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Query: UNIPROT:P01178 (oxytocin)
 15,767 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The mechanism of relaxant activity of six benzylisoquinolines was examined in order to determine the minimal structural requirements that enable these compounds to have either a non-specific action like papaverine or an inhibitory activity on calcium entry via potential-operated channels. All the alkaloids tested totally or partially relaxed KCl-depolarized rat uterus and inhibited oxytocin-induced rhythmic contractions. Only glaucine and laudanosine inhibited K(+)-induced uterine contractions more than oxytocin-induced uterine contractions. In Ca(+)-free medium, sustained contractions induced by oxytocin or vanadate were relaxed by the alkaloids tested except for glaucine and laudanosine indicating no inhibitory effect on intracellular calcium release. Those alkaloids containing an unsaturated heterocyclic ring (papaverine, papaverinol, papaveraldine, N-methylpapaverine and dehydropapaverine) exhibited a more specific activity than those with a tetrahydroisoquinoline ring.
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PMID:Selective inhibition of calcium entry induced by benzylisoquinolines in rat smooth muscle. 135 47

The effects of two bisbenzyltetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids, 1S,1'S tetrandrine and its isomer 1R,1'S isotetrandrine, were investigated in rat isolated uterus in order to identify the mechanism of relaxant action and to study the influence of the absolute configuration on the activity of these alkaloids. Both inhibited the uterine contraction induced by high K+, acetylcholine and oxytocin. In Ca(2+)-free medium, isotetrandrine relaxed the sustained contraction induced by oxytocin but tetrandrine did not. The relaxant effects of the alkaloids may be due to blockade of calcium influx through specific channels. Tetrandrine and isotetrandrine modify the calcium channel in a nonreversible manner whilst only isotetrandrine acts intracellularly. Tetrandrine shows a more specific relaxant activity as a calcium entry blocker.
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PMID:Tetrandrine and isotetrandrine, two bisbenzyltetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids from Menispermaceae, with rat uterine smooth muscle relaxant activity. 135 38

Rat neural lobes and isolated nerve terminals from the neurohypophysis were stimulated in the presence of different opioid agonists and antagonists. The secretion of arginine vasopressin and oxytocin and rise in cytoplasmic calcium induced by depolarization were analyzed by radioimmunoassay and the fluorescent probe fura-2, respectively. The kappa-agonists dynorphin A(1-13) and dynorphin A(1-8) did not affect electrically evoked release of vasopressin, although oxytocin release was slightly reduced. U-50 488, a relatively specific kappa-receptor agonist, had no effect on the amount of vasopressin or oxytocin secreted, although it significantly reduced K(+)-evoked changes in [Ca2+]i in isolated nerve endings. Two kappa-receptor antagonists, MR 2266 and diprenorphin, alone had no effect on vasopressin and oxytocin secretion from isolated nerve endings depolarized with potassium. Opioid agonists less selective for the kappa receptors, etorphin and ethylketocyclazocin, were found to inhibit the release of both vasopressin and oxytocin significantly. Naloxone, a nonselective opiate receptor antagonist, alone had no effect on vasopressin release but potentiated the electrically evoked release of oxytocin. Naloxone also could overcome the inhibitory effect of etorphin on oxytocin and vasopressin release observed after electrical stimulation of the neural lobe. A number of inconsistencies therefore exist between the effects of opioid agonists and antagonists on neuropeptide release and on the evoked changes in [Ca2+]i. In view of these inconsistencies and the high concentrations of opioid agonists and antagonists necessary to modify release, we conclude that it is doubtful that opioid molecules have a physiological role in controlling neurohypophysial secretion.
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PMID:Intracellular calcium and hormone release from nerve endings of the neurohypophysis in the presence of opioid agonists and antagonists. 135 68

The effects of beta-endorphin, Met-enkephalin, dynorphin and SKF 10047 on the constancy of the isometric developed tension (IDT) of the spontaneous contractions of uterine strips isolated from ovariectomized rats were explored. beta-endorphin (10(-6) M) was the only opioid that depressed significantly uterine constancy of IDT in a concentration dependent fashion. Naloxone, neither at 10(-8) M nor at 10(-6) M, altered the negative inotropic influence of beta-endorphin. Moreover, the basal synthesis and outputs of some prostaglandins (PGE1, PGE2 and PGF2 alpha) from rat uteri and the effect of beta-endorphin (10(-6) M), were determined. It was found that the basal synthesis and release of PGs in uteri were significantly inhibited by this endogenous opioid. The effects of beta-endorphin (10(-8), 10(-6) and 10(-5) M) on the basal; and oxytocin or A23187, induced 45Ca2+ uptake, as well as the influence of naloxone were also studied. beta-endorphin at three of the concentrations tested decreased basal uterine 45Ca2+ uptake and this action was not prevented by naloxone (10(-8) M). The presence of oxytocin and of A23187 augmented significantly 45Ca2+ uptake, an effect that was antagonized by beta-endorphin (10(-6) M). The possible role of beta-endorphin in uterine functioning via the modulation of uterine PG synthesis and Ca2+ uptake is discussed.
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PMID:Effects of beta-endorphin on spontaneous uterine contractions. Prostaglandins production and 45Ca2+ uptake in uterine strips from ovariectomized rats. 135 70

