MAPK信号途径在一氧化氮抑制大鼠心肌肥大中的作用

实验观察了一氧化氮（NO）前体L－精氨酸对肾性高血压大鼠心肌组织eNOS蛋白表达及亚硝酸盐／硝酸盐含量、MKP－1蛋白表达及MAPK活性的影响,以及与心肌肥厚的关系,采用两肾一夹Goldblatt肾性高血压模型,随机分为5组：L－精氨酸高、中、低剂量组,分别于术后第5周给予L－精氨酸50、150及450mg/kg;L－NAME组,腹腔注射L－NAME 10mg/kg,同时给予L－精氨酸150mg/kg;高血压对照组,正常饮水,以及另设的一假手术对照组。用药8周后,用插管法测量大鼠动脉血压、左心室重与体重比值,用胶内原位磷酸化法测MFAPK活性、免疫印迹法检测心肌组织eNOS及MKP－1蛋白表达、酶还原法测定心肌组织亚硝酸盐／硝酸盐－硝酸盐含量。结果表明：（1）L－精氨酸可明显抑制肾动脉狭窄术后的血压升高、左心室重与体重比增加,增加心肌组织eNOS、MKP-1蛋白表达及亚硝酸盐－硝酸盐含量,降低心肌组织MAPK活性,其中以150mg/kg组作用最为明显;（2）NOS抑制剂L－NAME可明显抑制－精氨酸的以上作用,肾性高血压大鼠心肌组织eNOS蛋白表达下降。NO生成减少及MKP－1蛋白表达下降以及MAPK活性增强可能与高血压及心肌厚形成有关,L－精氨酸通过促进心肌组织eNOS蛋白表达、增加NO产生和MKP－1表达、减弱MAPK活性而发挥抗高血压及心肌肥厚的作用。     

血红素氧合酶-1在离体大鼠心肌缺血预适应中的作用

目的:分别观察给予HO-1诱导剂和抑制剂对心肌相对缺血再灌注损伤和缺血预适应的影响,探讨HO-1在缺血预适应中的作用.方法:实验动物随机分为对照组(CN)、缺血/再灌损伤组(I/R)、缺血预适应 缺血/再灌损伤组(PC)、HO-1诱导剂 缺血/再灌损伤组(HM)、HO-1抑制剂 缺血预适应组(ZP).心肌缺血/再灌损伤采用相对缺血/再灌损伤模型,缺血预适应则为相对缺血5min恢复5min,反复2次.测定心功能、MDA及HO-1活性变化.结果:HM组HO-1活性升高,心功能恢复率均显著高于IR组(P＜0.01),MDA含量显著低于IR组(P＜0.05).ZP组活性降低,心功能恢复率显著低于PC组(P＜0.05),MDA含量显著高于PC组(P＜0 05).结论:HO-1是缺血预适应释放的内源性活性物质之一.     

L-精氨酸对大鼠心肌相对缺血/再灌注损伤保护作用的研究

目的:探索L-精氨酸(L-Arg)对心肌相对缺血/再灌损伤的保护作用,为研究抗心肌损伤的保护措施提供依据.方法:Wastar大鼠24只,随机分为对照组、相对缺血损伤组和相对缺血损伤 L-精氨酸组.采用高频阈上电刺激大鼠离体心脏建立离体心肌相对缺血/再灌注模型,分别于相对缺血前、缺血后15 min和30 min收集冠脉流出液,测定丙二醛(MDA)含量、肌酸激酶(CK)和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性;采用Pclab生物信号采集处理系统测定相对缺血损伤后5 min、10 min、20 min和30 min时的心率脉压乘积(PRP)、左心室收缩压变化速率( DP/dtmax)和舒张压变化速率(-Dp/dtmAx)的恢复率.结果:L-精氨酸组的PRP、 DP/dtmax和-Dp/dtmax恢复率,明显优于相对缺血损伤组(P＜0.05);L-精氨酸组的冠脉流出液和心肌组织中的丙二醛(MDA)含量、肌酸激酶(CK)和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性,低于相对缺血损伤组(P＜0.05),而L-精氨酸组的心肌超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性高于缺血组(P＜0.01).结论:L-精氨酸对心肌相对缺血/再灌损伤具有一定的保护作用.     

