侧脑室内注射微量五肽胃泌素对大鼠胃肠推进运动的影响

以炭粉混悬液在大鼠小肠内推进距离占小肠全长的百分数,作为胃肠推进运动的指标,观察了侧脑室内注射微量五肽胃泌素(G_5)对这一推进运动的影响。结果如下:(1)侧脑室内(ICV)注射c_5(1μg/10μl、2μg/10μl 或4μg/10μl)可显著增强胃肠推进运动(P<0.01—0.001)。切断两侧膈下迷走神经、阿托品皮下(0.2mg/kg)或侧脑室内(5μg/10μl)注射均可完全阻断这一增强效应(P<0.001)。(2)肌注较大剂量G_5(20μg/100g)可显著增强胃肠推进运动(P<0.001),这一效应亦可为皮下注射阿托品(0.2mg/kg)所完全阻断(P<0.001)。(3)酚妥拉明(2.5mg/kg im或50g/10μl ICV)或心得安(5mg/kgim或50μg/50μl ICV)对侧脑室内注射G_5增强胃肠推进运动的作用均无影响(P>0.05)。上述结果表明侧脑室内注射G_5后,可能激活中枢胆硷能系统,通过迷走神经而使胃肠推进运动增强。     

下丘脑外侧区注射TRH对大鼠胃酸分泌的影响

本文采用连续收集胃腔灌流法,观察下丘脑外侧区(LHA)注射促甲状腺激素释放激素(TRH)对大鼠胃酸分泌的影响,并分析TRH在LHA促进胃酸分泌的作用机制。结果表明:(1)LHA注射TRH(1μg)明显地刺激胃酸分泌;(2)预先向LHA注射酚妥拉明(10μg)、美多心安(5μg)及胃泌素抗体1μl(1:640)并不影响TRH的泌酸作用,如预先向LHA注射阿托品(5μg)则可消除TRH的泌酸效应;(3)垂体摘除及肾上腺切除均不影响TRH的泌酸作用;(4)隔下迷走神经切断后,LHA注入TRH的泌酸效应仍然出现,但持续时间显著缩短;腹腔交感神经节摘除后,TRH仍能促进胃酸分泌,但分泌量少而平稳。以上结果提示:LHA是TRH中枢泌酸效应的有关结构之一,其中枢机制是通过胆碱能M受体中介的,腹腔交感神经节和膈下迷走神经是TRH泌酸效应的传出途径。前者引起的泌酸反应出现较早且引起泌酸高峰,但持续时间短;后者则引起低平的持续分泌。     

侧脑室注射胰高血糖素对兔血浆自由脂肪酸、血糖及胰岛素浓度的影响

胰高血糖素是一种脑-肠肽,但它在脑中的生理作用尚不清楚。本工作在家兔侧脑室埋藏慢性套管,并通过注射20μl含0.5—5μg的胰高血糖素溶液,在注射后的15、45、75、105分钟各取血样测定血糖、血浆自由脂肪酸(FFA)和胰岛素的浓度。结果发现:(1)对血糖及血浆胰岛素浓度无明显影响;(2)能引起血浆 FFA 浓度降低,且与剂量有依赖关系,在注射后的45分钟,FFA 降低最明显,以后逐渐恢复;(3)皮下注射阿托品(0.2mg/kg)或静脉注射酚妥拉明(5mg/kg)均不能消除侧脑室注射胰高血糖素降低 FFA 的作用;(4)静脉注射心得安(5mg/kg)能阻断侧脑室注射胰高血糖素的降低 FFA 的作用。这似表明脑中的胰高血糖素可能参与脂代谢的调节,并可能是通过肾上腺素β-受体起作用的。     

