Showing papers on "Xanthine published in 1983"

Subclasses of adenosine receptors in the central nervous system: interaction with caffeine and related methylxanthines.

Abstract: 1. The potencies of caffeine and related methylxanthines as adenosine antagonists were assessed with respect to three apparent subtypes of adenosine receptors in rat brain preparations: (i) the A1-adenosine receptor which binds with a very high affinity the ligand [3H]cyclohexyladenosine (KD, 1 nM) in rat brain membranes; (ii) a ubiquitous low-affinity A2-adenosine receptor which activates cyclic AMP accumulation in rat brain slices—this A2-adenosine system exhibits an EC50 for 2-chloroadenosine of about 20µM; and (iii) a relatively high-affinity A2-adenosine receptor which activates adenylate cyclase in rat striatal membranes—this A2-adenosine system exhibits an EC50 for 2-chloroadenosine of about 0.5µM and is present in striatal but not in cerebral cortical membranes. 2. The rank order of potency for methylxanthines versus binding of 1 nM [3H]cyclohexyladenosine in membranes from eight rat brain regions is theophylline (IC50, 20–30µM) > paraxanthine (IC50, 40–65µM) > caffeine (IC50, 90–110µM) > theobromine (IC50, 210–280µM). There thus appears to be little difference in A1-receptors in different brain regions in terms of interaction with these methylxanthines. 1-Methylxanthine is more potent than caffeine in rat cerebral cortical membranes, while 3-methylxanthine and 7-methylxanthine are less potent than caffeine. 3. The rank order of potency for methylxanthines versus activation of cyclic AMP accumulation by 50µM 2-chloroadenosine in rat striatal slices is theophylline (IC50, 60µM) > paraxanthine (IC50, 90µM) > caffeine (IC50, 120µM) » theobromine (IC50, > 1000µM). Similar potencies pertain in cerebral cortical slices. 4. The rank order of potency of methylxanthines versus activation of adenylate cyclase by 1µM 2-chloroadenosine in rat striatal membranes is theophylline (IC50, 20µM) > paraxanthine (IC50, 40µM) > caffeine (IC50, 80µM) » theobromine (IC50, > 1000µM). 5. Caffeine and other methylxanthines, thus, antagonize effectively both A1- and A2-adenosine receptors in brain perparations. Theobromine appears less effective versus A2-receptors than versus A1-receptors. Caffeine exhibits aKi value of about 50µM at the very high-affinity A1-binding sites, aKi value of about 30µM at the low-affinity A2-adenosine site in brain slices, and aKi value of about 27µM at the high-affinity A2-adenosine site in striatal membranes. The functional significance of antagonism of such adenosine receptors by caffeinein situ will depend both on the local levels of adenosine and on the affinity for adenosine for the receptor, since antagonism by xanthines is competitive in nature. In addition, the functional significance of xanthine action will depend on the degree of inhibition of adenosine input which is required to alter the output signal. For a stimulatory input to adenylate cyclase via an A2-adenosine receptor, profound antagonism by methylxanthines is probably required to alter the cyclic AMP-mediated output signal, while for inhibitory input to adenylate cyclase via an A1-adenosine receptor, presumably a lesser degree of antagonism by methylxanthines may be required to alter the cyclic AMP-mediated output signal.

Inhibitors of xanthine oxidase from the flowers and buds of Daphne genkwa

Abstract: Xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitors were isolated from the flowers and buds of Daphne genkwa SIEB. et ZUCC. (Thymelaeaceae) and were identified as genkwanin (1), apigenin (2), luteolin 7-methyl ether (3) and luteolin (4). Compounds 2 and 4 showed particularly strong inhibitory activity against XO. The modes of inhibition by 2 and 4 with respect to xanthine as a substrate were of mixed type. This is the first report of isolation of 3 and 4 from these flowers and buds.