NO和氧自由基在心肌缺血再灌注损伤中的协同作用——心肌缺血再灌注损伤产生的NO自由基的ESR研究

用低温电子自旋共振(ESR)技术检测到了大鼠心肌缺血再灌注过程产生的NO自由基与含铁蛋白结合的ESR信号 并且利用这一技术研究了大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤过程中NO和氧自由基的协同作用.结果发现,在缺血再灌注损伤的心肌中可同时检测到氧自由基和与血红蛋白β-亚基铁结合的NO自由基(β-NO复合物).在正常心肌中检测不到这两个信号,即使在灌注液中加入L-精氨酸也检测不到这两个信号.在缺血再灌注损伤的心肌中就可以检测的这两个信号了,而且随着在灌注液中加入L-精氨酸浓度的增加,这一信号也随之增加.在灌注液中加入NO合成酶抑制剂N~G-硝基精氨酸甲脂(NAME),这两个信号受到抑制.在灌注液中检测标志心肌损伤的乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)和肌酸激酶(CK)活性发现,在灌注液中加入低浓度的L-精氨酸(1mmol/L以下),对缺血再灌注心肌损伤有一定保护作用,但是,若加入高浓度L-精氨酸,则加重缺血再灌注心肌的损伤.加NAME对缺血再灌注心肌有明显保护作用.在灌注液中加入黄嘌吟/黄嘌吟氧化酶(X/XO)或Fe²⁺/H₂O₂,同时增加缺血再灌注心肌中的NO和氧自由基含量,并加重心肌的损伤.在灌注液中加入超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT),同时减少缺血再灌注心肌中NO和氧自由基的含量,并减轻心肌的损伤.     

异丙酚对离体大鼠心肌缺血、再灌注损伤后细胞凋亡及其机制研究

目的：观察异丙酚对离体大鼠心肌缺血/再灌注损伤的影响并从氧化应激和线粒体介导的凋亡方面探讨其作用机制。方法：应用Langendorff离体心脏灌注系统建立心肌缺血/再灌注损伤模型。40只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、缺血/再灌注模型（I/R）组、异丙酚15、30、60μmol.L-1组。除正常对照组外,各组分别平衡灌注20 min后,常温全心停灌25 min,再灌注30 min。Powerlab/8s仪记录各组平衡末、缺血前及再灌30 min时的各项心功能指标并测定冠脉流出液中乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）、肌酸激酶（CK）活性;检测心肌线粒体活力、膜肿胀度、锰超氧化物岐化酶（Mn-SOD）活性和丙二醛（MDA）含量;流式细胞仪检测心肌细胞凋亡;流式细胞术检测Bcl-2和Bax的表达,免疫组化法测定天冬氨酸特异的半胱氨酸蛋白酶（caspase）-3,9,8蛋白的表达。结果：与I/R组相比,异丙酚30、60μmol.L-1能明显改善缺血/再灌注后的心功能,减弱冠脉流出液中LDH、CK的活性（P〈0.05）;心肌线粒体活力有所恢复,膜肿胀度减轻,Mn-SOD活性升高,MDA生成明显减少（P〈0.05）,心肌细胞凋亡明显减少,Bcl-2表达上调,Bax表达下调,caspase-3,9阳性表达细胞数明显减少（P〈0.05）。结论：异丙酚明显减轻缺血/再灌注所致的心肌线粒体的过氧化损伤,抑制线粒体途径的凋亡,可能是其心肌保护作用机制之一。     

