zaprinast and quazinone

Phosphodiesterases (PDE) are key enzymes regulating intracellular cyclic nucleotide turnover and, thus, smooth muscle tension. Recent reports have indicated the presence of PDE isoenzymes 1, 2, 4, and 5 in cytosolic supernatants prepared from human ureteral smooth muscle homogenates and the ability of second-generation inhibitors of PDE 3, 4, and 5 to relax KCl-induced tension of human ureteral muscle in vitro. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the functional effects of recently developed, third-generation isoenzyme-selective PDE inhibitors, the nitric oxide (NO)-donating agents sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and dihydropyridine (DHP), which is also described as an antagonist of L-type calcium channels, and the adenylyl cyclase-stimulating drug forskolin on tissue tension and cyclic nucleotide levels of human ureteral smooth muscle segments in vitro. Relaxant responses of human ureteral smooth muscle were investigated in vitro using the organ bath technique. Cyclic nucleotides cAMP and cGMP were determined by specific radioimmunoassay following time and dose-dependent incubation of the ureteral tissue with the drugs. The most pronounced relaxing effects on KCl-induced tension of ureteral smooth muscle were exerted by nitrovasodilator SNP, PDE4 inhibitor rolipram, and PDE5 inhibitors E 4021 and morpholinosulfonyl-pyrazolopyrimidine (MSPP). Relaxing potency of the drugs was paralleled by their ability to elevate intracellular levels of cGMP and cAMP, respectively. Our data suggest the possibility of using selective inhibitors of PDE isoenzymes 4 and 5 in the treatment of ureteral stones and ureteral colic.

Topics: Colforsin; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Isoquinolines; Muscle, Smooth; Nitroprusside; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; Piperidines; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Potassium Chloride; Purinones; Quinazolines; Rolipram; Tetrahydroisoquinolines; Ureter; Vasodilator Agents

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) are important second messengers in mediating relaxation of various smooth-muscle cells. This second-messenger pathway also appears to be essential for cavernous smooth-muscle relaxation on the basis of the assumption it would be of theoretical and clinical interest to determine the functional relevance of various phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoenzymes in human cavernous smooth-muscle This study was concentrated on characterizing PDE isoenzymes that exist in cavernous smooth muscle and evaluating the effect of selective PDE inhibitors on relaxation that is needed for the initiation of erection. Separation of PDE isoenzymes was performed using anion-exchange chromatography [diethylaminoethanol (DEAE)-Sepharose column], and a modification of the PDE-assay method proposed by Thompson and Lakey was used. The relaxation effect of PDE inhibitors was evaluated in an organ-bath study. Three different PDE isoenzymes have been shown in human cavernous smooth-muscle homogenate: cGMP-inhibited PDE (PDE III), cAMP-specific PDE (PDE IV), and cGMP-specific PDE (PDE V). All PDE inhibitors tested showed a relaxation effect on isolated human cavernous smooth-muscle, albeit with differing potency. Quazinone (a selective PDE III inhibitor) had potency at least equal to that of papaverine (a non-selective PDE inhibitor) and had a superior effect as compared with Rolipram (a selective PDE IV inhibitor) and zaprinast (a selective PDE V inhibitor). The present study provides the rationale and opens the possibility of using selective PDE inhibitors in the treatment of patients with erectile dysfunction.

Topics: Animals; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Isoenzymes; Male; Muscle, Smooth; Papaverine; Penile Erection; Penis; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; Purinones; Pyrrolidinones; Quinazolines; Rolipram

Phosphodiesterases (PDE) are key enzymes regulating intracellular cyclic nucleotide metabolism and, thus, contraction and relaxation of the muscle. At present, five different families of isoenzymes of PDE exist that show a distinct species-specific and organ-specific distribution. The aim of the present study was to analyze the PDE isoenzymes present in the human ureter and to evaluate the functional effects of isoenzyme-specific inhibitors in this tissue. Normal ureteral tissue was obtained during radical nephrectomies, homogenized, centrifuged, and the supernatant fraction was separated using DEAE-Sephacel anion-exchange chromatography. PDE assay was then performed and the isoenzymes characterized on the basis of their kinetic characteristics and their sensitivity to allosteric modulators and inhibitors. In vitro, longitudinal ureteral strips as well as ureteral rings were precontracted, and different selective and nonselective PDE inhibitors were added incrementally. Three different PDE isoenzymes were identified: PDE I (Ca/calmodulin-stimulated), PDE II (cyclic guanosine monophosphate-stimulated), and PDE IV (cyclic adenosine monophosphate-specific). All PDE inhibitors relaxed the strips dose-dependently with an EC50 of 30 microM for papaverine, 40 microM for zaprinast, 25 microM for quazinone, and 0.1 microM for rolipram. The existence of three different PDE isoenzymes was shown in this study. The ureter-relaxing effect of the PDE IV inhibitor at low concentrations, combined with its low effect on the systemic circulatory parameters, may open a possibility of using selective PDE IV inhibitors in the treatment of ureteral colics or ureteral stones.

Topics: Chromatography, Ion Exchange; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Hydrolysis; In Vitro Techniques; Isoenzymes; Muscle Contraction; Muscle, Smooth; Papaverine; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; Purinones; Pyrrolidinones; Quinazolines; Rolipram; Ureter

An increase in cyclic nucleotide monophosphate levels is suggested to play a prominent role in mediating smooth-muscle relaxation. Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) influences smooth-muscle tone by decreasing the level of cyclic nucleotides. At present, five different families of isoenzymes of PDE exist that show a distinct species- and organ-specific distribution. Our study was done to evaluate the existence of specific PDE isoenzymes and its functional role in human ureteral tissue. Normal ureteral tissue was homogenized and centrifuged and the supernatant fraction was separated using anioin-exchange diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-Sephacel chromatography. A PDE assay was then performed and the peak fractions were added to different specific PDE activators and inhibitors. In vitro, longitudinal ureteral strips were precontracted and different selective and non-selective PDE inhibitors were added incremently. Three different PDE isoenzymes were characterized: PDE I (calmodulin-sensitive), PDE II (cGMP-stimulated), and PDE IV (cAMP-specific). All PDE inhibitors relaxed the strips dose-dependently, with the 50% effective concentrations (EC50) being 30 microM for papaverine, 40 microM for zaprinast, 25 microM for quazinone, and 0.1 microM for rolipram. The ureter-relaxing effect of the PDE IV inhibitor at low concentrations, combined with its low-level effect on the systemic circulatory parameters, may open the possibility of using selective PDE IV-inhibitors in the treatment of ureteral colics or for ureteral stone passage.

Topics: 3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases; Calmodulin; Chromatography, DEAE-Cellulose; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Hydrolysis; In Vitro Techniques; Muscle Relaxation; Muscle Tonus; Muscle, Smooth; Papaverine; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Purinones; Pyrrolidinones; Quinazolines; Rolipram; Ureter