A lipolytic pathway involving natriuretic peptides has recently been discovered in human fat cells. Its functional characteristics and the interactions of the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)-induced effects with adrenergic and insulin pathways were studied. Characterization of the action of ANP antagonists, i.e., A71915, anantin, S-28-Y (Ser-28-Tyr, a synthesized peptide), and HS-142-1 (a micr...

Although the beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2AR) is the most extensively characterized G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), the effects of beta-agonists on T-cell subtype function remain poorly understood. In contrast to studies suggesting lack of beta2AR expression on type 2 T cells, we demonstrate that type 2 interleukin-13+ (IL-13+) T cells (CD4+ or CD8+) in human peripheral blood lymphocytes ...

In the last decades new pharmacodynamic properties of beta-adrenoceptors have been discovered that could greatly impact in the use of beta-adrenergic agents in the clinical practice. Concepts such as multiple binding sites, constitutive activity, polymorphism and intracellular signaling of betaadrenoceptors may contribute in the discovery of more efficacious pharmacological agents for treatment...

OBJECTIVE Saliva secretion is mediated by cAMP and the calcium signaling pathway in salivary acinar cells. The PKA signaling pathway plays an important role in protein secretion through the activation of cAMP, in fluid secretion through the elevation of intracellular calcium and in the activation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), which is involved in these signaling cascades. In ...

Direct effects of dopamine on renin release were examined using static incubations and perifusions of rat renal cortical slices. Dopamine (10(-5)M) significantly stimulated renin release compared with control. To determine which receptors are involved in dopamine-elicited renin release, studies were performed with specific dopamine-1 and dopamine-2 receptor agonists and antagonists, as well as ...

Proinflammatory cytokines have been implicated in the pathophysiology of different heart diseases. Recent evidence suggests that interleukin-6 (IL--6) may play a role in mechanisms leading to cardiac hypertrophy. In addition, catecholamines are known to induce cardiac hypertrophy. In the present study, we examined whether cardiac fibroblasts may be a potential source of IL--6 production in the ...

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to investigate the regulation of beta-adrenergic agonist-induced apoptosis by endothelin-1 (ET-1) in cardiac myocytes. BACKGROUND Numerous hormonal factors including norepinephrine and ET-1 are activated in patients with heart failure. These factors may be involved in the positive and negative regulation of myocardial cell apoptosis observed in failing...

To examine mechanisms by which cardiac tissue regulates the beta-adrenergic receptor and physiological response to beta-adrenergic agonists, we studied the effects of cytoskeletal disrupting agents and inhibition of protein synthesis on receptor properties and contractile response to isoproterenol in intact cultured ventricular cells from embryonic chick heart. Thirty minutes of exposure of int...

To learn the nature of the autonomic control of the serous lingual salivary glands of von Ebner, parasympathetic and sympathetic agonists were injected into rats, and the extent of depletion of the secretory granules in gland acini was measured. Injection of the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol caused a concentration-dependent reduction of the secretory granule content of the acinar cells....

The effect of denopamine, a selective beta(1)-adrenergic agonist, on alveolar fluid clearance was determined in both ex vivo rat and guinea pig lungs. Alveolar fluid clearance was measured by the progressive increase in the concentration of Evans blue-labeled albumin over 1 h at 37 degrees C. Denopamine (10(-6) to 10(-3) M) increased alveolar fluid clearance in a dose-dependent manner in ex viv...