Double immunofluorescence staining of Fos and Jun in the hypothalamus of the rat

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) triggers rapid and delayed effects on gluconeogenesis, cytosolic (lactate/pyruvate ratio) and mitochondrial (3-hydroxybutyrate/acetoacetate ratio) redox states (Soler, C. and Soley, M., Biochem. J., 294 (1993) 865-872). This study attempts to determine whether the mechanism by which EGF modulates any of these parameters is dependent on the regulation of Na+/H+ exchange and/or Na+/K(+)-ATPase activities. The Na+/H+ exchange was inhibited by either amiloride or the analogue 5-(N,N-hexamethylene)amiloride (HMA), and the Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity was inhibited by ouabain. The delayed EGF inhibition of gluconeogenesis, increase of the lactate/pyruvate ratio and decrease in the 3-hydroxybutyrate/acetoacetate ratio were unaltered in the presence of amiloride, HMA or ouabain. The rapid EGF stimulation of gluconeogenesis was also observed in the presence of HMA or ouabain. Although Na+/H+ exchange and/or Na+/K(+)-ATPase are regulated by EGF, our results indicate that these activities are not required for the effects of EGF on gluconeogenesis and/or cytosolic and mitochondrial redox state.     

Dissimilar alterations of sodium-coupled uptake by platinum-coordination complexes in renal proximal tubular cells in primary culture

The potent anticancer drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (CDDP) interferes early with electrolyte transport by the renal proximal tubule. To study the early effects of platinum coordination complexes on apical Na(+)-coupled transport systems, we examined the effect of increasing concentrations of CDDP, trans-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (TDDP) and cis-diammine-1,1-cyclobutane-dicarboxylate platinum (II) (CBDCA) on Na(+)-coupled uptake of P(i), methyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (MGP) and L-alanine by rabbit proximal tubule cells in primary culture. At 17 microM CDDP and 540 microM CBDCA, 1) cell viability (lactate dehydrogenase release) and ATP content were unaffected, 2) Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity was reduced by 40%, 3) Na(+)-coupled uptake of MGP and P(i) was reduced, whereas 4) Na(+)-coupled uptake of alanine rose to twice the control value. Alterations of Na(+)-coupled uptake of P(i), MGP and alanine were due to changes in Km, with no significant change in Vmax. At 333 microM TDDP, Na(+)-dependent P(i) and MGP uptake decreased, whereas Na(+)-independent uptake increased markedly and was associated with a decline in cell viability and ATP content. We conclude that 1) the TDDP-induced decrease in Na+/P(i) and Na+/glucose cotransport was associated with reduced cell viability, 2) both CDDP and CBDCA had different effects on Na+/P(i), Na+/glucose and Na+/alanine cotransport, arguing against an alteration of the Na+ gradient due to reduced Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity and 3) CBDCA induced alterations of Na(+)-coupled uptake similar to those of CDDP at concentrations 20 to 30 times higher.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Regulation of the Na+/K(+)-ATPase pump in vitro after long-term exposure to cocaine: role of serotonin

Long-term exposure to cocaine can cause persistent behavioral changes and alterations in neuronal function. One cocaine-regulated mRNA in the rat brain is the beta-1 subunit of the Na+/K(+)-ATPase pump. We examined both Na+/K(+)-ATPase function and expression after cocaine treatment of pheochromocytoma cells. One-hour exposure to cocaine did not alter Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity, as measured by the ouabain-sensitive component of rubidium uptake. Four days of cocaine resulted in an approximately 30% decrease in Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity. Western blot analyses demonstrated an approximately 25% decrease in levels of the beta-1 isoform, without changes in pump total alpha subunit levels. Treatment with dopamine type 1 or type 2 receptor agonists for the same period did not affect Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity. The serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitor paroxetine caused an approximately 45% decrease in rubidium uptake after 4 days, whereas pump function was not altered after treatment with either the dopamine-selective reuptake blocker nomifensine or the norepinephrine-selective reuptake blocker desipramine. Chronic treatment with both cocaine and LY 278,584, a serotonin type 3 receptor antagonist, did not replicate the cocaine-associated decrease in pump function. Long-term cocaine exposure regulates expression and function of the Na+/K(+)-ATPase pump in neuronal-like cells; this regulation is mediated in part via the serotonin type 3 receptor. Similar Na+/K(+)-ATPase pump regulation in vivo may selectively alter neuronal function in the mammalian brain.     