脑室注射组胺抑制大鼠胃酸分泌的外周机制

本文分析了第三脑室注射组胺（HA）抑制胃酸分泌效应的外周过程。雄性SD大鼠,摘除双侧肾上腺,用37℃的生理盐水通过恒流泵进行连续胃灌流。用注射器泵静脉每小时给药,观察其对五肽促胃液素（10μg/kg,iv）诱导的胃酸分泌的影响。结果如下：（1）切除双侧膈下迷走神经可阻断HA（1μg,icv）的中枢抑酸效应;（2）预先静脉注射硫酸阿托品［0.05mg／（kg·100min）］可阻断HA的中枢抑酸效应;（3）预先静脉注射生长抑素拮抗剂[2～4μg/（kg·100min）],可剂量依赖性地拮抗HA的中枢抑酸效应。结果提示：HA的中枢抑酸效应由迷走神经传出,可能通过乙酰胆碱M受体及引起生长抑素释放实现。     

侧脑室注射胰高血糖素对兔血清高密度脂蛋白—胆固醇浓度的影响

我们最近曾报道,兔侧脑室内注射胰高血糖素有明显降低血浆自由脂肪酸的作用。本工作又观察了它对空腹血清高密度脂蛋白-胆固醇浓度的影响。结果如下: (1)能引起血清高密度脂蛋白-胆固醇(HDL-c)浓度的降低,且与注射剂量有依赖关系,注射后的75分钟降低最明显,以后逐渐恢复;(2)皮下注射阿托品(0.2mg/kg)或静脉注射酚妥拉明(5mg/kg)均不能消除其降低HDL-c的作用;(3)静脉注射心得安(5mg/kg)能阻断其降低血清HDL-c的作用。这似表明脑中胰高血糖素可能参与对血清HDL-c的调节,并可能是通过肾上腺素β-受体起作用的。     

安定降低家兔血压和减少刺激下丘脑诱发室性期前收缩的机制分析

家兔62只,用乌拉坦(700mg/kg)和氯醛醣(35mg/kg)静脉麻醉,三碘季铵酚制动,在人工呼吸下进行实验。用电刺激下丘脑近中线区的方法诱发室性期前收缩(HVE)。静脉注射安定(0.5mg/kg)可降低基础血压(BP),减弱刺激下丘脑引起升压反应(指收缩压峰值SBP_(max))和减少HVE。在双侧延髓腹外侧头端区(rVLM)微量注射氟安定(200μg溶于0.5μl中),γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)(6μg溶于0.5μl中)均能降低BP、SBP_(max)和减少HVE,若微量注射印防己毒素(7.5μg溶于0.5μl中)则可使BP上升并增多HVE。而于双侧延髓腹外侧尾端区(cVLM)微量注射同样剂量氟安定、GABA则无上述反应。安定降低BP、SBP_(max)和减少HVE的作用可被双侧rVLM区微量注射GABA受体拮抗剂荷包牡丹碱(3μg溶于0.5μl中)或印防己毒素所消除,但在双侧rVLM区微量注射甘氨酸受体拮抗剂士的宁(1μg溶于0.5μl中)、阿片受体拮抗剂纳洛酮(0.5μg溶于0.5μl中)、胆碱能阻断药阿托品(0.25μg溶于0.5μl中)、东莨菪碱(1.5μg溶于0.5μl中)后仍然存在。 上述结果提示,在双侧rVLM应用GABA受体拮抗剂可消除安定降低BP、SBP_(max)和减少HVE的作用,安定降低BP、SBP_(max)和减少HVE的作用可能通过GABA这一中间环节,而胆碱能受体、阿片受体、甘氨酸受体可能不起重要作用。     

兔侧脑室注射胰高血糖素对血清总胆固醇和甘油三酯浓度的影响

我们最近曾报道,向兔侧脑室内注射胰高血糖素有明显降低血浆自由脂肪酸的作用。本工作又进一步观察了它对空腹血清总胆固醇和甘油三酯浓度的影响。结果发现:(1)对血清总胆固醇浓度无明显作用;(2)能引起血清甘油三酯浓度的下降,且与剂量有依赖关系,在注射后的 75min降低最显著,以后则逐渐恢复;(3)皮下注射阿托品(0.2mg/kg)或静脉注射心得安(5mg/kg)均不能消除侧脑室注射胰高血糖素降低血清甘油三酯的作用;(4)静脉注射酚妥拉明(5mg/kg)能阻断侧脑室注射胰高血糖素的降低血清甘油三酯的作用。这些结果表明脑内的胰高血糖素对血清甘油三酯的影响可能是通过肾上腺素α-受体起作用的。     

