D.L.W. Picanço-Diniz

Physalis angulata extract exerts anti-inflammatory effects in rats by inhibiting different pathways

Physalis angulata is a popular medicine used in Brazil due to its anti-inflammatory effects, but the pharmacological mechanisms underlying these actions remain to be better understood. In the present work, lyophilized aqueous extract from the roots of Physalis angulata Linneu (AEPa) was used to control the inflammatory response induced by the injection of 1% carrageenan into subcutaneous rats air pouches. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity, nitrite level, and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) level were used to evaluate the action of inflammatory mediators. Tumor growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) level was used as a bioindicator of immunomodulatory response. Rats were injected with vehicle, indomethacin, or AEPa (0.5 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, and 5 mg/kg i.p.), 1h before carrageenan administration. AEPa at 0.5 mg/kg had no effect. However, 1mg/kg of AEPa showed significant anti-inflammatory effects, decreasing exudate volume, total number of inflammatory cells, ADA activity, nitrite level, and PGE(2) level in 50%, 41%, 20%, 60%, and 41%, respectively. The anti-inflammatory effects of 5 mg/kg AEPa appeared to be more effective than those of 1 mg/kg AEPa (84%, 80%, 43%, 70%, and 75%, respectively). In addition, TGF-beta level was upregulated to 9700 pg/ml after 5mg/kg AEPa, in comparison with 160 pg/ml in the vehicle-treated group, and 137 pg/ml in the indomethacin-treated group. The results indicate that AEPa exerts powerful anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities, interfering with the cyclooxygenase pathway, lymphocyte proliferation, NO, and TGF-beta production.

Methylmercury intoxication activates nitric oxide synthase in chick retinal cell culture

The visual system is a potential target for methylmercury (MeHg) intoxication. Nevertheless, there are few studies about the cellular mechanisms of toxicity induced by MeHg in retinal cells. Various reports have indicated a critical role for nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activation in modulating MeHg neurotoxicity in cerebellar and cortical regions. The aim of the present study is to describe the effects of MeHg on cell viability and NOS activation in chick retinal cell cultures. For this purpose, primary cultures were prepared from 7-day-old chick embryos: retinas were aseptically dissected and dissociated and cells were grown at 37 degrees C for 7-8 days. Cultures were exposed to MeHg (10 microM, 100 microM, and 1 mM) for 2, 4, and 6 h. Cell viability was measured by MTT method and NOS activity by monitoring the conversion of L-[H3]-arginine to L-[H3]-citrulline. The incubation of cultured retina cells with 10 and 100 microM MeHg promoted an increase of NOS activity compared to control (P < 0.05). Maximum values (P < 0.05) were reached after 4 h of MeHg incubation: increases of 81.6 +/- 5.3 and 91.3 +/- 3.7%, respectively (data are reported as mean +/- SEM for 4 replicates). MeHg also promoted a concentration- and time-dependent decrease in cell viability, with the highest toxicity (a reduction of about 80% in cell viability) being observed at the concentration of 1 mM and after 4-6 h of incubation. The present study demonstrates for the first time the modulation of MeHg neurotoxicity in retinal cells by the nitrergic system.

Behavioral and biochemical effects of neonicotinoid thiamethoxam on the cholinergic system in rats.

Thiamethoxam is a neonicotinoid insecticide, a group of pesticides that acts selectively on insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), with only a little action on mammalian nAChRs. Nevertheless, the selectivity of neonicotinoids for the insect nAChRs may change when these substances are metabolized. Therefore, we aimed to determine the potential effects of thiamethoxam on mammalian brain, testing the performance in the open field and elevated plus-maze of rats exposed to this insecticide and, in order to establish the neurochemical endpoints, we measured the acetylcholinesterase activity in different brain regions (hippocampus, striatum and cortex) and the high-affinity choline uptake (HACU) in synaptosomes from rat hippocampus. Treated animals received thiamethoxam (25, 50 or 100mg/kg) for 7 consecutive days. The results showed that treatment with thiamethoxam induced an increase in the anxiety behavior at two doses (50 or 100mg/kg). Moreover, there was a significant decrease in both HACU and acetylcholinesterase activity. Our hypothesis is that thiamethoxam (or its metabolites) could be acting on the central rats nAChRs. This would produce an alteration on the cholinergic transmission, modulating the anxiety behavior, acetylcholinesterase levels and HACU.