Adenosine receptor binding: Structure-activity analysis generates extremely potent xanthine antagonists

Abstract: Structure-activity analysis of alkylxanthine derivatives at adenosine receptor binding sites has been employed to design more potent adenosine receptor antagonists. Receptor affinities of xanthines were determined by measuring inhibition of the binding of N6-[3H]cyclohexyladenosine to bovine brain membranes. 1,3-Dipropyl substitutions enhance potency compared to the 1,3-dimethyl substitution in theophylline. An 8-phenyl substituent produces a considerable increase in potency, which is augmented by certain para substitutions on the 8-phenyl ring. Combining an ortho amino with a para-chloro substituent on the 8-phenyl ring affords further increases in potency. Combining all of these substituents results in 1,3-dipropyl-8-(2-amino-4-chlorophenyl) xanthine, a compound of extraordinary receptor affinity, with a Ki for adenosine A1 receptors of 22 pM. It is 4,000,000 times more potent than xanthine itself and 70,000 times more potent than theophylline.

Characterization of adenosine receptors in isolated cerebral arteries of cat.

Abstract: The effect of some adenosine analogues and xanthine derivatives were studied on isolated cerebral arteries from cats. The adenosine analogues caused an almost complete relaxation of cerebral arteries contracted by prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha, 30 microM). The order of potency was: 5-N-ethylcarboxamide adenosine (NECA) greater than 2-chloroadenosine greater than adenosine greater than L-N6-phenylisopropyl adenosine (L-PIA). The analogue D-PIA was very weak and its maximum effect was small. NECA and L-PIA enhanced [3H]-cyclic AMP accumulation in [3H]-adenine labelled feline pial vessels with similar absolute and relative potency to their relaxant effects. The relaxant effects of adenosine and of NECA were competitively antagonized by 8-phenyl-theophylline (pA2 = 6.5). The effect of theophylline and enprofylline could not be tested in higher concentrations than 30 or 10 microM because they affected the vessels directly. At these concentrations they were essentially inactive as adenosine antagonists. The non-xanthine phosphodiesterase inhibitor rolipram (0.1 and 100 microM) caused a slight but non-significant potentiation of the relaxant effect of adenosine. The results are compatible with the opinion that adenosine relaxes cerebral vessels by an action on adenosine A2-receptors. The effect may be linked to adenylate cyclase and can be antagonized by 8-phenyl-theophylline.

Purine Transport and Metabolism in Man: The Effect of Exercise on Concentrations of Purine Bases, Nucleosides and Nucleotides in Plasma, Urine, Leucocytes and Erythrocytes

Abstract: 1. After decreasing muscle ATP by a 2 min period of intense exercise, we have studied purine metabolism by using high-pressure liquid chromatography. 2. A major increase in hypoxanthine concentration in plasma and urine was found with increases in xanthine and, in plasma, inosine. Erythrocyte hypoxanthine rose with the level in plasma, but there was no corresponding rise in IMP, the first intracellular metabolite of hypoxanthine. No rises in uridine or urate were found in plasma. 3. Plasma adenosine did not rise and fall significantly after exercise, but a small rise and fall in adenine nucleotide concentrations in plasma was found. 4. Running, swimming and games, which tended to be at the weekend, were associated with a rise in hypoxanthine and xanthine excretion; exercise was probably the cause of the higher excretion during the day than at night. Such activities do not produce changes in concentrations of ATP in muscle, although turnover must rise. 5. The results are consistent with widespread purine exchange between tissues and a ‘circulating hypoxanthine pool’.

The origin of chemiluminescence produced by neutrophils stimulated by opsonized zymosan.

Abstract: The luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) of neutrophils phagocytosing zymosan is inhibited by superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, sodium benzoate, and 2,5-dimethyl furan. In the present report it is shown that inhibition by SOD and 2,5-dimethyl furan is diminished and removed, respectively, by the omission of glucose from the incubation medium. Zymosan-induced CL is also inhibited by inhibitors of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism, including 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, quinacrine, indomethacin, and aspirin, by prostaglandins E1 and E2, theophylline, and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (cAMP), and by the addition of AA, sodium fluoride, and xanthine oxidase plus xanthine to the cell suspension. These findings lead us to postulate that the metabolism of AA via the lipoxygenase (and cyclooxygenase) pathway(s) is the source of CL observed in neutrophils after phagocytosis. Reactive oxygen species produced as a result of activation of NAD(P)H oxidase provide oxidizing agents for the oxidation of AA along these pathways. It is also suggested that elevated levels of cAMP induced by prostaglandins synthesized via the cyclooxygenase pathway may play a role in the regulation of the zymosan-induced CL response.

Cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of hypoxanthine, xanthine, uridine and inosine: high concentrations of the ATP metabolite, hypoxanthine, after hypoxia.

Abstract: CSF obtained for clinical purposes from newborn, children and adults has been analysed by high pressure liquid chromatography for hypoxanthine, xanthine, inosine, uridine and urate. Large rises in hypoxanthine and to a lesser extent xanthine occur for about 24 h after hypoxia. High concentrations were associated with later evidence of brain damage or subsequent death. Changes in CSF could be independent of those in plasma. Small or negligible rises were associated with localised and generalised infections including bacterial meningitis, fits, or both. Marked and rapid rises were found after death. These estimations may "predict" the extent of brain damage or brain death.

Determination of Hypoxanthine in Fish Meat with an Enzyme Sensor

Abstract: An enzyme sensor specific for hypoxanthine (Hx) was developed using immobilized xanthine oxidase-membrane and an oxygen probe. Xanthine oxidase (E.C. 1.2.3.2.) was covalently immobilized on a membrane prepared from cellulose triacetate, 1,8-diamino-4-aminomethyloctane, and glutaraldehyde. Hx is oxidized to uric acid by the immobilized enzyme, the output current of the oxygen probe decreasing due to oxygen consumption. A linear relationship was obtained between current decrease and Hx concentration in the range 0.06–1.5 mM. The enzyme sensor could be used for more than 100 assays without decrease of output current After 30-day-storage at 5°C, no remarkable decrease of output current was observed. The enzyme sensor system was applicable to the simple, rapid, and economical determination of Hx in several fish meats including sea bass, saurel, mackerel, yellowfish, and flounder.

Purine and glycine metabolism by purinolytic clostridia.

Abstract: Cell extracts of Clostridium acidiurici, C. cylindrosporum, and C. purinolyticum converted purine, hypoxanthine, 2-hydroxypurine, 6,8-dihydroxypurine, and uric acid into xanthine by the shortest possible route. Adenine was transformed to xanthine only by C. purinolyticum, whereas the other two species formed 6-amino-8-hydroxypurine, which was neither deaminated nor hydroxylated further. 8-Hydroxypurine was formed from purine by all three species. Xanthine dehydrogenase activity was constitutively expressed by C. purinolyticum. Due to the lability of the enzyme activity, comparative studies could not be done with a purified preparation. All enzymes reported to be involved in formiminoglycine metabolism of C. acidiurici and C. cylindrosporum were present in C. purinolyticum. However, glycine was reduced directly to acetate in all three species, as indicated by radiochemical data and by the detection of glycine reductase in cell extracts of C. cylindrosporum and C. purinolyticum. The expression of glycine reductase and the high ratio of glycine fermented to uric acid present points to an energetic advantage for the glycine reductase system, which is expressed when selenium compounds are added to the growth media.

Purine and pyrimidine base and nucleoside concentrations in human cerebrospinal fluid and plasma.

Abstract: Purine and pyrimidine base and nucleoside levels were determined in adult human lumbar (CSF) and plasma by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Guanine, thymine, cytosine and uracil were not detectable (less than 0.1 microM) in human CSF or plasma. Adenine was detectable in plasma (0.3 microM) but was not found in CSF (less than 0.2 microM). Hypoxanthine and xanthine levels in CSF were each approximately 2.5 microM. Plasma levels of hypoxanthine and xanthine were considerably lower (0.4-0.6 microM). Purine and pyrimidine ribonucleosides in human CSF were less than or equal to 0.2 microM with the exception of uridine which was present at concentrations of 2-3 microM. Although low concentrations of thymidine and deoxyuridine (0.2 microM) were present in human plasma, purine and pyrimidine deoxyribonucleosides were less than 0.1 microM in human lumbar CSF.

Nucleotide sequence of the xanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase gene of E. coli

Abstract: The nucleotide sequence of the gpt coding for the enzyme xanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase has been determined. The gene codes for a protein of molecular weight 16,950. The construction of deletions in the gpt gene which can be used for the genetic analysis of mutations in the gpt gene, is described.