The Na+/K(+)-pump in rat peritoneal mast cells: some aspects of regulation of activity and cellular function

The mast cell contains potent mediators of inflammation which are released after IgE-directed and non-IgE-directed stimulation of the cell. This highly specialized cell is therefore ascribed a role in the pathogenesis of disease states in which the inflammatory response plays a role for the development of the clinical symptoms. Thus, besides being of interest in basic research, studies of the cellular processes leading to release of inflammatory mediators from the mast cell also have important clinical implications. The aim of the present work has been to document the existence of the Na+/K(+)-pump in rat peritoneal mast cells, to investigate the regulation of the pump activity and to explore whether modulation of the pump activity interferes with the cellular stimulus/secretion coupling mechanism. The Na+/K(+)-pump activity following stimulation of the mast cell was also investigated. The pump activity was assessed as the ouabain-sensitive cellular potassium uptake with 86Rb+ as a tracer for potassium. The histamine release from the mast cell following IgE-directed and non-IgE directed stimulation of the cell was used as a parameter for cellular degranulation. Histamine was measured by spectrofluorometry. The finding of an ouabain-sensitive uptake mechanism in the mast cell documents the presence of a functional Na+/K(+)-pump in this cell. The pump activity is inhibited by lanthanides and by the divalent cations calcium, magnesium, barium and strontium. The pump has a large reserve capacity which probably is caused by a low intracellular concentration of sodium. This enables the pump to respond to changes in the intracellular sodium concentration. The inhibitory effect of di- and trivalent ions on the pump activity is probably a result of the inhibitory effect of these ions on the cellular sodium uptake. The digitalis glycosides, ouabain and digoxin, but not the more lipophilic drug digitoxigenin, increase both IgE-directed and non-IgE-directed histamine release from the mast cell in a calcium-free medium, while there is no effect of digitalis glycosides in a medium containing physiologically relevant concentrations of calcium. The effect of digitalis glycosides on the histamine release is dependent on the drug concentrations used and the time of preincubation. An increase in the intracellular concentration of sodium secondary to inhibition of the Na+/K(+)-pump is the effector mechanism likely to explain the effect of digitalis glycosides on the mast cell histamine release. Increases in intracellular sodium might affect the intracellular concentration of calcium via changes in Na+/Ca(2+)-exchange. IgE-directed and non-IgE-directed stimulation of the mast cell activates the Na+/K(+)-pump. In case of compound 48/80-induced histamine release, the pump is stimulated for at least 2 hr. It is proposed, that the poststimulatory activation of the Na+/K(+)-pump is due to increased cellular sodium uptake associated with the release process. This sodium uptake may occur via Na+/Ca(2+)-exchange, Na+/H(+)-exchange, Na+/K+/2Cl(-)-cotransport or a non-selective ion channel. Besides describing aspects of the function and regulation of the Na+/K(+)-pump in the rat peritoneal mast cells, this thesis points to the potential role of sodium transport mechanisms in mast cell physiology. Pharmacological manipulations of such transport mechanisms might in the future add to the treatment of allergic diseases.     

Carbachol-induced increase of Na+/H+ antiport and recruitment of Na+,K(+)-ATPase in rabbit lacrimal acini

