Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0011570 (depression)
 172,036 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The significance of Ca++ for glucose stimulation of insulin release was studied in an in vitro system with beta-cell-rich pancreatic islets microdissected from oh/ob-mice. There was only a slight depression of cAMP in islets exposed to the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine after withdrawal of Ca++ from the incubation medium. The lack of a stimulatory effect of glucose noted in the absence of extracellular Ca++ is therefore probably accounted for by factors other than impaired adenylate cyclase activity. A rise of extracellular Ca++ above the concentration necessary for obtaining the optimal secretagogic effect of glucose resulted in inhibition of the glucose-stimulated insulin release, leaving basal secretions and islet contents of cAMP unaffected. Evidence was provided in support of the idea that H+ completes for Ca++ in glucose stimulation of insulin release. Both the rate of basal insulin release and that seen after stimulation with glucose were diminished by about 50% after introducing 0.2 mM La+++ in the incubation medium. These observations emphasize the significant role of Ca++ in the regulation of insulin secretion, suggesting that not only a decrease but also an increase of the functionally important intracellular pool(s) of Ca++ can result in a diminished response to glucose.
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PMID:The significance of calcium for glucose stimulation of insulin release. 16 23

Insulin accelerates the entry of glucose and amino acids into muscle cells by acting upon the 'carrier-facilitated' transport mechanism. For glucose this process is passive and leads to equilibration of intracellular and extracellular concentrations. In heart muscle, glucose transport is a rate-limiting step for glucose uptake. During hypoxia and ischemia the heart turns to anaerobic glycolysis for energy production and therefore, maximal glucose transport becomes important. Insulin is necessary to insure proper protein synthesis, probably at the level of membrane-bound polyribosomes. However, during myocardial hypoxia, insulin alone cannot restore the associated depression in protein synthesis. Although insulin hyperpolarizes the cell, a change in the ratio of intracellular to extracellular activities of potassium is not its primary mode of action. An insulin-induced configurational change in the plasma membrane could simultaneously account for the effects of insulin on sodium and potassium permeability and the action on facilitated transport. Intracellular levels of cyclic adenylate may be reduced by insulin in adipose tissue because of inhibition of adenyl cyclase or stimulation of phosphodiesterase. However, at this time there is little evidence that insulin alters cyclic AMP levels in the heart. Insulin secretion is depressed in patients with heart disease in proportion to the reduction of cardiac index sustained. Since the ischemic heart is dependent upon glucose as the major fuel, insulin lack may deprive the heart of adequate substrate.
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PMID:Insulin: fundamental mechanism of action and the heart. 18 67

The effects of theophylline and N6,O2-dibutyryl adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (DBcAMP) on the amplitude of the postganglionic action potential during and after a 10 Hz repetitive volley, and 50 to 1000 msec after a conditioning stimulus were investigated. The effects of both drugs on some electrophysiological properties of single cells of the isolated superior cervical ganglia of rats were also studied. At low concentrations of theophylline a reversible potentiation of the compound action potential occurred during and after repetitive stimulation at 10 Hz and also after the single conditioning stimulus. This effect was antagonized by atropine. Large concentrations of theophylline exerted a depressive effect only. Low concentrations of DBcAMP caused a reversible initial depression followed by a durable facilitation of transmission during repetitive stimulation. These concentrations potentiated the action potential amplitude after repetitive stimulation, but depressed it after a single conditioning stimulus. Atropine augmented the latter two effects. DBcAMP at large concentrations depressed transmission, but transmission was facilitated after drug washout. Theophylline and guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate, at ineffective concentrations when used singly, potentiated each other and elicited facilitation which was abolished by atropine. Theophylline and DBcAMP at these concentrations depolarized ganglion cells with a time course shorter than that of the aforementioned effects. Both drugs reduced the frequency and amplitude of the spontaneous miniature excitatory postsynaptic potentials. Theophylline did not increase the evoked transmitter release appreciably. On the basis of these findings and the evidence from literature, it is suggested that the reversible facilitatory effect of theophylline may be at least in part due to inhibition of phosphodiesterase of the ganglion cells leading to an enhanced muscarinic transmission. The prolonged facilitatory effect of DBcAMP may result from a durable change in the postsynaptic membrane structure leading to enhanced muscarinic transmission. An enhancement in the muscarinic transmission by both drugs increases the membrane excitability causing recruitment of subthreshold depolarized cells to discharge resulting in facilitation.
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PMID:Effects of theophylline and N6,O2-dibutyryl adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate on sympathetic ganglionic transmission in rats. 20 71

