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Considering the important cytoprotective and signaling roles but relatively narrow therapeutic index of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), advanced H2S donors are required to achieve a therapeutic effect. In this study, we proposed glutathione dithiophosphates as new combination donors of H2S and glutathione. The kinetics of H2S formation in dithiophosphate solutions suggested a continuous H2S release by the donors, which was higher for the dithiophosphate of reduced glutathione than oxidized glutathione. The compounds, unlike NaHS, inhibited the proliferation of C2C12 myoblasts at submillimolar concentrations due to an efficient increase in intracellular H2S. The H2S donors more profoundly affected reactive oxygen species and reduced glutathione levels in C2C12 myocytes, in which these parameters were elevated compared to myoblasts. Oxidized glutathione dithiophosphate as well as control donors exerted antioxidant action toward myocytes, whereas the effect of reduced glutathione dithiophosphate at (sub-)micromolar concentrations was rather modulating. This dithiophosphate showed an enhanced negative inotropic effect mediated by H2S upon contraction of the atrial myocardium, furthermore, its activity was prolonged and reluctant for washing. These findings identify glutathione dithiophosphates as redox-modulating H2S donors with long-acting profile, which are of interest for further pharmacological investigation.

Background Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is defined as a multifactorial disorder associated with visceral hypersensitivity, altered gut motility and dysfunction of the brain-gut axis. Gut microbiota and its metabolites are proposed as possible etiological factors of IBS. Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) induce both inhibitory and stimulatory action on colon motility, however, their effects on the IBS model were not investigated. The aim of our study was to investigate the level of SFCAs in feces and their effects on colon motility in a mouse model of IBS. Methods IBS model was induced in mice by intracolonic infusion of 1% acetic acid during the early postnatal period. Mice colon hypersensitivity was assessed by the threshold of the abdominal withdrawal reflex in response to colorectal distention. Colon contractility was studied using proximal colon specimens in isometric conditions. Transit rates were assessed by the pellet propulsion in the isolated colon. Concentrations of SCFAs in feces were measured using gas–liquid chromatography. Results The concentration of SCFAs in feces of IBS model mice was higher compared to the control group. Visceral sensitivity to colorectal distension and colonic transit rate were increased indicating IBS with predominant diarrhea. The frequency and amplitude of spontaneous contractions of proximal colon segments from IBS mice were higher, but carbachol induced contractions were lower compared to control. During acute application of SCFAs (sodium propionate, sodium acetate or butyric acid) dose-dependently (0.5–30 mM) decreased tonic tension, frequency and amplitude of spontaneous and carbachol-evoked contractions. In the mouse IBS group the inhibitory effects SCFAs on spontaneous and carbachol-evoked contractions were less pronounced. At the same time intraluminal administration of butyrate (5 mM) increased the transit rate in the colon of both groups, but its stimulatory effect was more pronounced in mouse IBS model group. Conclusion Our data indicate that the increased transit rate in the mouse IBS model group is associated with a disbalance of activating and inhibiting action of SCFAs due to chronically elevated SCFA levels, which may impact the pathogenesis of IBS with predominant diarrhea syndrome.

Acetaldehyde and acetic acid/acetate, the active metabolites of alcohol (ethanol, EtOH), generate actions of their own ranging from behavioral, physiological, to pathological/cancerogenic effects. EtOH and acetaldehyde have been studied to some depth, whereas the effects of acetic acid have been less well explored. In this study, we investigated the effect of acetic acid on big conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels present in GH3 rat pituitary tumor cells in more detail. In whole cell voltage clamp recordings, extracellular application of acetic acid increased total outward currents in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was prevented after the application of the specific BK channel blocker paxilline. Acetic acid action was pH-dependent-in whole cell current and single BK channel recordings, open probability (Po) was significantly increased by extracellular pH reduction and decreased by neutral or base pH. Acetic acid hyperpolarized the membrane potential, whereas acidic physiological solution had a depolarizing effect. Moreover, acetic acid reduced calcium (Ca2+) oscillations and exocytosis of growth hormone contained secretory granules from GH3 cells. These effects were partially prevented by BK inhibitors-tetraethylammonium or paxillin. In conclusion, our experiments indicate that acetic acid activates BK channels in GH3 cells which eventually contribute to acetic acid-induced membrane hyperpolarization, cessation of Ca2+ oscillations, and decrease of growth hormone release.

The meninges around the brain are characterized by an abundant blood supply, a high density of sensory nerves, and large numbers of mast cells. In migraine, the commonest neurological disorder, activation of trigeminal nerve fibers in the meninges is the initial trigger mechanism for generating pain signals. The recently suggested concept of the neuroimmune synapse suggests that mast cell transmitters can activate receptor proteins in close-lying nerve endings, leading to the generation of nociceptive spike activity. Serotonin and histamine, presumptive triggers for migraine, are classical transmitters released on activation of mast cells. Our recent research has identifi ed powerful activation of primary afferents by serotonin, mediated mainly via 5-HT3 receptors. However, the role of histamine in meningeal neuroimmune synapses has received little study. The present study therefore used recording of spike activity from primary afferents in the meninges in rats to study the role of histamine as a possible trigger for pain in migraine. Results from testing a wide range of histamine concentrations identified only a minimal (about 12%) effect with 10 μM histamine on the nociceptive activity of the trigeminal nerve. More detailed cluster analysis showed that the proportion of fibers reacting to histamine was no more than 29%, increases in spike activity in these fibers being significantly lower than on exposure to serotonin. Longer (4 h) exposure to histamine also produces no significant change in trigeminal nerve activity. The results do not exclude a stimulatory role for histamine in migraine but suggest that this mast cell transmitter has an action other than activation of the trigeminal nerve.

Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid, which at high concentrations has neurotoxic effects and induces impairments to the development of the nervous system. Homocysteine is rapidly oxidized in the plasma, forming disulfide bonds with proteins and other low molecular weight thiols; it also undergoes transformation into the into homocysteine thiolactone. On chronic exposure, the neurotoxicity of homocysteine is therefore mediated mainly by its derivatives. The aim of the present work was to investigate the effects of homocysteine and its derivatives – homocystine and homocysteine thiolactone – on spontaneous network activity in the hippocampus of rats in the first week after birth. Giant depolarizing potentials (GDP) and multiple action potentials (MAP) were recorded using an extracellular electrode in hippocampal field CA3. All three study compounds were found to induce increases in the frequency of GDP and MAP at concentrations of 100 and 500 μM, homocystine producing the most significant increase in neuron network activity. The effects of homocysteine, homocystine, and homocysteine thiolactone on the spontaneous network activity of neurons were completely eliminated on blockade of NMDA and AMPA receptors. Thus, homocysteine and its derivatives lead to increased spontaneous network activity of hippocampal neurons in neonatal rats, which can induce impairments to the formation of the neural networks of the hippocampus in conditions of chronic hyperhomocysteinemia, and could also induce hyperexcitability and the risk of developing epilepsy in the postnatal period.

