Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0016382 (flushing)
 6,387 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The mast cell, equipped with enzymes, chemotactic factors, a vasoactive amine, an anticoagulant, and lipid-derived proinflammatory products, may be essential in tissue modeling as well as in defense. Its primarily perivascular location in skin and the mucosa of the respiratory tract and the gut assures its availability to counter parasites. By the same token, the mast cell is responsible for interactions with inhaled, ingested, and injected antigens that comprise IgE-mediated allergic reactions. Abnormally high numbers of mast cells in the skin, either localized or generalized, result in urticaria pigmentosa or generalized cutaneous mastocytosis, respectively. Tissue infiltration by excessive mast cells, primarily in gut, bone, liver, and spleen, results in systemic mastocytosis; this may be accompanied by myelodysplasia or lymphoma and may eventuate in mast cell leukemia. Until the etiology of mastocytosis is understood, the treatment is symptomatic: histamine antagonism by H1 +/- H2 blockade for flushing, itching, and gastric distress; cyclooxygenase inhibition to prevent prostaglandin D2 (PGD2)-induced hypotension when indicated; and oral cromolyn to prevent gastrointestinal symptoms and bone pain.
 ...
PMID:Mast cell disease. 149 Jun 22

Prostacyclin (PGI2) is known to cause vasorelaxation and inhibit platelet aggregation by receptor-mediated mechanisms. While cyclic (c) AMP is known to act as a second messenger for inhibition of platelet aggregation, vasorelaxation by hyperpolarization has been described only recently and may provide an explanation, in addition to stimulation of cAMP for the PGI2 mechanism of action on blood vessels. When PGI2 is infused into healthy volunteers it reduces blood pressure only at infusion rates that also cause significant side-effects, primarily, nausea, emesis, flushing, diaphoresis, and restlessness. In hypertensive patients blood-pressure responses are complex and are influenced to some extent by renin secretion. PGI2 stimulates renin secretion by a direct effect on the juxtaglomerular apparatus, and it also has an indirect effect by activating the sympathetic nervous system. Thus, it is useless as an antihypertensive agent even apart from its debilitating side-effects. Vascular PGI2 is synthesized endogenously by both the endothelial cells and the muscularis of arteries. While the endothelial cells undoubtedly synthesize large amounts of PGI2, the muscularis comprises a much larger tissue mass so that the overall synthesis is about equally distributed between the endothelial and muscle cells. In patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension and some patients with essential hypertension endogenous synthesis of PGI2 has been evaluated by measuring 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1 alpha and has proved to be greatly reduced. Some drugs (thiazides, propranolol) have been shown to stimulate PGI2 synthesis, and inhibition of cyclooxygenase has been shown to reduce their antihypertensive effects. The effects of low- and high-dose aspirin on prostacyclin and thromboxane synthesis are discussed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
 ...
PMID:[Prostacyclin in hypertension]. 149 51

Mesenteric traction during aortic surgery produces facial flushing, reduced mean arterial pressure (MAP), and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) with increased heart rate (HR) and cardiac index (CI). Elevated 6-keto-prostaglandin-F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) suggests prostacyclin is the mediator. To test this hypothesis, the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, ibuprofen (n = 14), or placebo (n = 13) was administered to patients electively scheduled for aortic reconstruction. The hemodynamic measurements and plasma concentrations of prostanoids between groups were compared immediately before (0), and 5, 10, 15, 30, and 45 min following mesenteric traction. Following mesenteric traction significant differences (P less than 0.05) were observed between the ibuprofen pretreatment and placebo group over time in SVR, MAP, HR, CI, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, and thromboxane B2 (TXB2). Significant differences between groups at individual times were found in SVR, HR, CI, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, and TXB2. In the placebo group flushing was accompanied by reduced SVR and MAP and increased HR and CI. The greatest effect was seen at 10 min and resolved over 30 min. Plasma concentration of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha increased from 159 +/- 103 (mean +/- SEM) pg/ml to a peak value of 3,765 +/- 803 at 10 min. A late increase in TXB2 occurred with a peak value of 1,970 +/- 891 (mean +/- SEM) pg/ml at 30 min. In the ibuprofen pretreated group no significant changes occurred in hemodynamic measurements or concentrations of prostanoids. The inhibition of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and its associated hemodynamic changes in the treatment group, but not in the placebo group, confirms the hypothesis that prostacyclin is the mediator of the mesenteric traction response in abdominal aortic surgery.
 ...
PMID:Ibuprofen pretreatment inhibits prostacyclin release during abdominal exploration in aortic surgery. 210 6