Parallel arrays of Na+/H+ and Cl-/HCO3- antiporters are believed to catalyze the first step of transepithelial electrolyte secretion in lacrimal glands by coupling Na+ and Cl- influxes across acinar cell basolateral membranes. Tracer uptake methods were used to confirm the presence of Na+/H+ antiport activity in membrane vesicles isolated from rabbit lacrimal gland fragments. Outwardly-directed H+ gradients accelerated 22Na+ uptake, and amiloride inhibited 96% of the H+ gradient-dependent 22Na+ flux. Amiloride-sensitive 22Na+ influx was half-maximal at an extravesicular Na+ concentration of 14 mM. In vitro stimulation of isolated lacrimal acini with 10 microM carbachol for 30 min increased Na+/H+ antiport activity of a subsequently isolated basolateral membrane sample 2.5-fold, but it did not significantly affect Na+/H+ antiport activity measured in intracellular membrane samples. The same treatment increased basolateral membrane Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity 1.4-fold; this increase could be accounted for by decreases in the Na+,K(+)-ATPase activities of intracellular membranes. Thus, it appears that cholinergic stimulation causes recruitment of additional Na+,K(+)-ATPase pump units to the acinar cell basolateral plasma membrane. The mechanistic basis of the increase in basolateral membrane Na+/H+ antiport activity remains unclear.     

Stimulation of ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake and Na+,K+-ATPase alpha-subunit phosphorylation by a cAMP-dependent signalling pathway in intact cells from rat kidney cortex

We investigated in intact cortical kidney tubules the role of PKA-mediated phosphorylation in the short-term control of Na+,K+-ATPase activity. The phosphorylation level of Na+,K+-ATPase was evaluated after immunoprecipitation of the enzyme from 32P-labelled cortical tubules and the cation transport activity of Na+,K+-ATPase was measured by ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake. Incubation of cells with cAMP analogues (8-bromo-cAMP, dibutyryl-cAMP) or with forskolin plus 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine increased the phosphorylation level of the Na+,K+-ATPase alpha-subunit and stimulated ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake. Inhibition of PKA by H-89 blocked the effects of dibutyryl-cAMP on both phosphorylation and 86Rb+ uptake processes. The results suggest that phosphorylation by PKA stimulates the Na+,K+-ATPase activity.     

Endothelin 1 stimulates Na+,K(+)-ATPase and Na(+)-K(+)-Cl- cotransport through ETA receptors and protein kinase C-dependent pathway in cerebral capillary endothelium

The effect of endothelins (ET-1 and ET-3) on 86Rb+ uptake as a measure of K+ uptake was investigated in cultured rat brain capillary endothelium. ET-1 or ET-3 dose-dependently enhanced K+ uptake (EC50 = 0.60 +/- 0.15 and 21.5 +/- 4.1 nM, respectively), which was inhibited by the selective ETA receptor antagonist BQ 123 (cyclo-D-Trp-D-Asp-Pro-D-Val-Leu). Neither the selective ETB agonists IRL 1620 [N-succinyl-(Glu9,-Ala11,15)-ET-1] and sarafotoxin S6c, nor the ETB receptor antagonist IRL 1038 [(Cys11,Cys15)-ET-1] had any effect on K+ uptake. Ouabain (inhibitor of Na+,K(+)-ATPase) and bumetanide (inhibitor of Na(+)-K(+)-Cl- cotransport) reduced (up to 40% and up to 70%, respectively) the ET-1-stimulated K+ uptake. Complete inhibition was seen with both agents. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), activator of protein kinase C (PKC), stimulated Na+,K(+)-ATPase and Na(+)-K(+)-Cl- cotransport. ET-1- but not PMA-stimulated K+ uptake was inhibited by 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride (inhibitor of Na+/H+ exchange system), suggesting a linkage of Na+/H+ exchange with ET-1-stimulated Na+,K(+)-ATPase and Na(+)-K(+)-Cl- cotransport activity that is not mediated by PKC.     

