Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0406810 (NAME)
 13,345 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In the failing heart, NADPH oxidase and uncoupled NO synthase utilize cytosolic NADPH to form superoxide. NADPH is supplied principally by the pentose phosphate pathway, whose rate-limiting enzyme is glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). Therefore, we hypothesized that cardiac G6PD activation drives part of the excessive superoxide production implicated in the pathogenesis of heart failure. Pacing-induced heart failure was performed in eight chronically instrumented dogs. Seven normal dogs served as control. End-stage failure occurred after 28 +/- 1 days of pacing, when left ventricular end-diastolic pressure reached 25 mm Hg. In left ventricular tissue homogenates, spontaneous superoxide generation measured by lucigenin (5 microM) chemiluminescence was markedly increased in heart failure (1338 +/- 419 vs. 419 +/- 102 AU/mg protein, P < 0.05), as were NADPH levels (15.4 +/- 1.5 vs. 7.5 +/- 1.5 micromol/gww, P < 0.05). Superoxide production was further stimulated by the addition of NADPH. The NADPH oxidase inhibitor gp91(ds-tat) (50 microM) and the NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME (1 mM) both significantly lowered superoxide generation in failing heart homogenates by 80% and 76%, respectively. G6PD was upregulated and its activity higher in heart failure compared to control (0.61 +/- 0.10 vs. 0.24 +/- 0.03 nmol/min/mg protein, P < 0.05), while superoxide production decreased to normal levels in the presence of the G6PD inhibitor 6-aminonicotinamide. We conclude that the activation of myocardial G6PD is a novel mechanism that enhances NADPH availability and fuels superoxide-generating enzymes in heart failure.
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PMID:Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-derived NADPH fuels superoxide production in the failing heart. 1682 94

1. We further characterized the effect of endothelins (ETs) on receptor-mediated phosphoinositide (PI) turnover, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activation, and cGMP formation in whole rat adrenal medulla. 2. The PI hydrolysis was assessed as accumulation of inositol monophosphates (InsP(1)) in the presence of 10 mM LiCl in whole tissue and the analysis of inositol-1-phosphate by Dowex anion exchange chromatography. NOS activity was assayed by monitoring the conversion of radiolabeled L-arginine to L-citrulline. Cyclic GMP formation was assessed as accumulation of cGMP in whole tissue in the presence of phosphodiesterase inhibition, and the amount of cGMP formed was determined by radioimmuno-antibody procedure. 3. ET-1 and ET-3 increased PI turnover by 30% in whole adrenal medulla prelabeled with [(3)H] myoinositol. Both ETs isoforms, at equimolar doses, increased NOS activity and cGMP levels in similar degree. The selective ET(B) receptor agonist, IRL-1620, also increased cGMP formation, mimicking the effects of ETs, while IRL-1620 did not alter the PI metabolism. ETs-induced InsP(1) accumulation and cGMP was dependent on extracellular calcium. The effect of ETs on PI turnover was inhibited by neomycin. The L-arginine analogue, N-nitro-L-arginine (L-NAME), and two inhibitors of soluble guanylyl cyclase, methylene blue and ODQ, significantly inhibited the increase in cGMP production induced by ETs or IRL-1620. The selective ET(A) receptor antagonist, BQ 123, inhibited the ETs-induced increase in PI turnover, while the selective ET(B) receptor antagonist, BQ 788, was ineffective. Likewise, BQ 788, significantly inhibited ET-1- or ET-3-induced NOS activation and cGMP generation but not ETs-induced InsP(1) accumulation. 4. Our data indicate that stimulation of PI turnover and NO-induced cGMP generation constitutes ETs signaling pathways in rat adrenal medulla. The former action is mediated through activation of ET(A) receptor, while the latter through the activation of ET(B) receptor. These results support the role of endothelins in the regulation of adrenal medulla function.
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PMID:Endothelin signaling pathways in rat adrenal medulla. 1689 61