1 Following the observation that lymphocyte beta-adrenoceptor responsiveness was not depressed in asthmatics treated only with non-adrenergic drugs we have explored the effects of prolonged exposure to beta-adrenoceptor agonists in normal subjects. 2 Treatment with oral salbutamol (12-16 mg/kg/day for 10 days), or with inhaled salbutamol (3000 microgram/day for 8-10 days) resulted in a significant reduction in lymphocyte beta-adrenoceptor responsiveness. 3 A 48 h infusion of isoxsuprine (10 mg/h) resulted in a marked depression of lymphocyte beta-adrenoceptor responsiveness (P less than 0.001). 4 Prolonged elevation of endogenous catecholamines caused by phaeochromocytoma was also associated with a marked depression of lymphocyte beta-adrenoceptor responsiveness (P less than 0.001). 5 There was no evidence that an increase in phosphodiesterase activity could explain the reduced cyclic AMP response. 6 It is concluded that diminished beta-adrenoceptor response occurs as a response to prolonged exposure to beta-adrenoceptor agonists. It is likely that the diminished response seen in asthmatic subjects can be explained on a similar basis and does not indicate an inherent cellular defect. 7 The possible clinical significance of such changes in asthmatics are discussed.
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PMID:Desensitization of the beta-adrenoceptor of lymphocytes from normal subjects and patients with phaeochromocytoma: studies in vivo. 20 93

The in vitro effects of theophylline and aminogluthetimide upon basal and ACTH stimulated cAMP, cortisol and aldosterone responses of normal human adrenocortical tissue were evaluated. Theophylline increased basal cAMP levels and cortisol output, however, basal aldosterone output was depressed. Theophylline in concert with ACTH depressed cortisol and aldosterone output. Aminogluthetimide alone did not affect basal cAMP levels, however, the normal cAMP response to ACTH was delayed in aminogluthetimide pre-treated adrenals. Aminogluthetimide also depressed basal and ACTH stimulated cortisol and aldosterone output with the latter being more sensitive. The findings indicate that both theophylline and aminogluthetimide produce effects upon the adrenal in addition to inhibition of phosphodiesterase and cholesterol side-chain cleavage, respectively. Further, theophylline depression of ACTH stimulated steroid output may be helpful in understanding the interplay between a number of factors in the control of adrenal steroid biosynthesis and release.
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PMID:In vitro effects of theophylline and aminogluthetimide upon basal and ACTH induced cAMP levels and steroid output by the normal human adrenal gland. 20 41

Ticlopidine, when orally administered to rats, resulted in activation of basal and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)-stimulated adenylate cylase activity through increase in affinity of the cyclase in platelet membrane to PGE1, although it failed to affect adenosine- or sodium fluoride-stimulated activity of the enzyme. In washed platelets, Ticlopidine also activated basal and PGE1-stimulated activity of the cyclase and prevented reduction in the cyclase activity caused by low concentrations of PGE2. Furthermore, Ticlopidine inhibited malondialdehyde formation in platelets induced by thrombin but failed to inhibit that caused by exogenous arachidonic acid. Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (c-AMP): phosphodiesterase activity of platelet lysate was not significantly affected by Ticlopidine treatment. These findings indicate that Ticlopidine inhibits platelet aggregation and prostaglandin synthesis from endogenous substrate through activating basal and PGE1-stimulated activity of the cyclase, preventing PGE2-induced depression of the cyclase activity and thus increasing platelet c-AMP level.
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PMID:Mode of action of ticlopidine in inhibition of platelet aggregation in the rat. 22 22

The methods of synthesis and the pharmacological evaluation of a new non-tricyclic antidepressant drug, N-benzo[b]furan-2-ylcarbonyl-N'-benzylpiperazine (befuraline), are reported. The chemical structure of befuraline is clearly different from that of the tricyclic antidepressant drugs. While the gross behavior in animals remains unaffected, the central nervous system depressed by reserpine, tetrabenazine or perphenazine is activated by even small doses of this novel compound. Exploratory activity is prolonged, and performance in operant behavior tests and in the conditioned avoidance response is improved by befuraline, indicating increased alertness, attentiveness and the capacity to react to environmental stimuli. High doses stimulate the CNS, causing EEG desynchronization. Befuraline displays an aggression-inhibiting activity; without having a sedative effect on the animals' normal behavior, it inhibits fighting behavior. The central anticholinergic effect of befuraline is negligible. No apomorphine or tryptamine potentiation is observed and hexobarbital anesthesia is not influenced. The peripheral autonomic nervous system, with the exception of the nictitating membrane in cats, is not affected by befuraline. It has a biphasic effect on the norepinephrine induced contraction of isolated guinea pig seminal vesicle and of isolated cat spleen slices. Although the mechanism of action is as yet not clear, it is assumed that, in addition to a direct influence on the central adrenergic structures, the inhibition of norepinephrine and serotonin uptake and the inhibition of phosphodiesterase are responsible for the drug's effect. Befuraline has no undesirable effects on either the peripheral autonomic nervous system or the cardiovascular system, and it does not affect the normal gross behavior of animals. Because these favorable therapeutic aspects are coupled with low toxicity, befuraline may provide a new alternative in the treatment of depression.
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PMID:Synthesis and pharmacological activity of befuraline (N-benzo[b]furan-2-ylcarbonyl-N'-benzylpiperazine), a new antidepressant compound. 58 30

