Reappraisal of H2S/sulfide concentration in vertebrate blood and its potential significance in ischemic preconditioning and vascular signaling

2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (6) ◽  
pp. R1930-R1937 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan L. Whitfield ◽  
Edward L. Kreimier ◽  
Francys C. Verdial ◽  
Nini Skovgaard ◽  
Kenneth R. Olson

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is rapidly emerging as a biologically significant signaling molecule. Studies published before 2000 report low or undetectable H2S (usually as total sulfide) levels in blood or plasma, whereas recent work has reported sulfide concentrations between 10 and 300 μM, suggesting it acts as a circulating signal. In the first series of experiments, we used a recently developed polarographic sensor to measure the baseline level of endogenous H2S gas and turnover of exogenous H2S gas in real time in blood from numerous animals, including lamprey, trout, mouse, rat, pig, and cow. We found that, contrary to recent reports, H2S gas was essentially undetectable (<100 nM total sulfide) in all animals. Furthermore, exogenous sulfide was rapidly removed from blood, plasma, or 5% bovine serum albumin in vitro and from intact trout in vivo. To determine if blood H2S could transiently increase, we measured oxygen-dependent H2S production by trout hearts in vitro and in vivo. H2S has been shown to mediate ischemic preconditioning (IPC) in mammals. IPC is present in trout and, unlike mammals, the trout myocardium obtains its oxygen from relatively hypoxic systemic venous blood. In vitro, myocardial H2S production was inversely related to Po2, whereas we failed to detect H2S in ventral aortic blood from either normoxic or hypoxic fish in vivo. These results provide an autocrine or paracrine mechanism for myocardial coupling of hypoxia to H2S in IPC, i.e., oxygen sensing, but they fail to provide any evidence that H2S signaling is mediated by the circulation.

2006 ◽  
Vol 95 (03) ◽  
pp. 434-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satu Hyytiäinen ◽  
Ulla Wartiovaara-Kautto ◽  
Veli-Matti Ulander ◽  
Risto Kaaja ◽  
Markku Heikinheimo ◽  
...  

SummaryThrombin regulation in newborns remains incompletely understood.We studied tissue factor-initiated thrombin formation in cord plasma in vitro, and the effects of Factor VLeiden (FVL) heterozygosity on thrombin regulation both in vitro and in vivo in newborns. Pregnant women with known thrombophilia (n=27) were enrolled in the study. Cord blood and venous blood at the age of 14 days were collected from 11 FVL heterozygous newborns (FVL-positive) and from 16 FVL-negative newborns. Prothrombin fragment F1+2 and coagulation factors were measured. Tissue factor-initiated thrombin formation was studied in cord platelet-poor plasma (PPP) of FVL-negative and -positive newborns, and in both PPP and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) of healthy controls. The endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) in cord PPP or PRP was ∼60% of that in adult plasma, while thrombin formation started ∼55% and ∼40% earlier in cord PPP and PRP, respectively. Further, in FVL-positive newborns thrombin formation started significantly earlier than in FVL-negative newborns. Exogenous activated protein C (APC) decreased ETP significantly more in cord than in adult PRP. In FVL-negative cord plasma 5nM APC decreased ETP by 17.4±3.5% (mean±SEM) compared with only 3.5±3.8% in FVL-positive cord plasma (p=0.01). FVL-positive newborns showed similar levels of F1+2 but significantly decreased levels of factor V compared with FVL negative newborns both in cord plasma (FV 0.82±0.07 U/ml vs. 0.98±0.05 U/ml, p=0.03) and at the age of two weeks (FV 1.15±0.04 U/ml vs. 1.32±0.05 U/ml, p=0.03). In conclusion, newborn plasma showed more rapid thrombin formation and enhanced sensitivity to APC compared with adult plasma. FVL conveyed APC resistance and a procoagulant effect in newborn plasma. Lack of elevated F1+2 levels in FVL-positive infants, however, suggested the existence of balancing mechanisms; one could be the observed lower level of factor V in FVL heterozygous newborns.


1989 ◽  
Vol 257 (2) ◽  
pp. H415-H422 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. R. Walker ◽  
J. Haynes ◽  
H. L. Wang ◽  
N. F. Voelkel