家兔脊髓蛛网膜下腔注射乙酰胆碱对血压和心率的影响

将乙酰胆碱(ACh)注入麻醉家兔脊髓蛛网膜下腔,观察其对心血管活动的影响。结果表明:(1)脊髓蛛网膜下腔注射50～100μg ACh可使血压下降,心率减慢;(2)预先由脊髓蛛网膜下腔注射阿托品,可阻断ACh引起的降压和降心率作用;(3)脊髓蛛网膜下腔注射六甲双铵、酚妥拉明或心得安均不能阻断上述ACh的心血管反应;(4)切断两侧颈部迷走神经,ACh不再使心率减慢,但其降低血压的作用不受到任何影响。 脊髓中ACh水平升高可通过激活胆碱能M-受体引起血压下降和心率减慢。ACh的这种降压作用既没有中枢肾上腺素能受体活动参与,也不是通过迷走神经实现的,可能是由于脊髓交感血管中枢紧张性降低所造成的。     

八肽胆囊收缩素对家兔内毒素休克时肺动脉张力的影响

为探讨八肽胆囊收缩素(CCK-8)缓解内毒素休克(ES)时肺动脉血压(PAP)增高的机制,观察了CCK-8对脂多糖(LPS)引起家兔ES时PAP变化以及离体肺动脉环(PARs)张力改变的影响。实验用新西兰大耳白雄性家兔40只,分为颈静脉注入LPS(8mg／kg i．v.)复制的家兔ES模型、LPS注入前15min给CCK-8(15μg/kg,i.v.)、LPS注入前15min给CCK受体拮抗剂丙谷胺(Pro 1mg／kg,i.v.)、单独注入CCK-8(15μg/kg,i.v.)和注射生理盐水(对照)共5组。用生理记录仪监测平均动脉压(MAP)和PAP的变化;5h后制备PARs,应用血管张力测定技术,检测各组PARs张力。结果为：(1)ES时MAP降低、PAP升高,CCK-8可完全翻转ES时PAP的增高,而Pro加剧ES时PAP的增高;(2)LPS组的PARs对苯肾上腺素(PE)的收缩反应增强,对ACh内皮依赖性舒张反应降低,而CCK-8可逆转LP5的上述作用。上述结果提示CCK—8可缓解ES时的PAP升高,这可能与其调节肺动脉张力改变有关。     

大鼠侧脑室内注射组胺对颈动脉窦压力感受性反射的影响及其中枢机制

在50只麻醉的大鼠孤离双侧颈动脉窦区,将不同窦内压（ISP）与其对应的平均动脉压（MAP）值进行Logistic五参数曲线拟合,根据所得ISP-MAP关系曲线及其特征参数,观察侧脑室注射（i.c.v)组胺（HA）对颈动脉窦压力感受性反射（CSR）的影响,并对其作用机制进行了初步探讨。结果如下：（1）i.c.v.HA(100ng)导致ISP-MAP关系曲线显著上移,ISP和增益（Gain)关系曲线中部明显下移,反射参数中阈压（TP）,饱和压（SP）和最大增益时的窦内压（ISPGmax)值增大,MAP反射变动范围（MAPrange)及反射最大增益（Gmax)减小。（2）预先i.c.v.H1受体拮抗剂氯苯吡胺（CHL,5μg）或H2受体拮抗剂西咪替丁（CIM,15μg）,可明显减弱HA的上述效应,CIM的这种减弱作用不如CHL的显著。（3）预先同时i.c.v.CHL和CIM（分别为5和15μg）,能完全取消HA的效应。（4）预先向孤束核（NTS）内注射CHL（0.5μg）或CIM（1.5μg）,对HA效应的影响与i.c.v.CHL或CIM后的相类似,但NTS内注射CHL或CIM后i.c.v.HA所致的TP变化表现明显下降。以上结果提示,侧脑室给HA使CSR产生快速重调定,反射敏感性下降,功能受抑;其机制是通过中枢HA受体介导,H1受体的作用比H2受体更为明显;下丘脑-NTS的HA能通路可能是HA调节CSR的下行通路之一。NTS处的HA受体在i.c.v.HA抑制CSR的机制中可能发挥重要的作用。     