Glycogen-stimulated rabbit peritoneal exudate cells (polymorphonuclear leukocytes, PMN) produce prostaglandins (PG) and substances which induce alterations (mediators) in experimental animals characteristic of host metabolic responses to infection and other acute inflammatory stresses. The effect of Zn2+ on mediator production and PG synthesis was examined because: Zn homeostasis is perturbed during infection, Zn is known to regulate some cellular functions, and there appears to be an interrelationship between PG synthesis and mediator production. Using exudate cells, 2 mM Zn2+ caused complete inhibition of in vitro PG synthesis as assessed by conversion of [1-14C] arachidonic acid into PG. This concentration of Zn2+ also inhibited production of substances mediating plasma Zn depression, hepatic amino acid "uptake", fever, and neutrophil release from bone marrow. Conversely, Zn2+ did not inhibit in vivo metabolic responses to these mediators. Zn-pretreatment of rabbits or simultaneous injection of Zn2+ and crude PMN-derived pyrogenic activity resulted in prolongation of fever. It is suggested that this action of Zn2+ may be attributed to either stabilization of cyclic AMP through inhibition of phosphodiesterase or a Zn-mediator interaction which stabilizes crude endogenous pyrogen. The potential physiological significance of these results includes: possible potentiation of the host's defense mechanisms by Zn2+ and its utilization for prolongation of fever to determine its effect on potentially temperature-dependent host defense mechanisms.
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PMID:In vitro and in vivo actions of zinc ion affecting cellular substances which influence host metabolic responses to inflammation. 64 Nov 11

Among 83 hospitalized adult psychiatric patients, 22% reported being high caffeine consumers (750 mg or more per day); these patients scored significantly greater on the State-Trait Anxiety Index and the Beck Depression Scale than moderate and low consumers. High consumers described significantly more clinical symptoms, felt that their physical health was not as good, and reported greater use of sedative-hypnotics and minor tranquilizers. Since caffeine modifies catecholamine levels, inhibits phosphodiesterase breakdown of cyclic AMP, and sensitizes receptor sites, association of caffeinism with both anxiety and depressive symptoms is possible.
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PMID:Anxiety and depression associated with caffeinism among psychiatric inpatients. 66 43

NG-Methyl-L-arginine (NMA), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis by vascular endothelium, depresses cardiac function and causes systemic vasoconstriction in vivo. The mechanism of cardiac depression is unclear. Since cGMP inhibits one isoform of myocardial phosphodiesterase (PDE), we hypothesized that a decrease in cGMP might increase PDE activity and lower myocardial cAMP levels, resulting in decreased contractility. Experiments were conducted in isolated, paced, Langendorff-perfused (constant flow) rat hearts under control or isoproterenol-stimulated conditions. In non-stimulated hearts, a 15 min infusion of 30 microM NMA had no effect on cAMP content or on left ventricular dP/dt; however, myocardial cGMP content was decreased. Infusion of 0.01 microM isoproterenol caused dP/dt to increase and caused coronary resistance to fall; myocardial cAMP levels increased while cGMP remained unchanged by isoproterenol. In this stimulated condition, infusion of 30 microM NMA decreased dP/dt and myocardial cGMP and cAMP concentrations. NMA caused coronary resistance to increase to similar maximal values in isoproterenol-stimulated and non-stimulated hearts. Although coronary flow was kept constant during NMA administration, NMA depressed cardiac contractility in isoproterenol-stimulated hearts, but not in non-stimulated hearts, and the depressed contractility in isoproterenol-treated hearts was associated with a decrease in myocardial content of cGMP and cAMP. Therefore, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that NMA may decrease myocardial contractility by decreasing cGMP which leads to increased PDE activity and decreased cAMP.
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PMID:NG-methyl-L-arginine decreases contractility, cGMP and cAMP in isoproterenol-stimulated rat hearts in vitro. 133 73


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