Reversible interconversion between sulfo and desulfo xanthine oxidase in a system containing rhodanese, thiosulfate, and sulfhydryl reagent.

Abstract: The desulfo form of milk xanthine oxidase (xanthine: oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.2.3.2) was reactivated by incubation with rhodanese (thiosulfate: cyanide sulfurtransferase, EC 2.8.1.1), thiosulfate, and sulfhydryl reagent; 50% of full activity was recovered. No further reactivation occurred with additional incubation. It was also found that native enzyme in the sulfo form with full activity was inactivated by incubation with the same system, down to half of full activity and no further inactivation occurred. After these incubations the enzyme was found to be a mixture of functional and nonfunctional enzymes based on spectral changes with xanthine, on [14C]oxipurinol equilibration, and on steady-state kinetics. The 35S of [35S]thiosulfate was incorporated into desulfo xanthine oxidase in parallel with an increase in catalytic activity. Most of the 35S was cyanolysable but was protected from cyanolysis by pretreatment with allopurinol. The 35S was released from 35S-labeled reconstituted xanthine oxidase upon incubation with the rhodanese system containing unlabeled thiosulfate. However, catalytic activity remained unchanged, indicating that the sulfur atom was exchanged during the incubation.

Simultaneous liquid-chromatographic determination of hypoxanthine, xanthine, urate, and creatinine in cerebrospinal fluid, with direct injection.

Abstract: In this method for simultaneously determining hypoxanthine, xanthine, urate, and creatinine in cerebrospinal fluid, centrifuged sample is directly injected on a reversed-phase liquid-chromatographic column. On elution with potassium phosphate buffer the compounds are quantified by their absorbance at 260 nm. Random error (CV) was between 1.2 and 3.4% and analytical recoveries were 99-104% at physiological concentrations.

Uptake of adenosine by isolated bovine cortex microvessels.

Abstract: The uptake of adenosine is studied in microvessels isolated from a bovine cortex. TheKM value for adenosine uptake is 1.92 μM and theVmax is 1.93 picomole/mg protein/10 min. This high affinity uptake system is very sensitive to inhibition by dipyridamole and papaverine. The uptake of adenosine by microvessels is also inhibited by CuCl2 and by high concentration (2 mM) of adenine nucleotides. Using a series of four xanthines it is observed that the adenosine uptake system is most inhibited by 3-methyl-1-(5′-oxohexyl)-7-propylxanthine and the least by caffeine. Theophylline causes a stimulation of adenosine uptake by microvessels. The results obtained agree with the existence of the nucleoside transport system associated with the blood-brain barrier, as previously observed by in vivo studies and experiments with rat brain capillaries.

Inhibition by xanthine derivatives of adenosine receptor‐stimulated cyclic adenosine 3′, 5′‐monophosphate accumulation in rat and guinea‐pig thymocytes

Abstract: The effect of stable adenosine analogues, including adenosine 5'-N-ethylcarboxamide (NECA) and N6-L-phenylisopropyl-adenosine (L-PIA), were studied on cyclic adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) accumulation in rat and guinea-pig thymocytes NECA was approximately 10 times more potent than L-PIA, in thymocytes from both species D-PIA was more potent in guinea-pig than in rat thymocytes The effect of a number of adenosine analogues followed the order: NECA greater than 2-chloro-adenosine greater than L-PIA greater than N6-cyclohexyl-adenosine (CHA), an order of potency characteristic for adenosine receptors of the A2-subtype Thymocytes may be used as a model system to study the pharmacology of such receptors Several xanthines were studied as antagonists of the NECA (1 microM)-induced cyclic AMP accumulation The order of potency was: 1,3-diethyl-8-phenylxanthine greater than 8-phenyl-theophylline greater than IBMX = 8-p-sulphophenyltheophylline = verrophylline greater than theophylline greater than caffeine greater than enprofylline greater than theobromine greater than pentoxiphylline The pA2 value for 8-phenyltheophylline was 035 microM, and the antagonism was shown to be competitive The order of potency of the xanthine is virtually identical to that found earlier in several other systems in which the receptors are of the A1-subtype None of the xanthine derivatives tested thus seem to discriminate between A1 and A2-receptor-mediated adenosine actions

Purine and monoamine metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid: parallel purinergic and monoaminergic activation in depressive illness?