一氧化氮合酶抑制剂L-NAME对大鼠脑缺血耐受诱导的影响

采用大鼠四血管闭塞全脑缺血耐受模型和脑组织切片形态学方法,观察应用一氧化氮合酶(NOS)抑制剂L—NAME对大鼠海马CAl区脑缺血耐受(BIT)诱导的影响,在整体水平探讨一氧化氮(NO)在BIT诱导中的作用。54只Wistar大鼠凝闭双侧推动脉后分为6组：(1)假手术组(n＝6);分离双侧颈总动脉,但不阻断脑血流;(2)损伤性缺血组(n＝6)：全脑缺血10min;(3)预缺血 损伤性缺血组(n＝6)：脑缺血预处理(CIP)3min,再灌注72h后行全脑缺血10min;(4)L—NAME组;分别于CIP前1h和后1、12及36h腹腔注射L—NAME(5mg／kg),每个时间点6只动物,其余步骤同预缺血 损伤性缺血组;(5)L—NAME L—精氨酸组(n＝6)：于CIP前1h腹腔注射L—NAME(5mg／kg)和L—精氨酸(300mg／kg),其它步骤同L—NAME组;(6)L—NAME 损伤性缺血组(n＝6)：于腹腔注射L—NAME(5mg／kg)72h后行全脑缺血10min。实验结果表明,(1)单纯10min全脑缺血可使海马CAl区组织学分级增加(表明损伤加重),神经元密度降低(P＜0．01);(2)预缺血 损伤性缺血组的海马CAl区组织学分级、神经元密度与假手术组相比,无显著性差别(P＞0．05);(3)L—NAME组中,应用L—NAME后海马CAl区组织学分级增加,神经元密度降低,与预缺血 损伤性缺血组相比有显著性差异(P＜0．05),表明L—NAME可阻断CIP对神经元的保护作用;(4)L—NAME L—精氨酸组与L—NAME组相比,海马CAl区组织损伤明显减轻(P＜0．05),但与预缺血 损伤性缺血组相比仍有显著性差别(P＜0．05),提示L-精氨酸可部分逆转L—NAME的作用;(5)L—NAME 损伤性缺血组的组织学表现与损伤性缺血组相同(P＞0．05)。这些结果表明,在整体情况下N0参与BIT的诱导。与CIP前1h及后1、12h给予L—NAME组相比,CIP后36h给予L—NAME对CIP保护作用的阻断效应明显减弱,提示N0在CIP后较早阶段即开始参与BIT的诱导。     

异丙酚和氯胺酮对大鼠离体缺血再灌注损伤心肌脂质过氧化的影响

目的：比较异丙酚和氯胺酮对大鼠离体缺血再灌注损伤心肌脂质过氧化的影响。方法：成年Wistar大鼠18只,雌雄不拘。体重240-300g,随机分为3组（T1=6）：心肌缺血再灌注损伤组（I／R组）,异丙酚组（P组）,氯胺酮组（K组）。采用Langendorff灌装置建立离体心脏缺血再灌注模型,将心脏连接至Langendorff逆灌装置,3组均以K-H液平衡灌注10min后,再分别以K．H液、含30μmol/L。异丙酚的K-H液、含10μmol-L-1氯胺酮的K-H液灌注10min,然后全心停灌25min,再分别以停灌前相同的灌注液恢复灌注30min。留取冠脉流出液测定总LDH活性;灌注末取左室心肌组织置于2．5％的戊二醛固定,观察心肌的超微结构;心尖部心肌组织留待检测8-异前列腺素和SOD活性。结果：与I／R组比较,P组8-异前列腺素含量降低,SOD活性升高,LDH活性降低（P〈0．05）;K组8-异前列腺素含量,SOD及LDH活性均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;与P组比较,K组8-异前列腺素含量升高,SOD及LDH活性降低（P〈0．05）;P组心肌超微结构损伤较m组和K组也明显改善。结论：异丙酚可显著减轻心肌缺血再灌注损伤大鼠的脂质过氧化和心肌缺血再灌注损伤,而氯胺酮没有抗心肌缺血再灌注损伤心肌脂质过氧化的作用。     

缺血预处理对大鼠缺血再灌注心肌细胞凋亡及相关基因蛋白表达的影响

目的：探讨缺血预处理对大鼠缺血再灌注心肌细胞凋亡及相关基因Bcl-2和Bax蛋白表达的影响。方法：制备缺血预处理（IP）和缺血再灌注损伤（I／R）模型,采用末端标记技术（TUNEL）检测心细胞凋亡,应用免疫组织化学方法检测Bcl-2和Bax的蛋白表达,结果：缺血再灌注组心肌细胞凋亡率明显比正常对照组高（P＜0．05）,而缺血预处理组心肌细胞凋亡率明显比缺血再灌注组低（P＜0．05）,缺血再灌注组Bcl-2表达阳性细胞率明显比正常组低（P＜0．05）,而缺血预处理组Bcl-2表达阳性细胞率明显较缺血再灌注组高（P＜0．05）。缺血再灌注组Bax表达阳性细胞率明显较正常组高,而缺血预处理组Bax表达阳性细胞率明显较缺血再灌注组低（P＜0．05）。结论：缺血再灌注可诱导心肌细胞凋亡,缺血预处理可减少心肌细胞凋亡,Bcl-2和Bax的蛋白表达在心肌凋亡发生中起重要作用,缺血预处理可上调Bcl-2蛋白表达和下调Bax蛋白表达。     