Prostacyclin (PGI2) is known to cause vasorelaxation and inhibit platelet aggregation by receptor-mediated mechanisms. While cyclic (c)AMP is known to act as a second messenger for platelet aggregation, vasorelaxation by hyperpolarization has been described only recently and may provide an explanation, in addition to stimulation of cAMP, for the PGI2 mechanism of action on blood vessels. When PGI2 is infused into healthy volunteers it reduces blood pressure only at infusion rates that also cause significant side effects, primarily nausea, emesis, flushing, diphoresis and restlessness. In hypertensive patients blood pressure responses are complex and are influenced to some extent by secretion. PGI2 stimulates renin secretion by a direct effect on the juxtaglomerular apparatus, and also has an indirect effect by activating the sympathetic nervous system. Thus it is useless as an antihypertensive agent even apart from its debilitating side effects. Vascular PGI2 is synthesized endogenously by both the endothelial cells and the muscularis of arteries. While the endothelial cells undoubtedly synthesize larger amounts of PGI2, the muscularis comprises a much larger tissue mass so that the overall synthesis is about equally distributed between the endothelial and muscle cells. In patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension and some patients with essential hypertension, endogenous synthesis of PGI2 has been evaluated by measuring 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1 alpha and has proved to be defective. Some drugs (cicletanine, thiazides, propranolol) have been shown to stimulate PGI2 synthesis, and inhibition of cyclooxygenase has been shown to abolish their antihypertensive effects. Whether stimulation of PGI2 synthesis affects the antihypertensive efficacy of these drugs is not yet known.
 ...
PMID:Prostacyclin in hypertension. 225 88

Nicotinic acid (niacin) is a B vitamin which is also a potent hypolipidemic agent. However, intense flushing occurs following ingestion of pharmacologic doses of niacin which greatly limits its usefulness in treating hyperlipidemias. Previous studies have demonstrated that niacin-induced flushing can be substantially attenuated by pre-treatment with cyclooxygenase inhibitors, suggesting that the vasodilation is mediated by a prostaglandin. However, the prostaglandin that presumably mediates the flush has not been conclusively determined. In this study we report the finding that ingestion of niacin evokes the release of markedly increased quantities of PGD2 in vivo in humans. PGD2 release was assessed by quantification of the PGD2 metabolite, 9 alpha, 11 beta-PGF2, in plasma by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Following ingestion of 500 mg of niacin in three normal volunteers, intense flushing occurred and plasma levels of 9 alpha, 11 beta-PGF2 were found to increase dramatically by 800, 430, and 535-fold. Levels of 9 alpha, 11 beta-PGF2 reached a maximum between 12 and 45 min. after ingesting niacin and subsequently declined to near normal levels by 2-4 hours. Levels of 9 alpha, 11 beta-PGF2 in plasma correlated with the intensity and duration of flushing that occurred in the 3 volunteers. Release of PGD2 was not accompanied by a release of histamine which was assessed by quantification of plasma levels of the histamine metabolite, N tau-methylhistamine. This suggests that the origin of the PGD2 release is not the mast cell. Only a modest increase (approximately 2-fold) in the urinary excretion of the prostacyclin metabolite, 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1 alpha, occurred following ingestion of niacin and no increase in the excretion of the major urinary metabolite of PGE2 was found. These results indicate that the major vasodilatory PG released following ingestion of niacin is PGD2. The fact that markedly increased quantities of PGD2 are released suggests that PGD2 is the mediator of niacin-induced vasodilation in humans.
 ...
PMID:Release of markedly increased quantities of prostaglandin D2 in vivo in humans following the administration of nicotinic acid. 247 89

A patient with urticaria pigmentosa and systemic mastocytosis developed hypotension following indomethacin administration. He then developed further episodes not related to indomethacin. Based upon the experience of others with the management of patients with systemic mastocytosis who showed exceptional reaction to cyclooxygenase inhibition, it was decided to treat him with H1 and H2 blockade followed by aspirin, another cyclooxygenase inhibitor. The procedure was carried out under careful observation with cardiac monitoring. After 160 mg of aspirin, he developed hypotension, tachycardia, and flushing accompanied by difficulty of breathing and headache. A vasoconstrictor drug (levarterenol) was administered. The patient's symptoms subsided, and after 1 hour aspirin was again administered, this time with no side effects. The dosage was increased to 975 mg every 6 hours, and he has had no further hypotensive episodes on this regime for 2 years. Cyclooxygenase inhibition, combined with H1 and H2 blockade, is an effective treatment for this condition, but for these patients initiation of aspirin therapy should be carried out with extreme care.
 ...
PMID:Systemic mastocytosis: management of an unusual case with histamine (H1 and H2) antagonists and cyclooxygenase inhibition. 288 Jun 86

The inhalation of platelet activating factor (PAF) produces bronchoconstriction in normal and asthmatic subjects. To identify the mechanism by which PAF-induced bronchoconstriction occurs in humans, bronchoprovocation testing was performed in 7 subjects (3 normal, 4 with mild asthma) after pretreatment with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), atropine, chlorpheniramine, or indomethacin. We determined the nebulizer concentration of PAF which reduced specific airway conductance (SGaw) 35% (PC35 SGaw) and the slope of the PAF dose-response curve. Atropine produced baseline bronchodilatation (SGaw increased 50%), while chlorpheniramine and indomethacin had no effect on baseline pulmonary function. Atropine increased airway responsiveness to PAF: the PC35 SGaw decreased 40% (p less than 0.05) and the slope of the PAF dose-response curve increased 86% (p less than 0.05). In contrast, chlorpheniramine inhibited the airway response to PAF: the PC35 SGaw increased 87% (p less than 0.05), while the slope of the PAF dose-response curve decreased an insignificant 37%. Indomethacin did not affect either measurement. Chlorpheniramine also prevented the PAF-induced facial flushing and feeling of warmth; atropine and indomethacin did not. These results suggest that PAF-induced bronchoconstriction in humans is mediated at least in part by histamine release, not by cholinergic or cyclooxygenase-dependent mechanisms. Other indirect effects, such as the release of sulfidopeptide leukotrienes, or a direct effect on airway smooth muscle may also contribute to PAF-induced bronchoconstriction. Why atropine heightened the airway response to PAF is unclear.
 ...
PMID:Mechanism of platelet activating factor-induced bronchoconstriction in humans. 319