Homocysteinemia is a metabolic condition characterized by abnormally high level of homocysteine in the blood and is considered to be a risk factor for peripheral neuropathy. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying toxic effects of homocysteine on the processing of peripheral nociception have not yet been investigated comprehensively. Here, using a rodent model of experimental homocysteinemia, we report the causal association between homocysteine and the development of mechanical allodynia. Homocysteinemia-induced mechanical allodynia was reversed on pharmacological inhibition of T-type calcium channels. In addition, our in vitro studies indicate that homocysteine enhances recombinant T-type calcium currents by promoting the recycling of Cav3.2 channels back to the plasma membrane through a protein kinase C–dependent signaling pathway that requires the direct phosphorylation of Cav3.2 at specific loci. Altogether, these results reveal an unrecognized signaling pathway that modulates the expression of T-type calcium channels, and may potentially contribute to the development of peripheral neuropathy associated with homocysteinemia. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Enhanced levels of homocysteine during pregnancy induce oxidative stress and contribute to many age-related diseases. In this study, we analyzed age-dependent synaptic modifications in developing neuromuscular synapses of rats with prenatal hyperhomocysteinemia (hHCY). One of the main findings indicate that the intensity and the timing of transmitter release in synapses of neonatal (P6 and P10) hHCY rats acquired features of matured synaptic transmission of adult rats. The amplitude and frequency of miniature end-plate currents (MEPCs) and evoked transmitter release were higher in neonatal hHCY animals compared to the control group. Analysis of the kinetics of neurotransmitter release demonstrated more synchronized release in neonatal rats with hHCY. At the same time lower release probability was observed in adults with hHCY. Spontaneous transmitter release in neonates with hHCY was inhibited by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) whereas in controls this oxidant was effective only in adult animals indicating a higher susceptibility of motor nerve terminals to oxidative stress. The morphology and the intensity of endocytosis of synaptic vesicles in motor nerve endings was assessed using the fluorescence dye FM 1-43. Adult-like synapses were found in neonates with hHCY which were characterized by a larger area of presynaptic terminals compared to controls. No difference in the intensity of FM 1-43 fluorescence was observed between two groups of animals. Prenatal hHCY resulted in reduced muscle strength assessed by the Paw Grip Endurance test. Using biochemical assays we found an increased level of H2O2 and lipid peroxidation products in the diaphragm muscles of hHCY rats. This was associated with a lowered activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Our data indicate that prenatal hHCY induces oxidative stress and apparent faster functional and morphological "maturation" of motor synapses. Our results uncover synaptic mechanisms of disrupted muscle function observed in hHCY conditions which may contribute to the pathogenesis of motor neuronal diseases associated with enhanced level of homocysteine.

Accumulating clinical and preclinical data indicate a prominent role of gut microbiota in regulation of physiological functions. The gut-brain axis imbalance due to gut dysbiosis is associated with a range of neurodegenerative diseases. Probiotics were suggested not only to restore intestinal dysbiosis but also modulate stress response and improve mood and anxiety symptoms. In this study, we assessed the effects of probiotic lactobacilli on behavioral reactions, the level of oxidative stress and microbiota content in mice administered to broad-spectrum antibiotics. Our study demonstrates that antibiotic treatment of adolescent mice for two weeks resulted in higher mortality and lower weight gain and induced significant changes in behavior including lower locomotor and exploratory activity, reduced muscle strength, visceral hypersensitivity, higher level of anxiety and impaired cognitive functions compared to the control group. These changes were accompanied by decreased diversity and total amount of bacteria, abundance of Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia phyla, and reduced Firmicutes/Bacteroides ratio in the gut microbiota. Moreover, a higher level of oxidative stress was found in brain and skeletal muscle tissues of mice treated with antibiotics. Oral administration of two Lactobacillus strains prevented the observed changes and improved not only microbiota content but also the behavioral alterations, suggesting a neuroprotective and antioxidant role of probiotics.

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is associated with thrombosis, but the mechanistic links between them are not understood. We studied effects of homocysteine (Hcy) on clot contraction in vitro and in a rat model of HHcy. Incubation of blood with exogenous Hcy for 1 min enhanced clot contraction, while 15-min incubation led to a dose-dependent suppression of contraction. These effects were likely due to direct Hcy-induced platelet activation followed by exhaustion, as revealed by an increase in fibrinogen-binding capacity and P-selectin expression determined by flow cytometry. In the blood of rats with HHcy, clot contraction was enhanced at moderately elevated Hcy levels (10–50 μM), while at higher Hcy levels (&gt, 50 μM), the onset of clot contraction was delayed. HHcy was associated with thrombocytosis combined with a reduced erythrocyte count and hypofibrinogenemia. These data suggest that in HHcy, platelets get activated directly and indirectly, leading to enhanced clot contraction that is facilitated by the reduced content and resilience of fibrin and erythrocytes in the clot. The excessive platelet activation can lead to exhaustion and impaired contractility, which makes clots larger and more obstructive. In conclusion, HHcy modulates blood clot contraction, which may comprise an underappreciated pro- or antithrombotic mechanism.

We previously showed that extracellular ATP and hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a recently discovered gasotransmitter, are both triggering the nociceptive firing in trigeminal nociceptors implicated in migraine pain. ATP contributes to meningeal nociception by activating the P2X3 subunit-containing receptors whereas H2S operates mainly via TRP receptors. However, H2S was also proposed as a neuroprotective and anti-nociceptive agent. This study aimed to test the effect of H2S on ATP-mediated nociceptive responses in rat meningeal afferents and trigeminal neurons and on ATP-induced degranulation of dural mast cells. Electrophysiological recording of trigeminal nerve activity in meninges was supplemented by patch-clamp and calcium imaging studies of isolated trigeminal neurons. The H2S donor NaHS induced a mild activation of afferents and fully suppressed the subsequent ATP-induced firing of meningeal trigeminal nerve fibers. This anti-nociceptive effect of H2S was specific as an even stronger effect of capsaicin did not abolish the action of ATP. In isolated trigeminal neurons, NaHS decreased the inward currents and calcium transients evoked by activation of ATP-gated P2X3 receptors. Moreover, NaHS prevented ATP-induced P2X7 receptor-mediated degranulation of meningeal mast cells which emerged as triggers of migraine pain. Finally, NaHS decreased the concentration of extracellular ATP in the meningeal preparation. Thus, H2S exerted the multiple protective actions against the nociceptive effects of ATP. These data highlight the novel pathways to reduce purinergic mechanisms of migraine with pharmacological donors or by stimulation production of endogenous H2S.