It is known that alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) may exert anti-inflammatory effects and facilitate reparative processes in different tissues. The effective message sequence of alpha-MSH resides in the COOH-terminal tripeptide alpha-MSH(11-13). This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of topical administration of the COOH-terminal tripeptide sequence of alpha-MSH (alpha-MSH(11-13), KPV) on corneal epithelial wound healing in rabbits and the possible role of nitric oxide (NO) in these effects. The whole corneal epithelium was denuded in both eyes by mechanical abrasion. The area of the corneal epithelial defect was stained with fluorescein, photographed, and then measured before the treatment and every 12 h by a computerized software. The mean epithelial wound area and the mean percent of epithelial defect remaining at each follow-up control were compared between experimental groups. Rabbits were topically treated with KPV 1, 5 or 10 mg/ml (30 microl), two drops four times in a day, for 4 days, starting immediately after corneal abrasion, while control animals received topical phosphate-buffered saline as vehicle. In order to study the role of NO in corneal repair processes, the NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SP, 10 mg/ml, 30 microl) was administered in both eyes, two drops four times in a day, for 4 days. The effects of KPV or SP were challenged by pre-treatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10 mg/ml, 30 microl) 30 min prior to KPV or SP instillation. The mean percent epithelial defect remaining each time was significantly smaller in animals treated with KPV or SP in comparison to controls. Sixty hours later, eight out of eight (100%) corneas treated with KPV or SP were completely re-epithelized (P<0.05) while none of the corneas treated with placebo were re-epithelized. Pre-treatment with L-NAME inhibited the facilitating effect of KPV on corneal epithelial wound healing process and totally prevented the effect of SP. Rabbit corneal epithelial cells (RCE) in culture were exposed for 1, 6 and 24 h to different KPV concentrations (0.1, 1 and 10 microM) in medium containing 15% foetal bovine serum (FBS). Cell viability was stimulated by 1 and 10 microM concentrations of the substance. Thus, KPV may facilitate corneal epithelial wound healing in rabbits with a mechanism that may involve NO disposition in corneal tissue. However, it is not known whether this mechanism is likely to depend on a direct stimulating repairing activity shared by the entire molecule of alpha-MSH.
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PMID:Effects of the COOH-terminal tripeptide alpha-MSH(11-13) on corneal epithelial wound healing: role of nitric oxide. 1696 71

Glutamate stimulation of the dorsal facial area, an area located dorsal to the facial nucleus, increases common carotid arterial blood flow. Nitrergic neurons are important in cardiovascular regulatory areas. We investigated whether the nitrergic neurons might be present and play a role in the dorsal facial area to regulate the arterial blood flow. Injections of L-arginine (an NO precursor) and sodium nitroprusside (an NO donor) into the area caused dose-dependent increases in the arterial blood flow. Injection of N(G)-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, an NO synthase inhibitor) or methylene blue (a guanylate cyclase inhibitor) decreased the arterial blood flow. Nitrergic neurons and fibers were found in the dorsal facial area by histochemical staining of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) diaphorase, a maker of NO synthase. In conclusion, nitrergic neurons are present in the dorsal facial area and appear to release NO tonically in stimulating the area to cause increase in common carotid arterial blood flow.
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PMID:Regulation of common carotid arterial blood flow by nitrergic neurons in the medulla of cats. 1715 75

The development of carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (CO-RMs) in recent years helped to shed more light on the diverse range of anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective activities of CO gas. In this study, we examined the effect of a ruthenium-based water-soluble CO carrier (CORM-3) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and interferon-gamma (INF-gamma)-induced inflammatory responses in BV-2 microglial cells and explored the possible mechanisms of action. BV-2 microglial cells were stimulated with either LPS or INF-gamma in the presence of CORM-3 and the inflammatory response evaluated by assessing the effect on nitric oxide production (nitrite levels) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) release. Similar experiments were also performed in the presence of inhibitors of guanylate cyclase (ODQ), NO synthase (L-NAME), heme oxygenase activity (tin protoporphyrin IX) or various mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors. CORM-3 significantly attenuated the inflammatory response to LPS and INF-gamma as evidenced by a significant reduction (p < 0.001) in nitrite levels and TNF-alpha production (P < 0.05). Such effect was maintained in the presence of ODQ, L-NAME or tin protoporphyrin without showing any cytotoxicity. The use of an inactive form of CORM-3 that does not contain carbonyl groups (Ru(DMSO)(4)Cl(2) failed to inhibit the increase in inflammatory markers suggesting that liberated CO mediates the observed effects. In addition, inhibition of phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate kinase (PI3K) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways seemed to amplify the anti-inflammatory effect of CORM-3, particularly in cells stimulated with INF-gamma. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory action of CORM-3 could be exploited to mitigate microglia activation in neuro-inflammatory diseases.
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PMID:A carbon monoxide-releasing molecule (CORM-3) attenuates lipopolysaccharide- and interferon-gamma-induced inflammation in microglia. 1733 83

