Susana Chulia

Mechanism of the cardiovascular activity of laudanosine: comparison with papaverine and other benzylisoquinolines.

1 The activity of (±)‐laudanosine, a benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid, was investigated in pithed rats and rat isolated aorta. Its effects on [3H]‐prazosin, [3H]‐(+)‐cis‐diltiazem and [3H]‐nitrendipine binding to rat cerebral cortical membranes, and on the different molecular forms of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDE) isolated from bovine aorta were investigated. 2 The dose‐response curve to methoxamine (3–300 μg kg−1, i.v.) in normotensive pithed rats was shifted to the right by (±)‐laudanosine, 3 and 6 mg kg−1. 3 (±)‐Laudanosine inhibited in a concentration‐dependent manner the contractile responses evoked by noradrenaline (NA 1 μm), depolarizing solution (KC1 80 μm) or depolarizing solution plus phentolamine (10 μm) in rat isolated aorta. The alkaloid appeared to be more potent against NA‐induced contractions. 4 In Ca2+‐free solution, (±)‐laudanosine (100 μm) inhibited the contraction evoked by NA and did not modify the phasic contractile response evoked by caffeine. The alkaloid did not modify the refilling of the intracellular Ca2+‐stores sensitive to NA or caffeine. 5 (±)‐Laudanosine inhibited [3H]‐prazosin binding to cortical membranes and also inhibited [3H]‐(+)‐cis‐diltiazem but with a lower potency. [3H]‐nitrendipine binding was not affected by laudanosine. 6 (±)‐Laudanosine does not have a significant effect on the different forms of PDEs isolated from bovine aorta. In contrast, compounds structurally related to this alkaloid such as papaverine and its derivatives, had a non‐selective or more specific inhibitory effect on these PDE forms. These differences can be explained on the basis of their structural features: the planarity of the isoquinoline ring (papaverine) facilitates the interaction with receptor sites, and the different position of the benzyl group does not modify the activity unless this position leads to the presence of a chiral centre (laudanosine). 7 These results suggest that (±)‐laudanosine has a selective activity as an α1‐adrenoceptor blocker. Its lack of action on different PDE forms provides us with information about a group of benzylisoquinolines that with small structural changes show a different effect on PDE‐forms isolated from vascular smooth muscle.

Selective action of two aporphines at α1-adrenoceptors and potential-operated Ca2+ channels

Abstract Contractions evoked by noradrenaline (1 μM) or a depolarizing solution of 60 mM KCI were concentration dependently depressed by the aporphine alkaloids (S)-boldine and (R)-apomorphine in rataorta. Both drugs had a greater inhibitory potency on the contraction elicited by noradrenaline. Dose-response curves for noradrenaline were shifted to the right in presence of (S)-boldine. (R)-Apomorphine acted by a complex mechanism at α 1 -adrenoceptors and its inhibitory effects was irreversible. The conformational features of these alkaloids may explain their different behaviour at α 1 -adrenoceptors. In Ca 2+ -free solution, the alkaloids inhibited the contraction evoked by noradrenaline but did not modify (apomorphine) or increase (boldine) the contractile response induced by caffeine. Both alkaloids interacted with [ 3 H]prazosin binding and with the benzothiazepine binding site of the Ca 2+ entry receptor complex but had no effect at the dihydropyridine binding site in the rat cerebral cortex. Both drugs showed some selectivity as inhibitors of [ 3 H]prazosin binding as opposed to [ 3 H]d-cis ditiazem binding. (R)-Apomorphine slightly inhibited one of the two forms of the Ca 2+ -independent, low K m cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase (type IV), whereas it did not have a significant effect on the other phosphodiesterase forms. (S)-Boldine had negligible inhibitory effects on all phosphodiesterase forms. The present study provides evidence that (S)-boldine and (R)-apomorphine have interesting properties as Ca 2+ entry blockers (through the benzothiazepine receptor site in the Ca 2+ channel) and at α 1 -adrenoceptors.

