James Balschi | Harvard Medical School (original) (raw)

Papers by James Balschi

Research paper thumbnail of Abstract 9199: A Novel Small Molecule Troponin Activator Increases Cardiac Contractile Function Without Negative Impact on Energetics or Diastolic Function

Circulation, Nov 16, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Intracellular Water Lifetime Depends on Cellular Energetic State

Biophysical Journal, Feb 1, 2009

Obesity has become a major public health concern and represents a predisposition factor for the d... more Obesity has become a major public health concern and represents a predisposition factor for the development of cardiovascular-related diseases and noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Therefore, deciphering the molecular mechanisms of fatty acid (FA) uptake will provide new insights for dietary and other therapeutic interventions for managing diseases associated with obesity. FA uptake into cells occurs by multiple mechanisms, including transport and metabolism, beginning at the plasma membrane. Understanding the contri

Research paper thumbnail of Aqueous shift reagents for high-resolution cation NMR. VI. Titration curves forin vivo23Na and1H2O MRS obtained from rat blood

NMR in Biomedicine, 1993

Triethylenetetraminehexaacetate complexes of Dy(III) or Tm (III) (DyTTHA 3m and TmTTHA3-, introdu... more Triethylenetetraminehexaacetate complexes of Dy(III) or Tm (III) (DyTTHA 3m and TmTTHA3-, introduced as NMR shift reagents for alkali metal cations, Chu et al., J. Magn. Reson. 56, 33 (1984)) bind to the four major biological inorganic cations: Na+, K+, Mg*+, and Ca*+. New 23Na and 39K NMR shift displacement data, obtained over wide and different ranges of concentration, were combined with the previous results (including some 25Mg data) for computer analysis. With a proper treatment of the relevant activity coefficients using Pitzer's formulas, it is established that only mono complexes of the shift reagent and1 a cation need be considered. The cations bind competitively, with nearly identical limiting shifts of 159 and 155 ppm for Na+ and K+; the shift for "Mg is 3/5 as large. The thermodynamic formation constants for M-LnTTHA are 11 and 18 M-' with Na+ and lK+ (enthalpy * Presented, in part, at the Joint Meeting,

Research paper thumbnail of ChemInform Abstract: NITROGEN-15 NMR AND TRACER DETERMINATION OF PROTONATION SITE AND MECHANISM OF DECOMPOSITION OF AQUEOUS HYPONITRITE

Chemischer Informationsdienst, Sep 7, 1982

ChemInform Abstract Die Messungen an Na215N202-Lösungen zeigen für das Hyponitrit-Anion N203' ein... more ChemInform Abstract Die Messungen an Na215N202-Lösungen zeigen für das Hyponitrit-Anion N203' eine lsN-NMR-Resonanz bei 429 ppm. Diprotonierung unter Bildung von HgNgOg verursacht eine Verschiebung von ca. 8 ppm pro Proton. Die Daten sprechen für eine-Protonierung von NzOä ' im Gegensatz zur N-Protonierung von N203'. Die thermische Zersetzung von HN2O; und HN2O3 wird analysiert.

Research paper thumbnail of Simultaneous multicompartment intracellular Ca2+ measurements in the perfused heart using19F NMR spectroscopy

Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, May 1, 1996

Although Caz+ transport regulation at subcellular organelles is of great interest, only limited m... more Although Caz+ transport regulation at subcellular organelles is of great interest, only limited methodology has been available for measuring organellar [Ca2'] levels. The present study employs the ''F NMR resonance frequency of 4F-BAPTA to measure free [Ca"]. In 4F-BAPTA loaded perfused rabbit hearts, two ' ' F NMR resonances were clearly observed. The frequency of one was consistent with cytosolic [Ca2+] levels. Responses to agents that alter sarcoplasmic reticulum function identified the other resonance as originating from that organelle. The experiments demonstrate the utility of NMR shift indicator methodology in obtaining simultaneous multi-Compartment intracellular [Ca2+] measurements and in enabling organellar [Ca2+] measurements to be made from within intact living tissue.

