend on a sodium transport system that is specifically blocked by lingual application of the sodium-transport blocker amiloride. The present study examined whether strain differences exist between F-344 and Wistar rats in the amiloride sensitivity of the chorda tympani (CT) electrophysiological response to NaCl. Whole nerve CT recordings were obtained from adult F-344 and Wistar rats during chemical stimulation of the anterior tongue. Responses to NaCl solutions ranging from 0.01 to 1.0 M were examined both before and after pretreatment with amiloride hydrochloride. Integrated whole nerve responses to NaCl solutions were expressed relative to the response to 0.5 M NH4Cl. Strain differences in the response to NaCl solutions emerged, with F-344 animals showing a significantly larger amplitude of the tonic response to NaCl, relative to NH4Cl, than Wistars. F-344 rats were also more sensitive to the sodium-channel blocker amiloride. These results suggest that strain differences in amiloride sensitive signals mediated by the CT nerve may contribute to the NaCl aversion displayed by F-344 rats.

Enhanced induction of gastric carcinogenesis by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in deoxycorticosterone acetate-NaCl hypertensive rats and its inhibition by potassium chloride

The effect of s.c. administration of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) plus p.o. treatment with NaCl solution on gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and the effect of p.o. potassium supplementation on the enhanced induction of gastric carcinogenesis in DOCA-NaCl rats were investigated in Wistar rats. After 25 weeks of p.o. treatment with the carcinogen, rats received s.c. injections of DOCA (50 mg/kg) twice a week and were given 1% NaCl solution with and without 1% KCl as drinking water. In Week 52, the blood pressure, the incidence of gastric cancer, and the number of cancers per rat were significantly greater in DOCA-NaCl rats than in the untreated group. Prolonged p.o. treatment of DOCA-NaCl hypertensive rats with potassium significantly reduced their blood pressure, the incidence of gastric cancers, and their number per rat. All gastric tumors were in the glandular portions of the stomach. The norepinephrine concentration in the gastric wall and the labeling indices of gastric mucosa were significantly greater in DOCA-NaCl hypertensive rats than in the untreated group, but p.o. potassium supplementation significantly reduced the norepinephrine concentration in the gastric wall and the labeling indices of the gastric mucosa in DOCA-NaCl rats. Thus, administration of DOCA and NaCl increased the norepinephrine concentration in the gastric wall and promoted gastric carcinogenesis, and p.o. potassium supplementation decreased the norepinephrine concentration in the gastric rats. Inasmuch as the norepinephrine concentration has been used as a marker of sympathetic nervous activity, these findings suggest that the sympathetic nervous system plays an important role in gastric carcinogenesis, probably associated with cell proliferation of antral epithelial cells.

The anion in salt taste: a possible role for paracellular pathways

It is well established from psychophysical and electrophysiological measurements that both Na and Cl contribute to the taste response to NaCl. The contribution of Na to the NaCl response can be studied using amiloride, a drug that inhibits Na transport in taste and other epithelial cells. The pathways involved in response to Cl are less well understood. We undertook a series of experiments in the rat to determine whether tonic chorda tympani responses to NaCl are inhibited by specific inhibitors of anion transport. Whole nerve responses to NaCl were unchanged by bathing the tongue in SITS, DIDS, bumetanide, furosemide, 9-anthracene carboxylic acid, or an antibody that blocks Cl conductance pathways in many epithelia. Thus, Cl co-transporters, exchangers, and channels (at least in the apical membrane of taste cells) are probably not involved in NaCl taste responses. When other anions (acetate, isethionate, methane sulfonate, gluconate, tartrate), which are generally impermeant in other Cl-selective pathways, were substituted for Cl, the dose-response curves for the chorda tympani response were shifted toward higher concentrations than the response to NaCl, but achieved the same maximum value at sufficiently high concentrations (1.0 M Na). For all the organic Na salts, the amiloride-insensitive portion of the response was substantially less than for NaCl. Experiments with Na acetate at different pHs showed that intracellular acidification is not responsible for the differences between NaCl and organic salts of Na. One possibility which remains is that apical stimulation with these other Na salts results in a taste cell membrane potential that is hyperpolarized with respect to the membrane potential in NaCl.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cellular actions of thiazide diuretics in the distal tubule