Altered arachidonic acid metabolism contributes to the failure of dopamine to inhibit Na+,K(+)-ATPase in kidney of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Dopamine decreases tubular sodium reabsorption in part by inhibition of Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity in renal proximal tubules. The signaling mechanism involved in dopamine-mediated inhibition of Na+,K(+)-ATPase is known to be defective in spontaneously hypertensive animals. The present study was designed to evaluate the role of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and its metabolic pathway in dopamine-induced inhibition of Na+,K(+)-ATPase in renal proximal tubules from Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Renal proximal tubular suspensions were prepared and Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity was measured as ouabain-sensitive adenosine triphosphate hydrolysis. Dopamine inhibited Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity in a concentration (1 nM-10 microM)-dependent manner in WKY rats while it failed to inhibit the enzyme activity in SHR. Dopamine (10 microM)-induced inhibition of Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity in WKY rats was significantly blocked by mepacrine (10 microM), a PLA2 inhibitor, suggesting the involvement of PLA2 in dopamine-mediated inhibition of Na+,K(+)-ATPase. Arachidonic acid (a product released by PLA2 action) inhibited Na+,K(+)-ATPase in a concentration-dependent (1-100 microM) manner in WKY rats while the inhibition in SHR was significantly attenuated (IC50: 7.5 and 80 microM in WKY rats and SHR, respectively). Furthermore, lower concentrations of arachidonic acid stimulated (30% at 1 microM) Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity in SHR. This suggests a defect in the metabolism of arachidonic acid in SHR. Proadifen (10 microM), an inhibitor of cytochrome P-450 monoxygenase (an arachidonic acid metabolizing enzyme) significantly blocked the inhibition produced by arachidonic acid in WKY rats and abolished the difference in arachidonic acid inhibition of Na+,K(+)-ATPase between WKY rats and SHR. These data suggest that PLA2 is involved in dopamine-induced inhibition of Na+,K(+)-ATPase and altered arachidonic acid metabolism may contribute to reduced dopaminergic inhibition of Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats.     

Antinociceptive effects of SC-39566, an opioid dipeptide arylalkylamide, in the Rhesus monkey

We stably expressed the rat D1A dopamine receptor in mouse fibroblast LTK- cells and obtained specific ligand binding and functional activity characteristic of the D1A dopamine receptor coupled to stimulation of adenylyl cyclase. In the transfected cells, the selective D1 agonist fenoldopam caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity, achieving maximum inhibition of approximately 30%. The latter was abolished by the selective D1 antagonist (+)-SCH 23390 and by the specific protein kinase A inhibitor protein kinase inhibitor-(6-22) amide. In the nontransfected cells, fenoldopam did not affect Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity. 8-Chlorophenylthio-cAMP inhibited Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity in both transfected and nontransfected cells; this effect was blocked by protein kinase inhibitor-(6-22). These results indicate that the inhibition of Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity induced by agonist occupancy of D1A receptors is mediated by protein kinase A.     

Distribution and elimination of RGH-5002 in rats

In this study we analysed the changes in the properties of rat cerebral cortex Na+K(+)-ATPase in streptozotocin induced diabetes (STZ-diabetes). Special attempt was made to determine whether insulin treatment of diabetic animals could restore the altered parameters of this enzyme. Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity was found to be decreased by 15% after 2 weeks, and by 37% after 4 weeks in diabetic rat brains with a parallel decrease in maximal capacity of low affinity ouabain binding sites. There was no significant change in the high affinity ouabain binding sites. The Kd values did not change significantly. Western blot analysis of brain Na+/K(+)-ATPase isoforms indicated a 61 +/- 5.8% and 20 +/- 2.8% decrease of the alpha 1 and alpha 3 isoforms, respectively in 4 weeks diabetic animals. Change in the amount of the alpha 2 isoform proved to be less characteristic. Both types of beta subunit isoform showed a significant decrease in four weeks diabetic rats. Our data indicate a good correlation in diabetic rats between changes in Na-/K(+)-ATPase activity, low affinity ouabain binding capacity and the level of alpha 1 isoform. While insulin treatment of diabetic animals restored the blood glucose level to normal, a complete reversal of diabetes induced changes in Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity, ouabain binding capacity and Na+/K(+)-ATPase isoform composition could not be achieved.     