Capacitative Ca2+ entry associated with α1-adrenoceptors in rat aorta

Abstract In rat aorta, depletion of internal Ca2+ stores by addition of noradrenaline (1μM) induces a biphasic response (an initial phasic response and a tonic one) mediated by two different intracellular Ca2+ pools. This response cannot be repeated, suggesting a depletion of internal Ca2+ stores sensitive to noradrenaline. In absence of the agonist, this depletion is the signal for the entry of extracellular Ca2+, not only to refill the stores but also, under our experimental conditions, to activate the contractile proteins thus inducing an increase in the resting tone (IRT) that constitutes functional evidence of this Ca2+ entry. The ionic channels involved in the mechanism of the IRT have been studied in the present work.The fact that the addition of nimodipine (10–15–10–11M) selectively inhibits the IRT suggests that this mechanical response is mediated by Ca2+ influx through dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+ channels. Moreover, the inhibitory action of nimodipine is attenuated by glibenclamide (10μM). Cromakalim (10–10–10–6M) also inhibits the IRT concentration dependently, and this inhibition is antagonized by glibenclamide (10μM). These results relate the ATP-dependent K+ channels to the mechanism of the IRT.The refilling of the two internal Ca2+ compartments sensitive to noradrenaline was, like the IRT, altered in presence of the compounds tested, since the subsequent contractile response to noradrenaline was decreased. The present results suggest that nimodipine treatment inhibits the refilling of the Ca2+ compartment responsible for the tonic contraction induced by noradrenaline in Ca2+-free medium, whereas the refilling of the Ca2+ pool responsible for the phasic response to noradrenaline remained unaltered. Both the phasic and tonic responses to noradrenaline in Ca2+-free medium decreased after treatment with cromakalim. We can therefore assume that the refilling of both Ca2+ compartments sensitive to noradrenaline was inhibited.In conclusion, these results are consistent with the contraction of the rat aorta in response to noradrenaline in Ca2+-free medium consisting of an initial phasic response and a tonic one. The former is due to the release of internal Ca2+ from a compartment refilled through a special channel that is cromakalim but not dihydropyridine sensitive. The tonic response is due to Ca2+ release from another compartment refilled through a cromakalim- and dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+ channel. The Ca2+ entry through this latter channel intervenes in the IRT observed during the refilling of these stores previously depleted by noradrenaline, and the opening state of this channel is also modulated by ATP-dependent K2+ channels.

Vasodilator Effects of Liriodenine and Norushinsunine, Two Aporphine Alkaloids Isolated from Annona cherimolia, in Rat Aorta

The effect of two aporphines, liriodenine and norushinsunine, isolated from Annona cherimolia, were studied in the rat aorta in order to examine their mechanism of action. Both alkaloids (10(-7) - 10(-4) mol/l) showed relaxant effects on the contractions elicited by 10(-6) mol/l noradrenaline (NA) or 80 mmol/1 KCl, but, while liriodenine showed a nonspecific relaxant action on both spasmogens, norushinsunine was more potent on KCl-induced contraction. In Ca2+ free medium, both alkaloids (0.1 mmol/l) inhibited the responses elicited by NA, but not those elicited by caffeine. This inhibitory action occurred when the alkaloids were present during the release of the Ca2+ internal stores or during the refilling process. These results suggest that the two aporphines show a relaxant action in rat aorta which is mediated by an interaction with alpha1-adrenoceptors and an alteration of the Ca2+ entry via voltage-operated channels. Norushinsunine exhibits a certain degree of selectivity as an L-type Ca2+ channel blocker.

Relationships between structure and vascular activity in a series of benzylisoquinolines

1 1In the present work, the properties of 3‐methyl isoquinoline, 3,4‐dihydropapaverine, tetrahydropapaverine and tetrahydropapaveroline were compared with those of papaverine and laudanosine. The work includes functional studies on rat isolated aorta contracted with noradrenaline, caffeine or KC1, and a determination of the affinity of the compounds for α1‐adrenoceptors and calcium channel binding sites, with [#H]‐prazosin, [#H]‐nitrendipine and [#H]‐(+)‐cis‐diltiazem binding to rat cerebral cortical membranes. The effects of papaverine derivatives on the different molecular forms of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDE) isolated from bovine aorta were also determined. 2 2The three papaverine derivatives show greater affinity than papaverine for the [#H]‐prazosin binding site. They are therefore more selective as inhibitors of [#H]‐prazosin binding as opposed to [#H]‐(+)‐cis‐diltiazem, while papaverine appears to have approximately equal affinity for both. [#H]‐nitrendipine binding was not affected by either papaverine or papaverine derivatives in concentrations up to 100 μM. 3‐Methylisoquinoline had no effect on any of the binding sites assayed. 3 3Contractions evoked by noradrenaline (1 μM) in rat aorta were inhibited in a concentration‐dependent manner by 3,4‐dihydropapaverine, tetrahydropapaverine and with a lower potency, by tetrahydropapaveroline. In Ca2+‐free solution, tetrahydropapaverine and to a lesser extent, tetrahydropapaveroline, inhibited the noradrenaline (1 μM) evoked contraction in a concentration‐dependent manner and did not modify the phasic contractile response evoked by caffeine (10 mM). This suggests that these alkaloids do not act at the intracellular level, unlike papaverine which inhibits the contractile response to caffeine and noradrenaline. 4 4Inositol phosphates formation induced by noradrenaline (1 μM) in rat aorta was inhibited by tetrahydropapaverine (100 μM) and tetrahydropapaveroline (300 μM), thus suggesting that α1D‐adrenoceptors are coupled to phosphoinositide metabolism in rat aorta. 5 5Unlike papaverine, which has a significant effect on all the PDE isoforms, the three alkaloids assayed did not have an inhibitory effect on the different forms of PDE isolated from bovine aorta. 6 6These results provide evidence that papaverine derivatives with a partially or totally reduced isoquinoline ring have a greater affinity for α1‐adrenoceptors and a lower affinity for benzothiazepine sites in the Ca2+‐channel than papaverine. This structural feature also implies a loss of the inhibitory activity on PDE isoforms. The planarity of the isoquinoline ring (papaverine) impairs the interaction with the α1‐adrenoceptor site and facilitates it with the Ca2+‐channels and PDEs, whereas the more flexible tetrahydroisoquinoline ring increases the binding to α1‐adrenoceptors.