Chronic constipation (CC) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders worldwide. Its pathogenesis, however, remains largely unclear. The purpose of the present work was to gain an insight into the role of contractility and microbiota in the etiology of CC. To this end, we studied spontaneous and evoked contractile activity of descending colon segments from patients that have undergone surgery for refractory forms of CC. The juxta-mucosal microbiota of these colon samples were characterized with culture-based and 16S rRNA sequencing techniques. In patients with CC the spontaneous colonic motility remained unchanged compared to the control group without dysfunction of intestinal motility. Moreover, contractions induced by potassium chloride and carbachol were increased in both circular and longitudinal colonic muscle strips, thus indicating preservation of contractile apparatus and increased sensitivity to cholinergic nerve stimulation in the constipated intestine. In the test group, the gut microbiota composition was assessed as being typically human, with four dominant bacterial phyla, namely Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria, as well as usual representation of the most prevalent gut bacterial genera. Yet, significant inter-individual differences were revealed. The phylogenetic diversity of gut microbiota was not affected by age, sex, or colonic anatomy (dolichocolon, megacolon). The abundance of butyrate-producing genera Roseburia, Coprococcus, and Faecalibacterium was low, whereas conventional probiotic genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria were not decreased in the gut microbiomes of the constipated patients. As evidenced by our study, specific microbial biomarkers for constipation state are absent. The results point to a probable role played by the overall gut microbiota at the functional level. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive characterization of CC pathogenesis, finding lack of disruption of motor activity of colonic smooth muscle cells and insufficiency of particular members of gut microbiota usually implicated in CC.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an endogenously synthesized gaseous transmitter that participates in the regulation of the cardiovascular system and has a cardioprotective effect under ischemia–reperfusion conditions. Here, we studied possible mechanisms of the interaction of H2S and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the regulation of mice atrium contractility in the isometric conditions. We show that sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), an exogenous donor of H2S, caused dose-dependent and reversible depression of the contractile force in the concentration range from 1 μM to 5 mM. The negative inotropic effect of NaHS did not change after the activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors by carbachol. However, we observed that the negative inotropic effect of carbachol increased after preliminary application of NaHS. The application of the reducing agent dithiothreitol did not change the effects of carbachol, which indicated that the effects of NaHS was not related to a direct action on the disulfide bonds of the receptor’s protein subunits. The increased effects of carbachol after NaHS application were not prevented by the inhibition of intracellular signaling pathway that mediated activation of M-cholinergic receptors, including adenylate cyclase, guanylate cyclase, and NO-synthase. However, an increase in the carbachol negative inotropic effect was not observed when ATP-dependent potassium channels were inhibited by glibenclamide. In its turn, activation of ATPdependent potassium channels by diazoxide resulted in an increase in carbachol negative inotropic action in the atrial myocardium of mice similar to the effect of NaHS. Our data indicate that the enhanced negative inotropic effect of carbachol under the action of H2S in the mouse atrium was mediated by the activation of ATP-dependent potassium channels.

The effect of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donor, on spontaneous contractile activity of rat gastric smooth muscle cells was analyzed. Experiments were conducted on gastric stripes under conditions of isometric contraction. It was shown that NaHS has a biphasic effect on spontaneous contractile activity, increasing tonic tension and the amplitude of phasic contractions within the first minutes since application. This initial phase is followed by a decrease in amplitude, basal tone, and frequency of spontaneous contractions. The inhibitory effect of NaHS was dose-dependent at concentrations from 10 to 600 μM. Preliminary application of tetraethylammonium and 4-aminopirydine, inhibitors of voltage-gated and calciumactivated potassium channels, prevented a NaHS-induced initial increase in basal tone and phasic contraction amplitude. Activation of ATP-dependent potassium channels (KATP-channels) by diazoxide prevented in part a NaHS-induced decrease in basal tone and amplitude of spontaneous contractions. Glibenclamide, an inhibitor of KATP-channels, decreased the inhibitory effect of NaHS on amplitude, basal tone and frequency of spontaneous contractions. It was concluded that in rat gastric smooth muscles the excitatory effect of H2S is mediated by the inhibition of voltagegated and calcium-activated potassium channels, while its inhibitory effect involves the activation of KATP-channels.

Maternal hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCy) correlated with a number of complications such as abruption placentae, preeclampsia syndrome, in utero fetal death and fetal neural tube defects, cognitive impairment, and neurodegeneration during postnatal development. In the present study, we investigated the effects of prenatal HHCy on electrophysiological features and spontaneous network activity of neurons in hippocampus of rats of the first postnatal week. The analysis of intrinsic electrophysiological properties of pyramidal neurons has shown the decrease of the membrane capacitance and the threshold of generation of action potentials in rats with prenatal HHCy without alteration of the input resistance and resting membrane potential. In trains of action potentials elicited with prolonged current injections, an increase of interspike intervals and a broadening of action potentials during repetitive firing were observed in control neurons. In the neurons of pups with prenatal HHCy, the changes in interspike intervals were not significant and the broadening of action potentials in train was less pronounced. Using extracellular field potential recordings from the hippocampal slices, we found that the network activity in hippocampal slices from rats with prenatal HHCy displayed several abnormalities including the increase in overall neuronal firing and reduction of frequency of giant depolarizing potentials in CA3 regions. We conclude that the increased neuronal excitability and impairment of network activity in hippocampus can underlie neurodevelopmental abnormalities and hyperexcitability in prenatal HHCy.

