Studies by the applicant's research group indicate several mechanisms by which ethanol and cocaine could induce cerebral venular inflammatory states and strokes. The working hypothesis for this grant application is that both ethanol and cocaine induce cerebrovasospasm, leukocyte rolling-adhesion (probably mediated by P-selectins) and stroke via an initial reduction in cerebral vascular smooth muscle (CVSM) cell [Mg2+]i, triggering entry and release of [Ca2+]i followed by activation of the sphingomyelinase (SMase)-sphingolipid pathway and oxidation of membrane fatty acid double-bonds, leading to formation of PAF-like phospholipids and further entry of [Ca2+]i, which in turn activates certain PKC isoforms (alpha, epsilon) and NF-kappaB. The result is a sustained, localized inflammatory response characterized by leukocyte rolling-adhesion on venules, intense microvascular ischemia or venular rupture leading to focal hemorrhages. Thus, aim 1 of the proposal seeks to determine the brain ceramides synthesized and released in situ by these drugs and to determine their relationship to changes in brain [Mg2+]i. These experiments will exploit 31P-NMR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy and state-of-the-art methods used in lipid biochemistry. Finally, it will be important to determine whether ethanol/cocaine causes increased expression of P-selectin on the endothelial surface of brain postcapillary venules and whether this effect can be ameliorated by feeding animals high MG in their diets.
Aim 2 tests the hypothesis that both alcohol and cocaine activate certain PKC isoforms (alpha and epsilon) and the nuclear transcription factor NF-kappaB in primary cultured CVSM cells, leading to [Ca2+]i overload and membrane lipid oxidation (after an early decrease in [Mg2+]i) and some membrane entry of Ca2+.
Aim 3 will test the hypothesis that biologically active ceramides (proposed mediators of ethanol/cocaine induced stroke) will increase concentrations of [Ca2+]i and activate the same PKC isoforms and NF-kappaB in CVSM cells. If successful, the experiments will provide direct support for a major role of ceramides in stroke pathogenesis.
Aim 4 proposes to clarity the membrane changes associated with reductions in dietary intake of Mg, specifically the alterations of membrane lipids (and their lipid oxidation products) of brain CVSM cells. Progressive drops in brain [Mg2+]i after dietary deficiency of Mg, might be expected to exacerbate the membrane changes in phospholipid ratios, fatty acid components and the triggered transformation from an unsaturated to a saturated state, leading to additional membrane peroxidation. The information generated by this proposal will fill-in many of the still-elusive intermediate steps between membrane events of ethanol/cocaine-induced reduction in [Mg2+]i (and a reciprocal elevation in [Ca2+]) and activation of the cellular biochemical cascade leading to cerebrovasospasm, leukocyte-endothelial rolling-adhesion, microvessel rupture and hemorrhage. An understanding of how ethanol and cocaine induce strokes may ultimately suggest new targets for pharmacologic manipulation, and thus, improving the clinical outcome after """"""""binge- drinking"""""""" or cocaine intoxication.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AA008674-11
Application #
6509181
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-ALTX-3 (01))
Program Officer
Lucas, Diane
Project Start
1990-06-01
Project End
2004-02-29
Budget Start
2002-03-01
Budget End
2003-02-28
Support Year
11
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$335,506
Indirect Cost
Name
Suny Downstate Medical Center
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
068552207
City
Brooklyn
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
11203
Zheng, Tao; Li, Wenyan; Altura, Bella T et al. (2011) Sphingolipids regulate [Mg2+]o uptake and [Mg2+]i content in vascular smooth muscle cells: potential mechanisms and importance to membrane transport of Mg2+. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 300:H486-92
Li, Jianfeng; Li, Wenyan; Liu, Weimin et al. (2007) Peroxynitrite induces apoptosis and decline in intracellular free Mg with concomitant elevation in [Ca2+]I in rat aortic smooth muscle cells: possible roles of extracellular and intracellular magnesium ions in peroxynitrite-induced cell death. Drug Metab Lett 1:85-9
Li, Jianfeng; Li, Wenyan; Altura, Bella T et al. (2005) Peroxynitrite-induced relaxation in isolated rat aortic rings and mechanisms of action. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 209:269-76
Li, Jianfeng; Li, Wenyan; Altura, Bella T et al. (2004) Peroxynitrite-induced relaxation in isolated canine cerebral arteries and mechanisms of action. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 196:176-82
Li, Wenyan; Su, Jialin; Sehgal, Swati et al. (2004) Cocaine-induced relaxation of isolated rat aortic rings and mechanisms of action: possible relation to cocaine-induced aortic dissection and hypotension. Eur J Pharmacol 496:151-8
Li, Jianfeng; Li, Wenyan; Liu, Weimin et al. (2004) Mechanisms of hydroxyl radical-induced contraction of rat aorta. Eur J Pharmacol 499:171-8
Su, Jialin; Li, Jianfeng; Li, Wenyan et al. (2004) Cocaine induces apoptosis in primary cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells: possible relationship to aortic dissection, atherosclerosis, and hypertension. Int J Toxicol 23:233-7
Li, Jianfeng; Li, Wenyan; Su, Jialin et al. (2004) Peroxynitrite induces apoptosis in rat aortic smooth muscle cells: possible relation to vascular diseases. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 229:264-9
Li, Wenyan; Li, Jianfeng; Liu, Weiming et al. (2004) Alcohol-induced apoptosis of canine cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells: role of extracellular and intracellular calcium ions. Neurosci Lett 354:221-4
Li, Wenyan; Liu, Weimin; Altura, Bella T et al. (2003) Catalase prevents elevation of [Ca(2+)](i) induced by alcohol in cultured canine cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells: Possible relationship to alcohol-induced stroke and brain pathology. Brain Res Bull 59:315-8

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