血红素氧合酶-1对心肌相对缺血/再灌注损伤的延迟保护作用

目的：探讨血红素氧合酶-1（HO-1）在运动预适应（EP）中对大鼠心肌相对缺血/再灌注（rI/R）损伤的延迟保护作用。方法：40只Wistar大鼠随机分为5组：正常对照组（CN）、相对缺血/再灌注组（IR）、运动预适应＋相对缺血/再灌注组（EI）、Hemin（HO-1诱导剂）＋相对缺血/再灌注组（HE）和运动预适应＋ZnPP（HO-1抑制剂）＋相对缺血/再灌注组（EZ）。测定大鼠再灌注期心率脉压乘积（PRP）、冠脉流出液MDA含量、HO-1活性等。结果：心肌HO-1活性：EI组和HE组较IR组显著升高,EZ组则显著降低。EZ组较EI组显著降低,EI组和HE组间亦有显著性差异。再灌注后60 min时间点PRP恢复率：EI组较IR组显著增高;IR组与HE组未见显著性差异,但30min时间点HE组显著增高;EZ组较EI组显著降低。冠脉流出液MDA含量：EI组、EZ组和HE组MDA含量较IR组皆显著降低;EZ组较EI组显著升高。结论：EP可以诱导HO-1合成,进而通过HO-1对24 h后发生的rI/R损伤产生延迟保护作用。     

心肌缺血／再灌注损伤后血清和心肌组织Leptin水平的变能

目的：观察大鼠心肌缺血／再灌注损伤对血清和心肌组织瘦素（Leptin）表达的影响,探讨Leptin在心肌缺血／再灌注损伤中的作用。方法：建立大鼠心肌缺血／再灌注模型,检测血清乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）和Leptin浓度,并用HE染色和免疫组织化学观察心肌组织病理学及Lepfin表达水平。结果：缺血组、再灌注组血清LDH水平显著升高（P〈0．05）,表明该模型制作成功,造成心肌局部一定程度的损伤。缺血组血清Leptin含量（6．34±2．49）ng／ml显著低于对照组（7．50±2．93ng／ml,P〈0．05）;再灌注后Leptin水平缓慢恢复,于再灌注2h时Leptin达到（8．32±1．74）ng／ml,恢复到损伤前水平（8．38±2．56）ng／ml,且随再灌注时间延长有升高趋势。免疫纽化显示与假手术纽心肌Leptin蛋白表达水平相比,其他四组均有显著降低（P〈0．01）,按缺血45min后再灌注1h组、缺血45min后再灌注3h组、单纯缺血45min组、缺血45min后再灌注2h组依次递减。结论：Leptin在心肌缺血／再灌注损伤后早期45min血中有明显减少,心肌组织中也明显表达下降。心肌组织病理损伤与Leptin的改变可能有一定的关系。     

Role for dopamine in malonate-induced damage in vivo in striatum and in vitro in mesencephalic cultures

Defects in mitochondrial energy metabolism have been implicated in the pathology of several neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, the reactive metabolites generated from the metabolism and oxidation of the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) are thought to contribute to the damage to neurons of the basal ganglia. We have previously demonstrated that infusions of the metabolic inhibitor malonate into the striata of mice or rats produce degeneration of DA nerve terminals. In the present studies, we demonstrate that an intrastriatal infusion of malonate induces a substantial increase in DA efflux in awake, behaving mice as measured by in vivo microdialysis. Furthermore, pretreatment of mice with tetrabenazine (TBZ) or the TBZ analogue Ro 4-1284 (Ro-4), compounds that reversibly inhibit the vesicular storage of DA, attenuates the malonate-induced DA efflux as well as the damage to DA nerve terminals. Consistent with these findings, the damage to both DA and GABA neurons in mesencephalic cultures by malonate exposure was attenuated by pretreatment with TBZ or Ro-4. Treatment with these compounds did not affect the formation of free radicals or the inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation resulting from malonate exposure alone. Our data suggest that DA plays an important role in the neurotoxicity produced by malonate. These findings provide direct evidence that inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase causes an increase in extracellular DA levels and indicate that bioenergetic defects may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic neurodegenerative diseases through a mechanism involving DA.     

