• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.245-252
• /
• 1993

Amiloride is a potassium sparing duretic which specifically inhibits $Na{^+}$ channels. In the present study, we investigated the possible interaction of amiloride with $A_1$ adenosine receptors-adenylyl cyclase system in crude adipocytic plasma membrane fractions prepared from Sprague-Dawley rats. When the function of $G_i$ protein (inhibitory guanine nucleotide binding protein) was assessed by determining the effects of GTP on isoproterenol-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity, the inhibitory effect of high concentrations of GTP was not observed in the presence of amiloride. In contrast, the adenosine receptor-mediated inhibition of the enzyme activity, as determined empolying 2-chloroadenosine, was either unchanged or even more enhanced by amiloride depending on the concentrations of 2-chloroadenosine. Thus, it appears that GTP- and receptor-mediated inhibitory function of $G_{i}$ proteins can be separated from one another. Receptor-mediated function of $G_{s}$ protein did not appear to be significantly affected by amiloride, since the inhibition of isoproterenol-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity by propranolol under the same conditions was not significantly altered by amiloride. The enhancement of 2-chloroadenosine-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase by amiloride was maintained in the presence of 150 mM NaCl. In summary, these results suggest that amiloride interacts both with $A_{l}$ adenosine receptors and with $G_i$ proteins in adipocytic membranes. Its binding to the $A_1$ adenosine receptors appears to facilitate the coupling of the receptors with $G_i$ proteins thereby enhancing the inhibition of isoproterenol-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity by $A_1$ adenosine agonist, and the direct interaction with $G_i$ proteins appears to remove the GTP-dependent inhibitory effect on adenylyl cyclase activity.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.32 no.5
• /
• pp.511-514
• /
• 1999

Enhancement of the hyperthermia effect in FsaII fibrosarcoma of C3H mice in vivo by amiloride and 4,4- diisothiocyanatostilbene.2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) was studied. Heating alone significantly increased the tumor lactic acid content and lowered the tumor energy levels, as indicated by the PCr and ATP contents which were measured using invasive chemical analysis. An i.p. injection of amiloride, DIDS, or amiloride combined with DIDS prior to heating further increased the lactic acid content and reduced the energy status in the tumors. Amiloride and DIDS may be useful in increasing the therapeutic efficacy of hyperthermia treatments by enhancing the reduction in tumor pH.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.313-319
• /
• 1994

This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between the $Na^+$ channels of the cardiovascular regulation center and the responses to increased $Na^+$ concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), by observing the effects of icv administration of the agents affecting $Na^+$ transport. Icv infusion of $200\;{\mu}l$ of 1 M NaCl produced hypertension and bradycardia in the urethane-anesthetized rabbit, and the bradycardia was inhibited and reversed to tachycardia by vagotomy. Amiloride, a $Na^+$ transport inhibitor, produced hypertension and bradycardia, which were not altered by vagotomy, and it did not affect the NaCl-induced responses. Benzamil, a derivative of amiloride with higher specificity, neither produced any cardiovascular effects by itself, nor affected the NaCl-induced responses. In vagotomized rabbits, icv amiloride reversed the NaCl-induced tachycardia to a bradycardia, but the bradycardiac effect was not altered by pretreating with NaCl. This study showed that although amiloride and benzamil slightly differ in their cardiovascular action, neither of them did affect the NaCl-induced responses. We suggest that the $Na^+$ channels which are sensitive to amiloride or benzamil in the cardiovascular regulation center are not involved in the NaCl-induced response.

• Genomics & Informatics
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.48.1-48.10
• /
• 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) encodes small envelope protein (E) that plays a major role in viral assembly, release, pathogenesis, and host inflammation. Previous studies demonstrated that pyrazine ring containing amiloride analogs inhibit this protein in different types of coronavirus including SARS-CoV-1 small envelope protein E (SARS-CoV-1 E). SARS-CoV-1 E has 93.42% sequence identity with SARS-CoV-2 E and shared a conserved domain NS3/small envelope protein (NS3_envE). Amiloride analog hexamethylene amiloride (HMA) can inhibit SARS-CoV-1 E. Therefore, we performed molecular docking and dynamics simulations to explore whether amiloride analogs are effective in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 E. To do so, SARS-CoV-1 E and SARS-CoV-2 E proteins were taken as receptors while HMA and 3-amino-5-(azepan-1-yl)-N-(diaminomethylidene)-6-pyrimidin-5-ylpyrazine-2-carboxamide (3A5NP2C) were selected as ligands. Molecular docking simulation showed higher binding affinity scores of HMA and 3A5NP2C for SARS-CoV-2 E than SARS-CoV-1 E. Moreover, HMA and 3A5NP2C engaged more amino acids in SARS-CoV-2 E. Molecular dynamics simulation for 1 ㎲ (1,000 ns) revealed that these ligands could alter the native structure of the proteins and their flexibility. Our study suggests that suitable amiloride analogs might yield a prospective drug against coronavirus disease 2019.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.46 no.1
• /
• pp.56-66
• /
• 2003

