Human kidney 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase: regulation by adrenocorticotropin?

1996 ◽  
Vol 134 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Diederich ◽  
M Quinkler ◽  
K Miller ◽  
P Heilmann ◽  
M Schöneshöfer ◽  
...  

Diederich S, Quinkler M, Miller K, Heilmann P, Schöneshöfer M, Oelkers W. Human kidney 11βhydroxysteroid dehydrogenase: regulation by adrenocorticotropin? Eur J Endocrinol 1996;134:301–7. ISSN 0804–4643 In ectopic adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) syndrome (EAS) with higher ACTH levels than in pituitary Cushing's syndrome and during ACTH infusion, the ratio of cortisol to cortisone in plasma and urine is increased, suggesting inhibition of renal 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) by ACTH or by ACTH-dependent steroids. Measuring the conversion of cortisol to cortisone by human kidney slices under different conditions, we tested the possibility of 11β-HSD regulation by ACTH and corticosteroids. Slices prepared from unaffected parts of kidneys removed because of renal cell carcinoma were incubated with unlabeled or labeled cortisol, and cortisol and cortisone were quantitated after HPLC separation by UV or radioactive detection. The 11β-HSD activity was not influenced by incubation with increasing concentrations (10−12–10−9 mol/l) of ACTH (1–24 or 1–39) for 1 h. Among 12 ACTH-dependent steroids tested (10−9–10−6 mol/l), only corticosterone (IC50 = 2 × 10−7 mol/l), 18-OH-corticosterone and 11βOH-androstenedione showed a significant dose-dependent inhibition of 11β-HSD activity. The percentage conversion rate of cortisol to cortisone was concentration dependent over the whole range of cortisol concentrations tested (10−8–10−5 mol/l). A direct inhibitory effect of ACTH on 11β-HSD is, therefore, unlikely. The only steroids inhibiting the conversion of cortisol to cortisone are natural substrates for 11β-HSD Kinetic studies show a saturation of the enzyme at high cortisol concentrations. Thus, the reduced percentage renal cortisol inactivation in EAS seems to be due mainly to overload of the enzyme with endogenous substrates (cortisol, corticosterone and others) rather than to direct inhibition of 11β-HSD by ACTH or ACTHdependent steroids, not being substrates of 11β-HSD. S Diederich, Department of Endocrinology, Klinikum Benjamin Franklin, Freie Universität Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200 Berlin, Germany

1992 ◽  
Vol 133 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. F. Fanjul ◽  
J. Quintana ◽  
J. González ◽  
P. Santana ◽  
F. Estévez ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The in-vivo regulatory effect of androgens on steroidogenesis was investigated. Adult (2 to 3 months old) hypophysectomized rats were treated intratesticularly with increasing doses of 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT; 10–200 μg/100 g body weight) or vehicle (50 μl dimethyl sulphoxide; DMSO) in the contralateral testis. Intratesticular testosterone concentrations were extremely low in hypophysectomized rats 15–20 days after surgery. Treatment with DHT caused a dose-dependent inhibition of testicular 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5–4 isomerase (3β-HSD) 2 h later, and this effect was apparent at the dose of 20 μg/100 g body weight (P < 0·01). The inhibitory effect of 3β-HSD was not due to a possible interference of DHT in the enzyme assay, since various concentrations of the androgen (0·1–100 μmol/l) were ineffective as inhibitors of 3β-HSD. The highest dose of DHT used in this study (200 μg/100 g body weight) resulted in a rapid (1–2 h) and transient (4–6 h) inhibition (approximately 80%) of 3β-HSD activity. Pretreatment of rats with the antiandrogen cyproterone acetate (5 mg/rat) or the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (10 mg/rat) did not affect the enzyme activity of testes injected with DMSO, but counteracted the inhibitory effect of DHT on 3β-HSD activity in the contralateral testis. The results presented suggest that the inhibitory effect of the non-aromatizable androgen DHT is receptor-mediated and involves the synthesis of a factor(s) that modulates 3β-HSD activity. Journal of Endocrinology (1992) 133, 237–243


1990 ◽  
Vol 258 (6) ◽  
pp. C1025-C1030 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Blackburn ◽  
R. F. Highsmith