In the guinea pig myometrium, carbachol, oxytocin, and fluoroaluminates stimulated the breakdown of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, which was insensitive to pertussis toxin [Biochem. J. 255:705-713 (1988)]. We now demonstrate that an increased accumulation of inositol phosphates, with an early production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3], could also be obtained with K+ (30 mM) and the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ or addition of the Ca2+ channel antagonists nifedipine and verapamil almost totally abolished stimulations elicited by high K+ and partially attenuated receptor- and fluoroaluminate-mediated increases in inositol phosphates. Isoproterenol similarly attenuated the accumulation of inositol phosphates elicited by carbachol, oxytocin, and fluoroaluminates (maximal inhibition, 35%; EC50, 0.5 nM), with no change in the rate of Ins(1,4,5)P3, inositol bisphosphate, and inositol monophosphate generation. The beta-adrenergic receptor-induced inhibition was prevented by pertussis toxin and could not be reproduced by forskolin, indicating that cAMP was not involved. Experimental findings were, rather, consistent with a predominant role for Ca2+. Thus, inhibition due to isoproterenol was lost in a Ca(2+)-depleted medium and was not additive with that caused by nifedipine. Accumulation of inositol phosphates triggered by high K+ was insensitive to the beta-adrenergic receptor inhibition. The inhibitory effect of isoproterenol, similar to that of nifedipine, was counteracted by ionomycin and also by the Ca2+ channel agonist Bay K 8644. These data indicate that in the myometrium 1) phospholipase C can be activated through a voltage-gated Ca2+ entry-dependent process that contributes at least partially to the stimulations triggered by receptor- and/or guanine nucleotide-binding protein-mediated activation and 2) beta-adrenergic receptor activation is linked via a cAMP-independent, pertussis toxin-sensitive pathway to an inhibition of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, resulting in an attenuation of the Ca(2+)-associated generation of inositol phosphates.
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PMID:Activation of beta-adrenergic receptors inhibits Ca2+ entry-mediated generation of inositol phosphates in the guinea pig myometrium, a cyclic AMP-independent event. 137 85

The central nervous system modulates cardiovascular function and fluid and electrolyte balance in part through the actions of vasoactive peptides/neurotransmitters. The presence of several vasoactive peptides and their receptors in the hypothalamus suggests a possible interaction at this site. One level at which vasoactive peptides such as arginine vasopressin (AVP) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) might interact is through the mutual regulation of production and secretion in the hypothalamus. To determine whether AVP modulates ANP gene expression and secretion, we cultured fetal rat diencephalic neurons in the presence of AVP. AVP induced a significant increase in ANP secretion in dose-related fashion (mean +/- SEM basal ANP, 87 +/- 4 pg/ml; maximal mean AVP-stimulated ANP, 146 +/- 6 pg/ml; P less than 0.05, by analysis of variance). Neither oxytocin nor the vasoactive neuropeptide angiotensin-II had any effect on ANP secretion. The stimulatory effect of AVP was significantly blocked by coincubation with a V1 receptor antagonist, but was unaffected by a V2 receptor antagonist. The immunoreactive ANP secreted in response to AVP was the major brain isoform, ANP-(103-126). Coincubation with a calcium channel antagonist, nifedipine, had no effect on AVP-induced ANP secretion, while ryanodine, an inhibitor of intracellular calcium mobilization, significantly reduced the stimulatory effect of AVP. AVP induced a dose-related, nearly 3-fold maximal increase in ANP mRNA expression at 4 h. Coincubation of the neurons with a V1 receptor antagonist also significantly attenuated the increased ANP gene expression induced by AVP. These results indicate that AVP acts directly through V1 receptors on cultured fetal rat diencephalic neurons to augment ANP gene expression and secretion of the peptide. The effects are probably related to AVP-stimulated mobilization of intracellular calcium and not the result of calcium influx into the cell. These studies provide the first evidence that AVP modulates ANP production from cultured neurons. In the central nervous system, these two vasoactive neuropeptides might interact in part through the regulation of ANP production by AVP.
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PMID:Arginine vasopressin stimulates atrial natriuretic peptide gene expression and secretion from rat diencephalic neurons. 138 Apr 42