Research paper thumbnail of ATP synthesis and degradation rates in the perfused rat heart. 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance double saturation transfer measurements

Biophysical Journal, Nov 1, 1988

A limitation of magnetization transfer techniques for studying enzyme kinetics in vivo has been t... more A limitation of magnetization transfer techniques for studying enzyme kinetics in vivo has been the difficulty of treating systems with more than two exchanging species. This problem was addressed in the original papers describing saturation transfer. Since then, a number of approaches have been devised to study these complex situations. Here, we present a method based on the transient saturation transfer experiment in which spin-lattice relaxation time constants and reaction rates are obtained from the same magnetization transfer data. This technique is particularly suitable for biological samples. We apply the method to evaluate flux balance in the three-site linear exchange network composed of ATP, creatine phosphate, and inorganic phosphate in the isolated, perfused rat heart and show that the method yields reasonable values for the reaction velocities of ATP synthesis and degradation.

Research paper thumbnail of Blocking the Late Sodium Current Reduces Intracellular Sodium Accumulation During Sodium Pump Inhibition

Biophysical Journal, Feb 1, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of SGLT2 inhibitor ertugliflozin decreases elevated intracellular sodium, and improves energetics and contractile function in diabetic cardiomyopathy

Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Apr 1, 2023

Research paper thumbnail of Thiazolidinediones Cause Cardiotoxicity via PPARγ- Independent Mechanism

InTech eBooks, Nov 14, 2018

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonists, are... more Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonists, are highly effective antidiabetic drugs that are widely used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) due to their unique beneficial actions, such as a renoprotective effect, amelioration of glucose homeostasis, and blood pressure lowering, that other antidiabetic drugs do not have. Those beneficial actions, however, are shadowed by the increased risks of cardiovascular adverse events, including mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and myocardial energy deficiency, fluid retention, congestive heart failure, and myocardial infarction. Except PPARγ, TZDs also have affinity to numerous non-PPARγ targets in mitochondria, cytosol, and cytoplasm, including MitoNEET, mitochondrial pyruvate carrier, dehydrogenases involved in tricarboxylic acid cycle and electron transport, cytoplasmic ion channels, Na-K-pump, and other unknown enzymes. By binding to these targets, TZDs produce off-target effects and potentially increase cardiotoxicity. In this chapter, we review recent studies, both experimental and clinical, on the myocardial adverse effects associated with TZDs and their underlying mechanisms. We focus our review in large part on the relationship between these myocardial adverse effects and PPARγ.

Research paper thumbnail of Aqueous shift reagents for high-resolution cationic nuclear magnetic resonance. 2. Magnesium-25, potassium-39, and sodium-23 resonances shifted by chelidamate complexes of dysprosium(III) and thulium(III)

Inorganic Chemistry, Aug 1, 1983

Triethylenetetraminehexaacetate complexes of Dy(III) or Tm (III) (DyTTHA 3m and TmTTHA3-, introdu... more Triethylenetetraminehexaacetate complexes of Dy(III) or Tm (III) (DyTTHA 3m and TmTTHA3-, introduced as NMR shift reagents for alkali metal cations, Chu et al., J. Magn. Reson. 56, 33 (1984)) bind to the four major biological inorganic cations: Na+, K+, Mg*+, and Ca*+. New 23Na and 39K NMR shift displacement data, obtained over wide and different ranges of concentration, were combined with the previous results (including some 25Mg data) for computer analysis. With a proper treatment of the relevant activity coefficients using Pitzer's formulas, it is established that only mono complexes of the shift reagent and1 a cation need be considered. The cations bind competitively, with nearly identical limiting shifts of 159 and 155 ppm for Na+ and K+; the shift for "Mg is 3/5 as large. The thermodynamic formation constants for M-LnTTHA are 11 and 18 M-' with Na+ and lK+ (enthalpy * Presented, in part, at the Joint Meeting,

Research paper thumbnail of Molecular conformations of dermorphin: A unique non-nervous tissue ?-agonist

