Hyperpolarized 13C Magnetic Resonance Imaging (13C-MRI) provides a highly sensitive tool to probe tissue metabolism in vivo and has recently been translated into clinical studies. We report the cerebral metabolism of intravenously injected hyperpolarized [1–13C]pyruvate in the brain of healthy human volunteers for the first time. Dynamic acquisition of 13C images demonstrated 13C-labeling of both lactate and bicarbonate, catalyzed by cytosolic lactate dehydrogenase and mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase respectively. This demonstrates that both enzymes can be probed in vivo in the presence of an intact blood-brain barrier: the measured apparent exchange rate constant (kPL) for exchange of the hyperpolarized 13C label between [1–13C]pyruvate and the endogenous lactate pool was 0.012 ± 0.006 s−1 and the apparent rate constant (kPB) for the irreversible flux of [1–13C]pyruvate to [13C]bicarbonate was 0.002 ± 0.002 s−1. Imaging also revealed that [1–13C]pyruvate, [1–13C]lactate and [13C]bicarbonate were significantly higher in gray matter compared to white matter. Imaging normal brain metabolism with hyperpolarized [1–13C]pyruvate and subsequent quantification, have important implications for interpreting pathological cerebral metabolism in future studies.
Chronic ethanol abuse causes up-regulation of NMDA receptors, which underlies seizures and brain damage upon ethanol withdrawal (EW). Here we show that tissue-plasminogen activator (tPA), a protease implicated in neuronal plasticity and seizures, is induced in the limbic system by chronic ethanol consumption, temporally coinciding with up-regulation of NMDA receptors. tPA interacts with NR2B-containing NMDA receptors and is required for up-regulation of the NR2B subunit in response to ethanol. As a consequence, tPA-deficient mice have reduced NR2B, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1͞2 phosphorylation, and seizures after EW. tPA-mediated facilitation of EW seizures is abolished by NR2B-specific NMDA antagonist ifenprodil. These results indicate that tPA mediates the development of physical dependence on ethanol by regulating NR2B-containing NMDA receptors.proteases ͉ excitotoxicity ͉ alcoholism
Abstract-It is well established that renin-angiotensin system blockers exert NO/prostacyclin-dependent antithrombotic effects. Because some beneficial effects of these drugs are mediated by angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7), in the present study we examined if their antithrombotic action could be mediated by Ang-(1-7). Intravenous infusion of Ang-(1-7) (1, 10, or 100 pmol/kg per minute for 2 hours) into rats developing venous thrombosis caused 50% to 70% reduction of the thrombus weight. This effect was dose-dependently reversed by cotreatment with A-779 (selective Ang- [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] receptor antagonist) or EXP 3174 (angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonist) but not by PD 123,319 (angiotensin type 2 receptor antagonist). Similarly, the antithrombotic effects of captopril (ACE inhibitor) and losartan (angiotensin type 1 receptor blocker) were attenuated by A-779 in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of Ang-(1-7) was completely abolished by concomitant administration of NO synthase inhibitor (N G -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) and prostacyclin synthesis inhibitor (indomethacin), as has been shown previously for captopril and losartan. Thus, the antithrombotic effect of renin-angiotensin system blockers involves Ang-(1-7)-evoked release of NO and prostacyclin. (Hypertension. 2002;40:774-779.)
Cerebral metabolism is tightly regulated and fundamental for healthy neurological function. There is increasing evidence that alterations in this metabolism may be a precursor and early biomarker of later stage disease processes. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) is a powerful tool to non-invasively assess tissue metabolites and has many applications for studying the normal and diseased brain. However, the technique has limitations including low spatial and temporal resolution, difficulties in discriminating overlapping peaks, and challenges in assessing metabolic flux rather than steady-state concentrations. Hyperpolarized carbon-13 magnetic resonance imaging is an emerging clinical technique that may overcome some of these spatial and temporal limitations, providing novel insights into neurometabolism in both health and in pathological processes such as glioma, stroke and multiple sclerosis. This review will explore the growing body of pre-clinical data that demonstrates a potential role for the technique in assessing metabolism in the central nervous system. There are now a number of clinical studies being undertaken in this area and this review will present the emerging clinical data as well as the potential future applications of hyperpolarized 13C magnetic resonance imaging in the brain, in both clinical and pre-clinical studies.
Abstract-This study investigated the process of nitric oxide (NO) release from platelets after stimulation with different angiotensin II type 1 (AT 1 )-receptor antagonists and its effect on platelet adhesion and aggregation. Angiotensin II AT 1 -receptor antagonist-stimulated NO release in platelets was compared with that in human umbilical vein endothelial cells by using a highly sensitive porphyrinic microsensor. In vitro and ex vivo effects of angiotensin II AT 1 -receptor antagonists on platelet adhesion to collagen and thromboxane A 2 analog U46619-induced aggregation were evaluated. Losartan, EXP3174, and valsartan alone caused NO release from platelets and endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner in the range of 0.01 to 100 mol/L, which was attenuated by NO synthase inhibitor N G -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. The angiotensin II AT 1 -receptor antagonists had more than 70% greater potency in NO release in platelets than in endothelial cells. The degree of inhibition of platelet adhesion (collagen-stimulated) and aggregation (U46619-stimulated) elicited by losartan, EXP3174, and valsartan, either in vitro or ex vivo, closely correlated with the NO levels produced by each of these drugs alone. The inhibiting effects of angiotensin II AT 1 -receptor antagonists on collagen-stimulated adhesion and U46619-stimulated aggregation of platelets were significantly reduced by pretreatment with N G -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. Neither the AT 2 receptor antagonist PD123319, the cyclooxygenase synthase inhibitor indomethacin, nor the selective thromboxane A 2 /prostaglandin H 2 receptor antagonist SQ29,548 had any effect on angiotensin II AT 1 -receptor antagonist-stimulated NO release in platelets and endothelial cells. Key Words: platelets Ⅲ nitric oxide Ⅲ endothelium Ⅲ angiotensin II Ⅲ angiotensin antagonist P latelets play an important role in arterial thrombosis and the onset of acute myocardial infarction after atherosclerotic plaque rupture. Inhibition of platelet aggregation has become a critical step in preventing thrombotic events that are associated with stroke, heart attack, and peripheral arterial thrombosis. 1 Thrombosis is a multicellular event in which other cells, such as endothelial cells, are involved in the regulation of platelet reactivity. During the past several years, clear evidence has emerged that a concerted action of nitric oxide (NO) generated by either endothelial or platelet NO synthases regulates platelet activation, causing inhibition of adhesion and aggregation. 2,3 Recently developed nonpeptide angiotensin II (Ang II) AT 1 -receptor antagonists (AT 1 -As) make up a new generation of antihypertensive agents that also modulate hemostasis, 4,5 and apparently this effect is not solely a result of Ang II-receptor blockage. Ang II induces an early phase of platelet activation 6 and increases secretion of plasminogen activator inhibitor type I from vascular endothelial cells, 7 whereas AT 1 -As inhibit the vasoconstrictor and platelet aggregation effects induced by tromboxane A 2 (T...
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.