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a potent bioactive lipid that has been implicated in cardiovascular disease. The objective of the present study was to determine the vasoactive effects and underlying mechanisms of S1P on adult human maternal arteries. The isometric tensions of the omental and myometrial arteries isolated from normal pregnant women at term were assessed in response to incremental doses of S1P in the presence or absence of the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). The putative involvement of Rho-associated kinases (ROCKs) in intact arteries and in those permeabilized with alpha-toxin, to study agonist-dependent calcium-sensitization, was assessed with the inhibitor Y27632. Real-time RT-PCR established the presence of mRNA encoding the S1P receptors (S1P(1) to (3)), previously known as endothelial differentiation gene receptors (EDG1, 3 and 5), in both artery types. S1P induced a dose-dependent increase in the isometric tension of all the arteries. Y27632 reduced constriction due to S1P in intact arteries and reduced S1P-induced sensitization of contraction to submaximal activating Ca(2+) in permeabilized arteries. L-NAME also modulated S1P vasoactive responses in a tissue-specific manner. Two subgroups of omental arteries were identified, one of which utilizes the NO pathway. In myometrial arteries, S1P evoked oscillatory constrictions, whereas pretreatment with L-NAME resulted in only tonic constrictions of unaltered peak magnitude. The prominent vasoactive actions of S1P in the maternal arteries of pregnant women are modulated by inhibitors of ROCKs and NO bioavailability. The subtle tissue-specific functional differences in the modulation of S1P actions by NO have important implications for vascular tone regulation by this bioactive circulatory metabolite during pregnancy.
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PMID:Modulation of human arterial tone during pregnancy: the effect of the bioactive metabolite sphingosine-1-phosphate. 1740 72

Long-term treatment with N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine methylester (l-NAME), an NO synthase inhibitor, induces hypertension and cardiovascular injury. However, its precise mechanism is unknown. Using apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1 (ASK1)-deficient mice, we investigated the role of ASK1 in cardiovascular injury caused by l-NAME treatment. l-NAME was orally administered to ASK1-deficient and C57BL/6J (wild) mice for 8 weeks. l-NAME treatment increased blood pressure of wild and ASK1-deficient mice to a similar extent, indicating no role of ASK1 in NO-deficient hypertension. l-NAME treatment significantly impaired acetylcholine-induced carotid arterial relaxation in wild mice (P<0.01), being associated with the decreased endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) activity (P<0.01) and the increased disruption of eNOS dimer (P<0.01), whereas these changes by l-NAME were substantially attenuated in ASK1-deficient mice. Thus, ASK1 is involved in the impairment of vascular endothelial function by reducing eNOS activity and disrupting eNOS dimer. l-NAME treatment increased vascular reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity and superoxide in wild mice to a greater extent than in ASK1 deficient mice. l-NAME treatment in wild mice caused cardiac hypertrophy, myocyte apoptosis, macrophage infiltration, coronary arterial remodeling, interstitial fibrosis, and the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and transforming growth factor-beta1, whereas these cardiac changes by l-NAME were absent in ASK1-deficient mice. Cardiac reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activation and superoxide elevation by l-NAME were much less in ASK1-deficient mice than in wild mice. Our work provided the first evidence that ASK1 is implicated in vascular endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular remodeling induced by NO deficiency by regulating eNOS and reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase.
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PMID:Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1 is involved in vascular endothelial and cardiac remodeling caused by nitric oxide deficiency. 1764 74

Adjustment of the Na/K ATPase activity to changes in oxygen availability is a matter of survival for neuronal cells. We have used freshly isolated rat cerebellar granule cells to study oxygen sensitivity of the Na/K ATPase function. Along with transport and hydrolytic activity of the enzyme we have monitored alterations in free radical production, cellular reduced glutathione, and ATP levels. Both active K(+) influx and ouabain-sensitive inorganic phosphate production were maximal within the physiological pO(2) range of 3-5 kPa. Transport and hydrolytic activity of the Na/K ATPase was equally suppressed under hypoxic and hyperoxic conditions. The ATPase response to changes in oxygenation was isoform specific and limited to the alpha1-containing isozyme whereas alpha2/3-containing isozymes were oxygen insensitive. Rapid activation of the enzyme within a narrow window of oxygen concentrations did not correlate with alterations in the cellular ATP content or substantial shifts in redox potential but was completely abolished when NO production by the cells was blocked by l-NAME. Taken together our observations suggest that NO and its derivatives are involved in maintenance of high Na/K ATPase activity under physiological conditions.
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PMID:Oxygen-induced Regulation of Na/K ATPase in cerebellar granule cells. 1789 92