Endothelin (ET)-induced contractions of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) are dependent on extracellular Ca2+ yet display only partial sensitivity to L-type Ca2+ antagonists. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of nickel (Ni2+), a Ca2+ channel antagonist with clearly documented differential potency toward L- vs. T-type Ca2+ currents on ET-mediated contractions in VSM. Treatment of rings of left anterior descending porcine coronary artery (LAD) with Ni2+ produced a profound dose-dependent inhibition of isometric force development in response to porcine ET (ET-1). At a concentration of 360 microM, Ni2+ exerted a significant inhibitory effect on contracture in response to doses of ET-1 ranging from 3 to 100 nM. In contrast, the same concentration of Ni2+ failed to significantly affect peak force development in response to KCl depolarization (5-77 mM) or to phenylephrine (0.3-30 mM). In addition, 360 microM Ni2+ significantly inhibited the contractile response of rat aorta to 10 nM ET-1. We conclude that ET-1 activates a Ni2(+)-sensitive process in VSM which may signal an additional Ca2+ influx pathway that appears to be functionally distinct from the L-type Ca2+ channel.


1993 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. Crossman ◽  
M. R. Dashwood ◽  
G. W. Taylor ◽  
R. Wellings ◽  
R. W. Fuller

The mechanism of action of the antiasthmatic drug sodium cromoglycate (SCG) is unclear. One possibility is that SCG antagonizes the effects of the tachykinin substance P (SP), an agent known to cause airway edema. However, when SP is inhaled by humans, it has no demonstrable effect on airway function; therefore, the possibility that SCG prevents SP-induced changes in microvascular permeability was examined in human skin in vivo where potent edema-producing effects are seen. SCG (5–500 nmol) caused significant (P < 0.05) dose-dependent inhibition of SP-induced edema (wheal) formation when coadministered by intradermal injection. There was no effect on the nonreceptor-mediated flare response. SCG also significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited the wheal response to the related tachykinin neurokinin B but had no inhibitory effect on the cutaneous responses to histamine and prostaglandin E2. In addition, SCG (0.1–10 mM) caused dose-dependent inhibition of binding of SP labeled with 125I-labeled Bolton-Hunter to a number of tissues known to contain SP binding sites, as assessed by autoradiography. These concentrations were equivalent to the final concentrations of SCG found to inhibit the wheal response in the skin. The possibility that SCG interacted with SP was investigated both by gel filtration and high-performance liquid chromatography. No strong interaction was demonstrated with an 8,000 M excess of SCG under both hydrophobic and hydrophilic conditions. These results raise the possibility that SCG may have tachykinin antagonist properties.


1998 ◽  
Vol 274 (5) ◽  
pp. H1836-H1840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaofa Qin ◽  
Debi K. Swertfeger ◽  
Shuqin Zheng ◽  
David Y. Hui ◽  
Patrick Tso

Overexpression of apolipoprotein (apo) AIV in transgenic mice confers significant protection against atherosclerosis in apoE knockout animals even in the presence of a more severe atherogenic lipid profile. Because lipoprotein oxidation has been recognized to be pivotal in development of atherosclerosis, the antioxidative activity of apoAIV was investigated. Fasting intestinal lymph was used to mimic conditions in the interstitial fluid, the potential site for lipoprotein oxidation in vivo. ApoAIV (10 μg/ml) significantly inhibited copper-mediated oxidation of lymph. This inhibitory effect was further evaluated using purified low-density lipoprotein. Addition of apoAIV (2.5 μg/ml) increased the time of 50% conjugated diene formation by 2.4-fold, whereas apoE or BSA did not show such a protection even at 20 μg/ml. Addition of apoAIV during the propagation phase also resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition. ApoAIV also protected macrophage-induced oxidation of fasting lymph. These results provide the first evidence that apoAIV is a potent endogenous antioxidant.


1985 ◽  
Vol 13 (01n04) ◽  
pp. 109-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jih-Pyang Wang ◽  
Mei-Feng Hsu ◽  
Che-Ming Teng

The water extract of Hsien-Ho-T'sao (HHT) produced a dose-dependent inhibition on collagen-induced aggregation of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The IC50 was about 3.5 mg/ml. In addition, HHT inhibited also the aggregation induced by ADP, A23187 or arachidonate in PRP. Greater inhibition was observed in the preparation of washed platelets. Increase of the calcium concentration in medium could not overcome the inhibitory effect of HHT. ATP release from platelets induced by collagen or A23187 was inhibited by HHT. In the presence of EDTA, ATP release caused by thrombin or A23187 was also inhibited by HHT. Malondialdehyde and thromboxane B2 formation was greatly inhibited by HHT in platelets challenged by collagen and thrombin. In arachidonate-stimulated platelets, thromboxane B2, but not malondialdehyde formation was inhibited. HHT showed more marked inhibition on aggregation in the presence of indomethacin, creatine phosphate/creatine phosphokinase or a combination of both. Hydrogen peroxide-induced hemolysis was makred reduced by HHT. It was concluded that HHT might have some membrane-active properties which interfered with the activation of phospholipase A2.