A 54-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of an asthmatic attack. Her first asthma attack occurred when she was 53 years old. It was followed by a flu-like infection, and was preceded for one year perennial rhinitis and loss of the sense of smell. Symptoms were perennial, and unrelated to the seasons. Because these clinical findings resembled those of aspirin-induced asthma (AIA), an aspirin-DL-lysine i.v. challenge test was done. Cough, perspiration, and flushing was provoked within 15 min after aspirin-DL-lysine injection, but FEV1 did not change. Respiratory sounds were normal and no wheezing was audible. Other cyclooxygenase inhibitors (ketoprofen, sulpyrine and acetaminophen) provoked the same symptoms. Successively increasing doses of injected aspirin-DL-lysine resulted in complete tolerance to this stimulus. We propose that aspirin-induced cough without bronchoconstriction is a new type of aspirin hypersensitivity.
 ...
PMID:[A case of aspirin-induced cough without bronchoconstriction. A new type of aspirin hypersensitivity]. 779 60

Perfluorooctyl bromide is an oxygen-carrying perfluorocarbon presently under development as an artificial blood substitute (Oxygent HT). Intravenous (i.v.) Oxygent HT elicits a mild side-effect profile in man characterized by early onset headache and nausea and delayed onset fever. Early onset flushing has also been observed. Species of Artiodactyla are sensitive to particulate injections and demonstrate a transient pulmonary hypertensive response thought to be associated with the large number of pulmonary intravascular macrophages found in these species. Because of this sensitivity, we chose the swine as a model for further investigations. In anesthetized and conscious swine, i.v. Oxygent HT transiently increased mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and caused flushing. Both effects peaked at 30 min post injection and were resolved by 2 hrs. Plasma thromboxane B2 (TxB) increased in response to Oxygent HT. Oxygent HT-induced changes in mPAP, flush, and plasma TxB were blocked by aspirin and ibuprofen. Dexamethasone and SQ 29,548 (thromboxane receptor antagonist) blocked the mPAP increase. In conscious swine, Oxygent HT caused a febrile response which was blocked by ibuprofen or dexamethasone. Thus, both early- and late-onset effects of Oxygent HT in swine are blocked by interference with the arachidonic acid cascade. These findings suggest that the 2-phase "flu-like" syndrome induced by Oxygent HT is secondary to the release of products of the arachidonic acid cascade and may be effectively prophylaxed in man with corticosteroids or long plasma half-life cyclooxygenase inhibitors.
 ...
PMID:Characterization and mechanism of side-effects of Oxygent HT (highly concentrated fluorocarbon emulsion) in swine. 784 64

Mn++ complexed to DPDP (N,N'-dipyridoxylethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetate-5,5'-bis(phosphate) generic name: mangafodipir), abbreviated MnDPDP, acts as an effective contrast enhancing agent for liver MRI. In clinical trials, a commonly reported side effect after i.v. administration of MnDPDP was facial flushing, most probably due to peripheral vasodilation. The present study was conducted to address possible mechanisms to explain the flushing effect. Nitric oxide is known to be stabilized in the presence of both uncomplexed and complexed Mn++ and this stabilization is probably due to the superoxide-scavenging properties of Mn++. The present study has demonstrated that both MnDPDP and MnCl2 relax phenylephrine precontracted bovine mesenteric artery strips in concentration-dependent manner. It was also found that a concentration of 10 microM MnDPDP, MnEDTA or MnCl2 gave approximately the same relaxation response as 0.1 microM acetylcholine. DPDP and EDTA had no appreciable intrinsic relaxation potential Mn(++)-induced relaxation was abolished when the endothelial layer was removed from the arteries. In addition, the Mn(++)-induced relaxation was attenuated by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N-nitro-arginine and the putative superoxide anion generator 6-anilino-5,8-quinolinedione, but not by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. Both N-nitro-arginine and 6-anilino-5,8-quinolinedione were found to induce an endothelium-dependent constriction of the bovine mesenteric artery strips. An approximately 2-fold increase in the intracellular concentration of cyclic GMP was detected after the addition of 10 microM MnDPDP or 0.1 microM acetylcholine. The increase in cyclic GMP coincided with the onset of relaxation and was effectively abolished by pretreatment with N-nitro-arginine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
 ...
PMID:Mangafodipir (MnDPDP)-and MnCl2-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation in bovine mesenteric arteries. 796 75


1 2 Next >>