An extremely close association exists between the membranes of the neurosecretory endings and the resident astrocytes (pituicytes) of the neurohypophysis. Indeed, synaptoid contacts involving neurosecretory vesicle-containing axons contacting pituicytes have been observed, suggesting pituicytes as targets of the products released from neurosecretory axons. We have investigated the effects of various neural lobe peptides on pituicytes in primary culture from adult neurohypophyses. Using Fura-2 loaded cells and dynamic ratio imaging, we have determined that arginine vasopressin (AVP) or V1- but not V2-receptor agonists, mobilise pituicyte intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. AVP was consistently effective at concentrations of 10 nM or higher in elevating [Ca2+]i by 200-1000 nM. These responses could be blocked by V1-antagonists and were shown to be associated with accumulation of phosphoinositides. Oxytocin was also found to mobilise [Ca2+]i but was effective only at higher concentrations than for AVP. Oxytocin-evoked [Ca2+]i elevations were also blocked by V1-antagonists. Raising [K+]0 was ineffective in changing [Ca2+]i suggesting that these cells lack voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. We conclude that pituicytes possess V1-receptors, activation of which mobilises [Ca2+]i, possibly functioning to initiate a Ca(2+)-activated K+ conductance which could contribute to further depolarisation of secretory terminals and facilitate exocytosis.
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PMID:Arginine vasopressin mobilises intracellular calcium via V1-receptor activation in astrocytes (pituicytes) cultured from adult rat neural lobes. 139 72

Physiological role and importance of calcium ion has been investigated based on the study of the mechanism of muscle contraction. Furthermore, calcium ion has been proved to have a wide variety of biological roles in hormonal secretion, cell proliferation and reproduction as well as in muscle contraction. In this lecture, I would like to show a method to measure intracellular calcium ion concentrations ([Ca2+]i) and to give a general information about the roles of calcium ion to induce various cell activities. Then I would like to talk about the changes in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and their meaning in the field of reproductive physiology including uterine muscle contraction, pituitary LH secretion, and fertilization. 1) Uterine muscle contraction and calcium ion The function of calcium ion is most intensively investigated in muscle contraction. We show [Ca2+]i increase in cultured myometrial cells. This increase is inhibited by omission of extracellular calcium or addition of calcium channel blockers. These results support usefulness of Ca2+ channel blockers in treating threatened premature delivery. We also report the action of MgSO4 as an inhibitory agent of [Ca2+]i increase stimulated by oxytocin. 2) Pituitary gonadotropin secretion and calcium ion Pituitary LH secretion is regulated by gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). GnRH induces rapid increases and then sustained releases of LH secretion. By the omission of extracellular calcium, or by addition of Ca2+ channel blockers, the sustained phase of LH secretion is abolished. GnRH also increase [Ca2+]i in a very similar manner to that of LH secretion. The [Ca2+]i increase is essential in LH secretion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:[Roles of calcium ion in reproductive physiology]. 140 28

Uterine smooth muscle of the rat shows Ca(2+)-independent contraction in response to oxytocin in Ca(2+)-free medium. Micromolar Ca2+ inhibits this contraction. We now tested whether Ca2+ itself is the cause of this inhibition. The ratio of fura-2 fluorescence, the indicator of the intracellular level of Ca2+, was increased in parallel with the degree of inhibition by Ca2+. When inhibition was elicited by Ca2+, EGTA released the inhibition. Comparison of the dose-response curve for oxytocin in Ca(2+)-free solution and that in the medium with 1 microM Ca2+ showed that the inhibition by Ca2+ is non-competitive. EGTA chelation of the intracellular Ca2+ by loading of EGTA as its acetoxymethylester resulted in diminution of inhibition by Ca2+. EGTA suppressed the Ca(2+)-induced contraction but did not affect Ca(2+)-independent contraction. It is concluded that the inhibition is induced by intracellular Ca2+ itself.
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PMID:Ca(2+)-dependent inhibition of Ca(2+)-independent contraction in uterine smooth muscle. 142 53

The effects of diltiazem and six bisbenzyltetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids (antioquine, 7-O-methylantioquine, dimethylantioquine, monterine, granjine and cordobimine) were studied in rat isolated uterus in order to clarify the mechanisms of their relaxant actions. All the compounds tested completely relaxed KCl-induced contractions and totally or partially inhibited oxytocin-induced rhythmic contractions. Only alkaloids with absolute configurations (1R,1'S or 1R,1'R) acted intracellularly, promoting relaxation of contractile responses induced by oxytocin in a Ca(2+)-free medium, as does papaverine. Alkaloids of the antioquine series (1S,1'R) selectively inhibited Ca2+ entry. The great rigidity of these structures and their stereoselective action make these alkaloids useful in studies of the conformational features of the Ca2+ channel.
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PMID:Selective chiral inhibition of Ca2+ entry promoted by bisbenzyltetrahydroisoquinolines in rat uterus. 142 56


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