Purpose : Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) play an important role in regulating blood flow by releasing vasoactive substances. It has been reported that endothelial impairment and dysfunction might be a primary cause of placental vascular disease, which is manifested clinically as preeclampsia in mother and intrauterine growth restriction in fetus. Furthermore, the frequency of apoptotic changes is increased in umbilical and placental tissues from growth-restricted pregnancies. However, the various mechanisms of umbilical endothelial cell apoptosis have not been broadly proposed. We investigate the effects of amiloride derivatives on apoptotic death of HUVECs and identify their ionic mechanism. Methods : HUVECs were purchased from Clonetics, and cultured on endothelial cell growth medium. MTT assay and flow cytometry were used for assessing cytotoxic effect and confirming the apoptosis. Changes in intracellular ion concentrations were measured with specific fluorescent dyes and fluorescence imaging analysis system. Results : Amiloride derivatives elicited cytotoxic effects on HUVECs with dose-dependent manners and the rank order of potency is HMA($IC_{50}\;11.2{\mu}M$), MIA>EIPA>>amiloride. HMA-induced cytotoxicity is dependent on extra- and intracellular pH, that is, increase extra- and intracellular pH augmented the cytotoxic effects of HMA. HMA dose-dependently reduced intracellular major ions, such as $K^+$ and $Cl^-$. Interestingly, the depletion of intracellular ions induced by HMA was also significantly enhanced at alkaline extracellular pH. Conclusion : Amiloride derivatives induce apoptosis of HUVECs with dose and pH dependent manners. They reduce intracellular $K^+$ and $Cl^-$ concentration, which is also extracellular pH dependent.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.87-93
• /
• 1999

The possible role of Na$^{+}$/H$^{+}$ antiporter in both the capacitation and the acrosome reaction (AR) was examined in mouse epididymal spermatozoa. Spontaneous acrosome reaction was inhibited by dimethyl amiloride (DMA), a specific inhibitor of Na$^{+}$/H$^{+}$ antiporter, with dose dependent manner. Follicular fluid- or A23l 87-induced acrosome reaction was not inhibited by DMA. It suggests that change in pH$_{i}$ by monovalent cation transport through the Na$^{+}$/H$^{+}$ antiporter is possibly engaged in the capacitation and that agonist- as well as A23l87-induced AR in capacitated sperm might be independent from the Na$^{+}$/H$^{+}$ antiporter. Conclusively, changes in pH$_{i}$ through the Na$^{+}$/H$^{+}$ antiporter might be important for sperm capacitation and it virtually occurs upstream of the $Ca^{2+}$ influx which precedes the acrosome reaction in mouse epididymal spermatozoa.pididymal spermatozoa.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.49-54
• /
• 2022

Taste is a basic sensation to get attracted toward nutritious foods or avoid possible harmful substances. The basic taste qualities in humans consist of sweet, bitter, umami, salty, and sour. Basically, sweet and umami tastes make food attractive, whereas bitter and sour tastes make it avoidable. Salty taste comprises basic salty and high salt taste. The basic salty taste is known as amiloride-sensitive salty taste, which is inhibited by amiloride, but the high salt taste is not sensitive to amiloride. Moreover, high salt taste can also cause avoidance behavior in human beings. Sodium, one of the most important cations in the body fluids of vertebrates, controls the volume of total body fluids and is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension. The concentration of sodium in body fluids must be under delicate control. A distinction between the salty taste and high salt taste would be a contributing mechanism to control the volume and/or osmolarity of body fluids.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
• /
• v.19 no.1 s.27
• /
• pp.61-75
• /
• 1989