Chronic morphine-induced withdrawal syndrome after morphine cessation remains a severe obstacle in the clinical treatment of morphine. Previous studies have shown that nitric oxide synthetase (NOS) inhibitors may have therapeutic potential in morphine withdrawal in humans. The mechanisms that underlie expression of morphine-induced withdrawal syndrome are, however, not yet fully understood. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the mechanism of the expression of morphine-induced withdrawal syndrome in mice. Morphine-dependent mice showed marked body weight loss and several withdrawal signs after naloxone challenge. Pretreatment with a NOS inhibitor, such as N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or 7-nitroindazole, but not aminoguanidine, significantly attenuated the expression of morphine-induced withdrawal syndrome. Furthermore, mepacrine (a phospholipase A2 inhibitor) significantly attenuated the morphine-induced withdrawal syndrome in a manner that was different than that with a NOS inhibitor. These results suggest that nNOS and phospholipase A2, which might increase free radicals, play an important role in the expression of morphine-induced withdrawal syndrome. On the contrary, free radical scavengers (including fullerenes, ascorbate-2-phosphate, and DL-alpha-tocopheryl phosphate) attenuated the expression of the morphine-induced withdrawal syndrome. These results indicate that free radicals play an important role in the expression of physical dependence on morphine, and fullerenes could be a potential clinical tool in the relief of morphine withdrawal syndrome.
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PMID:Comparison of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, phospholipase A2 inhibitor and free radical scavengers as attenuators of opioid withdrawal syndrome. 1798 10

TP508 is a 23-amino acid peptide derived from human prothrombin that increases cartilage matrix production and reduces alkaline phosphatase activity without changing chondrocyte proliferation. This study tested the hypothesis that TP508 acts by blocking the onset of apoptosis associated with hypertrophy. Rat costochondral resting zone chondrocytes and human auricular chondrocytes were cultured in DMEM containing 50microM ascorbic acid and 10% FBS. Apoptosis was induced by treatment of confluent cultures with chelerythrine, tamoxifen, or inorganic phosphate (Pi) for 24h. One half of the cultures received TP508 (0, 0.7, or 7microg/ml). Apoptosis was assessed as a function of DNA fragmentation ([3H]-thymidine labeled DNA fragments), TUNEL staining, and cell viability using the MTT assay, as well as by assessing the Bcl-2/Bax mRNA and protein ratios and caspase-3 activity. The universal NO synthase inhibitor l-NMMA was used to assess the effect of NO production on chondrocyte apoptosis and specific NO synthase subspecies were identified using iNOS inhibitor 1400W and nNOS inhibitor vinyl-l-NIO, as well as l-NAME, which inhibits both iNOS and eNOS. Finally, we assessed if TP508 would block NO production induced by the apoptogens. Chelerythrine, tamoxifen and Pi-induced apoptosis and this was reversed by TP508. All apoptogens increased NO production and this was reduced by TP508. TP508 reduced NO levels to the same extent as 1400W but not to the same extent as l-NAME, suggesting that its effects are mediated primarily by iNOS. In addition, TP508 reduced the effect of chelerythrine to the same extent as 1400W and l-NAME, again indicating that it acts via inhibition of an iNOS pathway. TP508 also regulated Bcl-2/Bax mRNA in a time and dose-dependent manner. The Bcl-2/Bax mRNA ratio was 0.11 in the absence of TP508 at 1h and 4.95 at 7microg/ml TP508; by 3h the ratio was approximately 1 in both groups. The Bcl-2/Bax protein ratio also increased by 63% at 1h. TP508 did not affect caspase-3 activity. TP508 also caused a dose-dependent increase in protein kinase C (PKC) activity within 9min that was maximal at 270min. These results show that TP508 prevents apoptosis in growth plate chondrocytes via inhibition of iNOS-dependent NO and suggest a possible role for PKC in the mechanism.
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PMID:Thrombin peptide TP508 prevents nitric oxide mediated apoptosis in chondrocytes in the endochondral developmental pathway. 1802 91


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