scholarly journals First Report ofEurycoma longifoliaJack Root Extract Causing Relaxation of Aortic Rings in Rats

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bae Huey Tee ◽  
See Ziau Hoe ◽  
Swee Hung Cheah ◽  
Sau Kuen Lam

AlthoughEurycoma longifoliahas been studied for erectile function, the blood pressure- (BP-) lowering effect has yet to be verified. Hence, this study aims at investigating the BP-lowering properties of the plant with a view to develop an antihypertensive agent that could also preserve erectile function. Ethanolic root extract was partitioned by hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate, butanol, and water. The DCM fraction, found to be potent in relaxing phenylephrine- (PE-) precontracted rat aortic rings, was further purified by column chromatography. Subfraction DCM-II, being the most active in relaxing aortae, was studied for effects on the renin-angiotensin and kallikrein-kinin systems in aortic rings. The effect of DCM-II on angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity was also evaluatedin vitro. Results showed that DCM-II reduced (p<0.05) the contractions evoked by angiotensin I and angiotensin II (Ang II). In PE-precontracted rings treated with DCM-II, the Ang II-induced contraction was attenuated (p<0.05) while bradykinin- (BK-) induced relaxation enhanced (p<0.001).In vitro, DCM-II inhibited (p<0.001) the activity of ACE. These data demonstrate that the vasodilatory effect of DCM-II appears to be mediatedviainhibition of Ang II type 1 receptor and ACE as well as enhancement of Ang II type 2 receptor activation and BK activity.

Hypertension ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julio Gallego-Delgado ◽  
Thomas Walther ◽  
Ana Rodriguez

For decades, researchers have been fascinated by the idea of a causative connection between hypertension and malaria as the prevalence of hypertension is higher in populations that have been exposed to malaria for long periods. Cerebral malaria is a multi-factorial syndrome involving the interaction between P. falciparum -infected red blood cells ( Pf -iRBC) and host cerebral microvascular endothelial cells. Disruption of the blood-brain-barrier (BBB), ranging from increased permeability to complete loss of inter-endothelial junctions (IEJ) and to petechial hemorrhages in the brain, is a characteristic feature of cerebral malaria. Our in vitro experiments show that Pf -iRBC induce the disruption of IEJ in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) mediated by the activation of β-catenin. Protection from this effect is achieved by blockade of the angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor (AT1) or stimulation of the type 2 receptor (AT2), which abrogate Pf -iRBC-induced activation of β-catenin and prevent the disruption HBMEC monolayers. Using a mouse model of cerebral malaria, we observed similar effects after treatment with Ang II receptors modulators, leading to protection against cerebral malaria, reduced cerebral hemorrhages (1.98 and 1.17 vs 0.63 for control, AT1 blocker and AT2 agonist respectively; p<0.05) and increased survival. While only 25% survived in controls (4 of 16 mice), 81.7% (13 of 15) and 71.4% (5 of 7) survived under AT1 blockade or AT2 agonist, respectively. In contrast, AT2-deficient mice were more susceptible to cerebral malaria (0% survival; 0 of 9). A causal association between high levels of Ang II and protection from malaria pathogenesis can provide a likely explanation for the increased prevalence in hypertension observed in populations of African and South Asian origin. Furthermore, this potential causative connection might also direct to unique approaches for the effective treatment of cerebral malaria.


Endocrinology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 152 (4) ◽  
pp. 1582-1588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junichi Yatabe ◽  
Minoru Yoneda ◽  
Midori S. Yatabe ◽  
Tsuyoshi Watanabe ◽  
Robin A. Felder ◽  
...  

