Endogenous digitalislike compounds. A tentative update of chemical and biological studies.

Abstract

Endogenous digitalislike compound (or compounds) has been described as involved in some diseases. Questions remain concerning its chemical nature, origin, and biological properties. The methods of measuring the compound are based on biological properties of digitalis, mainly Na+, K+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) inhibition and related properties. Chemically, digitalislike compound has been described as a peptide, as fatty acids, and as a steroid. Its origin could be the brain, particularly the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The adrenal glands were also proposed as its origin. The reported biological properties of digitalislike compound are mainly dependent on Na+, K+-ATPase inhibition. No definitive conclusions can be drawn from the available data.

Laboratory diagnosis in hypertension

“…A plasma digitalis-like factor, now known to be ouabainlike factor or endogenous ouabain (123)(124)(125)(126)(127)(128)(129), inhibits Rb uptake in human erythrocytes and inhibits exogenous ouabain binding and the enzymatic activity of the sodium potassium ATPase. Relevance for salt sensitivity and therapeutics are being exp1ored.A second factor derived from parathyroid glands which causes hypertension in animal models (129) has been identified.…”

In Vivo Potentiation of Vasopressors By Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat Plasma: Correlation with Blood Pressure and Calcium Uptake

“…This process should have removed most, if not all, of these substances. In addition, ouabain-like factors should have been removed by dialysis as their molecular weights are reported to be in the 400-500 dalton range(26,27). In fact, the dialyzed plasma displayed no ouabain-like effect as assessed by measurement of ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake (unpublished observations).…”

Endogenous Digoxin-Like Factor: Possible Emergency Implications

“…5 " 6 During the last two decades, it has been shown by various laboratories, that EDLF is contained in the blood and different tissues of humans and animals. 7 The site of production as well as the chemical nature of this compound (s) still remains unknown, but most of researchers consider it of peptidic 8 or/and steroidal nature. 9 It is accepted that EDLF plays an important role in water/electrolyte homeostasis and is involved in pathogenesis of different, especially volumedependent forms of hypertension.…”