Neuroscience Research Communications, Jul 1, 1999

The molecular conformations of dermorphin, Tyr'-D-Ala2-Phe3-Gly4-Tyr5-Pro6-Ser7-NH2, are derived ... more The molecular conformations of dermorphin, Tyr'-D-Ala2-Phe3-Gly4-Tyr5-Pro6-Ser7-NH2, are derived from FT-IR, Raman, CD, and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies in aqueous solution. Segawa et al. (1994,1995) have recently reported NMR studies of dermorphin in aqueous solution from which a folded conformation has been postulated. The folded conformation of dermorphin suggested by this study is characterized by a stacking of the aromatic side chains of Tyr' and Phe3. This appears to be critical to the pharmacological profile of dermorphin. The experimentally derived conformation bears partial resemblance to the low energy conformations predicted by molecular mechanics calculations. The proposed conformational model and its possible relevance to the p-agonist activity of dermorphin are discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Intracellular Na+ Accumulation in Hypoxic vs Ischemic Rat-Heart - Evidence for Na+-H+ Exchange

Research paper thumbnail of Accumulation of major organic osmolytes in rat renal inner medulla in dehydration

American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology, 1988

Osmotically active organic solutes, osmolytes, exist at high concentrations in the renal inner me... more Osmotically active organic solutes, osmolytes, exist at high concentrations in the renal inner medulla; however, their modulation during antidiuresis remains largely undefined. Renal osmolyte levels were measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and biochemical assays in perchloric acid extracts from normal and dehydrated (3 days) rats. Dehydration increased urine osmolality from 1,503 to 3,748 mosmol/kg and inner medullary urea content from 2,036 to 4,405 nmol/mg protein. In addition, inner medullary trimethylamines [glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC) and betaine] and polyhydric alcohols (inositol and sorbitol) significantly increased by 95 and 78%, respectively. Ninhydrin-positive substances (amino acids), although abundant, were unchanged. Renal cortex also contained GPC, betaine, and inositol but only inositol increased with dehydration. Analysis of correlations among inner medullary osmolytes showed that only GPC was consistently elevated by dehydration and was not direct...

Research paper thumbnail of Organic osmolytes in inner medulla of Brattleboro rat: effects of ADH and dehydration

American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology, 1989

Inner medullary methylamine [glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC) and glycine betaine (betaine)] and po... more Inner medullary methylamine [glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC) and glycine betaine (betaine)] and polyol [sorbitol and myo-inositol (inositol)] osmolytes were measured in water-restricted and antidiuretic hormone (ADH)-infused Brattleboro (DI) rats. Compared with DI rats allowed water ad libitum, rats dehydrated for 3 days had higher urinary osmolality (Uosmol) (812 vs. 239 mosmol/kgH2O) and plasma osmolality (Posmol) (333 vs. 296 mosmol/kgH2O). Dehydration reduced betaine content (36 vs. 66 nmol/mg protein) but had no significant effect on GPC, sorbitol, or inositol. In separate protocols, DI rats, allowed water ad libitum, were infused for either 3 or 12 days with either ADH in saline (+ADH) or saline alone (-ADH). Compared with -ADH controls, 3- or 12-day ADH-infused rats were antidiuretic (Uosmol, 1,000–1,300 mosmol/kgH2O) but not dehydrated (Posmol, 297-300 mosmol/kgH2O). Three days of ADH infusion caused an increase in GPC (340%), betaine (80%), and sorbitol (248%) but not in ino...