Experiments were performed to determine the pulmonary vascular responses to exogenous or endogenous arginine vasopressin (AVP) in rats. Both in vitro and in vivo approaches were used to examine the direct pulmonary vasoactive properties of AVP and how those properties affect pulmonary hemodynamics in the intact animal. In conscious, unrestrained rats, constant infusion of AVP (4.0 mU.kg-1.min-1 iv) resulted in a fall in mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), although systemic pressure was increased. Coincident with the fall in PAP were similar reductions in cardiac output and heart rate. Similarly, bolus administration of AVP reduced PAP, and this effect was augmented during hypoxia. Another series of experiments examined the effect of endogenous AVP released by arterial hypoxemia on pulmonary hemodynamics in conscious rats. Administration of a specific V1-vasopressinergic antagonist had no effect on the PAP response to hypoxia; however, systemic resistance tended to fall following V1-antagonism. To determine the vasoactive properties of AVP independent of these changes in blood flow, a series of experiments were performed on isolated, perfused rat lungs. Injection of 25, 200, or 2,000 mU of AVP into the circulation of the isolated lung was without effect under normoxic conditions. In contrast, 25 mU AVP elicited reproducible pulmonary vasodilation when injected during ongoing hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. This vasodilatory response was unaffected by meclofenamate or by the platelet-activating factor receptor antagonist SRI 63-441, but was blocked by a specific V1-vasopressinergic antagonist. We conclude that although AVP exerts profound systemic vasoconstriction, the pulmonary circulation appears relatively unaffected by exogenous or endogenous AVP in vivo.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Development ◽  
1968 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-414
Author(s):  
R. Christy Armstrong ◽  
Joel J. Elias

Abnormalities of the ocular system which appear in organ culture in Waymouth's medium with freshly added glutamine (Armstrong & Elias, 1968) resemble those caused by transitory pteryolglutamic acid (PGA or folic acid) deficiency in vivo (Armstrong & Monie, 1966). The configurations of such malformations as lens herniations, retinal diverticula, and rosette-like formations of the retina are remarkably similar in both cases. The experiments reported in this paper were undertaken in an effort to understand the mechanisms involved in the production of similar abnormalities by two very different experimental conditions: the addition of glutamine in vitro and the transitory deficiency of PGA in vivo. One series of experiments involved the effects of manipulation of the PGA and glutamine content of the culture medium on eye development in vitro. Parallel studies on PGA-deficiency in vivo were undertaken in conjunction with organ-culture experiments in order to compare the effects on abnormal eye morphogenesis.


2009 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 489-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Daniel Lopes ◽  
Mario Mariano

Characterization of the origin, properties, functions and fate of cells is a fundamental task for the understanding of physiological and pathological phenomena. Despite the bulk of knowledge concerning the diverse characteristics of mammalian cells, some of them, such as B-1 cells, are still poorly understood. Here we report the results obtained in our laboratory on these cells in the last 10 years. After showing that B-1 cells could be cultured and amplified in vitro, a series of experiments were performed with these cells. They showed that B1 cells reside mostly in the peritoneal and pleural cavities, migrate to distant inflammatory foci, coalesce to form giant cells and participate in granuloma formation, both in vitro and in vivo. They are also able to present antigens to immunologically responsive cells and are endowed with regulatory properties. Further, we have also shown that these cells facilitate different types of infection as well as tumor growth and spreading. These data are presently reviewed pointing to a pivotal role that these cells may play in innate and acquired immunity.


1987 ◽  
Vol 253 (3) ◽  
pp. E317-E321 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. A. Carone ◽  
M. A. Stetler-Stevenson ◽  
V. May ◽  
A. LaBarbera ◽  
G. Flouret

Homogenates of brain, pituitary, liver, lung, ovary, and testes were incubated with [pyro Glu1-3,4-3H]luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone ([3H]LHRH), and the profiles of metabolites generated as a function of time were determined. After 5 min of incubation, 5 was the predominant metabolite in most homogenates. Although the profiles of metabolites varied at different time intervals, metabolites 2, 3, 4, and 5, and in some instances 7 and 9, appeared to form simultaneously and were detectable at 10 min. Neither metabolite 6 nor other larger metabolites formed initially as dominant degradation products. The findings suggest cleavage of LHRH by the simultaneous action of several endopeptidases. After a single vascular transit of [3H]LHRH, metabolites were determined in the venous blood of liver, lung, and brain of rats in vivo. There were no metabolites of [3H]LHRH in venous blood of liver and lung; however, metabolites 2-4 were present in venous blood of the brain. Incubation of rat anterior pituitary cells with [3H]LHRH yielded metabolites 1-4 but not metabolites 5 or 9 as in homogenates. Incubation of [3H]LHRH with porcine follicular granulosa cells resulted in the generation of metabolites 2-7 and 9, similar to the profile in homogenates. Thus, since homogenates contain enzymes of disrupted cells, they do not always reflect mechanisms for in vivo hydrolysis of circulating LHRH. Brain degraded 12.1% of LHRH during a single vascular transit and may account for substantial degradation of the circulating hormone.


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2423
Author(s):  
Inoru Yokoe ◽  
Yusuke Murahata ◽  
Kazuki Harada ◽  
Yuji Sunden ◽  
Daiki Omata ◽  
...  

