Lovastatin-stimulated superinduction of E-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in TNF-alpha activated human vascular endothelial cells.

Inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase (statins) reveal important pharmacological effects in addition to reducing the plasma LDL cholesterol level. In the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis, transendothelial migration of various leukocytes including monocytes is a crucial step. We, therefore, investigated the expression of E-selectin, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in vascular endothelial cells as influenced by lovastatin.

Interaction of thrombospondin-1 and heparan sulfate from endothelial cells. Structural requirements of heparan sulfate.

Cell surface-associated heparan sulfate proteoglycans, predominantly perlecan, are involved in the process of binding and endocytosis of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) by vascular endothelial cells. To investigate the structural properties of heparan sulfate (HS) side chains that mediate this interaction, the proteoglycans were isolated from porcine endothelial cells and HS chains obtained thereof by beta-elimination. To characterize the structural composition of the HS chains and to identify the TSP-1-binding sequences, HS was disintegrated by specific chemical and enzymatic treatments.

Perlecan is responsible for thrombospondin 1 binding on the cell surface of cultured porcine endothelial cells.

Thrombospondin 1 (TSP1), a high molecular weight glycoprotein of the extracellular matrix, interacts with glycosaminoglycan at the cell surface of porcine endothelial cells (Schön et al., Eur.J.

Synthesis of d-[11C]oxyphenonium iodide, a potential radioligand for in vivo visualization of human cholinergic muscarinic receptor-sites by positron emission tomography.

Carbon-11 labeled d-oxyphenonium iodide, a cholinergic antagonist is synthesized for in vivo visualization of muscarinic receptor-sites on airway tissue by positron emission tomography (PET). Methylation with [11C]CH3I of d-demethyloxyphenonium, followed by HPLC purification affords the desired radiopharmaceutical with a radiochemical yield of 66% (based on [11C]CH3I, and corrected for decay) and with a specific activity of 110-300 Ci/mmol. The biologically active labeled d-enantiomer is prepared within 40 min after EOB.

Unequal disposition of enantiomers of the organic cation oxyphenonium in the rat isolated perfused liver.

This paper describes the results of pharmacokinetic experiments in the rat isolated perfused liver with enantiomers of oxyphenonium. The study was performed with the [14C]methyl labelled compounds. In this preparation both metabolism and biliary excretion were significantly different for the (+)- and the (-)-isomer.