Gastroprotective effect of aparisthman, a diterpene isolated from Aparisthmium cordatum, on experimental gastric ulcer models in rats and mice.

Aparisthmium cordatum (Juss.) Bail. (Euphorbiaceae), known in the State of Pará, Brazil as "ariquena queimosa", is a medium-sized tree which is native to the North Brazilian coastal region. Previous phytochemical studies of the bark of A. cordatum yielded a furan diterpenoid with a clerodane skeleton, called aparisthman. Recently, we reported the antiulcerogenic activity of trans-dehydrocrotonin (DHC), a furan diterpene isolated from Croton cajucara bark, in different ulcerogenic models in mice and rats. The aim of the present study was to assess the possible antiulcerogenic activity of aparisthman. When previously administered (p.o.) at the dose of 100 mg/kg(-1), aparisthman reduced significantly (p < 0.01) gastric injury induced by the indomethacin/bethanechol (71%), ethanol (71%), pylorus ligature, (59%) and hypothermic restraint-stress models (50%), in mice and rats. In the HCl/ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in mice, at oral doses of 100 and 250 mg/kg(-1), aparisthman from A. cordatum reduced significantly (p < 0.001) the formation of gastric lesions by 59% and 66%, respectively, as compared with control. In the pylorus-ligature model, aparisthman (p.o.) decreased the volume of gastric juice as compared with control (p < 0.001). When aparisthman (100 mg/kg(-1)) was administered intraduodenally to mice, significant modifications were found, such as a decrease in gastric acidity as compared with control. In the animals pre-treated with aparisthman, free mucus production increased by 19% in the gastric mucosa (p < 0.05). The results suggest that aparisthman from A. cordatum presents a significant anti-ulcer effect when assessed in these induced ulcer models. Although the mechanism underlying this antiulcerogenic effect remains unknown, it seems to be related to an increase of the defensive mechanisms of the stomach such as prostaglandin synthesis and mucus production. The good yield of aparisthman obtained from A. cordatum, as well as its antiulcerogenic activity, suggest that this compound should be submitted to pharmacological research as a potential new antiulcerogenic drug.     

Roles of 5-HT3 and opioid receptors in the ethanol-induced place preference in rats exposed to conditioned fear stress.

The effect of the selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron on the ethanol-induced place preference in rats exposed to conditioned fear stress, which stimulates the release of endogenous opioid peptides (beta-endorphin and enkephalins), was investigated using the conditioned place preference paradigm. In addition, we also examined the effect of ondansetron on the ethanol-induced place preference enhanced by the administration of mu- and delta-opioid receptor agonists (exogenous opioids). The administration of ethanol (300 mg/kg, i.p.) induced a significant place preference in rats exposed to conditioned fear stress. Pretreatment with ondansetron (0.01 and 0.1 mg/kg, s.c.) effectively attenuated this ethanol-induced place preference. When the mu-opioid receptor agonist morphine (0.1 mg/kg, s.c.) or the selective delta-opioid receptor agonist 2-methyl-4a(alpha)-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4,4a,5,12,12a(alpha)-octah ydroquinolino [2,3,3-g] isoquinoline (TAN-67; 20 mg/kg, s.c.) was administered in combination with 75 mg/kg ethanol (which tended to produce a place preference), the ethanol-induced place preference was significantly enhanced. The selective mu-opioid receptor antagonist beta-funaltrexamine at a dose of 10 mg/kg significantly attenuated the enhancement of the ethanol-induced place preference produced by morphine. Ondansetron (0.1 mg/kg, s.c.) also significantly attenuated the enhancement of the ethanol-induced place preference produced by morphine. Furthermore, the selective delta-opioid receptor antagonist naltrindole at a dose of 3 mg/kg significantly attenuated the enhancement of the ethanol-induced place preference produced by TAN-67. Ondansetron (0.1 mg/kg, s.c.) slightly, but significantly, attenuated the enhancement of the ethanol-induced place preference produced by TAN-67. These results suggest that 5-HT3 receptors may be involved in the rewarding mechanism of ethanol under psychological stress, and may play an important role in the rewarding effect of ethanol through the activation of mu- and delta-opioid receptors.     