Thiazide diuretics inhibit electroneutral NaCl reabsorption across the distal tubule of the salamander, Amphiuma, and hyperpolarize the basolateral membrane voltage (Vbl) of distal tubule cells. The objective of this study was to determine whether thiazides hyperpolarize Vbl by reducing intracellular Cl- activity (Acl). To this end, distal tubules were perfused in vitro, and electrophysiological techniques were used to measure Acl and Vbl. Hydrochlorothiazide in tubular fluid reduced ACl from 17.0 to 12.6 mM and hyperpolarized Vbl by 16 mV. Reduction of Cl- in tubular fluid from 84 to 8 mM also decreased Acl from 16.1 to 9.9 mM and hyperpolarized Vbl by 12 mV. Because a previous study suggested that electroneutral NaCl reabsorption is mediated by Na+/H(+)-Cl-/HCO3- exchangers in the apical membrane, the Cl-/HCO3- exchange inhibitor, 4,4-diisothiocyanostilbene-2-2-disulphonic acid (DIDS) was added to tubule fluid. DIDS reduced Acl from 15.0 to 11.6 and hyperpolarized Vbl by 10 mV. DIDS and hydrochlorothiazide were not additive, inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange by amiloride (10(-3) M) and Na+ replacement with N-methyl-D-glucamine also reduced Acl from 17.4 to 12.9 and hyperpolarized Vbl by 16 mV. The hyperpolarization of Vbl in each experiment is referable to the fall in Acl. These data show that thiazide diuretics regulate ACl and that the hyperpolarization of Vbl is referable to the thiazide-induced reduction of Acl.

Wheal-and-flare responses to intradermally injected adenosine 5'-monophosphate, hypertonic saline, and histamine: comparison of atopic and nonatopic subjects

Adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) in increasing concentrations, and saline solutions of corresponding tonicity, were injected intradermally in seven atopic and seven normal subjects. Skin wheal-and-flare responses were elicited in a dose-dependent fashion in all subjects, and no difference was found between responses produced by AMP and responses produced by saline of corresponding tonicity. Also, no difference in response to AMP and saline was found between atopic and nonatopic subjects. We further investigated, in seven atopic subjects, whether the skin wheal-and-flare response to the single, highest dose of AMP, saline, and histamine could be inhibited by preadministration of 180 mg of terfenadine, a potent H1 antagonist. A significant inhibition of the wheal-and-flare response to histamine and no significant inhibition to AMP were found. There was a significant inhibition of the flare response caused by hypertonic saline but no inhibition of the wheal response. We interpret these findings as indicating that AMP does not specifically lead to mast cell degranulation in the skin and that there are functional differences between cutaneous and lung mast cells. The observation that terfenadine significantly inhibited the flare response to hypertonic saline suggests that this stimulus produced histamine release.

[Dietary magnesium and mineralocorticoid DOCA-salt hypertension in the rat. Effect on the metabolism of sodium and magnesium]

The effects of a diet enriched in magnesium were studied in mineralocorticoid DOCA-salt hypertensive rats from 6 to 15 weeks old, during the development of hypertension. A standard normomagnesic diet with 0.21% Mg and 0.24% Na, equilibrated in minerals and vitamins is used as a control diet. The high magnesium diet is the same standard diet enriched in magnesium with a content of 0.75% Mg. That in magnesium enriched diet lessens the level of blood pressure. This effect appears within 2 weeks and is long lasting. Increase of urinary sodium is observed but without any modification of sodium balance. Sodium plasma is not changed. Plasma, urinary and balance of magnesium are increased. These results establish that in mineralocorticoid DOCA-salt hypertension, a high magnesium diet decreases hypertension. The observed metabolic variations may perhaps explain the protective effect of this in magnesium enriched diet.

Saralasin blocks the effect of angiotensin II and extracellular fluid saline expansion on the Na-K-ATPase inhibitor release in rats

A low molecular weight substance which behaves like ouabain as inhibitor of brain membrane Na-K-ATPase and 3H-ouabain binding was found in plasma after saline expansion of extracellular fluid or angiotensin II infusion into the third brain ventricle in the rat. Intracerebroventricular infusion of angiotensin II antagonist, saralasin, blocks the increase of the Na-K-ATPase inhibitor produced by infusion of angiotensin II into the third ventricle or extracellular fluid saline expansion.

Mechanism of NaCl secretion in rectal gland tubules of spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias). II. Effects of inhibitors