The combined administration of microbubbles and ultrasound (US) is a promising strategy for theranostics, i.e., a combination of therapeutics and diagnostics. Lipid bubbles (LBs), which are experimental theranostic microbubbles, have demonstrated efficacy in vitro and in vivo for both contrast imaging and drug delivery in combination with US irradiation. To evaluate the clinical efficacy of LBs in combination with US in large animals, we performed a series of experiments, including clinical studies in dogs. First, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography using LBs (LB-CEUS) was performed on the livers of six healthy Beagles. The hepatic portal vein and liver tissue were enhanced; no adverse reactions were observed. Second, LB-CEUS was applied clinically to 21 dogs with focal liver lesions. The sensitivity and specificity were 100.0% and 83.3%, respectively. These results suggested that LB-CEUS could be used safely for diagnosis, with high accuracy. Finally, LBs were administered in combination with therapeutic US to three dogs with an anatomically unresectable solid tumor in the perianal and cervical region to determine the enhancement of the chemotherapeutic effect of liposomal doxorubicin; a notable reduction in tumor volume was observed. These findings indicate that LBs have potential for both therapeutic and diagnostic applications in dogs in combination with US irradiation.


1977 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Nagasawa ◽  
B.K. Kim ◽  
M.G. Baldini

It is known that antiplatelet antibodies cause loss of platelet cytoplasmic and granular contents in vitro. It is, however, unknown whether similar platelet changes occur in vivo, in the circulation, leading to destruction and phagocytosis of platelets in the R.E. system. To study this possibility a rabbit model was devised. Severe and stable thrombocytopenia was first produced in rabbits by one intravenous injection of Adriamycin. Large numbers of allogenic platelets labeled in vitro with 51Cr and 14C-serotonin were then infused to raise the circulating platelet count to 180-250 × 103/mm3. A dilute heteroimmune antiplatelet serum prepared in the guinea pig was infused intravenously and platelet samples were collected four times during the subsequent 30 minutes to 24 hours. Platelet hexokinase and β-glucuronidase, 14C-serotonin and 51Cr were measured. Within the first 60 min the specific activity of 51Cr in platelets decreased by 21%, 14C-serotonin declined by 30%, hexokinase by 5% and β-glucuronidase by 29%. During the subsequent 24 hours only 51Cr and hexokinase registered a mild decrease but 51C-serotonin and β-glucuronidase remained essentially unchanged. In a second series of experiments the effect of platelet alloantibodies was studied in rabbits previously immunized with allogenic platelets. The decline in the specific activities of the enzymes and 14C-serotonin was similar to that observed in animals treated with heteroimmune sera but loss of 51Cr was more severe. These results demonstrate that the platelets remaining in the circulation after the disappearance of the immediate effect of hetero- or alloantibodies were qualitatively altered with a severe reduction of their granular and cytoplasmic contents.


1982 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 1524-1529 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. Braumann ◽  
D. Boning ◽  
F. Trost

Three O2 dissociation curves from venous blood [taken at rest (A), after in vitro acidification with lactic acid (B), and after exhaustive exercise (C)] were determined in eight athletes twice in a year in detrained and fully trained state. The steepness of the standard O2 dissociation curve becomes greater during the training period (increase in Hill's n from 2.68 +/- 0.10 to 2.96 +/- 0.15). There was a concomitant small rise in the intraerythrocytic organic phosphate concentrations. Bohr coefficients (BC) were calculated for blood O2 saturations ranging from 10 to 80% by comparing the dissociation curves A and B (“in vitro” BC) and curves A and C (“in vivo” BC). In detrained and trained state the in vivo BC show their maximal values at low saturation levels, in contrast the in vitro BC exhibit maximal values at middle saturations. During the training period there was an increase in the in vivo BC as well as in the in vitro BC at low saturations. These alterations may lead to augmented O2 extraction from a given volume of blood by up to 15% during heavy work in trained state. The reason for these observations could be an altered erythrocyte population.


1979 ◽  
Vol 236 (1) ◽  
pp. E10
Author(s):  
S Binet ◽  
Y Delage ◽  
S Erlinger

To test the hypothesis that incorporation of sulfobromophthalein (BSP) into mixed micelles could account for the increase in its biliary transport maximum (Tmax) by bile salts, we have compared in hamsters the influence on BSP Tmax of taurocholate and taurochenodeoxycholate (two micelle-forming physiological bile salts) to that of taurodehydrocholate, a bile salt which, in vitro, does not form micelles. In a first series of experiments, it was observed that taurocholate and taurochenodeoxycholate increased the secretion of phospholipid (40 and 53%, respectively), and cholesterol (50 and 110%, respectively), whereas taurodehydrocholate decreased the secretion of phospholipid (-31%) and cholesterol (-43%). This result suggests that, in vivo, taurodehydrocholate or its metabolites do not form mixed micelles. In a second series of experiments, it was seen that the three bile salts induced a similar increase in BSP Tmax (63% with taurocholate, 52% with taurochenodeoxycholate, and 51% with taurodehydrocholate). These results provide circumstantial evidence for the hypothesis that mixed micelle formation is not an important determinant of maximal BSP secretion into bile.


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