SSTR5 ablation in islet results in alterations in glucose homeostasis in mice

Somatostatin (SST) peptide is a potent inhibitor of insulin secretion and its effect is mediated via somatostatin receptor 5 (SSTR5) in the endocrine pancreas. To investigate the consequences of gene ablation of SSTR5 in the mouse pancreas, we have generated a mouse model in which the SSTR5 gene was specifically knocked down in the pancreatic beta cells (betaSSTR5Kd) using the Cre-lox system. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that SSTR5 gene expression was absent in beta cells at three months of age. At the time of gene ablation, betaSSTR5Kd mice demonstrated glucose intolerance with lack of insulin response and significantly reduced serum insulin levels. Insulin tolerance test demonstrated a significant increase of insulin clearance in vivo at the same age. In vitro studies demonstrated an absence of response to SST-28 stimulation in the betaSSTR5Kd mouse islet, which was associated with a significantly reduced SST expression level in betaSSTR5Kd mice pancreata. In addition, betaSSTR5Kd mice had significantly reduced serum glucose levels and increased serum insulin levels at 12 months of age. Glucose tolerance test at an older age also indicated a persistently higher insulin level in betaSSTR5Kd mice. Further studies of betaSSTR5Kd mice had revealed elevated serum C-peptide levels at both 3 and 12 months of age, suggesting that these mice are capable of producing and releasing insulin to the periphery. These results support the hypothesis that SSTR5 plays a pivotal role in the regulation of insulin secretion in the mouse pancreas.     

2018年中国植物科学若干领域重要研究进展

2018年中国植物科学继续呈现快速发展的态势, 我国科学家在国际植物科学主流学术刊物发表论文数量大幅增加, 取得了多项具有重要影响的成果。调控植物生长-代谢平衡实现可持续农业发展入选2018年度中国科学十大进展; 中国被子植物区系进化历史研究入选2018年度中国生命科学十大进展。以水稻为代表的农作物和果蔬等经济作物研究在国际上已呈现出明显的优势, 若干领域已从“追赶”状态跨越到“领跑”地位。该文对2018年中国科学家在植物科学若干领域取得的重要研究成果进行了概括性评述, 旨在全面追踪和报道当前中国植物科学领域的发展前沿和热点, 展示中国科学家所取得的杰出成就。     

我国葫芦科植物离体培养研究进展

葫芦科植物包括多种瓜类蔬菜,对其进行离体培养研究具有重要的理论和实践意义。综述了国内在葫芦科植物器官培养、体细胞胚胎发生、花药培养、原生质体培养和体细胞杂交及离体遗传转化等方面取得的研究进展,并对葫芦科植物离体培养、遗传转化与育种的前景作了展望。     

2018年中国植物科学若干领域重要研究进展

2018年中国植物科学继续呈现快速发展的态势, 我国科学家在国际植物科学主流学术刊物发表论文数量大幅增加, 取得了多项具有重要影响的成果。调控植物生长-代谢平衡实现可持续农业发展入选2018年度中国科学十大进展; 中国被子植物区系进化历史研究入选2018年度中国生命科学十大进展。以水稻为代表的农作物和果蔬等经济作物研究在国际上已呈现出明显的优势, 若干领域已从“追赶”状态跨越到“领跑”地位。该文对2018年中国科学家在植物科学若干领域取得的重要研究成果进行了概括性评述, 旨在全面追踪和报道当前中国植物科学领域的发展前沿和热点, 展示中国科学家所取得的杰出成就。     

2017年中国植物科学若干领域重要研究进展

2017年中国植物科学继续保持高速发展态势, 重大成果频出, 具体表现在中国植物学家在国际顶级学术期刊发表的文章数量平稳上升。中国植物科学领域的研究工作者成果精彩纷呈, 如新型广谱抗病机制的发现、水稻广谱抗病遗传基础及机制和疫霉菌诱发病害成灾机制研究等。2017年中国生命科学领域十大进展评选中, 有两项植物科学领域的研究成果入选。水稻生物学、进化与基因组学和激素生物学等领域学科发展突出。另外, 值得一提的是, 长期从事高等植物与代谢途径调控分子网络研究和水稻品种设计育种的李家洋院士的研究成果“水稻高产优质性状形成的分子机理及品种设计”荣获2017年国家自然科学一等奖。这一具有重大国际影响的开创性贡献标志着中国植物科学在该领域的国际科学前沿居于引领和卓越地位。该文对2017年中国本土科学家在植物科学若干领域取得的重要研究成果进行了系统梳理, 旨在全面追踪和报道当前中国植物科学领域发展的最新前沿动态, 与广大读者共同分享我国科学家所取得的辉煌成就。     