We studied the role of cyclic nucleotides in the influence of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donor, sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, 200 μM), on motor activity of rat jejunum. NaHS reduced spontaneous and carbachol-induced contractions of rat jejunum segment, which suggests that H2S can act through mechanisms involving muscarinic receptor activation. Against the background of a membrane-penetrating non-hydrolyzable cAMP analogue or under conditions of adenylate cyclase blockade, the inhibitory effect of NaHS on the carbachol-induced contractions was maintained. Against the background of elevated cGMP concentration or guanylate cyclase inhibition, the reduction of carbachol-induced contractions upon exposure to NaHS was less pronounced than in control. It was hypothesized that H2S induces relaxation of carbachol-induced jejunum contractions, affecting protein kinase G targets or activating cGMP synthesis.

Nitric oxide (NO)-deficiency as it occurs during endothelial dysfunction activates the endothelin-1 (ET-1) system and increases the expression of receptor activity modifying protein (RAMP)-1 that acts as a chaperon for calcium-sensing receptors (CaR) that have recently been identified to improve cardiac function. Here, we hypothesized that ET-1 increases the cardiac expression of CaR and thereby induces an adaptive type of hypertrophy. Expressions of RAMP-1, endothelin receptors, and CaR were analyzed by RT-PCR in left ventricular tissues of L-NAME-treated rats. Effects of ET-1 on CaR expression and cell function (load free cell shortening) were analyzed in adult rat ventricular cardiomyocytes. siRNA directed against CaR and RAMP-1 was used to investigate a causal relationship. PD142893 and BQ788 were used to dissect the contribution of ETB1 , ETB2 , and ETA receptors. Non-specific NO synthase inhibition with L-Nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) caused a cardiac upregulation of ETB receptors and CaR suggesting a paracrine effect of ET-1 on cardiomyocytes. Indeed, ET-1 induced the expression of CaR in cultured cardiomyocytes. Under these conditions, cardiomyocytes increased cell size (hypertrophy) but maintained normal function. Inhibition of ETA and ETB1 receptors led to ET-1-dependent reduction in cell shortening and attenuated up-regulation of CaR. Down-regulation of RAMP-1 reduced CaR responsiveness. In conclusion, ET-1 causes an adaptive type of hypertrophy by up-regulation of CaR in cardiomyocytes via ETA and/or ETB1 receptors. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 2508-2518, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a systemic disease characterized by changes in many organs and tissues, including the motor system. The processes of exo- and endocytosis in the motor nerve ending of the mouse diaphragm muscle during high-frequency activity in experimental alloxan model of DM were studied. Endplate potentials (EPPs) were recorded using intracellular microelectrodes during single and high-frequency (50 Hz, 1 min) stimulation. In mice with the experimental DM, the amplitude-time parameters of EPPs did not differ from those of the control; however, an increase in EPPs depression and a slower recovery were observed during high-frequency stimulation. Using an endocytosis marker FM 1-43, it was shown that in animals with experimental DM fluorescence intensity of the nerve terminals loaded with the dye by high-frequency stimulation increased that was prevented by 1-azakenpaullone (2 μM), an inhibitor of slow dynamin-1-mediated endocytosis. In addition, in the model animals, the destaining of the pre-loaded nerve terminals during high-frequency (50 Hz) stimulation slowed down. The obtained data indicate that in the experimental first type DM recycling of synaptic vesicles via long path becomes more pronounced and the mechanisms of the vesicular transport are impaired, which was confirmed by methods of mathematical modeling.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is endogenously produced from sulfur containing amino acids, including homocysteine and exerts neuroprotective effects. An increase of homocysteine during pregnancy impairs fetal growth and development of the offspring due to severe oxidative stress. We analyzed the effects of the H2S donor&mdash, sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) administered to female rats with hyperhomocysteinemia (hHcy) on behavioral impairments and levels of oxidative stress of their offspring. Rats born from females fed with control or high methionine diet, with or without H2S donor injections were investigated. Rats with maternal hHcy exhibit increased levels of total locomotor activity and anxiety, decreased muscle endurance and motor coordination, abnormalities of fine motor control, as well as reduced spatial memory and learning. Oxidative stress in brain tissues measured by activity of glutathione peroxidases and the level of malondialdehyde was higher in rats with maternal hHcy. Concentrations of H2S and the activity and expression of the H2S generating enzyme&mdash, cystathionine-beta synthase&mdash, were lower compared to the control group. Administration of the H2S donor to females with hHcy during pregnancy prevented behavioral alterations and oxidative stress of their offspring. The acquisition of behavioral together with biochemical studies will add to our knowledge about homocysteine neurotoxicity and proposes H2S as a potential agent for therapy of hHcy associated disorders.

Epidemiological data suggest that elevated homocysteine is associated with migraine with aura. However, how homocysteine contributes to migraine is still unclear. Here, we tested whether hyperhomocysteinemia (hHCY) promotes cortical spreading depression (CSD), a phenomenon underlying migraine with aura, and whether hHCY contributes to pain behavior. hHCY was induced by dietary methionine in female rats while the testing was performed on their 6-8week-old offspring. CSD and multiple unit activity (MUA) induced by KCl were recorded from the primary somatosensory cortex, S1, using multichannel electrodes. In hHCY rats, compared to control, we found: i) higher probability of CSD occurrence; ii) induction of CSD by lower concentrations of KCl; iii) faster horizontal propagation of CSD; iv) smaller CSD with longer duration; v) higher frequency of MUA at CSD onset along with slower reappearance. Rats with hHCY demonstrated high level of locomotor activity and grooming while spent less time in the central area of the open field, indicating anxiety. These animals showed light sensitivity and facial mechanical allodinia. Thus, hHCY acquired at birth promotes multiple features of migraine such as higher cortical excitability, mechanical allodynia, photophobia, and anxiety. Our results provide the first experimental explanation for the higher occurrence of migraine with aura in patients with hHCY.

Homocysteine is a non-proteinogenic sulfhydryl-containing amino acid derived from methionine and is a homologue of cysteine [...]

During pregnancy, several complications have been associated with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and elevated homocysteine (Hcy) levels have been shown to play a role in the etiology of preeclampsia, placental abruption, intrauterine growth retardation, and neural tube defects and associated with the neurological consequences. In the present work, we investigated the effects of chronic maternal HHcy on the development and neurobehavioral maturation of the offspring. We analyzed classical parameters of development such as body weight, eyelid opening, ear unfolding, incisor eruption, and the appearance of hair, and subjected the pups to various tests that reflected the neurobehavioral maturation extending from 4th to 20th postnatal days (righting reflex, negative geotaxis, cliff avoidance, head shake, acoustic startle reflex, free-fall righting, cliff avoidance caused by visual stimulus, olfactory discrimination). We have shown that newborn animals were characterized by lower body weight and higher mortality. Besides, the delay in neurobehavioral maturation of the pups from the Hcy group was observed. The obtained results indicate that early developmental impairments of brain maturation induced by prenatal HHcy may underlie long-term deficits in the learning and memory behaviors.