Abstract Angiotensin II (Ang II) and Ang III stimulate aldosterone secretion by adrenal glomerulosa, but the angiotensin receptor subtypes involved and the effects of Ang IV and Ang (1–7) are not clear. In vitro, different angiotensins were added to rat adrenal glomerulosa, and aldosterone concentration in the medium was measured. Ang II-induced aldosterone release was blocked (30.3 ± 7.1%) by an Ang II type 2 receptor (AT2R) antagonist, PD123319. Candesartan, an Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) antagonist, also blocked Ang II-induced aldosterone release (42.9 ± 4.8%). Coadministration of candesartan and PD123319 almost abolished the Ang II-induced aldosterone release. A selective AT2R agonist, CGP42112, was used to confirm the effects of AT2R. CGP42112 increased aldosterone secretion, which was almost completely inhibited by PD123319. In addition to Ang II, Ang III also induced aldosterone release, which was not blocked by candesartan. However, PD123319 blocked 22.4 ± 10.5% of the Ang III-induced aldosterone secretion. Ang IV and Ang (1–7) did not induce adrenal aldosterone secretion. In vivo, both Ang II and Ang III infusion increased plasma aldosterone concentration, but only Ang II elevated blood pressure. Ang IV and Ang (1–7) infusion did not affect blood pressure or aldosterone concentration. In conclusion, this report showed for the first time that AT2R partially mediates Ang III-induced aldosterone release, but not AT1R. Also, over 60% of Ang III-induced aldosterone release may be independent of both AT1R and AT2R. Ang III and AT2R signaling may have a role in the pathophysiology of aldosterone breakthrough.


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 514
Author(s):  
Hilal Demirkesen-Bicak ◽  
Muhammet Arici ◽  
Mustafa Yaman ◽  
Salih Karasu ◽  
Osman Sagdic

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of sourdough fermentation on the estimated glycemic index (eGI), in vitro starch digestibility, and textural and sensory properties of eight experimentally prepared sourdough breads. Wheat and whole wheat flour bread samples were produced under different fermentation conditions (25 °C and 30 °C) and fermentation methods (type-1 and type-2). In type-1 fermentation, sourdough was obtained via spontaneous fermentation. Indigenous strains (Lactobacillus brevis ELB99, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ELB75, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae TGM55) were used for type-2 fermentation. Fermentation type and temperature significantly affected eGI, the hydrolysis index (HI), the starch fraction, and the textural properties of the samples (p < 0.05). The resistant starch (RS) content increased after fermentation, while rapidly digestible starch (RDS), HI, and eGI decreased. RS values were significantly higher in type-2 than in type-1 at the same temperature for both flour types (p < 0.05). At 25 °C, RS values were higher in both fermentation types. In the white flour samples, eGI values were in the range of 60.8–78.94 and 62.10–78.94 for type-1 and type-2, respectively. The effect of fermentation type on eGI was insignificant (p < 0.05). In the whole flour samples, fermentation type and temperature significantly affected eGI (p < 0.05). The greatest eGI decreases were in whole wheat sourdough bread at 30 °C using type-2 (29.74%). The 30 °C and type-2 samples showed lower hardness and higher specific volume. This study suggests that fermentation type and temperature could affect the eGI and the textural and sensory properties of sourdough bread, and these factors should be considered during bread production. The findings also support the consumption of wheat and whole wheat breads produced by type-2 fermentation due to higher RS and slowly digestible starch (SDS) and lower RDS and eGI values.


1995 ◽  
Vol 269 (2) ◽  
pp. C435-C442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Wen ◽  
M. C. Cabot ◽  
E. Clauser ◽  
S. L. Bursten ◽  
J. L. Nadler

A stable Chinese hamster ovary fibroblast line expressing the rat vascular type 1a angiotensin II (ANG II) receptor was used to study the lipid-derived signal transduction pathways elicited by type 1a ANG II receptor activation. ANG II caused a biphasic and dose-dependent increase in diacylglycerol (DAG) accumulation with an initial peak at 15 s (181 +/- 11% of control, P < 0.02) and a second sustained peak at 5-10 min (214 +/- 10% of control, P < 0.02). The late DAG peak was derived from phosphatidylcholine (PC), and the formation was blocked by ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid. ANG II also increased phosphatidic acid (PA) production nearly fourfold by 7.5 min. In the presence of ethanol, ANG II markedly increased phosphatidylethanol (PEt) formation, indicating activation of phospholipase D (PLD). ANG II was shown to increase the mass of three separate PA species, one of which apparently originated from DAG kinase action on PC-phospholipase C (PLC)-produced DAG, providing evidence for PC-PLC activity. ANG II also formed a third PA species, which originated neither from PLD nor from DAG kinase. These results demonstrate that multiple lipid signals propagated via collateral stimulation of PLC and PLD are generated by specific activation of the vascular type 1a ANG II receptor.