Modulation of sodium-coupled uptake and membrane fluidity by cisplatin in renal proximal tubular cells in primary culture and brush-border membrane vesicles

The proximal tubule appears to be the main target for the adverse effects of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (cDDP). We evaluated the early effects of cDDP at concentrations (3 to 67 microM) lower that those which alter cell viability, on three apical transport systems and on the physical state of the brush border membrane (BBM) in rabbit proximal tubule (RPT) cells in primary culture. The maximal effect, corresponding to a 30% decrease in Na(+)-coupled uptake of phosphate (Pi) and alpha-methylglucopyranoside (MGP) and a twofold increase in Na(+)-coupled alanine uptake, was obtained at 17 microM (5 micrograms/ml) cDDP and occurred through a modification of their affinity. At this concentration, cDDP increased BBM fluidity and decreased the BBM cholesterol content by 28%, without increasing the permeability of tight junctions. To clarify the role of cDDP-induced increase in BBM fluidity on alterations of Na(+)-coupled uptake, these parameters were also investigated in BBM vesicles isolated from rabbit renal cortex directly exposed to cDDP. cDDP induced a concentration-dependent inhibition of Na(+)-coupled uptake of MGP, Pi and alanine in BBM vesicles from the renal cortex, associated with a decrease in protein sulfhydryl content, without modifying BBM fluidity. Our findings strongly suggest that the cDDP-induced increase in BBM fluidity in RPT cells results from an indirect mechanism, possibly an alteration of cholesterol metabolism, and did not play a major role in the cDDP-induced inhibition of Na+/Pi and Na+/glucose cotransport systems that may be mainly mediated through a direct chemical interaction with essential sulfhydryl groups of the transporters.     

Na+,K(+)-ATPase of human placenta during gestational hypertension: a biochemical-biophysical study

1. Na+,K(+)-ATPase is the membrane enzyme catalysing the active transport of Na+ and K+ across the plasma membrane of animal cells. A reduced activity of Na+,K(+)-ATPase has been described in gestational hypertension in a variety of cell types, in agreement with the hypothesis that gestational hypertension can induce membrane transport modifications similar to those reported for essential hypertension. The causes of the reduced Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity are still debated. 2. The aim of the present work was to investigate the molecular mechanism of the reduced enzymic activity in gestational hypertension using as a model Na+,K(+)-ATPase purified from human placenta. Na+,K(+)-ATPase obtained from term placentas of eight healthy pregnant women and eight age-matched women with gestational hypertension was purified as previously described. 3. We observed in gestational hypertension: (i) a significant increase in the activation energies above transition temperature; (ii) a significant decrease in the fluorescence polarization of 1-(4-trimethylaminophenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (i.e. increased fluidity) and an increase in the mean lifetime (modified hydrophobicity); (iii) a lower Kq, suggesting an enzymic structural modification; and (iv) an increased mean lifetime and rotational relaxation time of pyrene isothiocyanate, indicating a modified ATP binding site.     

Glass fragility and the stability of pharmaceutical preparations--excipient selection

L-lactate transport mechanism across rat jejunal enterocyte was investigated using isolated membrane vesicles. In basolateral membrane vesicles L-lactate uptake is stimulated by an inwardly directed H+ gradient; the effect of the pH difference is drastically reduced by FCCP, pCMBS and phloretin, while furosemide is ineffective. The pH gradient effect is strongly temperature dependent. The initial rate of the proton gradient-induced lactate uptake is saturable with respect to external lactate with a K(m) of 39.2 +/- 4.8 mM and a Jmax of 8.9 +/- 0.7 nmoles mg protein-1 sec-1. A very small conductive pathway for L-lactate is present in basolateral membranes. In brush border membrane vesicles both Na+ and H+ gradients exert a small stimulatory effect on lactate uptake. We conclude that rat jejunal basolateral membrane contains a H(+)-lactate cotransporter, whereas in the apical membrane both H(+)-lactate and Na(+)-lactate cotransporters are present, even if they exhibit a low transport rate.     

5-HPETE is a potent inhibitor of neuronal Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity

The effects of 1 microM concentrations of arachidonic acid hydroperoxide (HPETES) products of 5-, 12- and 15-lipoxygenase on Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity were investigated in synaptosomal membrane preparations from rat cerebral cortex. 5-HPETE inhibited Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity by up to 67 %. In contrast, 12-HPETE and 15-HPETE did not inhibit Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity. In addition, neither 5-HETE or LTA4 inhibited Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity. Dose-response studies indicated that 5-HPETE was a potent (IC25 = 10(-8) M) inhibitor of Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity. These findings indicate that 5-HPETE inhibits Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity by a mechanism that is dependent on the hydroperoxide position and independent of further metabolism by 5-lipoxygenase. It is proposed that 5-HPETE production by 5-lipoxygenase and subsequent inhibition of neuronal Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity may be a mechansim for modulating synaptic transmission.     

Glucose decreases Na+,K+-ATPase activity in pancreatic beta-cells. An effect mediated via Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 and protein kinase C-dependent phosphorylation of the alpha-subunit

In the pancreatic beta-cell, glucose-induced membrane depolarization promotes opening of voltage-gated L-type Ca2+ channels, an increase in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), and exocytosis of insulin. Inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase activity by ouabain leads to beta-cell membrane depolarization and Ca2+ influx. Because glucose-induced beta-cell membrane depolarization cannot be attributed solely to closure of ATP-regulated K+ channels, we investigated whether glucose regulates other transport proteins, such as the Na+,K+-ATPase. Glucose inhibited Na+,K+-ATPase activity in single pancreatic islets and intact beta-cells. This effect was reversible and required glucose metabolism. The inhibitory action of glucose was blocked by pretreatment of the islets with a selective inhibitor of a Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2. Arachidonic acid, the hydrolytic product of this phospholipase A2, also inhibited Na+, K+-ATPase activity. This effect, like that of glucose, was blocked by nordihydroguaiaretic acid, a selective inhibitor of the lipooxygenase metabolic pathway, but not by inhibitors of the cyclooxygenase or cytochrome P450-monooxygenase pathways. The lipooxygenase product 12(S)-HETE (12-S-hydroxyeicosatetranoic acid) inhibited Na+,K+-ATPase activity, and this effect, as well as that of glucose, was blocked by bisindolylmaleimide, a specific protein kinase C inhibitor. Moreover, glucose increased the state of alpha-subunit phosphorylation by a protein kinase C-dependent process. These results demonstrate that glucose inhibits Na+, K+-ATPase activity in beta-cells by activating a distinct intracellular signaling network. Inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase activity may thus be part of the mechanisms whereby glucose promotes membrane depolarization, an increase in [Ca2+]i, and thereby insulin secretion in the pancreatic beta-cell.     

Effect of elevated glucose concentration on membrane voltage regulation in retinal capillary pericytes

The influence of elevated glucose concentration on resting membrane voltage, electrogenic Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, and ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP channels) was studied in cultured bovine retinal capillary pericytes using conventional microelectrodes. The resting membrane voltage in cells grown in medium containing 5 mM glucose (control) averaged -27 +/- 1.2 mV (mean +/- SE, n = 26) and was not different from cells grown in medium containing 22.5 mM glucose (-26 1.2 mV, n = 26). Addition of ouabain (10(-4) M), a specific inhibitor of the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, depolarized the membrane potential by 3.6 +/- 0.4 mV (n = 10) in cells grown under control conditions and 0.7 +/- 0.2 mV (n = 6) in cells grown under elevated glucose conditions. Thus, electrogenic activity of the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase was significantly (P < 0.0001) reduced to 19% compared with control conditions. Electrogenic Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity could be partially restored (ouabain-induced depolarization delta V = 2.0 +/- 0.2 mV, n = 6) in cells grown with high glucose in the presence of the aldose reductase inhibitor tolrestat (10(-5) M). The potassium channel opener Hoe 234 (10(-6) M) induced membrane potential hyperpolarization in control cells (delta V = 7.3 +/- 1.2 mV, n = 13), which could be completely inhibited by the KATP channel blocker glibenclamide (10(-7) M, n = 5). This indicates that pericytes possess KATP channels. The effect of KATP channels on membrane voltage was not significantly changed (P = 0.16) in cells cultured under high-glucose conditions (delta V = 9.6 +/- 2.0 mV, n = 6).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Ethinylestradiol treatment induces multiple canalicular membrane transport alterations in rat liver