In this study, we investigated the effects of L-homocysteine (Hcy) on maxi calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels and on exocytosis of secretory granules in GH3 rat pituitary-derived cells. A major finding of our study indicates that short-term application of Hcy increased the open probability of oxidized BK channels in inside-out recordings. Whole-cell recordings show that extracellular Hcy also augmented BK currents during long-term application. Furthermore, Hcy decreased the exocytosis of secretory granules. This decrease was partially prevented by the BK channel inhibitor paxilline and fully prevented by N-acetylcysteine, a reactive oxygen species scavenger. Taken together, our data show that elevation of cellular Hcy level induces oxidative stress, increases BK channel activity, and decreases exocytosis of secretory granules. These findings may provide insight into some of the developmental impairments and neurotoxicity associated with Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), a disease arising due to abnormally elevated levels of Hcy in the plasma.

The effects of general anesthetics ketamine and midazolam, the drugs that cause neuroapoptosis at the early stages of CNS development, on electrical activity of the somatosensory cortex in newborn rats were studied using extracellular recording of local field potentials and action potentials of cortical neurons. Combined administration of ketamine (40 mg/kg) and midazolam (9 mg/kg) induced surgical coma and almost completely suppressed early oscillatory patterns and neuronal firing. These effects persisted over 3 h after injection of the anesthetics. We concluded that general anesthesia induced by combined administration of ketamine and midazolam profoundly suppressed cortical activity in newborn rats, which can trigger neuroapoptosis in the developing brain.

An approach to the synthesis of epoxides based on 6-hydroxymethylpyridoxine acetals was developed. The epoxides obtained were involved in the ring opening reactions by nitrogen-, oxygen-, and sulfur-containing nucleophiles. Cytotoxicity and antiadrenergic properties of some synthesized compounds were studied on the models in situ and in vivo.

Maternal high levels of the redox active amino acid homocysteine—called hyperhomocysteinemia (hHCY)—can affect the health state of the progeny. The effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment on rats with maternal hHCY remain unknown. In the present study, we characterized the physical development, reflex ontogeny, locomotion and exploratory activity, muscle strength, motor coordination, and brain redox state of pups with maternal hHCY and tested potential beneficial action of the H2S donor—sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS)—on these parameters. Our results indicate a significant decrease in litter size and body weight of pups from dams fed with methionine-rich diet. In hHCY pups, a delay in the formation of sensory-motor reflexes was observed. Locomotor activity tested in the open field by head rearings, crossed squares, and rearings of hHCY pups at all studied ages (P8, P16, and P26) was diminished. Exploratory activity was decreased, and emotionality was higher in rats with hHCY. Prenatal hHCY resulted in reduced muscle strength and motor coordination assessed by the paw grip endurance test and rotarod test. Remarkably, administration of NaHS to pregnant rats with hHCY prevented the observed deleterious effects of high homocysteine on fetus development. In rats with prenatal hHCY, the endogenous generation of H2S brain tissues was lower compared to control and NaHS administration restored the H2S level to control values. Moreover, using redox signaling assays, we found an increased level of malondialdehyde (MDA), the end product of lipid peroxidation, and decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the brain tissues of rats of the hHCY group. Notably, NaHS treatment restored the level of MDA and the activity of SOD and GPx. Our data suggest that H2S has neuroprotective/antioxidant effects against homocysteine-induced neurotoxicity providing a potential strategy for the prevention of developmental impairments in newborns.

All cells contain ion channels in their outer (plasma) and inner (organelle) membranes. Ion channels, similar to other proteins, are targets of oxidative impact, which modulates ion fluxes across membranes. Subsequently, these ion currents affect electrical excitability, such as action potential discharge (in neurons, muscle, and receptor cells), alteration of the membrane resting potential, synaptic transmission, hormone secretion, muscle contraction or coordination of the cell cycle. In this chapter we summarize effects of oxidative stress and redox mechanisms on some ion channels, in particular on maxi calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels which play an outstanding role in a plethora of physiological and pathophysiological functions in almost all cells and tissues. We first elaborate on some general features of ion channel structure and function and then summarize effects of oxidative alterations of ion channels and their functional consequences.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is critical in cell signaling, and inhalation of gaseous CO can impact cardiovascular physiology. We have investigated electrophysiological effects of CO and their potential cGMP-dependent mechanism in isolated preparations of murine myocardium. The standard microelectrode technique was used to record myocardial action potentials (APs). Exogenous CO (0.96 × 10(-4)-4.8 × 10(-4) M) decreased AP duration in atrial and ventricular tissue and accelerated pacemaking activity in sinoatrial node. Inhibitors of heme oxygenases (zinc and tin protoporphyrin IX), which are responsible for endogenous CO production, induced the opposite effects. Inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), ODQ (10(-5) M) halved CO-induced AP shortening, while sGC activator azosidnone (10(-5) M-3 × 10(-4) M) and cGMP analog BrcGMP (3 × 10(-4) M) induced the same effects as CO. To see if CO effects are attributed to differential regulation of phosphodiesterase 2 (PDE2) and 3 (PDE3), we used inhibitors of these enzymes. Milrinone (2 × 10(-6) M), selective inhibitor of cGMP-downregulated PDE3, blocked CO-induced rhythm acceleration. EHNA(2 × 10(-6) M), which inhibits cGMP-upregulated PDE2, attenuated CO-induced AP shortening, but failed to induce any positive chronotropic effect. Our findings indicate that PDE2 activity prevails in working myocardium, while PDE3 is more active in sinoatrial node. The results suggest that cardiac effects of CO are at least partly attributed to activation of sGC and subsequent elevation of cGMP intracellular content. In sinoatrial node, this leads to PDE3 inhibition, increased cAMP content, and positive chronotropy, while it also causes PDE2 stimulation in working myocardium, thereby enhancing cAMP degradation and producing AP shortening. Thus, CO induces significant alterations of cardiac electrical activity via cGMP-dependent mechanism and should be considered as a novel regulator of cardiac electrophysiology.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is synthesized endogenously, and it has a negative inotropic effect on myocardium of different animal species. Interaction between H2S and adrenergic and muscarinic receptors in regulation of mouse atrium contractile function was investigated in this study. Sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, 300 μM), the H2S donor, decreased the contraction force of atrium. NaHS did not affect the positive inotropic effect of β-adrenoceptors (β-AR) activation by isoproterenol (ISO, 1 μM). The effect of the H2S donor under β-AR stimulation showed no differences comparison to control values. The agonist of muscarinic receptors carbachol (1 μM) induced a negative inotropic effect and partially prevented the reduction of cardiac muscle contractility by NaHS. Moreover, the effect of carbachol was more pronounced after preliminary application of NaHS. At the same time, after inhibition of β-AR (propranolol, 1 μM) or muscarinic receptors (atropine, 1 μM), negative inotropic effect of NaHS was the same as in control conditions. These results suggest that the H2S effects are mediated by intracellular signaling pathways activated by muscarinic receptors.