Apoptosis in experimental myocardial infarction in situ and in the perfused heart in vitro

We report the appearance of apoptotic cells in experimental myocardial infarction (rabbit heart) in in situ and in vitro preparations. Apoptosis was recognized by intravital staining with Hoechst 33342 (Ho342), by nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and by DNA laddering. A steady rise in the relative number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes (apoptotic index) was noted in in situ preparations. Apoptosis was first noted 6 h after the onset of ischemia with its highest value occurring after 72 h. Apoptotic nuclei were absent in remote areas of the left and right ventricles. Apoptotic nuclei within the infarcted area showed diminished intensity of Ho342 fluorescence. Three days after ischemia, a border zone adjacent to the infarcted area consisting of apoptotic macrophages was recognized. A novel finding was the appearance of apoptotic cardiomyocytes in the isolated perfused ischemic heart. Occurring as early as 50 min after the onset of ischemia, a high apoptotic index was present adjacent to the ligature placed around the coronary artery. This observation provides the opportunity to selectively examine factors leading to apoptosis in the ischemic heart under controlled experimental conditions.     

我国葫芦科植物离体培养研究进展

葫芦科植物包括多种瓜类蔬菜,对其进行离体培养研究具有重要的理论和实践意义.综述了国内在葫芦科植物器官培养、体细胞胚胎发生、花药培养、原生质体培养和体细胞杂交及离体遗传转化等方面取得的研究进展,并对葫芦科植物离体培养、遗传转化与育种的前景作了展望.     

Morphine-potentiated platelet aggregation in in vitro and platelet plug formation in in vivo experiments

The detailed mechanisms underlying morphine-signaling pathways in platelets remain obscure. Therefore, we systematically examined the influence of morphine on washed human platelets. In this study, washed human platelet suspensions were used for in vitro studies. Furthermore, platelet thrombus formation induced by irradiation of mesenteric venules with filtered light in mice pretreated with fluorescein sodium was used for an in vivo thrombotic study. Morphine concentration dependently (0.6, 1, and 5 microM) potentiated platelet aggregation and the ATP release reaction stimulated by agonists (i.e., collagen and U46619) in washed human platelets. Yohimbine (0.1 microM), a specific alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist, markedly abolished the potentiation of morphine in platelet aggregation stimulated by agonists. Morphine also potentiated phosphoinositide breakdown and intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization in human platelets stimulated by collagen (1 microg/ml). Moreover, morphine (0.6-5 microM) markedly inhibited prostaglandin E(1) (10 microM)-induced cyclic AMP formation in human platelets, while yohimbine (0.1 microM) significantly reversed the inhibition of cyclic AMP by morphine (0.6 and 1 microM) in this study. The thrombin-evoked increase in pH(i) was markedly potentiated in the presence of morphine (1 and 5 microM). Morphine (2 and 5 mg/g) significantly shortened the time require to induce platelet plug formation in mesenteric venules. We concluded that morphine may exert its potentiation in platelet aggregation by binding to alpha(2)-adrenoceptors in human platelets, with a resulting inhibition of adenylate cyclase, thereby reducing intracellular cyclic AMP formation followed by increased activation of phospholipase C and the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger. This leads to increased intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization, and finally potentiation of platelet aggregation and of the ATP release reaction.     

Changes in aquatic vegetation in Rhine floodplain streams in Alsace in relation to disturbance

Abstract. Changes are described in aquatic vegetation in oligotrophic, groundwater-fed Rhine floodplain streams in Alsace (eastern France), resulting from disturbance. Disturbance factors include changes in nutrients, either permanent ones - effluent from a waste water treatment plant or trout hatcheries - or periodic ones: flooding. Regular inputs of high levels of phosphate and ammonia modified the macrophyte vegetation in these streams. The floristic composition, which was characteristic of oligotrophic waters upstream of the eutrophicated sector, changed to that of a eutrophic situation as originally found downstream. Periodic disturbance by floods which normally occur once a year, irregularly eutrophicates the small streams, causing the development of a mixture of eutrophic and oligotrophic species. Six macrophyte communities are distinguished, indicating different trophic levels. The aquatic vegetation is adapted to the variations of phosphate and ammonia levels. Hence, aquatic macrophytes can be used as bio-indicators of fluctuations in water nutrient levels in relation to the type of disturbance.