α1-Adrenergic Receptor Blockade by Prazosin Synergistically Stabilizes Rat Peritoneal Mast Cells

Background. Adrenaline quickly inhibits the release of histamine from mast cells. Besides β2-adrenergic receptors, several in vitro studies also indicate the involvement of α-adrenergic receptors in the process of exocytosis. Since exocytosis in mast cells can be detected electrophysiologically by the changes in the membrane capacitance (Cm), its continuous monitoring in the presence of drugs would determine their mast cell-stabilizing properties. Methods. Employing the whole-cell patch-clamp technique in rat peritoneal mast cells, we examined the effects of adrenaline on the degranulation of mast cells and the increase in the Cm during exocytosis. We also examined the degranulation of mast cells in the presence or absence of α-adrenergic receptor agonists or antagonists. Results. Adrenaline dose-dependently suppressed the GTP-γ-S-induced increase in the Cm and inhibited the degranulation from mast cells, which was almost completely erased in the presence of butoxamine, a β2-adrenergic receptor antagonist. Among α-adrenergic receptor agonists or antagonists, high-dose prazosin, a selective α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist, significantly reduced the ratio of degranulating mast cells and suppressed the increase in the Cm. Additionally, prazosin augmented the inhibitory effects of adrenaline on the degranulation of mast cells. Conclusions. This study provided electrophysiological evidence for the first time that adrenaline dose-dependently inhibited the process of exocytosis, confirming its usefulness as a potent mast cell stabilizer. The pharmacological blockade of α1-adrenergic receptor by prazosin synergistically potentiated such mast cell-stabilizing property of adrenaline, which is primarily mediated by β2-adrenergic receptors.

Biotransformation of Daidzein to Diadzein-7-Glucoside and Its Anti-allergic Activity

The biotransformation of daidzein and its diacetate was investigated using cultured plant cells of Phytolacca americana as biocatalysts. Daidzein was glucosylated to the corresponding 7- O-β-D-glucoside. On the other hand, daidzein diacetate was hydrolyzed to daidzein, which was further glucosylated to 7- O-β-D-glucoside with much higher yield in comparison with the biotransformation of daidzein. Daidzein 7- O-β-D-glucoside showed higher inhibitory activity for histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells than daidzein.

Cross talk between polysulfide and nitric oxide in rat peritoneal mast cells

The aim of this study was to define the effects of polysulfide on intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and the underlying machinery, especially from the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and nitric oxide (NO) perspectives, in rat peritoneal mast cells. We found that a polysulfide donor, Na2S4, increased [Ca2+]i, which is both extracellular and intracellular Ca2+ dependent. Intracellular Ca2+ release induced by Na2S4 was attenuated by the addition of a ryanodine receptor blocker. A slow-releasing H2S donor, GYY4137, dose dependently increased [Ca2+]i that was independent from extracellular Ca2+ influx. The GYY4137-induced [Ca2+]i release was partially attenuated in the presence of the ryanodine receptor blocker. Both polysulfide and H2S donors increased the intracellular NO levels in DAF-2-loaded mast cells, which were abolished by an NO scavenger, cPTIO. Inhibition of NO synthase (NOS) significantly abolished the polysulfide- or H2S-donor-induced [Ca2+]i elevation in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. An NO donor, diethylamine (DEA) NONOate, increased [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner, in which both extracellular and intracellular Ca2+ are associated. At higher concentrations, the DEA NONOate-induced [Ca2+]i increases were attenuated in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ and by the addition of the ryanodine receptor blocker. H2S and NO dose dependently induced polysulfide production. Curiously, polysulfide, H2S, and NO donors had no effect on mast cell degranulation. Among synthases, cystathionine-γ-lyase, and neuronal NOS seemed to be the major H2S- and NO-producing synthases, respectively. These results indicate that polysulfide acts as a potential signaling molecule that regulates [Ca2+]i homeostasis in rat peritoneal mast cells via a cross talk with NO and H2S.

Clarithromycin Dose-Dependently Stabilizes Rat Peritoneal Mast Cells

Background: Macrolides, such as clarithromycin, have antiallergic properties. Since exocytosis in mast cells is detected electrophysiologically via changes in membrane capacitance (Cm), the absence of such changes due to the drug indicates its mast cell-stabilizing effect. Methods: Employing the whole-cell patch clamp technique in rat peritoneal mast cells, we examined the effects of clarithromycin on Cm during exocytosis. Using a water-soluble fluorescent dye, we also examined its effect on deformation of the plasma membrane. Results: Clarithromycin (10 and 100 μM) significantly inhibited degranulation from mast cells and almost totally suppressed the GTP-γ-S-induced increase in Cm. It washed out the trapping of the dye on the surface of mast cells. Conclusions: This study provides for the first time electrophysiological evidence that clarithromycin dose-dependently inhibits the process of exocytosis. The mast cell-stabilizing action of clarithromycin may be attributable to its counteractive effect on plasma membrane deformation induced by exocytosis.

Effects of a Moderately Lower Temperature on the Proliferation and Degranulation of Rat Mast Cells

Mast cells are traditionally considered as key effector cells in IgE-mediated allergic diseases. However, the roles of mast cells have also been implicated in diverse physiological and pathological processes. Mast cells are distributed in various organs and tissues of various species. Some of the organs and tissues, such as testis, skin, and the upper part of the respiratory tract, have a temperature that is lower than the body’s core temperature. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of a lower temperature on the proliferation and degranulation of rat mast cells. Here, we demonstrate that cell growth was retarded at 35°C compared to 37°C for both rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) and RBL-2H3, a rat mast cell line. Furthermore, RPMC became more susceptible to degranulation at 35°C compared to 37°C. In contrast, degranulation of RBL-2H3 was not as sensitive to temperature change as RPMC. The functionality of mast cells in unique organs with a lower temperature warrants further analysis.

Synthesis of ε-Viniferin Glycosides by Glucosyltransferase from Phytolacca americana and their Inhibitory Activity on Histamine Release from Rat Peritoneal Mast Cells

Glycosylation of (+)-ε-viniferin was investigated using glucosyltransferase from Phytolacca americana ( PaGT3) as a biocatalyst. (+)-ε-Viniferin was converted by PaGT3 into its 4b- and 13b-β-D-glucosides, the inhibitory activities on histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells of which were higher than that of (+)-ε-viniferin.