Juana Selles

Evidence on the participation of the 3',5'-cyclic AMP pathway in the non-genomic action of 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 in cardiac muscle

Several studies have suggested that vitamin D plays a role in cardiovascular function. It has been recently shown that in vitro treatment of vitamin D-deficient chick cardiac muscle with physiological concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) induces a rapid (1-10 min) increase of tissue 45Ca uptake which can be suppressed by Ca channel blockers. The hormone simultaneously stimulated heart microsomal membrane protein phosphorylation. Experiments were performed to investigate the existence of a relationship between these changes and to obtain information about the mechanism involved in 1,25(OH)2D3-induced modifications in cardiac protein phosphorylation. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP (10 microM) and forskolin (10 microM), known activators of the cAMP pathway, produced time courses of changes in 45Ca uptake by chick heart tissue similar to 1,25(OH)2D3 (10(-10) M). Analogously to the hormone, the effects of both compounds were abolished by nifedipine (30 microM) and verapamil (10 microM). In agreement with these observations, 1,25(OH)2D3 significantly increased (34-70%) heart muscle cAMP levels within 1-10 min of treatment. In addition, 1,25(OH)2D3 and forskolin caused similar changes in cardiac microsomal membrane protein phosphorylation (e.g. stimulation in 43 kDa and 55 kDa proteins). These changes were also evidenced by direct exposure of isolated heart microsomes to 1,25(OH)2D3, suggesting a direct membrane action of the hormone. The fast effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on dihydropyridine-sensitive cardiac muscle Ca uptake could be reproduced in primary-cultured myocytes isolated from chick embryonic heart. Furthermore, the effects of the hormone could be suppressed by a specific protein kinase A inhibitor. These results suggest that 1,25(OH)2D3 affects heart cell calcium metabolism through regulation of Ca channel activity mediated by the cAMP pathway.

Rapid stimulation of calcium uptake and protein phosphorylation in isolated cardiac muscle by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 has been shown to induce rapid changes in calcium fluxes in skeletal muscle and other target tissues independently of gene activation. The possibility that the hormone would produce similar effects in heart where 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptors and activities have been shown, was studied. A significant increase of 45Ca uptake by left ventricular slices from vitamin D-deficient chicks was observed upon incubation for 1-10 min with physiological doses of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. This stimulation was dose-dependent and specific for the hormone when compared with vitamin D3, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and could not be associated to changes in lipid synthesis as assessed by measurements of [3H]glycerol incorporation into cardiac tissue lipids. The Ca channel blockers nifedipine (30 microM) and verapamil (10 microM) abolished the increase in Ca uptake produced by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. The rapid effects of the hormone on heart Ca influx were accompanied by a stimulation of the phosphorylation of two microsomal proteins of 43 kDa and 55 kDa. These results further support a direct action of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in the regulation of cardiac muscle Ca metabolism which may involve activation of Ca channels.

Progesterone and 17 β-estradiol acutely stimulate nitric oxide synthase activity in rat aorta and inhibit platelet aggregation

The rapid non-genomic stimulatory action of progesterone (Pg) and estradiol (E2) on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity of endothelium intact aortic rings and its effect on platelet aggregation was investigated. First we measured the effect of the hormones on platelet aggregation when added to rat aortic strips (RAS) incubated in a PRP. RAS induced an antiaggregatory activity, which was enhanced by the presence of the hormones. The inhibitory action induced by the hormones was evoked in a dose dependent manner (10 pM-100 nM). These effects are specific for progesterone and 17-beta-estradiol, since either testosterone and 17-alpha-estradiol were devoid of activity. The hormones induced rapid responses, producing significant inhibition within 1 to 5 minutes of hormonal exposure. The addition of 10(-5) M L-NAME suppressed the antiaggregatory effect of 1 nM E2 or 10 nM Pg. Furthermore, we specifically quantified the NO generation by the 3H-citrulline technique. 10(-8) M E2 induced 2-fold increase of RAS citrulline production, while the increment induced by 10(-7) M Pg was 55% over control. Preincubation with 10(-5) M L-NAME completely suppressed the stimulatory action of 10(-9) M E2 or 10(-8) M Pg, confirming that the antiaggregatory factor released from the aortic tissue was NO. Preincubation with cycloheximide did not block the increment in NO induced by the hormones. In conclusion the present study provides for the first time evidence of acute, non-genomic effects of Pg on rat aorta NOS activity and platelet aggregation in coincidence with the results obtained with estradiol treatment.