Rectal gland tubule (RGT) segments of the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) were perfused in vitro. The effects of inhibitors of known mode of action on transepithelial PD (PDte resistance (Rte), the PD across the basolateral membrane (PDbl), the fractional resistance of this membrane (FRbl), and intracellular activities of NA+, Cl-, K+ (apha cell) were examined. Furosemide (5 x 10(-4) mol x 1(-1)) reduced PDte from -12 +/- 0.7 to -2.3 +/- 0.2 mV (n = 63), hyperpolarized PDbl from -71 +/- 1.3 to -79 +/- 0.9 mV (n = 59), FRbl decreased from 0.2 +/- 0.03 to 0.13 +/- 0.01 (n = 21), alpha cell cl- fell from 38 +/- 4 to 11 +/- 2 mmol x 1(-1) (n = 21), alpha cell Na+ fell from 37 +/- 4 to 17 +/- 2 mmol x 1(-1) (n = 12) and alpha cell K+ was constant [113 +/- 14 vs. 117 +/- 15 mmol x 1(-1) (n = 6)]. Furosemide exerted its effects within some 20-40s. Its action was completely reversible. Analysis of the time courses revealed that the furosemide induced initial fall in alpha cell cl- was approximately twice as rapid when compared to that of alpha cell Na+. Ba2+ 0.5 mmol x 1(-1) (bath) reduced PDte from -7.1 +/- 1.2 to -4.1 +/- 0.6 mV (n = 24), increased Rte from 18 +/- 2 to 22 +/- 2.5, omega cm2 (n = 14). PDbl depolarized from -75 +/- 2 to -48 +/- 2 mV (n = 42), FRbl increased from 0.2 +/- 0.02 to 0.34 +/- 0.04 (n = 14) and alpha cell K+ increased from 143 +/-28 to 188 +/- mmol x 1(-1) (n = 4). Ouabain (50 x 10(-6) mol x 1(-1), bath) reduced PDte from -12 +/-2 to -3 +/- 0.5 mV (n = 9), Rte increased from 18 +/- 3 to 21 +/- 3 omega cm2 (n = 5). PDbl depolarized from -67 +/- 4 to -26 + 3 mV (n = 14), FRbl increased from 0.23 +/- 0.04 to 0.45 +/- 0.05 (n = 6), alpha cell K+ fell only slightly from 135 +/- 15 to 112 +/- 30 mmol x 1(-1) (n = 4), but alpha cell cl- increased from 35 +/- 12 to 111 +/- 37 mmol x 1(-1) (n = 3). These effects of ouabain were slow when compared to those exerted by furosemide or Ba2+. The ouabain effects on PDte and PDbl were completely prevented if furosemide was applied first.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Dietary linoleic acid and salt-induced hypertension

Male Wistar rats chronically fed a low level (0.41%) of linoleic acid (LA) in the diet as supplied by 5% olive oil developed a significant elevation of systolic blood pressure as compared with rats fed either a medium (4.2%) or high (9.4%) level of dietary LA. Chronic excess intake of NaCl (3.75% in the diet) was associated with a significant elevation of blood pressure on all three diets but a low level of LA in the diet exaggerated the salt-induced hypertension. The results suggest that inadequate dietary LA may result in an increase in systolic blood pressure regardless of the sodium content of the diet.

Effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) on renal excretion of sodium and water, and on body fluid volume in rats

Effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) on urine volume and urinary sodium excretion, and on plasma volume and extracellular fluid volume were examined in conscious rats. The basal urine volume and urinary sodium excretion were decreased and the increased urine volume and urinary sodium excretion elicited by saline load (25 ml/kg) and by hydrochlorothiazide (10 mg/kg) were inhibited after oral administration of NSAID in doses which inhibited the rat carrageenin-induced hind paw edema (indomethacin, 1--10 mg/kg; tolmetin, 3--30 mg/kg; phenylbutazone, 3--30 mg/kg; aspirin, 30--300 mg/kg), but aminopyrine (30--300 mg/kg) did not show such an effect. The inhibitory activity on renal function was diminished gradually with repeated administration of NSAID. NSAID (indomethacin, 3 mg/kg; tolmetin, 10 mg/kg; phenoxybenzamin, 10 mg/kg; aspirin, 100 mg/kg) increased plasma volume and extracellular fluid volume of rats after repeated medication for 3 or 5 days, but the body fluid volume expansion disappeared with further repeated administration of NSAID. These results suggest that NSAID may inhibit the intrarenal role of prostaglandins and decrease sodium and water excretion in urine with resulting increased body fluid volume. Tolerance to these actions of NSAID developed after repeated administration.

Inhibition of saline-induced diuresis in the rat by sulpiride

Sulpiride (120 mg/kg, i.p.) inhibited saline-induced diuresis in the rat, an effect not observed with haloperidol, clozapine, pimozide or chloromazine. The antidiuretic effect of sulpiride also occurred in hypophysectomized rats suggesting that the response was not prolactin-mediated.