Research paper thumbnail of Molecular conformations of dermorphin: A unique non-nervous tissue ?-agonist

Neuroscience Research Communications, 1999

The molecular conformations of dermorphin, Tyr'-D-Ala2-Phe3-Gly4-Tyr5-Pro6-Ser7-NH2, are derived ... more The molecular conformations of dermorphin, Tyr'-D-Ala2-Phe3-Gly4-Tyr5-Pro6-Ser7-NH2, are derived from FT-IR, Raman, CD, and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies in aqueous solution. Segawa et al. (1994,1995) have recently reported NMR studies of dermorphin in aqueous solution from which a folded conformation has been postulated. The folded conformation of dermorphin suggested by this study is characterized by a stacking of the aromatic side chains of Tyr' and Phe3. This appears to be critical to the pharmacological profile of dermorphin. The experimentally derived conformation bears partial resemblance to the low energy conformations predicted by molecular mechanics calculations. The proposed conformational model and its possible relevance to the p-agonist activity of dermorphin are discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of ChemInform Abstract: AQUEOUS SHIFT REAGENTS FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION CATIONIC NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE. 2. MAGNESIUM-25, POTASSIUM-39, AND SODIUM-23 RESONANCES SHIFTED B CHELIDAMATE COMPLEXES OF DYSPROSIUM(III) AND THULIUM(III)

Chemischer Informationsdienst, Nov 22, 1983

ChemInform Abstract A comparison of the paramagnetic shifts caused on the 7Li+ NMR resonance by t... more ChemInform Abstract A comparison of the paramagnetic shifts caused on the 7Li+ NMR resonance by the shift reagents (I)-(IV) is carried out under the same ionic conditions. Shift reagents are tested for their specificity for Li+ over the alkali and alkaline-earth metal cations. The shift reagents (Ia), (Ib), and (IIa) induce, in decreasing order, the largest Li+ shifts. Application of these three shift reagents to the study of Li+ transport in human red blood cells by 7Li+ NMR spectroscopy is briefly discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Abstract 10678: Butyrate Improves Energetics, Diastolic Function and Contractile Reserve in Hearts from Mice with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Due to Myosin R403Q Mutation

Circulation, 2021

Background: It is well established that hearts with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are energy ... more Background: It is well established that hearts with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are energy starved as reflected by a decreased phosphocreatine to ATP ratio that corresponds to increased ADP and decreased free energy of ATP hydrolysis (ΔG ~ATP ). Notably, worsened energetics precedes hypertrophy in development of HCM and mitochondrial mutations impeding ATP synthesis frequently lead to a hypertrophic phenotype similar to HCM. It remains unclear whether targeted strategies to boost mitochondrial ATP synthesis may improve chronically depressed diastolic function and contractile reserve. Here we hypothesize that saturating mitochondria with an accessible substrate, butyrate, acutely improves energetics and function in HCM. Methods and Results: Isolated hearts from 6 months old mice with HCM due to R403Q myosin mutation (R403Q) vs. the wild type littermates (WT) were studied using 31 P NMR spectroscopy to measure ATP synthesis, ADP and ΔG ~ATP at low (LW) and high workload (HW) and...

Research paper thumbnail of Méthode et appareil utilisant l'imagerie par résonance magnétique pour la détermination du phénotype et la surveillance de tissus

La presente invention concerne une technique d'imagerie par resonance magnetique (IRM) et eve... more La presente invention concerne une technique d'imagerie par resonance magnetique (IRM) et eventuellement un logiciel, collectivement designes sous le nom de modele de « vitesse d'obturation », permettant d'analyser des donnees d'image de patients atteints de cancer. Dans certains modes de realisation, l'invention porte sur une approche minimalement invasive, et neanmoins extremement precise, permettant de determiner si des tumeurs sont malignes ou benignes par distinction des caracteristiques de l'activite de reactif de contraste dans des tumeurs benignes et malignes. Des modes de realisation donnes a titre d'exemple portent sur des biomarqueurs mesures par IRM pour la determination et la surveillance de la malignite d'une tumeur, l'elimination efficace ou la limitation des faux positifs qui affectent les techniques d'IRM existantes, tout en ameliorant la determination du phenotype de tissus et la surveillance et la prevision d'interventio...