International audience; Ethanol-induced neuroapoptosis in the developing brain has been suggested to involve suppression of neuronal activity. However, ethanol acts as a potent stimulant of neuro-nal activity by increasing the frequency of depolarizing GABA dependent giant depolarizing potentials in the neonatal rat hippocampal slices in vitro. Here, we show that ethanol strongly inhibits, in a dose-dependent manner (1-6 g/kg), sharp waves and multiple unit activity in the hippocampus of neonatal (postnatal days P4-6) rats in vivo. Thus, the effects of ethanol on the developing hippocampal network activity cardinally differ in vitro (stimulation) and in vivo (inhibition).

Ischemic heart disease is a common cause of patients’ death worldwide. Recently, cardiac pre- and post-conditioning (IPC, IPoC) were indentified to reduce infarct size. Nevertheless, not only infarct size but also post-infarct remodelling is critical for the long-term enhancing effect. Calcium-sensing receptors (CaSRs) signalling was shown to be involved in IPC and IPoC in the heart. This study aims to clarify CaSRs expression after ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R), IPC and IPoC. Experiments were performed on adult Wistar rats with left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion. Troponin I (TnI) levels were measured in plasma of all animals to quantify the infarct size. Sham-operated animals, rats with I/R, IPC, and IPoC were compared. Left and right ventricular tissue samples from these groups were collected for qRT-PCR analysis. CaSR expression was enhanced in rats with I/R and IPC. Its increase after IPoC was not pronounced. In contrast, left ventricles (LV) showed decreased CaSR expression in rat hearts after I/R, IPC, and IPoC. Data suggest differences in CaSR regulation between LV and RV. Enhanced CaSR expression in RV was observed in tissue with small infarct size.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), an endogenous gasotransmitter, was proposed to act as a signaling molecule in a wide variety of pathophysiological processes including inflammation and nociception. Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are voltage-insensitive, proton-gated cation channels activated by extracellular acidosis, and are involved in various pathologies of the nervous system including ischemia, stroke, and migraine. In this study, the effect of the H2S donor-sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS) on the firing of trigeminal (TG) nerve was explored using suction electrode recordings in peripheral branches of the TG nerve in isolated rat meninges, and patch clamp recordings of ASIC currents in isolated TG neurons. NaHS (100 μM) increased the action potential frequency of TG nerve and bath application of NaHS increased the amplitude of ASIC currents triggered by focal application of low pH solution on isolated TG neurons. We propose that activation of ASICs by H2S during chronic inflammation process contributes to the increased excitability of the TG system and may be implicated in the generation of nociceptive firing underlying migraine pain.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an endogenously produced neuroactive gas implicated in many key processes in the peripheral and central nervous system. Whereas the neuroprotective role of H2S has been shown in adult brain, the action of this messenger in newborns remains unclear. One of the known targets of H2S in the nervous system is the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor which can be composed of different subunits with distinct functional properties. In the present study, using patch clamp technique, we compared the effects of the H2S donor sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, 100 μM) on hippocampal NMDA receptor mediated currents in rats of the first and third postnatal weeks. This was supplemented by testing effects of NaHS on recombinant GluN1/2A and GluN1/2B NMDA receptors expressed in HEK293T cells. The main finding is that NaHS action on NMDA currents is age-dependent. Currents were reduced in newborns but increased in older juvenile rats. Consistent with an age-dependent switch in NMDA receptor composition, in HEK239T cells expressing GluN1/2A receptors, NaHS increased NMDA activated currents associated with acceleration of desensitization and decrease of the deactivation rate. In contrast, in GluN1/2B NMDA receptors, which are prevalent in newborns, NaHS decreased currents and reduced receptor deactivation without effect on the desensitization rate. Adenylate cyclase inhibitor MDL-12330A (10 μM) did not prevent the age-dependent effects of NaHS on NMDA evoked currents in pyramidal neurons of hippocampus. The reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT, 2 mM) applied on HEK293T cells prevented facilitation induced by NaHS on GluN1/2A NMDA receptors, however in GluN1/2B NMDA receptors the inhibitory effect of NaHS was still observed. Our data indicate age-dependent effect of H2S on NMDA receptor mediated currents determined by glutamate receptor subunit composition. While the inhibitory action of H2 on GluN1/2B receptors could limit the excessive activation in early age, the enhanced functionality of GluN1/2A receptor in the presence of this gasotransmitter can enlarge synaptic efficacy and promote synaptic plasticity in adults., published version, peerReviewed

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a well-established member of the gasotransmitter family, is involved in a variety of physiological functions, including pro-nociceptive action in the sensory system. Although several reports have shown that H2S activates sensory neurons, the molecular targets of H2S action the trigeminal nociception, implicated in migraine, remains controversial. In this study, using suction electrode recordings, we investigate the effect of the H2S donor, sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), on nociceptive firing in rat meningeal trigeminal nerve fibers. The effect of NaHS was also explored with patch-clamp and calcium imaging techniques on isolated trigeminal neurons. NaHS dramatically increased the nociceptive firing in trigeminal nerve fibers. This effect was abolished by the TRPV1 inhibitor capsazepine but was partially prevented by the TRPA1 blocker HC 030031. In a fraction of isolated trigeminal neurons, NaHS transiently increased the amplitude of capsaicin-induced currents. Moreover, NaHS by itself induced inward currents in sensory neurons, which were abolished by the TRPV1 inhibitor capsazepine suggesting involvement of TRPV1 receptors. In contrast, the inhibitor of TRPA1 receptors HC 030031 did not prevent the NaHS-induced currents. Imaging of large population of trigeminal neurons revealed that NaHS induced calcium transients in 41 % of tested neurons. Interestingly, this effect of NaHS in some neurons was inhibited by the TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine whereas in others it was sensitive to the TRPA1 blocker HC 030031. Our data suggest that both TRPV1 and TRPA1 receptors play a role in the pro-nociceptive action of NaHS in peripheral trigeminal nerve endings in meninges and in somas of trigeminal neurons. We propose that activation of TRPV1 and TRPA1 receptors by H2S during neuro-inflammation conditions contributes to the nociceptive firing in primary afferents underlying migraine pain.