1998 ◽  
Vol 6 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 331-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Specht ◽  
Hans-Gerd Pauels ◽  
Christian Becker ◽  
Eckehart Kölsch

The involvement of counteractiveCD8+T-cell subsets during tumor-specific immune responses was analyzed in a syngeneic murine plasmacytoma model.CD8+Tc cells against the immunogenic IL-10-producing BALB/c plasmacytoma ADJ-PC-5 can be easily induced by immunization of BALB/c mice with X-irradiated ADJ-PC-5 tumor cellsin vivoandin vitro. However, the failure of recipient mice to mount a protective Tc response against the tumor during early stages of a real or simulated tumor growth is not due to immunological ignorance, but depends on the induction of tumor-specific tolerance, involving a population of tumorinducedCD8+T cells that are able to inhibit the generation of tumor-specific Tc cells in a primary ADJ-PC-5-specific MLTC, using IFN-γas a suppressive factor. Whereas most longterm cultivated CD8+ADJ-PC-5-specific Tc lines produce type-1 cytokines on stimulation, at least two of them, which were derived from a primary MLTC, display a type-2 cytokine spectrum. Furthermore, the primaryin vitroTc response against ADJ-PC-5 cells shows characteristics of a Tc2 response. The Tc response is strictly depending on tumor-derived IL-10.CD8+Tc cells that are induced in a primary MLTC do not produce IFN-γ, and the tumor-specific Tc response is enhanced by IL-4 but suppressed by IFN-γor IL-12. In contrast, ADJ-PC- 5-specificCD8+Tc cells from immunized mice are IFN-γproducing Tc1 cells. Since the primaryin vitroTc response against the tumor is suppressed even by the smallest numbers of irradiated ADJ-PC-5-specific Tc1 cells via IFN-γthese Tc1 cells behave similar to the suppressiveCD8+T cells that are induced during early stages of ADJ-PC-5 tumorigenesis.


2003 ◽  
Vol 284 (3) ◽  
pp. H779-H789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristie Rhinehart ◽  
Corey A. Handelsman ◽  
Erik P. Silldorff ◽  
Thomas L. Pallone

We tested whether the respective angiotensin type 1 (AT1) and 2 (AT2) receptor subtype antagonists losartan and PD-123319 could block the descending vasa recta (DVR) endothelial intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) suppression induced by ANG II. ANG II partially reversed the increase in [Ca2+]igenerated by cyclopiazonic acid (CPA; 10−5 M), acetylcholine (ACh; 10−5 M), or bradykinin (BK; 10−7 M). Losartan (10−5 M) blocked that effect. When vessels were treated with ANG II before stimulation with BK and ACh, concomitant AT2 receptor blockade with PD-123319 (10−8 M) augmented the suppression of endothelial [Ca2+]i responses. Similarly, preactivation with the AT2 receptor agonist CGP-42112A (10−8 M) prevented AT1 receptor stimulation with ANG II + PD-123319 from suppressing endothelial [Ca2+]i. In contrast to endothelial [Ca2+]i suppression by ANG II, pericyte [Ca2+]i exhibited typical peak and plateau [Ca2+]i responses that were blocked by losartan but not PD-123319. DVR vasoconstriction by ANG II was augmented when AT2 receptors were blocked with PD-123319. Similarly, AT2 receptor stimulation with CGP-42112A delayed the onset of ANG II-induced constriction. PD-123319 alone (10−5 M) showed no AT1-like action to constrict microperfused DVR or increase pericyte [Ca2+]i. We conclude that ANG II suppression of endothelial [Ca2+]i and stimulation of pericyte [Ca2+]i is mediated by AT1 or AT1-like receptors. Furthermore, AT2 receptor activation opposes ANG II-induced endothelial [Ca2+]i suppression and abrogates ANG II-induced DVR vasoconstriction.