Abstract: In the cerebrospinal fluid of 38 patients with major depressive disorders the purine metabolites hypoxanthine and xanthine were positively correlated to the monoamine metabolites HVA and 5HIAA (p less than 0.0001). Hypoxanthine was also positively linked to the noradrenaline metabolite MHPG (p less than 0.005). By the use of multiple regression analysis 70% of the variance in hypoxanthine and 51% of the variance in xanthine were explained by HVA and 5HIAA. The scored magnitude of memory disturbance during depression was positively correlated to hypoxanthine, xanthine, HVA, and 5HIAA, while the degree of somatic anxiety as well as worrying was or tended to be negatively correlated to the same biochemical markers. The conspicuous relationship observed between purine and monoamine metabolite concentrations in CSF during depressive illness might indicate a parallel purinergic and monoaminergic activation of the brain. The observation that certain isolated depressive symptoms appear to relate to hypoxanthine/xanthine in CSF is consistent with the hypothesis of a central role of purines in behaviour.

Sensitive radiochemical assay for inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase and determination of activity in murine tumor and tissue extracts

Abstract: Crude tissue or tumor extracts either do not contain sufficient inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPD) activity to be measured spectrophotometrically, or interfering enzyme activities prevent the use of a more sensitive radiochemical assay. A modified assay system which incorporates alpha, beta-methylene adenosine 5'-diphosphate, an inhibitor of 5'-nucleotidase; allopurinol, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase; and ethylenediaminetetraacetate, an inhibitor of alkaline phosphatase, has been developed. [14C]Xanthine monophosphate produced during the assay was separated from [14C]hypoxanthine monophosphate by thin-layer chromatography on flexible diethylaminoethyl-cellulose sheets. Xanthine monophosphate formation was linear for at least 40 min and was inhibited by greater than 95% in the presence of mycophenolic acid, a specific IMPD inhibitor. Partial purified IMPD from murine EMT6 tumors was used to compare assay rates obtained with the radiochemical and spectrophotometric assays under identical conditions. The reaction rate of the radiochemical assay was 0.92 +/- 0.07 (S.E.) of the rate of xanthine monophosphate formation as determined spectrophotometrically at 290 nm, indicating that both assays are measuring product formation with an equal degree of accuracy. The improved radiochemical assay was used to determine IMPD specific activity in supernatants from EMT6 tumors and several normal mouse tissues. The observed activities (nmol/min/mg protein) were: EMT6 tumor, 0.303; spleen, 0.029; brain, 0.022; kidney, 0.015; lung, 0.009; liver, 0.008; and heart and skeletal muscle, less than 0.004.

Hypoxanthine: guanine phosphoribosyltransferase mutants in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract: Yeast mutants lacking activity of the enzyme hypoxanthine: guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (H:GPRT) have been isolated by selecting for resistance to 8-azaguanine in a strain carrying the wild type allele, ade4+ of the gene coding for amidophosphoribosyltransferase (PRPPAT), the first enzyme of de novo purine synthesis. The mutants excrete purines and are cross-resistant to 8-azaadenine. They are recessive and represent a single complementation group, designated hpt1. Ade4-su, a prototrophic allele of ade4 with reduced activity of PRPPAT, is epistatic to hpt1, suppressing purine excretion and resistance to azaadenine but not resistance to azaguanine. The genotype ade2 hpt1 does not respond to hypoxanthine. Hpt1 complements and is not closely linked to the purine excreting mutants pur1 to pur5. Hpt1 and pur6, a regulatory mutant of PRPPAT, are also unlinked but do not complement, suggesting a protein-protein interaction between H:G-PRT and PRPPAT. Mycophenolic acid (MPA), an inhibitor of de novo guanine nucleotide synthesis, inhibits the growth of hpt1 and hpt1+. Xanthine allows both genotypes to grow in the presence of MPA whereas guanine only allows growth of hpt1+. Activity of A-PRT, X-PRT and H:G-PRT is present in hpt+. Hpt1 lacks activity of H:G-PRT but has normal A-PRT and X-PRT.