Research paper thumbnail of Increasing mitochondrial ATP synthesis with butyrate normalizes ADP and contractile function in metabolic heart disease

Research paper thumbnail of Energetic dysfunction is mediated by mitochondrial ROS and precedes structural remodeling in metabolic heart disease

Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Abstract 9199: A Novel Small Molecule Troponin Activator Increases Cardiac Contractile Function Without Negative Impact on Energetics or Diastolic Function

Circulation, Nov 16, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Intracellular Water Lifetime Depends on Cellular Energetic State

Biophysical Journal, Feb 1, 2009

Obesity has become a major public health concern and represents a predisposition factor for the d... more Obesity has become a major public health concern and represents a predisposition factor for the development of cardiovascular-related diseases and noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Therefore, deciphering the molecular mechanisms of fatty acid (FA) uptake will provide new insights for dietary and other therapeutic interventions for managing diseases associated with obesity. FA uptake into cells occurs by multiple mechanisms, including transport and metabolism, beginning at the plasma membrane. Understanding the contri

Research paper thumbnail of Aqueous shift reagents for high-resolution cation NMR. VI. Titration curves forin vivo23Na and1H2O MRS obtained from rat blood

NMR in Biomedicine, 1993

Triethylenetetraminehexaacetate complexes of Dy(III) or Tm (III) (DyTTHA 3m and TmTTHA3-, introdu... more Triethylenetetraminehexaacetate complexes of Dy(III) or Tm (III) (DyTTHA 3m and TmTTHA3-, introduced as NMR shift reagents for alkali metal cations, Chu et al., J. Magn. Reson. 56, 33 (1984)) bind to the four major biological inorganic cations: Na+, K+, Mg*+, and Ca*+. New 23Na and 39K NMR shift displacement data, obtained over wide and different ranges of concentration, were combined with the previous results (including some 25Mg data) for computer analysis. With a proper treatment of the relevant activity coefficients using Pitzer's formulas, it is established that only mono complexes of the shift reagent and1 a cation need be considered. The cations bind competitively, with nearly identical limiting shifts of 159 and 155 ppm for Na+ and K+; the shift for "Mg is 3/5 as large. The thermodynamic formation constants for M-LnTTHA are 11 and 18 M-' with Na+ and lK+ (enthalpy * Presented, in part, at the Joint Meeting,

Research paper thumbnail of ChemInform Abstract: NITROGEN-15 NMR AND TRACER DETERMINATION OF PROTONATION SITE AND MECHANISM OF DECOMPOSITION OF AQUEOUS HYPONITRITE

Chemischer Informationsdienst, Sep 7, 1982

ChemInform Abstract Die Messungen an Na215N202-Lösungen zeigen für das Hyponitrit-Anion N203' ein... more ChemInform Abstract Die Messungen an Na215N202-Lösungen zeigen für das Hyponitrit-Anion N203' eine lsN-NMR-Resonanz bei 429 ppm. Diprotonierung unter Bildung von HgNgOg verursacht eine Verschiebung von ca. 8 ppm pro Proton. Die Daten sprechen für eine-Protonierung von NzOä ' im Gegensatz zur N-Protonierung von N203'. Die thermische Zersetzung von HN2O; und HN2O3 wird analysiert.

Research paper thumbnail of Simultaneous multicompartment intracellular Ca2+ measurements in the perfused heart using19F NMR spectroscopy

Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, May 1, 1996

Although Caz+ transport regulation at subcellular organelles is of great interest, only limited m... more Although Caz+ transport regulation at subcellular organelles is of great interest, only limited methodology has been available for measuring organellar [Ca2'] levels. The present study employs the ''F NMR resonance frequency of 4F-BAPTA to measure free [Ca"]. In 4F-BAPTA loaded perfused rabbit hearts, two ' ' F NMR resonances were clearly observed. The frequency of one was consistent with cytosolic [Ca2+] levels. Responses to agents that alter sarcoplasmic reticulum function identified the other resonance as originating from that organelle. The experiments demonstrate the utility of NMR shift indicator methodology in obtaining simultaneous multi-Compartment intracellular [Ca2+] measurements and in enabling organellar [Ca2+] measurements to be made from within intact living tissue.