1995 ◽  
Vol 268 (6) ◽  
pp. R1401-R1405 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. el Ghissassi ◽  
S. N. Thornton ◽  
S. Nicolaidis

The angiotensin receptor specificity, with respect to fluid intake, of the organum cavum prelamina terminalis (OCPLT), a recently discovered discrete forebrain structure with high sensitivity to angiotensin II (ANG II), was investigated. ANG II (10 ng) microinjected into the OCPLT significantly increased water consumption but did not induce intake of a hypertonic (3%) NaCl solution. Losartan, an ANG II type 1 (AT1) receptor-specific antagonist, produced dose-related (1-100 ng) inhibition of ANG II-induced drinking. The ANG II type 2 receptor-specific antagonist CGP-42112A was ineffective. Intake of the 3% NaCl solution in response to microinjection of either of the antagonists into the OCPLT was never observed. These findings suggest that water intake produced by microinjection of ANG II into the OCPLT is mediated by AT1 receptors uniquely and that, in contrast to other regions of the brain, these receptors do not induce salt intake when stimulated by ANG II.


Hypertension ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 62 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David C Kem ◽  
Hongliang Li ◽  
Xichun Yu ◽  
Carolina Velarde-Miranda ◽  
Celso Gomez-Sanchez

Objectives: Activating autoantibodies (AA) to the AT1R second extracellular loop (ECL2) are present in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA). We investigated whether AA from PA and from AT1R-ECL2 immunized rabbits activate AT1R and thereby contribute to hypertension by a direct contractile effect on the vasculature and stimulate adrenal aldosterone production. Methods: We studied 5 normal controls (NC) and 15 subjects with biochemically confirmed PA [4 APA, 4 IAH non- and 7 indeterminate (IPA)]. AT1R-AA activity in serum or IgG was analyzed in AT1R transfected CHO cells. Contractile effects were assayed in isolated perfused rat cremaster arteries. We determined the effects of an ARB and the L-aa AT1R-ECL2 target epitope on in vitro AT1R cremaster artery responsiveness to patient sera and to MAP-L-aa (AFHYESQ) peptide immunized rabbit serum. We examined the effect of IgG from 7 PA subjects on aldosterone production in HAC15 cells in vitro w/wo 1.0 and 10 nM Ang II; and w/wo ARB. Results: Serum from PA significantly (p<0.05) increased Ang II-equivalent activity in AT1R-CHO cells in IAH 199± x pM, n=4; APA 177±y pM, n=3; IPA 187±z pM, n=7; vs NC 83±a pM, n=5 and was blocked by 10 μM losartan. IgG from PA decreased perfused rat arteriole diameter in IAH by 22±8(SD)% of a 100% (normalized) baseline, n=4; APA 14±0.8%, n=3; IPA 21±6%, n=7; and NC 7±3.5%, n=5 and was blocked by 10 μM losartan. IgG from 7 PA subjects increased HAC15 aldosterone (aldo) 1.8 fold over baseline (p<0.01) and markedly increased 1nM and 10 nM Ang II-induced aldo by 3.5 fold (p<0.01); and was blocked by ARB. BP in hi Na rabbits rose from 80/60 to 140/90 6 weeks after immunization with AT1R MAP-L-aa AFHYESQ peptide. Arteriole contraction rose from 5% (preimmune) to 30% (post-immunization). Preincubation with the L-aa 2 nd ECL target reduced contractility to 8%; not different from baseline. Conclusions: AA from PA and AT1R-immunized rabbits activates AT1R transfected CHO cells, increases in vitro arterial contractility and stimulates basal and Ang II induced HAC15 aldosterone secretion. ARBs and decoy peptides were effective in blocking AA effects in vitro . These AA have important etiological and therapeutic implications.


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