Peripheral GLP-1 gastroprotection against ethanol: the role of exendin, NO, CGRP, prostaglandins and blood flow

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of peripherally injected glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage and the mechanisms included in the effect. Absolute ethanol was administered through an orogastric cannula right after the injection of GLP-1 (1, 10, 100, 1000 or 10,000 ng/kg; i.p.). The rats were decapitated an hour later, the stomachs removed and the gastric mucosal damage scored. 1000 ng GLP-1 inhibited gastric mucosal damage by 45% and 10,000 ng GLP-1 by 60%. The specific receptor antagonist exendin-(9-39) (2500 ng/kg; i.p.), calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist CGRP-(8-37) (10 microg/kg; i.p.), nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor l-NAME (30 mg/kg; s.c.) and cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (5 mg/kg; i.p.) inhibited the preventive effect of GLP-1 on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage. GLP-1 also prevented the decrease in gastric mucosal blood flow caused by ethanol when administered at gastroprotective doses (1000 and 10,000 ng/kg; i.p.). In conclusion, GLP-1 administered peripherally prevents the gastric mucosal damage caused by ethanol in rats. CGRP, NO, prostaglandin and gastric mucosal blood flow are thought to play a role in this effect, mediated through receptors specific to GLP-1.     

A novel method to produce extensive gastric antral ulcer in rats: pharmacological factors involved in the etiology of antral ulceration.

Gastric antral area is the most susceptible region to gastric ulceration in man. However, only limited information is available on animal models. In the present paper, we have developed an improved method for inducing gastric antral ulcers by the administration of 1.0 M HCl after refeeding for 1 h in rats. On day 4, the severe ulcer was found covering extensively the whole area of the antrum, and penetrated through the muscularis mucosae. The incidence of ulceration was 100% and the mean ulcer index was 37.1 +/- 16.6 mm2. In contrast, none of the erosive lesions were observed in the corpus area. Before 24 h, only slight hyperemia was observed in the antral region, suggesting that some submucosal mechanisms are involved in the ulceration processes other than the direct erosive action of HCl on the mucosal surface. Additional treatment with diethyldithiocarbamate (125 mg x kg(-1), s.c.), superoxide dismutase inhibitor, significantly aggravated this antral ulcer, and the ulcer index was 66.0 +/- 13.6 mm2. Allopurinol (50 mg x kg(-1), p.o.) significantly prevented ulcer formation induced by HCl plus DDC. GSH (150 mg x kg(-1), i.p.) also markedly prevented the ulceration. However, DMSO (0.5%, 5 mL x kg(-1), p.o.) was found not to affect ulcer formation. Famotidine (20 mg x kg(-1), p.o.) almost completely inhibited ulcer formation. From the above results, it was concluded that gastric antral ulcer can be induced by the simple treatment of 1.0 M HCl in refed rats, and the antrum has a different defensive mechanism from that in the corpus area. In addition. oxygen derived radicals, especially superoxide anion and endogenous acid secretion were found to be involved in the etiology of the aggravation of the gastric antral ulcer induced by DDC.     

Are all "cytoprotective" drugs gastroprotective?