Recently, indirect evidences suggest that Na-Ca exchange mechanism is involved in bone resorption. To study this suggestion, effects of several drugs which increase the intracellular sodium concentration by different mechanisms on the PTH-induced bone resorption were analysed employing organ culture. Ulnae and radii were removed from 19-day fetal rats, prelabelled by subcutaneous injection of $200{\mu}\;Ci^{45}CaC1_2$ on the 17th day of gestation, and then explanted on the membrane filters in organ culture dishes. For studying the effects of amiloride, ouabain, monensin, and veratridine on the PTH-induced bone resorption, control group was cultured in BGJb media containing PTH (0.4U/ml) while experimental group was cultured in BGJb media containing PTH and drugs. The effects of drugs on the PTH-induced bone resorption were observed by the ratios of $\%-release$ of $^{45}Ca$ between paired control and experimental groups. The results were as follows: 1. $^{45}Ca$ release was significantly increased by PTH (0.4U/ml) at 48 and 72 hours of culture. 2. Amiloride, at concentration of $500{\mu}M$, significantly inhibited the PTH-induced bone resorption after 48 and 72 hours of culture. 3. Ouabain, at concentration of 0.1 mM, presented significant inhibition of PTH-induced bone resorption after 48 and 72 hours of culture, and at 0.5mM and 1mM, presented significant inhibition of PTH-induced bone resorption after 72 hours of culture. 4. Monensin, at concentration of 500nM, significantly inhibited PTH-induced bone resorption after 72 hours of culture. 5. Veratridine, at concentration of 0.5mM, presented significant inhibition of PTH-induced bone resorption after 48 and 72 hours of culture, and at 1mM, presented significant inhibition of PTH-induced bone resorption after 72 hours of culture. Taken altogether, these results suggest that Na-Ca exchange mechanism play a role in PTH-induced bone resolution.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.49-57
• /
• 1994

The objective of this study was to determine whether Pz-peptide, an enhancer of hydrophilic solute permeability in the intestine, could elevate the paracellular permeability of the cornea and conjunctiva in the pigmented rabbit. The in vitro penetration of four hydrophilic solutes, mannitol (MW 182), fluorescein (MW 376), FD-4 (FITC-dextran, 4 KDa), and FD-10 (FITC-dextran, 10 KDa) across the pigmented rabbit cornea and conjunctiva was studied either in the presence or absence of 3 mM enhancers. Drug penetration was evaluated using the modified Ussing chamber. The conjunctiva was more permeable than the cornea to all four markers. EDTA and cytochalasin B showed higher effects on marker transport than Pz-peptide, but Pz-peptide elevated the corneal transport of mannitol, fluoresein, and FD-4 by 50%, 26%, and 50%, respectively, without affecting FD-10 transport. Possibly due to the leakier nature of the conjunctiva, 3 mM Pz-peptide elevated the transport of only FD-4 by about 45%, without affecting the transport of other markers. Furthermore, the transport of Pz-peptide itself across the cornea and conjunctiva increased with increasing concentration in the 1-5 mM range, suggesting that Pz-peptide enhanced its own permeability, possibly by elevating paracellular permeability. Effects of ion transport inhibitors on Pz-peptide transport were then investigated. PZ-peptide penetration was not changed by mucosal addition of $10\;{\mu}M$ amiloride or $10\;{\mu}M$ hexamethylene amiloride, inhibiting serosal $Na^{+}$ exit by $100\;{\mu}M$ ouabain, or replacing $Na^{+}$ with choline chloride in the mucosal side buffer. These results seggested that Pz-peptide enhanced the paracellular permeability of rabbit cornea and conjunctiva and further indicate that ion transporters were not involved in the Pz-peptide induced elevation of paracellular marker permeability.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.49-60
• /
• 1991

The change of the acridine orange absorbance was used to monitor the formation and/or dissipation of a pH gradient in microvillous membrane vesicles (MVV) isolated from human term placenta. Under $Na^+$ efflux conditions, an acidification of the intravesicular space occured and it was completely inhibited by 0.1 mM amiloride. Under $K^+$ efflux conditions, an acidification of the intravesicular space occured and it was potentiated by valinomycin or FCCP. An inwardly directed chloride gradient also induced a minor intravesicular acidification, but it was not observed in voltage-clampled MVV. The initial rate of the dissipation of a pH gradient was accelerated by pulse injections of $Na^+$ in a saturable manner and $Li^+$ could replace $Na^+$. The kinetic parameter of $Na^+$ in placental $Na^+/H^+$ exchange was similar to that of renal $Na^+/H^+$ exchange. Amiloride was a inhibitor of directly coupled $Na^+/H^+$ exchange and its $IC_{50}$ in placental MVV was about 14-fold higher than that in renal brush border membrane. These results indicate that $Na^+/H^+$ exchanger exists in human placental MVV and that its kinetic characteristics is similar to that of renal $Na^+/H^+$ exchanger but its pharmacological characteristics is different. In placental MVV $K^+,\;H^+$, and, relatively minor chloride conductances are present. The magnitude of $Cl^-/OH^-$ exchange, even though it exists, seems to be smaller than that of $Na^+/H^+$ exchange.