chymostatin and nafamostat

Mast cell-nerve interactions play a key role in intestinal inflammation and irritable bowel disease. Loss of enteric neurons has been reported in inflammatory conditions but the contribution of mast cells in this event is unknown. To study neuronal survival and plasticity of myenteric neurons in contact with mast cells a co-culture system using myenteric neurons from rat small intestine and peritoneal mast cells was set up. Dissociated myenteric neurons were cultured for 4 days before addition of mast cells isolated by peritoneal lavage. Neuronal survival and expression of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were studied by immunocytochemistry and neuronal cell counting. Myenteric neurons cultured without mast cells were used to study the rate of neuronal survival after the addition of various mast cell mediators, proteinase-activated receptor(2) (PAR(2)) agonist, VIP or corticosteroid. A striking mast cell-induced neuronal cell death was found after co-culturing. It was counteracted by the addition of mast cell stabiliser doxantrazole, protease inhibitors, PAR(2) antagonist FSLLRY-amide, corticosteroid or VIP. In myenteric neurons cultured without mast cells the PAR(2) agonist SLIGRL-amide, prostaglandin D(2) and interleukin (IL) 6 reduced neuronal survival while histamine, serotonin, heparin, IL1beta and tumour necrosis factor alpha had no effect; corticosteroid and VIP enhanced neuronal survival. The relative numbers of VIP-, but not NOS-expressing myenteric neurons increased after co-culturing. Mast cell-induced neuronal cell death is suggested to be mediated via PAR(2) activation, IL6 and prostaglandin D(2). Corticosteroid and VIP are neuroprotective and able to prevent cell death of myenteric neurons in co-culture.

Topics: Animals; Benzamidines; Cell Count; Cell Survival; Cells, Cultured; Coculture Techniques; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Interactions; Female; Guanidines; Histamine; Mast Cells; Myenteric Plexus; Neurons; Nitric Oxide Synthase; Oligopeptides; Proline; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Serine Proteinase Inhibitors; Serotonin; Time Factors; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

This study examined the effect of some proteinase inhibitors on liquefaction of human semen. It revealed that a strong plasmin inhibitor, 6-amidino-2-naphthyl-6-guanidinobenzoate dihydrochloride (Fusan) showed a significant inhibition of liquefaction, while t-amino caproic acid (t-ACA) showed a weak retardation effect. In terms of sperm quality after liquefaction, Fusan (10 mM), ethyl diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) and Urinastatin completely inhibited sperm motility. Fusan (1 mM) and Lima bean trypsin inhibitor (LBTI) decreased sperm motility significantly, while leupeptin and t-ACA had little effect. Leupeptin, LBTI, t-ACA and Fusan (1 mM) did not affect sperm speed. 50% inhibition of sperm motility was calculated to be approximately 1.7 mM of Fusan concentration. In addition, two inhibitors, Chymostatin and Phosphoramidon were also tested with each experiment and had no effect on liquefaction or on sperm motility and speed. These results strongly suggest that plasmin may play an important role in the liquefaction process of human semen.

Topics: Adult; Benzamidines; Edetic Acid; Glycopeptides; Glycoproteins; Guanidines; Humans; Male; Oligopeptides; Plant Proteins; Protease Inhibitors; Semen; Sperm Motility

The aim was to investigate the role of local formation of angiotensin II and bradykinin in the reduction of myocardial infarct size.. Bilaterally nephrectomised male mongrel dogs were used. Effects were compared of pretreatment with three inhibitors of angiotensin II forming enzyme-captopril (an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor), nafamostat (a serine protease inhibitor), and chymostatin (a cysteine protease inhibitor)--on left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion. Haemodynamic variables were monitored and blood was collected from the anterior interventricular vein and the aorta. Angiotensin I, angiotensin II, and bradykinin were measured by radioimmunoassay. After 90 min of occlusion, infarct sizes were determined by a macroscopic enzyme technique.. Angiotensin II release into the anterior interventricular vein increased from 0.03(SEM 1.19) pg.min-1 (before coronary occlusion) to 4.64(1.37) pg.min-1 (n = 14, p < 0.05), while angiotensin I release and plasma renin activity remained unchanged. The increase in angiotensin II release was inhibited by nafamostat and chymostatin, but not by captopril. Bradykinin release increased from -3.18(2.72) (before coronary occlusion) to 34.7(12.3) pg.min-1 (n = 14 p < 0.05) by 30 min after occlusion. This increase was augmented by captopril, from 4.10(2.86) before occlusion to 97.8(39.6) pg.min-1 at 5 min after occlusion (n = 12, p < 0.05), but not by nafamostat or chymostatin. Infarct size was smaller (p < 0.05) in the captopril group than in the control group.. Angiotensin II is locally produced in the ischaemic heart by both serine protease(s) and chymostatin inhibitable protease(s), but not by angiotensin converting enzyme. From the reduction in myocardial infarct size produced by angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition, it seems that bradykinin accumulation may play a more important role than the suppression of angiotensin II formation.

Topics: Angiotensin II; Animals; Benzamidines; Bradykinin; Captopril; Dogs; Guanidines; Hemodynamics; Male; Myocardial Infarction; Oligopeptides; Serine Proteinase Inhibitors