Involvement of protein kinase C in 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 regulation of calcium uptake by cultured myocytes

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] produces an acute stimulation of calcium influx in cultured chick embryo myocytes through activation of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and involvement of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA). To investigate the participation of protein kinase C (PKC) in this hormone-induced response, calcium uptake was measured in myocytes treated with PKC activators 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA, 50 nM) or 1,2-dioctanoyl-rac-glycerol (DOG, 50 microM). TPA and DOG decreased 45Ca2+ uptake 37% below control cultures. Contrarily, the PKC inhibitors H7 and staurosporine increase myocyte Ca2+ uptake 51% and 54%, respectively. In addition, PKC activity was augmented in cytosol (39%) and membranes (31%) of myocytes after 5 min of treatment with 0.1 nM 1,25(OH)2D3. Likewise, the hormone induced a fast biphasic formation of diacylglycerol, the natural PKC activator, peaking at 30 s (26%) and 3 min (39%). On the other hand, the stimulation of Ca2+ uptake induced by compound H7 as well as 1,25(OH)2D3 was completely abolished with a specific PKA inhibitor. H7 also produced an increase in cAMP levels (172%) and PKA activity (204%). These results suggest the participation of PKC in 1,25(OH)2D3 regulated calcium influx in heart cells and the operation of a cross-talk mechanism between the PKC and PKA pathways.

Novel action of estrone on vascular tissue : regulation of NOS and COX activity

The hypothesis tested in the present work is that estrone non-genomically regulates aortic nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX) activities in female rats, and that such regulation depends on ovarian function. We found that physiological concentrations of estrone (E(1)) (0.1-10nM) significantly increased nitric oxide (NO) production (133 and 163% above control). The stimulatory action of E(1) on NOS activity was independent of calcium influx since the increase in NO elicited by the hormone was not affected by EGTA or verapamil. When COX activity was measured, we observed that estrone enhanced thromboxane (TXB(2)) production and prostacyclin (PGI(2)) release, but not prostaglandin (PGF(2), PGD(2), and PGE(2)) synthesis. Finally we demonstrated that the hormonal effect on NOS activity was not detected in rat aortic strips (RAS) isolated from animals deprived of ovarian activity (FR(-)) or ovariectomized rats (OVX). These results suggest that estrone exerts a direct, non-genomic action on rat aortic metabolism, which involves NOS and COX activation and depends on ovarian activity.

Cross-talk between rapid and long term effects of progesterone on vascular tissue

We tested the hypothesis whether; the non-genomic action of progesterone (Pg) on vascular tissue would be associated with hormonal long term effect on the modulation of cell growth. Using rat aortic strips, we showed that the stimulatory effect of Pg on nitric oxide synthesis involved both kinase and phosphatase pathways. The increase in the vasoactive production was prevented by the MAPK inhibitor (PD98059). In addition, preincubation with a phosphatase antagonist potentiated the hormonal effect. Pg increased PKC activity, but the inhibition of PKC did not alter the stimulatory action of the hormone on nitric oxide generation. In endothelial cell cultures (EC), 24h treatment with Pg significantly diminished cell proliferation. This antiproliferative effect was suppressed by the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine (chel) and l-NAME (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor). We also observed that Pg stimulates EC migration. In summary, the present findings provide evidence of an integration of genomic and non-genomic effects in the mechanism of action displayed by Pg in vascular tissue. The fast effects elicited by the hormone implies signal transduction activation required for the regulation of vasoactive production, but also necessary for the modulation of endothelial cells growth.

Effects of calcitriol and its analogues, calcipotriol (MC 903) and 20-Epi-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (MC 1288), on calcium influx and DNA synthesis in cultured muscle cells☆

The fast actions of the secosteroid hormone 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3; calcitriol] and the synthetic analogues calcipotriol (MC 903) and 20-epi-1alpha,25(OH)2D3 (MC 1288) on cell calcium influx were compared in rat duodenum enterocytes as well as in cells from chick embryo skeletal muscle (myoblasts) and heart (myocytes), at various concentrations (10(-12) to 10(-8) M) and treatment intervals (1-10 min). In enterocytes, at a concentration of 10(-11) M, MC 1288 was significantly more active than 1,25(OH)2D3 in rapidly stimulating 45Ca2+ uptake by enterocytes (80 vs 38% above controls, respectively), whereas MC 903 was devoid of activity. However, calcipotriol increased Ca2+ influx in myocytes and myoblasts to a greater extent than the natural hormone, whereas MC 1288 was more active only in myoblasts. Analogously to 1,25(OH)2D3, the fast MC 903- and MC 1288-induced stimulation of 45Ca2+ uptake in enterocytes and muscle cells could be blocked by both verapamil and nifedipine. In addition, MC 903 and MC 1288 were more effective than 1,25(OH)2D3 in stimulating DNA synthesis in proliferating myoblasts and in inhibiting DNA synthesis in differentiating myoblasts. The results suggest, therefore, that modifications in the side-chain of the 1,25(OH)2D3 molecule increase its ability to modulate muscle cell Ca2+ metabolism and growth. These findings are potentially relevant for the development of analogues for the treatment of vitamin D-dependent myopathies.