1986 ◽  
Vol 250 (1) ◽  
pp. C171-C174 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. D. Meisheri ◽  
C. J. Taylor ◽  
H. Saneii

The effects of a synthetic atrial peptide (atriopeptin II; AP II) on the agonist-induced intracellular Ca2+ release was examined in the isolated rabbit aorta. The agonist-induced phasic contraction in a Ca2+-free physiological salt solution containing 2 mM ethyleneglycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl-ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA-PSS) was used as an indicator of the intracellular Ca2+ release. The addition of AP II (10(-9)-10(-7) M) for 15 min to the tissue during the EGTA-PSS exposure caused a dose-dependent inhibition of norepinephrine (NE; 10(-6) M)-induced phasic contraction. The half-maximal inhibiting concentration of AP II was 3 X 10(-9) M, with 10(-7) M AP II causing 91% inhibition. This was confirmed by studying the inhibitory effect of AP II (10(-7) M) on NE-stimulated 45Ca efflux. Furthermore, the internal Ca2+ release by histamine (10(-5) M) and caffeine (25 mM), both of which share this internal Ca2+ pool with NE, was also inhibited by AP II. Thus AP II appears to be a potent inhibitor of the intracellular Ca2+ release that is utilized by various agonists for the activation of vascular smooth muscle. This may be an important mechanism by which AP II produces relaxation of blood vessels.


1985 ◽  
Vol 248 (1) ◽  
pp. H75-H81
Author(s):  
J. H. Kramer ◽  
W. B. Weglicki

Native sarcolemma (SL) from adult canine cardiac myocytes (Na+-K+-ATPase activity 74.2 +/- 3.0 mumol X mg-1 X h-1) was preincubated (10 min, 37 degrees C, pH 7.2) with 1) 20-600 microM palmitoyl carnitine, 2) 250 nM-2.5 mM propranolol, or 3) 20-600 microM palmitoyl carnitine plus propranolol at various concentrations (0.0, 0.025, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.5 mM); after preincubation, Na+-K+-ATPase activity was assayed. Palmitoyl carnitine alone (series 1) had no effect on ATPase activity over the range of 20-400 microM but was inhibitory (30%) at 600 microM. Propranolol alone (series 2) did not alter ATPase activity at any concentration. When SL membranes were exposed to both palmitoyl carnitine and propranolol (series 3), a dose-dependent inhibition of ATPase activity was observed. The inhibitory effect was not reversed by 3.0% bovine serum albumin. Propranolol concentrations greater than 0.025 mM significantly inhibited the activity of SL exposed to palmitoyl carnitine (above 150 microM). Palmitoyl carnitine and propranolol do not have to be added simultaneously to produce combined inhibition. Activity was inhibited 50% when SL were pretreated with 100 microM palmitoyl carnitine followed by addition of 2.5 mM propranolol no inhibition occurred if preincubation conditions were reversed. Thus exposure of SL to propranolol and reported physiological levels of palmitoyl carnitine leads to irreversible inhibition of the Na+-K+-ATPase, which may be due to the combined membrane-perturbant actions of these amphipathic agents.


1999 ◽  
Vol 276 (2) ◽  
pp. L213-L219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen L. Reeve ◽  
Daniel P. Nelson ◽  
Stephen L. Archer ◽  
E. Kenneth Weir

