A. M. Makarova

Thrombin receptor agonist Peptide immobilized in microspheres stimulates reparative processes in rats with gastric ulcer.

The effect of synthetic thrombin receptor (PAR1) agonist peptide encapsulated in microspheres made of lactic and glycolic acid copolymer on tissue reparation was studied in rats with acetate-induced ulcer. PAR1 agonist peptide was immobilized in biodegraded lactic and glycolic acid microspheres by double emulgation, the kinetics of peptide release was analyzed, and the dynamics of ulcer healing was studied in experimental (administration of microspheres with the peptide into the stomach) and two control groups (administration of saline or spheres without peptide). Thrombin receptor agonist peptide gradually released from lactic and glycolic acid microspheres into the stomach shortened the inflammation phase and shifted the proliferation phase to the earlier period, thus accelerating healing of experimental ulcers in rats.

[Duodenase activates rat peritoneal mast cells via protease-activated receptors of type 1].

It was found that duodenase, a serine protease from the bovine duodenum, activates rat peritoneal mast cells (PMC) in vitro presumably via protease-activated receptors (PARs). Like thrombin (a serine protease from the blood coagulation system) and the PAR1 agonist peptide (PAR1-AP), duodenase was shown to accelerate the secretion of β-hexosaminidase (a marker of cell degranulation) by PMC in a dose-dependent manner. The blockage of the proteolytic activity of duodenase toward the substrate Tos-Gly-Pro-Lys-pNA by the soybean Bauman-Birk protease inhibitor substantially reduced (by 40%) the ability of duodenase to stimulate the secretory activity of PMC. Pretreatment of PMC with duodenase decreased the β-hexosaminidase secretion induced by thrombin and PAR1-AP by 35 and 41.7 %, respectively, and abolished the antiinflammatory effect of activated protein C. At the same time, pretreatment of PMC with duodenase did not affect the secretion of β-hexosaminidase induced by compound 48/80, a nonspecific degranulator of mast cells. Duodenase, unlike PAR1-AP (30–100 μM), in a broad concentration range (10–100 nM) did not induce aggregation of human platelets, but suppressed the platelet aggregation elicited by PAR1-AP.

Effect of enteropeptidase on survival of cultured hippocampal neurons under conditions of glutamate toxicity

The effects of full-size bovine enteropeptidase (BEK) and of human recombinant light chain enteropeptidase (L-HEP) on survival of cultured hippocampal neurons were studied under conditions of glutamate excitotoxicity. Low concentrations of L-HEP or BEK (0.1–1 and 0.1–0.5 nM, respectively) protected hippocampal neurons against the death caused by 100 μM glutamate. Using the PAR1 (proteinase-activated receptor) antagonist SCH 79797, we revealed a PAR1-dependent mechanism of neuroprotective action of low concentrations of enteropeptidase. The protective effect of full-size enteropeptidase was not observed at the concentrations of 1 and 10 nM; moreover, 10 nM of BEK caused death of 88.9% of the neurons, which significantly exceeded the cell death caused by glutamate (31.9%). Under conditions of glutamate cytotoxicity the survival of neurons was 26.8% higher even in the presence of 10 nM of L-HEP than in the presence of 10 nM BEK. Pretreatment of cells with 10 nM of either form of enteropeptidase abolished the protective effect of 10 nM thrombin under glutamate cytotoxicity. High concentrations of BEK and L-HEP caused the death of neurons mainly through necrosis.

Effect of activated protein C on secretory activity of rat peritoneal mast cells

Generation of thrombin and activated protein C in the inflammatory focus was demonstrated in rats with experimental acute peritonitis. The contents of thrombin and activated protein C peaked by the 30th and 120th minute of inflammation, respectively. In vitro study showed a decrease in spontaneous and compound 48/80-induced secretion of β-hexosaminidase by peritoneal mast cells under the influence of activated protein C in low concentrations. The antiinflammatory effect of protein C in the focus of acute peritonitis is probably realized through NO release from peritoneal mast cells. This conclusion is derived from the data that L-NAME abolishes the protective effect of activated protein C.

Biodegradable microparticles loaded with thrombin receptor agonist peptide for gastric ulcer treatment in rats

The aim of the current paper was to elaborate an immobilization method of thrombin receptor agonist peptide (TRAP-6) in biodegradable biocompatible poly(d,l)-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) microparticles and to demonstrate the effect of the entrapped peptide for tissue repair, namely for a gastric ulcer treatment in rats. TRAP-6 was entrapped in polymer using w/o/w double emulsion-evaporation technique. The morphology of empty and TRAP-6 loaded microparticles was evaluated by light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In vitro release kinetics profile of TRAP-6 from microparticles was studied by HPLC. To investigate gastric mucosal protection effect in vivo, TRAP-6-loaded microparticles were administered in a rat stomach after a previous mucosal injury (a gastric ulcer). Microparticles with entrapped TRAP-6 were found to reduce both an inflammation and proliferation phases of wound healing, and thus accelerated tissue repair in rats.

Biodegradable microparticles with immobilized peptide for wound healing

Thrombin receptor agonist peptide (TRAP-6) may be successfully used instead of thrombin to stimulate regeneration of damaged tissues. Thrombin application is limited by its high price, instability, and proin-flammatory effect at high concentrations. Immobilization of TRAP-6 into a matrix based on lactic and glycolic acid copolymer (PLGA) prevents its destruction by peptidases located in the wound and can also provide controlled release of the peptide. PLGA microparticles with the immobilized peptide were prepared by the double emulgation method. The presence of the immobilized peptide increased the porosity of the microparticle surface detected by scanning electron microscopy. Kinetics of the TRAP-6 release was characterized by a dramatic increase in its concentration in buffer solution (pH 7.5) during the first 2 h after the experiment beginning, and the complete release of the peptide after 20 h. An investigation of TRAP-6 destruction by scanning electron microscopy revealed the increase in the microparticle size and surface porosity already after one day of incubation, and the destroyed microparticles were aggregated by the seventh day of the incubation. Thus, peptide immobilization into PLGA microparticles may be employed for elaboration of a prolonged action preparation with the controlled release of the active agent (peptide).