We studied the effect of sodium hydrosulfite (NaHS), a donor of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), on spontaneous contractive activity of isolated preparations of rat stomach and jejunum under isometric conditions. NaHS in concentrations of 10-200 μM reduced the amplitude, tonic tension, and frequency of contractions of the preparations. Blockade of K(+) channels with a non-specific antagonist tetraethylammonium (10 mM) increased contraction amplitude in the stomach strip and jejunum segment. The effects of NaHS on all parameters of contractile activity of the stomach and jejunum were fully preserved against the background of tetraethylammonium application. These data suggest that H2S in physiologically relevant concentrations inhibited spontaneous contractile activity of smooth muscle cells in rat stomach and jejunum by reducing the amplitude and frequency of contractions and decreased tonic tension without affecting the function of voltage- and calcium-dependent K(+) channels.

Objective Isoflurane and other volatile anesthetics are widely used in children to induce deep and reversible coma, but they may also exert neurotoxic actions. The effects of volatile anesthetics on the immature brain activity remain elusive, however. Methods The effects of isoflurane on spontaneous and sensory-evoked activity were explored using intracortical extracellular field potential and multiple unit recordings in the rat barrel cortex from birth to adulthood. Results During the first postnatal week, isoflurane suppressed cortical activity in a concentration-dependent manner. At surgical anesthesia levels (1.5–2%), isoflurane completely suppressed the electroencephalogram and silenced cortical neurons. Although sensory potentials evoked by the principal whisker deflection persisted, sensory-evoked early gamma and spindle-burst oscillations were completely suppressed by isoflurane. Isoflurane-induced burst-suppression pattern emerged during the second postnatal week and matured through the first postnatal month. Bursts in adolescent and adult rats were characterized by activation of entire cortical columns with a leading firing of infragranular neurons, and were triggered by principal and adjacent whiskers stimulation, and by auditory and visual stimuli, indicating an involvement of horizontal connections in their generation and horizontal spread. Interpretation The effects of isoflurane on cortical activity shift from total suppression of activity to burst-suppression pattern at the end of the first postnatal week. Developmental emergence of bursts likely involves a development of the intracortical short- and long-range connections. We hypothesize that complete suppression of cortical activity under isoflurane anesthesia during the first postnatal week may explain neuronal apoptosis stimulated by volatile anesthetics in the neonatal rats.

In experiments with mouse diaphragm muscle, the effects of a nitric oxide (NO) donor, S-nitroso- N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP), and an NO-synthase blocker, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (LNAME), on transmitter release and processes of exo- and endocytosis of synaptic vesicles in the motornerve ending were studied using electrophysiological and fluorescence techniques. During single stimulation of the motor nerve, SNAP reduced and LNAME did not change the amplitude of the endplate currents and both of the drugs did not affect spontaneous transmitter release. During high-frequency stimulation (20 Hz, 3 min) SNAP increased and LNAME slowed the depression of the amplitudes of endplate potentials (EPPs) compared to the dynamics of EPPs in the control. In experiments using the fluorescent dye FM 1–43, it was shown that the NO donor induced a decrease and LNAME induced an increase in the fluorescence intensity of motor-nerve endings loaded with dye during stimulation at a frequency of 20 Hz for 30 s compared to the control. At the same time, the rate of dye unloading from the terminals that were preloaded with FM 1–43 was higher after preliminary application of SNAP and lower after preliminary application of LNAME. It was suggested that exogenous and endogenous NO in the mouse neuromuscular synapse caused the depression of neurotransmitter release as a result of the suppression of synaptic-vesicle recycling due to a decrease in endocytosis or/and mobilization of synaptic vesicles from a recycling pool to the exocytosis sites.

The effects of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), the donor of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), on the exo/endocytosis cycle of synaptic vesicles in the motor nerve ending of the mouse diaphragm were studied using intracellular microelectrode technique and fluorescent microscopy. NaHS increased the frequency of miniature end-plate potentials (MEPPs), without changing their amplitude-time parameters. NaHS also increased the amplitude of the evoked postsynaptic responses during single stimulation (0.3 Hz), which was the evidence of the enhanced synaptic vesicle exocytosis. During high-frequency stimulation (50 Hz), NaHS induced more significant decline of neurotransmitter release, probably due to the lower rate of synaptic vesicle mobilization from recycling pool to exocytic sites. NaHS also decreased the uptake of the fluorescent endocytic dye FM 1–43, which indicated the reduced endocytosis of synaptic vesicles. Thus, the H2S donor increases exocytosis and decreases the processes of synaptic vesicle endocytosis and mobilization in the mouse motor nerve ending.

International audience; Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) is an endogenous gaso-transmitter with neuroprotective properties that participates in the regulation of transmitter release and neuronal excitability in various brain structures. The role of H 2 S in the growth and maturation of neural networks however remains unclear. The aim of the present study is to reveal the effects of H 2 S on neuronal spontaneous activity relevant to neuronal maturation in hippocampal slices of neonatal rats. Sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) (100 lM), a classical donor of H 2 S produced a biphasic effect with initial activation and subsequent concentration-dependent suppression of network-driven giant depolarizing potentials (GDPs) and neuronal spiking activity. Likewise, the substrate of H 2 S synthesis L-cysteine (1 mM) induced an initial increase followed by an inhibition of GDPs and spiking activity. Our experiments indicate that the increase in initial discharge activity by NaHS is evoked by neuronal depolarization which is partially mediated by a reduction of outward K + currents. The subsequent decrease in the neuronal activity by H 2 S appears to be due to the rightward shift of activation and inactivation of voltage-gated Na + currents, thus preventing network activity. NaHS also reduced N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-mediated currents, without essential effect on AMPA/kainate or GABA A-mediated currents. Finally, H 2 S abolished the interictal-like events induced by bicuculline. In summary, our results suggest that through the inhibitory action on voltage-gated Na + channels and NMDA receptors, H 2 S prevents the enhanced neuronal excitability typical to early hippocampal networks. Ó

