The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in a number of diseases involving inflammation or cellular invasion.' GM 6001 (FIG. 1) is an inhibitor of most of these enzymes with Ki's in the low nanomolar range. Though potent in vitro, this molecule is short-lived in circulation with a half-life of a few minutes.We show here that topical GM 6001 prevents the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the alkali-burned rabbit cornea and into phorbol ester-stimulated mouse skin. It thus prevents ulceration in the former and psoriasis-like inflammation and proliferation in the latter. When given systemically it blocks the infiltration of cells into the peritoneal cavity of mice stimulated with thioglycollate. Topical administration of this drug inhibits angiogenesis in the chick chorioallantoic membrane. When given intravenously, it inhibits angiogenesis in rat corneas implanted with a pellet containing tumor extract, a process requiring penetration of vascular basement membrane by endothelial cells. Finally, systemic GM 6001 increases survival of mice in a B16-Fl0 melanoma metastasis model, presumably by inhibiting cellular invasion or tumor growth.In addition to the potential for preventing direct destruction of connective tissue
Aortic ligation between the origins of the renal arteries in the rat produces a left renal ischemia, renin-dependent hypertension, and a transitory hindlimb paralysis of less than 2 h. Removal of the left ischemic kidney at the time of aortic ligation curtails the rise of blood pressure, plasma renin activity is normal, and paralysis is still present 24 h after surgery. Administration of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or saralasin also prevents recuperation from paralysis after aortic ligation. Independent manipulation of the mean arterial pressure or plasma renin activity by pretreatment with reserpine or deoxycorticosterone before surgery shows that the presence or absence of paralysis is dependent on the plasma renin activity and not on the high blood pressure. Blood flow measurements show that paralysis is due to a persistent impairment of blood supply to the hindlimb muscle and not to ischemia of the spinal cord. Infusion of angiotensin II to aortic-ligated, left-renoprival animals tends to restore blood flow to muscle. It is concluded that after renal ischemia the renin-angiotensin system, independent of its hypertensive effect, restores blood flow by stimulating the development of collateral circulation.
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