Glutamate Induces Glutathione Efflux Mediated by Glutamate/Aspartate Transporter in Retinal Cell Cultures

This study was undertaken in order to characterize the role of the glutamate/aspartate transporter (GLAST) in the glutathione (GSH) efflux induced by glutamate. Our results demonstrated that retinal cell cultures exhibit two mechanisms of GSH release, one Na+-independent and other Na+-dependent. Glutamate and aspartate induced GSH efflux only in presence of Na+. Treatment with PCD (L-trans-Pyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate), a transportable glutamate uptake blocker, increased GSH release indicating that GSH can be carried by glutamate transporters in retinal cell cultures. Added to this, treatment with zinc ion cultures, a recognized inhibitor of GLAST blocked GSH efflux evoked by glutamate. Treatment with NMDA antagonist (MK-801) did not have any effect on the GSH release induced by glutamate. These results suggest that glutamate induces GLAST-mediated release of GSH from retinal cell cultures and this could represent an important mechanism of cellular protection against glutamate toxicity in the CNS.

Stimulatory effects of adenosine on prolactin secretion in the pituitary gland of the rat

We investigated the effects of adenosine on prolactin (PRL) secretion from rat anterior pituitaries incubated in vitro. The administration of 5-N-methylcarboxamidoadenosine (MECA), an analog agonist that preferentially activates A2 receptors, induced a dose-dependent (1 nM to 1 microM) increase in the levels of PRL released, an effect abolished by 1,3-dipropyl-7-methylxanthine, an antagonist of A2 adenosine receptors. In addition, the basal levels of PRL secretion were decreased by the blockade of cyclooxygenase or lipoxygenase pathways, with indomethacin and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), respectively. The stimulatory effects of MECA on PRL secretion persisted even after the addition of indomethacin, but not of NDGA, to the medium. MECA was unable to stimulate PRL secretion in the presence of dopamine, the strongest inhibitor of PRL release that works by inducing a decrease in adenylyl cyclase activity. Furthermore, the addition of adenosine (10 nM) mimicked the effects of MECA on PRL secretion, an effect that persisted regardless of the presence of LiCl (5 mM). The basal secretion of PRL was significatively reduced by LiCl, and restored by the concomitant addition of both LiCl and myo-inositol. These results indicate that PRL secretion is under a multifactorial regulatory mechanism, with the participation of different enzymes, including adenylyl cyclase, inositol-1-phosphatase, cyclooxygenase, and lipoxygenase. However, the increase in PRL secretion observed in the lactotroph in response to A2 adenosine receptor activation probably was mediated by mechanisms involving regulation of adenylyl cyclase, independent of membrane phosphoinositide synthesis or cyclooxygenase activity and partially dependent on lipoxygenase arachidonic acid-derived substances.

Possible involvement of A1 receptors in the inhibition of gonadotropin secretion induced by adenosine in rat hemipituitaries in vitro

We investigated the participation of A1 or A2 receptors in the gonadotrope and their role in the regulation of LH and FSH secretion in adult rat hemipituitary preparations, using adenosine analogues. A dose-dependent inhibition of LH and FSH secretion was observed after the administration of graded doses of the R-isomer of phenylisopropyladenosine (R-PIA; 1 nM, 10 nM, 100 nM, 1 microM and 10 microM). The effect of R-PIA (10 nM) was blocked by the addition of 8-cyclopentyltheophylline (CPT), a selective A1 adenosine receptor antagonist, at the dose of 1 microM. The addition of an A2 receptor-specific agonist, 5-N-methylcarboxamidoadenosine (MECA), at the doses of 1 nM to 1 microM had no significant effect on LH or FSH secretion, suggesting the absence of this receptor subtype in the gonadotrope. However, a sharp inhibition of the basal secretion of these gonadotropins was observed after the administration of 10 microM MECA. This effect mimicked the inhibition induced by R-PIA, supporting the hypothesis of the presence of A1 receptors in the gonadotrope. R-PIA (1 nM to 1 microM) also inhibited the secretion of LH and FSH induced by phospholipase C (0.5 IU/ml) in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest the presence of A1 receptors and the absence of A2 receptors in the gonadotrope. It is possible that the inhibition of LH and FSH secretion resulting from the activation of A1 receptors may have occurred independently of the increase in membrane phosphoinositide synthesis.