Research paper thumbnail of ATP synthesis and degradation rates in the perfused rat heart. 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance double saturation transfer measurements

Biophysical Journal, Nov 1, 1988

A limitation of magnetization transfer techniques for studying enzyme kinetics in vivo has been t... more A limitation of magnetization transfer techniques for studying enzyme kinetics in vivo has been the difficulty of treating systems with more than two exchanging species. This problem was addressed in the original papers describing saturation transfer. Since then, a number of approaches have been devised to study these complex situations. Here, we present a method based on the transient saturation transfer experiment in which spin-lattice relaxation time constants and reaction rates are obtained from the same magnetization transfer data. This technique is particularly suitable for biological samples. We apply the method to evaluate flux balance in the three-site linear exchange network composed of ATP, creatine phosphate, and inorganic phosphate in the isolated, perfused rat heart and show that the method yields reasonable values for the reaction velocities of ATP synthesis and degradation.

Research paper thumbnail of Blocking the Late Sodium Current Reduces Intracellular Sodium Accumulation During Sodium Pump Inhibition

Biophysical Journal, Feb 1, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of SGLT2 inhibitor ertugliflozin decreases elevated intracellular sodium, and improves energetics and contractile function in diabetic cardiomyopathy

Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Apr 1, 2023

Research paper thumbnail of Thiazolidinediones Cause Cardiotoxicity via PPARγ- Independent Mechanism

InTech eBooks, Nov 14, 2018

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonists, are... more Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonists, are highly effective antidiabetic drugs that are widely used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) due to their unique beneficial actions, such as a renoprotective effect, amelioration of glucose homeostasis, and blood pressure lowering, that other antidiabetic drugs do not have. Those beneficial actions, however, are shadowed by the increased risks of cardiovascular adverse events, including mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and myocardial energy deficiency, fluid retention, congestive heart failure, and myocardial infarction. Except PPARγ, TZDs also have affinity to numerous non-PPARγ targets in mitochondria, cytosol, and cytoplasm, including MitoNEET, mitochondrial pyruvate carrier, dehydrogenases involved in tricarboxylic acid cycle and electron transport, cytoplasmic ion channels, Na-K-pump, and other unknown enzymes. By binding to these targets, TZDs produce off-target effects and potentially increase cardiotoxicity. In this chapter, we review recent studies, both experimental and clinical, on the myocardial adverse effects associated with TZDs and their underlying mechanisms. We focus our review in large part on the relationship between these myocardial adverse effects and PPARγ.

Research paper thumbnail of Aqueous shift reagents for high-resolution cationic nuclear magnetic resonance. 2. Magnesium-25, potassium-39, and sodium-23 resonances shifted by chelidamate complexes of dysprosium(III) and thulium(III)

Inorganic Chemistry, Aug 1, 1983

Triethylenetetraminehexaacetate complexes of Dy(III) or Tm (III) (DyTTHA 3m and TmTTHA3-, introdu... more Triethylenetetraminehexaacetate complexes of Dy(III) or Tm (III) (DyTTHA 3m and TmTTHA3-, introduced as NMR shift reagents for alkali metal cations, Chu et al., J. Magn. Reson. 56, 33 (1984)) bind to the four major biological inorganic cations: Na+, K+, Mg*+, and Ca*+. New 23Na and 39K NMR shift displacement data, obtained over wide and different ranges of concentration, were combined with the previous results (including some 25Mg data) for computer analysis. With a proper treatment of the relevant activity coefficients using Pitzer's formulas, it is established that only mono complexes of the shift reagent and1 a cation need be considered. The cations bind competitively, with nearly identical limiting shifts of 159 and 155 ppm for Na+ and K+; the shift for "Mg is 3/5 as large. The thermodynamic formation constants for M-LnTTHA are 11 and 18 M-' with Na+ and lK+ (enthalpy * Presented, in part, at the Joint Meeting,

Research paper thumbnail of Molecular conformations of dermorphin: A unique non-nervous tissue ?-agonist

