European journal of pharmacology
-
Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, a nuclear enzyme activated by DNA strand breaks, has been show to play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammation. Here, we investigate the effects of GPI 6150 (1,11b-dihydro-[2H]benzopyrano [4,3,2-de]isoquinolin-3-one), a new poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor, in animal models of acute and chronic inflammation (carrageenan-induced paw edema, adjuvant-induced arthritis and zymosan-induced multiple organ failure) where oxygen radicals, nitric oxide and peroxynitrite are known to play a crucial role in the inflammatory process. ⋯ The present results demonstrate that inhibition of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase by GPI 6150 exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects. Part of these anti-inflammatory effects may be related to a reduction of neutrophil recruitment into the inflammatory site.
-
The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family consists of the p42/p44 MAPKs and the stress-activated protein kinases, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK. We have previously reported that the human adenosine A(1) receptor stimulates p42/p44 MAPK in transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells. In this study, we have investigated whether the endogenous adenosine A(1) receptor in the smooth muscle cell line, DDT(1)MF-2 activates p42/p44 MAPK, JNK and p38 MAPK. ⋯ In contrast, wortmannin and LY 294002 (2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one), inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, attenuated adenosine A(1) receptor stimulation of p42/p44 MAPK phosphorylation. In conclusion, the adenosine A(1) receptor stimulates p42/p44 MAPK through a pathway which appears to be independent of tyrosine kinase activation but involves phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Finally, adenosine A(1) receptor stimulation in DDT(1)MF-2 cells also activated p38 MAPK but not JNK via a pertussis toxin-sensitive pathway.
-
Experiments were undertaken, using laser-Doppler flowmetry, to determine the nature of adrenoceptors mediating sympathetic nerve evoked nasal vasoconstrictor responses in anesthetized rats. Presence of sympathetic tone was confirmed by a large (330%) increase of nasal blood flow following section of the ipsilateral preganglionic cervical sympathetic nerve. Electrical nerve stimulation produced reproducible, frequency-related nasal vasoconstrictor responses with near maximal response, observed at less than 10 Hz. ⋯ Rats with intact cervical sympathetic nerves responded to rauwolscine with a modest constriction. Subsequent prazosin administration produced an increase of nasal blood flow of approximately 275%. These results suggest that the nasal vasculature of the rat is under intense sympathetic tone and that the resulting neurogenic vasoconstriction is mediated exclusively by activation of alpha(1)-adrenoceptors.
-
Acetaminophen was administered to mice by spinal (intrathecal, i.t.) injection alone or with phentolamine (11.3 microg = 0.03 micromol). Acetaminophen produced dose-related antinociception in the abdominal irritant test with an ED(50) value of 137.2 microg (0.9 micromol) Phentolamine had no effect. For combined administration, the potency of acetaminophen was significantly increased (ED50=24.4 vs. 137.2 microg), indicative of multiplicative interaction and strong synergism. These results reveal the significant and surprising interaction of spinal cord adrenoceptors or ion channel subtypes with acetaminophen-induced antinociception.
-
Addictions to drugs of abuse and alcohol have been shown by studies of genetic epidemiology to have both a heritable and an environmental basis, with these factors influencing addiction to different substances to a different extent. In the search for specific alleles of specific genes that may contribute to the development of the addictions, many researchers have focused on the endogenous opioid system, which mediates a diverse array of neurological, physiological, and behavioral functions. ⋯ Polymorphisms, including single nucleotide polymorphisms, have been identified in genes of the endogenous opioid receptors and peptides. A number of recent genetic association studies and a few studies of potential function provide clues as to which genes and which alleles may have implications for human physiology and pathophysiology, including the addictions.