The anorexic agents dexfenfluramine and fenfluramine plus phentermine have been associated with outbreaks of pulmonary hypertension. The fenfluramines release serotonin and reduce serotonin reuptake in neurons. They also inhibit potassium current ( I K), causing membrane potential depolarization in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells. The recent withdrawal of the fenfluramines has led to the use of fluoxetine and phentermine as an alternative anorexic combination. Because fluoxetine and venlafaxine reduce serotonin reuptake, we compared the effects of these agents with those of phentermine and dexfenfluramine on pulmonary arterial pressure, I K, and membrane potential. Fluoxetine, venlafaxine, and phentermine caused minimal increases in pulmonary arterial pressure at concentrations < 100 μM but did cause a dose-dependent inhibition of I K. The order of potency for inhibition of I K at +50 mV was fluoxetine > dexfenfluramine = venlafaxine > phentermine. Despite the inhibitory effect on I K at more positive membrane potentials, fluoxetine, venlafaxine, and phentermine, in contrast to dexfenfluramine, had minimal effects on the cell resting membrane potential (all at a concentration of 100 μM). However, application of 100 μM fluoxetine to cells that had been depolarized to −30 mV by current injection elicited a further depolarization of >18 mV. These results suggest that fluoxetine, venlafaxine, and phentermine do not inhibit I K at the resting membrane potential. Consequently, they may present less risk of inducing pulmonary hypertension than the fenfluramines, at least by mechanisms involving membrane depolarization.


2003 ◽  
Vol 285 (1) ◽  
pp. E106-E115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byoung Moon ◽  
Jamie Jun-Mae Kwan ◽  
Noreen Duddy ◽  
Gary Sweeney ◽  
Najma Begum

Elevated levels of resistin have been proposed to cause insulin resistance and therefore may serve as a link between obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, its role in skeletal muscle metabolism is unknown. In this study, we examined the effect of resistin on insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and the upstream insulin-signaling components in L6 rat skeletal muscle cells that were either incubated with recombinant resistin or stably transfected with a vector containing the myc-tagged mouse resistin gene. Transfected clones expressed intracellular resistin, which was released in the medium. Incubation with recombinant resistin resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) uptake. The inhibitory effect of resistin on insulin-stimulated 2-DG uptake was not the result of impaired GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane. Furthermore, resistin did not alter the insulin receptor (IR) content and its phosphorylation, nor did it affect insulin-stimulated insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 tyrosine phosphorylation, its association with the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase, or IRS-1-associated PI 3-kinase enzymatic activity. Insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt/protein kinase B-α, one of the downstream targets of PI 3-kinase and p38 MAPK phosphorylation, was also not affected by resistin. Expression of resistin also inhibited insulin-stimulated 2-DG uptake when compared with cells expressing the empty vector (L6Neo) without affecting GLUT4 translocation, GLUT1 content, and IRS-1/PI 3-kinase signaling. We conclude that resistin does not alter IR signaling but does affect insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, presumably by decreasing the intrinsic activity of cell surface glucose transporters.


2003 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuanyao Tong ◽  
Weiya Ma ◽  
Sang-Wook Shin ◽  
Robert L. James ◽  
James C. Eisenach

Background Uterine cervical distension underlies labor pain, yet its neurophysiology and pharmacology of inhibition remain unexplored. The authors examined uterine cervical distension-evoked cFos immunoreactivity in rat spinal cords, and the inhibitory effect of spinal cyclo-oxygenase inhibition on cFos expression. Methods Female rats were anesthetized with halothane, and pairs of metal rods were inserted in each cervical os through a mid-line laparotomy. A submaximal distension force (75 g) was applied for either 30 or 60 min, or, in control animals, no force was applied. Other animals received cervical lidocaine infiltration prior to uterine cervical distension. At the end of the experiments, the spinal cord at T12 to L2 levels was harvested and immunostained for cFos protein. Other animals received intrathecal ketorolac (0, 5, 25, and 50 microg; n = 5-6 for each group) prior to uterine cervical distension. Results Uterine cervical distension significantly increased cFos immunoreactivity in the spinal cord from T12 to L2, with most cFos expression in the deep dorsal and central canal regions. Surgical preparation alone without uterine cervical distension resulted in minimal cFos expression, primarily in the superficial dorsal horn. Uterine cervical distension-evoked cFos expression was prevented by prior infiltration of lidocaine into the cervix. Intrathecal ketorolac produced a dose-dependent inhibition of uterine cervical distension-induced cFos expression. Conclusion The present study demonstrates that uterine cervical distension results in a similar pattern of spinal cord neuronal activation as seen with other noxious visceral stimuli. The inhibition of cFos expression by intrathecal ketorolac suggests that spinal cyclo-oxygenase plays a role in uterine cervical distension-induced nociception.


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