Investigation of the mechanism of decreased sensitivity of the rat seminal vesicle to norepinephrine by lithium

Li+ is reported to reduce sensitivity of alpha-adrenergic receptors to NE. The present investigation was designed to investigate the mechanism of this decreased sensitivity on the rat isolated seminal vesicle. In innervated preparations, 1.35 X 10(-3) M Li+ (i) shifted the concentration-response curves of NE, methoxamine, ACh and BaCl2 to the right and reduced their maximum responses; (ii) antagonized the leftward shift and the enhancement of maximum responses to NE by cocaine (2.9 X 10(-4) M), and (iii) reduced only the maximum responses to KCl. In denervated preparations, 1.35 X 10 (-3) M Li+ shifted the concentration response curve of NE to the left without any change in the maximum responses. The antagonistic effects of Li+ on maximal responses to NE, ACh and KCl observed in innervated preparations were significantly increased in Ca++-free medium. Li+ (1.35 X 10(-3) M) increased NE uptake by the seminal vesicle significantly. It is concluded that decreased sensitivity of the seminal vesicle to NE by Li+ could be due to an increase in the uptake of NE and to a nonspecific postsynaptic spasmolytic action.

Effect of cadmium on salt hypertension in rats

The suggestion that cadmium-induced hypertension in rats might be due to renal sodium retention, known to result from Cd treatment, was examined. Young female rats were given a regimen of intraperitoneal cadmium treatments reported to cause hypertension reliably within a month. They were sensitized to the development of salt hypertension by removal of one kidney and then given 1 percent saline solution to drink. Over a five-week period, experimental animals consistently drank more saline than controls, despite which fewer of them became hypertensive, with the result that the average systolic pressure of controls finally reached the hypertensive range, whereas the experimental group remained normotensive. Cadmium treatment had no detectable effect on growth, the hemogram, serum Na and K, or the weight of liver, kidney, heart, spleen, thymus, or adrenal glands. There was thus no evidence that cadmium caused any adverse constitutional or hemodynamic effects, but it appeared to retard the development of salt hypertension. The results do not support the suggestion that the hypertensive effects of cadmium are modulated by sodium-retaining influences on the kidney.

The effect of indomethacin and prostaglandin (PGE2) on renal failure due to glycerol in saline-loaded rats

1. Acute renal failure was induced in conscious rate by subcutaneous injection of glycerol. 2. Expansion of the extracellular space by infusion of 150 mmol/l sodium chloride (saline) partly protected the animals against acute renal failure. 3. This protective effect of saline infusion disappeared when the animals were treated with indomethacin. This effect could be reversed by the addition of prostaglandin (PGE2) to the saline infusion. 4. We suggest that prostaglandins may be involved in mediating the protection afforded by saline infusion against acute renal failure due to glycerol.

Influences on the structural stability of collagen in relation to ageing

Collagen fibers of tendons show tension with hypermolar salt solution, as 5 <i>M</i> NaClO₄. This increases with the age of the animal and also with formaldehyde. The tension is reversible in physiological salt solution (0.85% NaCl). Tension production by hypermolar solution is inhibited by small concentrations of methionine and cysteine. Penicillamine only in higher concentrations .It is discussed whether thetension of collagen fibers is regulated by aldehyde and methionine.

Induction of pleomorphy and calcium ion deficiency in Lactobacillus bifidus

The induction of pleomorphism of Lactobacillus bifidus by NaCl was completely inhibited by CaCl(2). When the organism was cultivated in calcium-free medium, growth of the bifid form was exclusively observed. Supplementation of calcium ion in the medium caused bacilloid growth. Chemical analyses indicated that calcium content of the bifid form organisms was significantly less than that of the bacilloid form; i.e., in the former type, there was an approximately 30% decrease of calcium in the whole cells, and an 82% decrease in the cell wall, as compared with the respective content of the latter. These results indicate a suppressing role of calcium ion in the induction of pleomorphism of L. bifidus. Besides calcium content, sugar and amino acid compositions were shown to be different between the bifid and bacilloid forms. In the cell wall especially, the content of glucose in the bifid form was larger than that in the bacilloid form. Methionine and phenylalanine were present in the bifid form, but not in the bacilloid form. Cell walls of the bifid form organisms lacked a larger molecular weight peptidoglycan (7.5S) which was clearly detected in the bacilloid form. Evidence has been given for the relationships of calcium ion and cell wall components to the pleomorphism in L. bifidus.

Inhibitory effect of penicillin on proline synthesis in Escherichia coli

The production of glutamic gamma-semialdehyde, an intermediate in the synthesis of proline, was inhibited in Escherichia coli by physiological concentrations of penicillin. Sucrose (0.6 m) and sodium chloride (0.1 m) prevented penicillin inhibition of glutamic gamma-semialdehyde synthesis. Cells which were in the stationary phase, or which had been permitted to metabolize without growth, were insensitive to the effects of penicillin on glutamic gamma-semialdehyde synthesis.