Intervention of two voltage-dependent calcium-entry pathways in the contractile response to acetylcholine and KCl in rat uterus

The contractile response of rat uterine smooth muscle was investigated. Verapamil and diltiazem concentration-dependently relax the sustained contractions induced by KCl (56 mmol/l) or acetylcholine (10(-4) mol/l). This inhibitory effect was not not freely reversed by washing the tissue and subsequently no contractile response was obtained in depolarized tissue, but a lower biphasic response (phasic and tonic) to acetylcholine was observed. Addition of cumulative concentrations of CaCl2 (1.2-19.2 mmol/l) induced a partial recovery of the contractile response to acetylcholine or KCl, but addition of MgCl2 (1.2-19.2 mmol/l did not. When the channel was reactivated by a third addition of KCl or acetylcholine after treatment with Ca2+, both spasmogens-induced phasic contractions recovered towards the initial configuration but the tonic component was not restored under any conditions. No recovery of mechanical response could be observed after Mg2+ treatment.

Relaxant activity of three aporphine alkaloids from Annona cherimolia on isolated aorta of rat

In the present study we tested the relaxant effect of three aporphine alkaloids—roemerine, anonaine and dehydroroemerine—isolated from the roots of Annona cherimolia, on isolated strips of rat thoracic aorta.

Effect of Divalent Cations on the Contractile Response of Rat Aorta to Depolarization before and after Nifedipine Treatment

The influence of the divalent cations, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Ba2+, on the contractile response of the rat aorta to KCl and on the recovery of this response after nifedipine treatment was analyzed. KCl (80 mmol/l) promoted a two-phase (phasic and tonic) contractile response in Krebs solution but, as expected, no contractile response in Ca(2+)-free medium. In Mg(2+)-free medium, the phasic response to KCl was unaffected but the tonic one decreased slowly, suggesting that a long incubation time in the absence of Mg2+ (65 min) promotes a loss of or a change in the intracellular distribution of this ion that modifies Ca2+ entry through L channels or Ca2+ handling. Ba2+ (1.8 mmol/l) contracted the rat aorta in the absence or presence of Ca2+ but, when Ca2+ was not present, Ba2+ modified the contractile process so that a new addition of KCl did not reproduce the contractile response. After nifedipine treatment, no phasic response to KCl was observed and only a slow response appeared that increased as long as the KCl was present (45 min). After washing, KCl induced a phasic response similar to the standard response, but a smaller tonic one. Divalent cations accelerated the recovery of the channels involved in the tonic contraction. However, the recovery of the Ca2+ channels related to the phasic contraction was independent of divalent cations.

Effect of different treatments in calcium-free medium on basal tone and contractile responses of guinea pig tracheae.

Acetylcholine (ACh; 0.1 mmol/l) and KCl (80 mmol/l) induce a biphasic contractile response in isolated guinea pig tracheae maintained at 37 degrees C either in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+. Exposure of the tissue to Ca(2+)-free solution evokes a significant decrease in basal tone and the sources of Ca2+ appear to be decreased by prolonged agonist stimulation, and even more by successive agonist stimulation. After an incubation period of 20 min in Ca(2+)-containing solution, the response is restored. Mg(2+)-depletion in Ca(2+)-free medium increased the contractile response to ACh, but not to KCl, and delayed the tonic component of the next contraction elicited in Ca(2+)-containing solution.

Effect of divalent cations on KCl- and noradrenaline-induced contractile responses in rat aorta after nifedipine treatment

Nifedipine (1 microM) relaxed the sustained contractile responses induced by 1 microM noradrenaline or 60 mM KCl in rat aortic strips. After washing, a second addition of the spasmogens gave smaller tonic contractions than the first one. Even more, a third addition of KCl also gave a smaller contraction than the first one, but a complete recovery of the contractile response to noradrenaline was obtained by a third addition of this agonist. Application of cumulative amounts of Ca2+ or Ba2+ (2.4-24 mM) on the residual contraction in response to these agents after nifedipine treatment, but in the absence of the blocker, restored the magnitude of the contractile responses. Addition of cumulative amounts of Mg2+ (2.4-24 mM) did not modify or even relax the contractile responses to KCl and noradrenaline, respectively.