Neuroscience Research Communications, Jul 1, 1999

The molecular conformations of dermorphin, Tyr'-D-Ala2-Phe3-Gly4-Tyr5-Pro6-Ser7-NH2, are derived ... more The molecular conformations of dermorphin, Tyr'-D-Ala2-Phe3-Gly4-Tyr5-Pro6-Ser7-NH2, are derived from FT-IR, Raman, CD, and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies in aqueous solution. Segawa et al. (1994,1995) have recently reported NMR studies of dermorphin in aqueous solution from which a folded conformation has been postulated. The folded conformation of dermorphin suggested by this study is characterized by a stacking of the aromatic side chains of Tyr' and Phe3. This appears to be critical to the pharmacological profile of dermorphin. The experimentally derived conformation bears partial resemblance to the low energy conformations predicted by molecular mechanics calculations. The proposed conformational model and its possible relevance to the p-agonist activity of dermorphin are discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Intracellular Na+ Accumulation in Hypoxic vs Ischemic Rat-Heart - Evidence for Na+-H+ Exchange

Research paper thumbnail of Accumulation of major organic osmolytes in rat renal inner medulla in dehydration

American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology, 1988

Osmotically active organic solutes, osmolytes, exist at high concentrations in the renal inner me... more Osmotically active organic solutes, osmolytes, exist at high concentrations in the renal inner medulla; however, their modulation during antidiuresis remains largely undefined. Renal osmolyte levels were measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and biochemical assays in perchloric acid extracts from normal and dehydrated (3 days) rats. Dehydration increased urine osmolality from 1,503 to 3,748 mosmol/kg and inner medullary urea content from 2,036 to 4,405 nmol/mg protein. In addition, inner medullary trimethylamines [glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC) and betaine] and polyhydric alcohols (inositol and sorbitol) significantly increased by 95 and 78%, respectively. Ninhydrin-positive substances (amino acids), although abundant, were unchanged. Renal cortex also contained GPC, betaine, and inositol but only inositol increased with dehydration. Analysis of correlations among inner medullary osmolytes showed that only GPC was consistently elevated by dehydration and was not direct...

Research paper thumbnail of Organic osmolytes in inner medulla of Brattleboro rat: effects of ADH and dehydration

American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology, 1989

Inner medullary methylamine [glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC) and glycine betaine (betaine)] and po... more Inner medullary methylamine [glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC) and glycine betaine (betaine)] and polyol [sorbitol and myo-inositol (inositol)] osmolytes were measured in water-restricted and antidiuretic hormone (ADH)-infused Brattleboro (DI) rats. Compared with DI rats allowed water ad libitum, rats dehydrated for 3 days had higher urinary osmolality (Uosmol) (812 vs. 239 mosmol/kgH2O) and plasma osmolality (Posmol) (333 vs. 296 mosmol/kgH2O). Dehydration reduced betaine content (36 vs. 66 nmol/mg protein) but had no significant effect on GPC, sorbitol, or inositol. In separate protocols, DI rats, allowed water ad libitum, were infused for either 3 or 12 days with either ADH in saline (+ADH) or saline alone (-ADH). Compared with -ADH controls, 3- or 12-day ADH-infused rats were antidiuretic (Uosmol, 1,000–1,300 mosmol/kgH2O) but not dehydrated (Posmol, 297-300 mosmol/kgH2O). Three days of ADH infusion caused an increase in GPC (340%), betaine (80%), and sorbitol (248%) but not in ino...