The effect of three--structurally different--groups of compounds was compared against gastric mucosal damages induced by ethanol or prostaglandin (PG) synthesis inhibitors, as well as against carrageenan-induced inflammation. All the compounds studied--SH-compounds (cysteamine, 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid, D,L-penicillamine), SH-blocking N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and morphine-exerted dose-dependent inhibition on carrageenan edema test and against ethanol-induced gastric damage. Mucosal lesions induced by PG synthesis inhibitors (indomethacin 20 mg/kg, naproxen 75 mg/kg, piroxicam 60 mg/kg) were inhibited by drugs studied when the compounds were given before the damaging agents. However, when the drugs were injected 1 h after the inhibitors of PG synthesis opposite actions were observed; SH-compounds exerted protective, while NEM (2 mg/kg p.o.) and morphine (5 mg/kg p.o.) aggravating action. The results suggest that: 1. SH-compounds might have therapeutic importance in the treatment of gastric damage induced by prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors. 2. Reconsideration of the use of the term "cytoprotection" is necessary, since "cytoprotective" agents may aggravate mucosal damage in other ulcer model.     

Roles of capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves, endogenous nitric oxide, sulfhydryls, and prostaglandins in gastroprotection by momordin Ic, an oleanolic acid oligoglycoside, on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats.

The roles of capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves (CPSN), endogenous nitric oxide (NO), sulfhydryls (SHs), prostaglandins (PGs) in the gastroprotection by momordin Ic, an oleanolic acid oligoglycoside isolated from the fruit of Kochia scoparia (L.) SCHRAD., on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions were investigated in rats. Momordin Ic (10 mg/kg, p.o.) potentially inhibited ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions. The effect of momordin Ic was markedly attenuated by the pretreatment with capsaicin (125 mg/kg in total, s.c., an ablater of CPSN), N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 70 mg/kg, i.p., an inhibitor of NO synthase), N-ethylmaleimide (NEM, 10 mg/kg, s.c., a blocker of SHs), or indomethacin (10 mg/kg, s.c., an inhibitor of PGs biosynthesis). The attenuation of L-NAME was abolished by L-arginine (300 mg/kg, i.v., a substrate of NO synthase), but not by D-arginine (300 mg/kg, i.v., the enatiomer of L-arginine). The effect of the combination of capsaicin with indomethacin, NEM, or L-NAME was not more potent than that of capsaicin alone. The combination of indomethacin and NEM, indomethacin and L-NAME, or indomethacin and NEM and L-NAME increased the attenuation of each alone. These results suggest that CPSN play an important role in the gastroprotection by momordin Ic on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions, and endogenous PGs, NO, and SHs interactively participate, in rats.     

Cyclosporine A-increased nitric oxide production in the rat dorsal hippocampus mediates convulsions

To test whether nitric oxide (NO) participates in cyclosporine A (CsA)-induced neurotoxicity including convulsions, we examined the effect of an NO synthase inhibitor on convulsions induced by combined treatment with CsA and bicuculline in mice and the effect of CsA on NO production in the dorsal hippocampus using an in vivo microdialysis method in rats. CsA (200 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly increased the intensity of convulsions induced by an intracerebroventricular injection of bicuculline (25 pmol) in mice. This facilitation was blocked by N omega -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an NO synthase inhibitor, but not by N omega -nitro-D-arginine methyl ester (D-NAME), an inactive form of L-NAME (10 mg/kg, i.p.). CsA (20-50 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently increased NO 2 - levels in dialysates obtained with microdialysis in the rat dorsal hippocampus. This enhanced NO 2 - formation was blocked by L-NAME but not by D-NAME (50 mg/kg, i.p.). These findings suggest that CsA stimulates NO production and induces convulsions as a result of an interaction between NO and the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system in the hippocampus.     