We investigated the effects of 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol treatment of rats on various transport functions in isolated basolateral and canalicular liver plasma membrane vesicles. Both membrane subfractions were purified to a similar degree from control and cholestatic livers. Although moderate membrane lipid alterations were predominantly observed in basolateral vesicles, no change in basolateral Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity was found. Furthermore, while Na(+)-dependent taurocholate uptake was decreased by approximately 40% in basolateral vesicles, the maximal velocity of ATP-dependent taurocholate transport was decreased by 63% in canalicular membranes. In contrast, only minimal changes or no changes at all were observed for electrogenic taurocholate transport in "cholestatic" canalicular membranes and total microsomes, respectively. However, canalicular vesicles from cholestatic livers also exhibited marked reductions in ATP-dependent transport of S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)glutathione and in Na(+)-dependent uptake of adenosine, while in the same vesicles HCO3-/SO4- exchange and Na+/glycine cotransport activities were markedly stimulated. These data show that in addition to the previously demonstrated sinusoidal transport abnormalities ethinylestradiol-induced cholestasis is also associated with multiple canalicular membrane transport alterations in rat liver. Hence, functional transport alterations at both polar surface domains might ultimately be responsible for the inhibitory effects of estrogens on the organic anion excretory capacity and on bile formation in rat liver.     

Epidermal growth factor increases lung liquid clearance in rat lungs

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been reported to stimulate the proliferation of epithelial cells and increase Na+ flux and Na+-K+-ATPase function in alveolar epithelial cell monolayers. Increases in Na+-K+-ATPase in alveolar type II cells (AT2) have been associated with increased active Na+ transport and lung edema clearance across the rat alveolar epithelium in a model of proliferative lung injury. Thus we tested whether administration of aerosolized EGF to rat lungs would increase active Na+ transport and lung liquid clearance. Sixteen adult Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomized to three groups. To a group of six rats, an aerosol generated from 20 microgram of EGF in saline was delivered to the lungs, to a second group of five rats only aerosolized saline was delivered, and a third group of five rats without treatment served as the control. Forty-eight hours postaerosolization of rat lungs with EGF there was an approximately 40% increase in active Na+ transport and lung liquid clearance compared with control rats, in the absence of changes in 22Na+, [3H]mannitol, and albumin permeabilities. The Na+-K+-ATPase activity in AT2 cells harvested from these lungs was increased in rats that received aerosolized EGF compared with AT2 cells from both control rats and rats receiving aerosolized saline. These results support the hypothesis that in vivo delivery of EGF aerosols upregulates alveolar epithelial Na+-K+-ATPase and increases lung liquid clearance in rats.     

Role of sodium and potassium ions in regulation of glucose metabolism in cultured astroglia

Effects of increasing extracellular K+ or intracellular Na+ concentrations on glucose metabolism in cultures of rat astroglia and neurons were examined. Cells were incubated in bicarbonate buffer, pH 7.2, containing 2 mM glucose, tracer amounts of [14C]deoxyglucose ([14C]dGlc), and 5.4, 28, or 56 mM KCl for 10, 15, or 30 min, and then for 5 min in [14C]dGlc-free buffer to allow efflux of unmetabolized [14C]dGlc. Cells were then digested and assayed for labeled products, which were shown to consist of 96-98% [14C]deoxyglucose 6-phosphate. Increased K+ concentrations significantly raised [14C]deoxyglucose 6-phosphate accumulation in both neuronal and mixed neuronal-astroglial cultures at 15 and 30 min but did not raise it in astroglial cultures. Veratridine (75 microM), which opens voltage-dependent Na+ channels, significantly raised rates of [14C]dGlc phosphorylation in astroglial cultures (+20%), and these elevations were blocked by either 1 mM ouabain, a specific inhibitor of Na+,K(+)-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.37), or 10 microM tetrodotoxin, which blocks Na+ channels. The carboxylic sodium ionophore, monensin (10 microM), more than doubled [14C]dGlc phosphorylation; this effect was only partially blocked by ouabain and unaffected by tetrodotoxin. L-Glutamate (500 microM) also stimulated [14C]dGlc phosphorylation in astroglia--not through N-methyl-D-aspartate or non-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor mechanisms but via a Na(+)-dependent glutamate-uptake system. These results indicate that increased uptake of Na+ can stimulate energy metabolism in astroglial cells.