Research paper thumbnail of Molecular conformations of dermorphin: A unique non-nervous tissue ?-agonist

Neuroscience Research Communications, 1999

The molecular conformations of dermorphin, Tyr'-D-Ala2-Phe3-Gly4-Tyr5-Pro6-Ser7-NH2, are derived ... more The molecular conformations of dermorphin, Tyr'-D-Ala2-Phe3-Gly4-Tyr5-Pro6-Ser7-NH2, are derived from FT-IR, Raman, CD, and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies in aqueous solution. Segawa et al. (1994,1995) have recently reported NMR studies of dermorphin in aqueous solution from which a folded conformation has been postulated. The folded conformation of dermorphin suggested by this study is characterized by a stacking of the aromatic side chains of Tyr' and Phe3. This appears to be critical to the pharmacological profile of dermorphin. The experimentally derived conformation bears partial resemblance to the low energy conformations predicted by molecular mechanics calculations. The proposed conformational model and its possible relevance to the p-agonist activity of dermorphin are discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of ChemInform Abstract: AQUEOUS SHIFT REAGENTS FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION CATIONIC NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE. 2. MAGNESIUM-25, POTASSIUM-39, AND SODIUM-23 RESONANCES SHIFTED B CHELIDAMATE COMPLEXES OF DYSPROSIUM(III) AND THULIUM(III)

Chemischer Informationsdienst, Nov 22, 1983

ChemInform Abstract A comparison of the paramagnetic shifts caused on the 7Li+ NMR resonance by t... more ChemInform Abstract A comparison of the paramagnetic shifts caused on the 7Li+ NMR resonance by the shift reagents (I)-(IV) is carried out under the same ionic conditions. Shift reagents are tested for their specificity for Li+ over the alkali and alkaline-earth metal cations. The shift reagents (Ia), (Ib), and (IIa) induce, in decreasing order, the largest Li+ shifts. Application of these three shift reagents to the study of Li+ transport in human red blood cells by 7Li+ NMR spectroscopy is briefly discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Abstract 10678: Butyrate Improves Energetics, Diastolic Function and Contractile Reserve in Hearts from Mice with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Due to Myosin R403Q Mutation

Circulation, 2021

Background: It is well established that hearts with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are energy ... more Background: It is well established that hearts with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are energy starved as reflected by a decreased phosphocreatine to ATP ratio that corresponds to increased ADP and decreased free energy of ATP hydrolysis (ΔG ~ATP ). Notably, worsened energetics precedes hypertrophy in development of HCM and mitochondrial mutations impeding ATP synthesis frequently lead to a hypertrophic phenotype similar to HCM. It remains unclear whether targeted strategies to boost mitochondrial ATP synthesis may improve chronically depressed diastolic function and contractile reserve. Here we hypothesize that saturating mitochondria with an accessible substrate, butyrate, acutely improves energetics and function in HCM. Methods and Results: Isolated hearts from 6 months old mice with HCM due to R403Q myosin mutation (R403Q) vs. the wild type littermates (WT) were studied using 31 P NMR spectroscopy to measure ATP synthesis, ADP and ΔG ~ATP at low (LW) and high workload (HW) and...

Research paper thumbnail of Méthode et appareil utilisant l'imagerie par résonance magnétique pour la détermination du phénotype et la surveillance de tissus

La presente invention concerne une technique d'imagerie par resonance magnetique (IRM) et eve... more La presente invention concerne une technique d'imagerie par resonance magnetique (IRM) et eventuellement un logiciel, collectivement designes sous le nom de modele de « vitesse d'obturation », permettant d'analyser des donnees d'image de patients atteints de cancer. Dans certains modes de realisation, l'invention porte sur une approche minimalement invasive, et neanmoins extremement precise, permettant de determiner si des tumeurs sont malignes ou benignes par distinction des caracteristiques de l'activite de reactif de contraste dans des tumeurs benignes et malignes. Des modes de realisation donnes a titre d'exemple portent sur des biomarqueurs mesures par IRM pour la determination et la surveillance de la malignite d'une tumeur, l'elimination efficace ou la limitation des faux positifs qui affectent les techniques d'IRM existantes, tout en ameliorant la determination du phenotype de tissus et la surveillance et la prevision d'interventio...

Research paper thumbnail of Increasing mitochondrial ATP synthesis with butyrate normalizes ADP and contractile function in metabolic heart disease

Research paper thumbnail of Energetic dysfunction is mediated by mitochondrial ROS and precedes structural remodeling in metabolic heart disease

Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, 2019