Quebrachitol-induced gastroprotection against acute gastric lesions: Role of prostaglandins, nitric oxide and KATP channels

The effect of Quebrachitol (2-O-methyl-l-inositol), a bioactive component from Magonia glabrata fruit extract was investigated against gastric damage induced by absolute ethanol (96%, 0.2 ml/animal) and indomethacin (30 mg/kg, p.o.), in mice. Quebrachitol at oral doses of 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg markedly attenuated the gastric lesions induced by ethanol to the extent of 69%, 64%, and 53% and against indomethacin by 55%, 59%, and 26%, respectively. While pretreatment with TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) failed to block effectively the gastroprotective effect of quebrachitol (25 mg/kg) against ethanol damage, the non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (10 mg/kg, p.o.), almost abolished it. Furthermore, quebrachitol effect was significantly reduced in mice pretreated with l-NAME, or glibenclamide, the respective inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase and K⁺_ATP channel activation. Thus we provide the first evidence that quebrachitol reduces the gastric damage induced by ethanol and indomethacin, at least in part, by mechanisms that involve endogenous prostaglandins, nitric oxide release, and or the activation of K⁺_ATP channels.     

Studies on gastroprotection induced by capsaicin and papaverine.

Capsaicin and papaverine are potent vasorelaxants with strong gastroprotective activity against damage induced by absolute ethanol. This protection was originally attributed to the increase in gastric mucosal blood flow (GBF) but the possibility that NO mediates the protective and hyperemic effects of capsaicin and papaverine has been little studied. Using N-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), a selective blocker of NO synthase, and L-arginine as a substrate for NO, we investigated the role of NO in protective action of capsaicin and papaverine against ethanol-induced gastric damage and in GBF. Pretreatment with capsaicin (0.1-0.5 mg/kg i.g.) or papaverine (0.1-2 mg/kg i.g.) reduced dose-dependently the area of ethanol-induced lesions, the LD50 being 0.3 and 1 mg/kg, respectively. This protection was accompanied by a gradual increase in the GBF. Intravenous (i.v.) injection of L-NNA (1.2-5 mg/kg), which by itself caused only a small increase in ethanol lesions, reversed dose-dependently the protective and hyperemic effects of capsaicin and papaverine against ethanol-induced damage and attenuated the increase in GBF induced by each of these agents alone. This deleterious effect of L-NNA on the gastric mucosa and the GBF was fully antagonized by L-arginine (200 mg/kg i.v.) but not by D-arginine. L-arginine partly restored the decrease in GBF induced by L-NNA. Pretreatment with indomethacin (5 mg/kg i.p.), which suppressed the generation of PG by 85%, slightly enhanced the mucosal lesions induced by ethanol but failed to affect the fall in GBF induced by this irritant. Gastroprotective and hyperemic effects of capsaicin and papaverine were partly reversed by indomethacin suggesting that endogenous PG are also implicated in these effects. Addition of L-NNA to indomethacin completely eliminated both the protective and hyperemic effects of capsaicin and papaverine. We conclude that both NO and PG contribute to the gastroprotective and hyperemic effects of capsaicin and papaverine on the gastric mucosa.     

Investigation of the mechanisms involved in the central effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of intracerebroventricularly injected glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage and to elucidate the mechanisms involved. Absolute ethanol was administered through an orogastric cannula 5 min before GLP-1 (1 microg/10 microl) injection. One hour later, the rats were decapitated, their stomachs were removed and scored for mucosal damage. GLP-1 inhibited the ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage by 92%. Centrally injected atropine sulphate, a muscarinic receptor antagonist (5 microg/10 microl), prevented the gastroprotective effect of GLP-1, while mecamylamine, a nicotinic receptor antagonist (25 microg/10 microl), was ineffective. Peripherally injected atropine methyl nitrate (1 mg/kg) did not change the effect of GLP-1, but mecamylamine (5 mg/kg) blocked it. Cysteamine, a somatostatin depletor (280 mg/kg, s.c.), did not affect the protective activity of GLP-1, while inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis by L-NAME (3 mg/kg, i.v.) significantly abolished the protective effect of GLP-1 on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions. We conclude that central muscarinic and peripheral nicotinic cholinergic receptors and NO, but not somatostatin, contribute to the protective effect of intracerebroventricularly injected GLP-1 on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage.