Thromboxane A2 stimulated signal transduction in vascular smooth muscle

Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) is a potent, labile vasoconstrictor which stimulates vessel contraction through vascular smooth muscle TXA2 receptors differing from those in platelets. We studied TXA2-stimulated events in cultured adult rat aortic smooth muscle cells. The stable TXA2 mimetic (15S)-hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5Z, 13E-dienoic acid (U46619) competed for TXA2 agonist binding to vascular smooth muscle cells with an IC50 of 10 +/- 1 nM. In fura-2-loaded cells, U46619 increased free cytosolic Ca++ concentration with an EC50 of 49 +/- 14 nM. The increase in free cytosolic Ca++ was rapid, transient and independent of extracellular Ca++ or Ca++ antagonists and thus was due to release from intracellular stores. U46619-mediated Ca++ release was temporally associated with phosphorylation of myosin light chains, increased accumulation of 1,4,5-inositol trisphosphate (EC50 = 32 +/- 4 nM) and cytoplasmic acidification from pH 7.06 +/- 0.01 to 7.00 +/- 0.02 (P = .02). Ca++ release was 53% attenuated by the phospholipase C inhibitor, 1-[6-[[17 beta-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl]amino]hexyl]-1H- pyrrole-2,5-dione. In rat aortic rings U46619 caused TXA2 receptor-mediated contractions (EC50 of 28 +/- 2 nM) which were not attenuated by removal of extracellular Ca++ from the superfusion buffer. Together, these results suggest that agonist occupation of TXA2 receptors produces vascular smooth muscle contraction through initial activation of phospholipase C with production of 1,4,5-inositol phosphate, release of intracellular calcium stores and phosphorylation of myosin light chains associated with cellular acidification, presumably via activation of Ca++ ATPase.     

Cognitive shifting as a predictor of progress in social understanding in high-functioning adolescents with autism: a prospective study

The pyrolytic behavior of inulin, a (2-->1)-linked fructofuranan, is described. Parallel investigations of the pyrolysis of glucose and of fructose were conducted to supplement the inulin results and to aid comparison with previous results from glucans. Effects of neutral and basic additives are emphasized. As with glucans, the addition of such additives (especially basic) increases the yields of the one-, two-, and three-carbon products (as well as of hexosaccharinolactones), while generally decreasing the yields of anhydro sugar and furan derivatives. The former products include glycolaldehyde, acetol, dihydroxy-acetone, acetic acid, formic acid, and lactic acid. Mechanistic speculations are made regarding the origins of these compounds, as well as of furan derivatives and saccharinic acid lactones. Parallels with alkaline degradation are considered.