Methylmercury inhibits prolactin release in a cell line of pituitary origin

Heavy metals, such as methylmercury, are key environmental pollutants that easily reach human beings by bioaccumulation through the food chain. Several reports have demonstrated that endocrine organs, and especially the pituitary gland, are potential targets for mercury accumulation; however, the effects on the regulation of hormonal release are unclear. It has been suggested that serum prolactin could represent a biomarker of heavy metal exposure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of methylmercury on prolactin release and the role of the nitrergic system using prolactin secretory cells (the mammosomatotroph cell line, GH3B6). Exposure to methylmercury (0-100 μM) was cytotoxic in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, with an LC50 higher than described for cells of neuronal origin, suggesting GH3B6 cells have a relative resistance. Methylmercury (at exposures as low as 1 μM for 2 h) also decreased prolactin release. Interestingly, inhibition of nitric oxide synthase by N-nitro-L-arginine completely prevented the decrease in prolactin release without acute neurotoxic effects of methylmercury. These data indicate that the decrease in prolactin production occurs via activation of the nitrergic system and is an early effect of methylmercury in cells of pituitary origin.

Adenosine A1 receptor-mediated inhibition of in vitro prolactin secretion from the rat anterior pituitary

In previous studies, we demonstrated biphasic purinergic effects on prolactin (PRL) secretion stimulated by an adenosine A2 agonist. In the present study, we investigated the role of the activation of adenosine A1 receptors by (R)-N6-(2-phenylisopropyl)adenosine (R-PIA) at the pituitary level in in vitro PRL secretion. Hemipituitaries (one per cuvette in five replicates) from adult male rats were incubated. Administration of R-PIA (0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 microM) induced a reduction of PRL secretion into the medium in a U-shaped dose-response curve. The maximal reduction was obtained with 0.1 microM R-PIA (mean +/- SEM, 36.01 +/- 5.53 ng/mg tissue weight (t.w.)) treatment compared to control (264.56 +/- 15.46 ng/mg t.w.). R-PIA inhibition (0.01 microM = 141.97 +/- 15.79 vs control = 244.77 +/- 13.79 ng/mg t.w.) of PRL release was blocked by 1 microM cyclopentyltheophylline, a specific A1 receptor antagonist (1 microM = 212.360 +/- 26.560 ng/mg t.w.), whereas cyclopentyltheophylline alone (0.01, 0.1, 1 microM) had no effect. R-PIA (0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1 microM) produced inhibition of PRL secretion stimulated by both phospholipase C (0.5 IU/mL; 977.44 +/- 76.17 ng/mg t.w.) and dibutyryl cAMP (1 mM; 415.93 +/- 37.66 ng/mg t.w.) with nadir established at the dose of 0.1 microM (225.55 +/- 71.42 and 201.9 +/- 19.08 ng/mg t.w., respectively). Similarly, R-PIA (0.01 microM) decreased (242.00 +/- 24.00 ng/mg t.w.) the PRL secretion stimulated by cholera toxin (0.5 mg/mL; 1050.00 +/- 70.00 ng/mg t.w.). In contrast, R-PIA had no effect (468.00 +/- 34.00 ng/mg t.w.) on PRL secretion stimulation by pertussis toxin (0.5 mg/mL; 430.00 +/- 26.00 ng/mg t.w.). These results suggest that inhibition of PRL secretion after A1 receptor activation by R-PIA is mediated by a Gi protein-dependent mechanism.

Does plasma ANP participate in natriuresis induced by alpha-MSH?

alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH; 0.6 and 3 nmol) micro-injected into the anteroventral region of the third ventricle (AV3V) induced a significant increase in diuresis without modifying natriuresis or kaliuresis. Intraperitoneal (ip) injection of alpha-MSH (3 and 9.6 nmol) induced a significant increase in urinary sodium, potassium and water excretion. Intraperitoneal (3 and 4.8 nmol) or iv (3 and 9.6 nmol) administration of alpha-MSH did not induce any significant changes in plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), suggesting that the natriuresis, kaliuresis and diuresis induced by the systemic action of alpha-MSH can be dissociated from the increase in plasma ANP. These preliminary results suggest that alpha-MSH may be involved in a gamma-MSH-independent mechanism of regulation of hydromineral metabolism.