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an endogenously synthesized gaseous molecule which, along with nitric oxide and carbon monoxide, induces a number of effects in cardiovascular system under normal and pathological conditions. In the present work, the effects and underlying mechanisms of the H2S donor sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) on the isometric force of frog myocardium contraction have been studied. NaHS at the concentration of 100 μM induced negative inotropic effect and reduced the maximum velocity of the contraction and relaxation of the isolated ventricle strips. The substrate of H2S synthesis, L-cysteine (200 μM and 1 mM), induced the same effect, while the inhibitors of cystathionin-γ-lyase, the H2S-producing enzyme in heart, β-cyanoalanine (500 μM) and propargylglycine (500 μM), increased the amplitude of contraction. Inhibition of cystathionin-γ-lyase by β-cyanoalanine prevented the negative inotropic effect of L-cysteine. After the inhibition of adenylate cyclase by MDL-12,330A (3 μM) or phosphodiesterases by IBMX (200 μM), the effect of NaHS was less than that in the control. In the presence of membrane-penetrating analogous of cAMP, 8Br-cAMP (100 μM) and pCPT-cAMP (100 μM), the negative inotropic effect of NaHS was completely retained. The effect of NaHS significantly decreased after preliminary application of the NO donor, SNAP (10 μM), and did not change after the inhibition of NO synthases by L-NAME (100 μM). The results suggest the possibility of endogenous synthesis of H2S in frog myocardium and regulation of its contractility by the activation of phosphodiesterases hydrolyzing cAMP, which leads to a decrease in the activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinases and phosphorylation of voltage-dependent L-type Ca channels. As a result, the reduction of calcium entry into cardiomyocytes decreases the contractility of frog myocardium.

Using electrophysiological and optical methods, we studied the effects of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a hydrogen sulfide donor, on the dynamics of transmitter release and exo- and endocytosis of synaptic vesicles in motor nerve endings during long-term high-frequency stimulation (20 Hz) in experiments with the cutaneous pectoris frog muscle. H2S increased the amplitude of endplate currents under conditions of a single stimulation of the motor nerve and slowed down the depression of the end plate currents during high-frequency stimulation (20 Hz, 3 min). Using the endocytic fluorescent dye FM 1–43, we showed that NaHS increased the dye uptake during high-frequency stimulation as compared to the control. However, after termination of the high-frequency stimulation the fluorescence intensity of nerve terminals was lower in the presence of NaHS than in the control experiments. In addition, NaHS slowed the dye release from the nerve terminals that were loaded during 20 Hz stimulation. The results thus obtained indicate that H2S accelerates the synaptic vesicles cycle in frog motor nerve ending by enhancement of exocytosis and fast endocytosis of synaptic vesicles during high-frequency stimulation.

The effects of sodium hydrosulfide NaHS, a donor of hydrogen sulfide H2S, on the force of muscle contraction were examined on isolated myocardial strips from frog ventricles. NaHS decreased the amplitude of muscle contractions in a dose-dependent manner under normal conditions and during inhibition of Ca channels with nifedipine. In contrast, under conditions of blockade of ATP-dependent potassium channels with glibenclamide, NaHS exerted a positive inotropic effect from the first minute of application. Neither blockade, nor activation of ATP-dependent K-channels with glibenclamide modulated the negative inotropic effect of NaHS. Inhibition of K-channels with tetraethylammonium (TEA) (3, 5, 10 mM) or 4-aminopyridine increased the amplitude of myocardial contractions. Preliminary application of 4-aminopyridine or TEA (3 mM) did not eliminate NaHS-induced negative inotropic effect, although higher TEA concentrations (5 or 10 mM) prevented it. The data indicate that the targets of H(2)S in frog myocardium are ATP-dependent, Ca-activated, and voltage-dependent K-channels.

Die Gase Stickoxid (NO), Kohlenmonoxid (CO) und Schwefelwasserstoff (H2S) werden aufgrund ihrer Wirkung als Signalstoffe als “Gasotransmitter” zusammengefasst. Diese Gase spielen eine wichtige Rolle als intra- und interzellularer Signalstoff im Verdauungs-, Atmungs- oder Urogenitalsystem, bei der Steuerung des Herzschlags oder Nervenaktivitaten. Die Forschung ist dabei, Funktionen und weitere Details der Wirkmechanismen dieser Gase und ihre Implikationen fur Physiologie, Pathophysiologie und Pharmakologie zu erarbeiten. Vom bisher neuesten Kandidaten – dem H2S – gibt es Hinweise, dass er in hoher Konzentration im Gehirn und in den Hoden vorkommt und bei Lern-/Gedachtnisprozessen sowie bei Geschlechtsfunktionen eine Rolle spielt. Durch Entwicklung von Wirksubstanzen zur Beeinflussung der H2S-Produktion oder entsprechender Zielorte konnte sich hieraus ein interessantes pharmakologisches Potenzial entwickeln. Gasotransmitters – gases as cellular signalling molecules The gases nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) because of their capacity as signalling molecules have been now collectively termed “gasotransmitters”. These gases play an important role in inter- and intracellular signalling, as in the digestive, respiratory or urogenital tract, in controlling heart activity or in nerve function. Research now tries to work out functions and further details about the mechanism of action of these gases and their implications for physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology. The most recent candidate, H2S, is found in high concentrations in the brain and in the testis and hence is involved in learning/memory and in reproductive functions. The development of new substances interfering with the production of H2S or its targets may constitute an interesting pharmacological potential.

The role of cyclic nucleotides in the effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on transmitter release in the frog neuromuscular junction was studied using focal microelectrode recording of synaptic signals. A donor of H2S, sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS) (100 µM) reversibly increased the amplitude and quantum content of end-plate currents (EPCs) without changing the nerve ending response. The effect of H2S on evoked transmitter release was decreased by preliminary application of the membrane-permeable cAMP analogue pCPT-cAMP (100 µM). Inhibition of adenylate cyclase by MDL-12330A (0.8 µM) did not alter the effect of NaHS on transmitter release. Membrane-permeable cGMP analogue pCPT-cGMP (50 µM) and inhibitor of guanylate cyclase ODQ (0.1 µM) did not change the effect of NaHS. Therefore, we conclude that the H2S-induced increase in the transmitter release was not a result of guanylate cyclase activity. It was concluded that the H2S effects are related to the functioning of cAMP-dependent mechanisms; however, these effects are not associated with the direct action of H2S on the adenylate cyclase activity.