Rapid actions of calcitriol and its side chain analogues CB1093 and GS1500 on intracellular calcium levels in skeletal muscle cells: a comparative study

The ability of synthetic analogues of the secosteroid hormone 1α,25‐dihydroxy‐vitamin‐D3 [calcitriol, CT; 1,25(OH)2D3] to exert non‐genomic (rapid) effects on target cells has been scarcely studied. To evaluate the pharmacological potential of the CT side‐chain analogues CB1093 and GS1500, we compared their fast effects on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in chick skeletal muscle cells with those elicited by the natural hormone. Both analogues, similarly to CT, specifically induced rapid (30–60 s) and sustained rises in [Ca2+]i levels. CB1093 and GS1500 were more potent than the natural hormone at concentrations as low as 10−13 M (4.5 fold stimulation) and 10−12 M (2.5 fold), respectively, whereas higher concentrations (10−9–10−8 M) of CT were more effective than the analogues in elevating [Ca2+]i. Cyclic AMP was markedly increased by both analogues pointing for a role of this messenger in the fast actions of the synthetic compounds. In Ca2+ free medium CT and analogues elicited a transient elevation in [Ca2+]i. The PLC inhibitors U73122 (2 μM) and neomycin (0.5 mM), as well as depletion of intracellular stores with thapsigargin (1 μM), completely prevented CB1093/GS1500‐dependent changes in [Ca2+]i suggesting that, similarly to CT, these analogues mobilized Ca2+ from an IP3/thapsigargin‐sensitive store. The voltage‐dependent calcium channel (VDCC) blocker nifedipine (2 μM) reduced by 50–60% the influx phase of the [Ca2+]i response to CB1093 and GS1500, indicating that VDCC contributed partially to Ca2+ entry. The Ca2+ readdition protocol suggested that analogue‐dependent activation of a SOC entry pathway accounted, to the same extent as for CT, for the remaining non‐VDCC mediated Ca2+ influx.

Effect of genistein and raloxifene on vascular dependent platelet aggregation.

We checked the hypothesis whether the non-classical estrogen receptor modulators genistein and raloxifene could affect platelet aggregation through their direct effect on vascular tissue by regulating the synthesis of vasoactive compounds. In rat aortic strips, 10nM genistein or 10nM raloxifene significantly increased nitric oxide synthesis, event prevented by ICI182780. Both agents exhibited an antiaggregatory action, dependent on the nitric oxide release from vascular tissue, since preincubation of aortic strips with L-NAME partially and completely suppressed the inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by genistein or raloxifene respectively. The phytoestrogen enhanced phospholipase A(2) and prostacyclin release into the incubation medium. Indomethacin reduced in half the inhibition of platelet aggregation elicited by genistein. Finally, genistein or raloxifene also inhibited platelet aggregation in aortic strips from ovariectomized rats. In conclusion, genistein and raloxifene exhibit an antiplatelet activity through their direct action on vascular tissue, in rats with or without ovarian activity.

In vitro calcium transport properties of skeletal muscle mitochondria from vitamin D-deficient and 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3-treated chicks

SummaryPrevious work has shown that vitamin D3 or 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 affect calcium content and fluxes in mitochondria of chick skeletal musclein situ. Studies were performed to investigate whether these effects are related to variations in the Ca2+ transport properties of mitochondrial membranes. Mitochondria isolated from skeletal muscle of vitamin D-deficient chicks and chicks dosed with 1,25(OH)2D3 for 3 or 7 days (50 ng/day) were employed. No changes in the rate and affinity for calcium of the Ruthenium Red-sensitive Ca2+ uptake system were detected after treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3. The metabolite did not cause either modifications in Ca2+ efflux from mitochondria preloaded with the cation induced by Na+ or blockage of mitochondria energy supply. Prior treatment of animals with vitamin D3 was also without effects. However, a significant stimulation of Ca2+ uptake by intact muscle preparations from the same experimental animals was observed in response to treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3in vivo (50 ng/day, 3 days) orin vitro (10−10 M, 60 minutes). In addition, the Ca content of muscle mitochondria was markedly diminished in chicks treated with the sterol. It is suggested that the effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on muscle mitochondrial Ca metabolism may be secondary to changes in cytoplasmic Ca2+.