Short and long latent effects of 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid on the extinction of the acetylcholine-induced inward current in neurons of the Helix lucorum]

The impact of a non-cyclized arachidonic acid derivative 15S-hydroxy-5Z, 8Z, 11Z, 13E-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) upon the dynamics of the inward current extinction, caused by repeated ion-tophoretic acetylcholine applications on the soma, was studied through a double electrode voltage clamp technique on the Helix lucorum identified neurons RPa3 and LPa3. The extracellular effect of 15-HETE (4-16 microM) was found to have a two phase influence on the inward current extinction, depending on the time of exposure to the compound. The short-latent effect (up to 60-80 min) displays itself as an extinction decrease, whereas the long-latent effect (after 60-80 min) - as an enhanced extinction. The effects caused by 15-HETE are irreversible. The short-latent one was probably due to the earlier described inhibition of 5- and 12-lipoxygenase enzymes by 15-HETE while the long-latent one - due to its intrinsic function.     

Stress hypertension in monkeys

1. The influence of chronic forelimb immobilization enforcing movement in upright position on blood pressure was studied in monkeys. 2. In the course of 6 months all animals subjected to immobilization became hypertensive due to a parallel increase of systolic and diastolic pressure by about 30%. The hypertension was demonstrable both in awake and anaesthetized animals and persisted even after restitution of a normal movement regime. 3. In the chronic stage (after 15 months), the plasma renin concentration was decreased by 55%, indicating that the renin-angiotensin system activation does not participate in the maintenance of the hypertensive state. The plasma volume was diminished by 18%, while the interstitial fluid volume did not differ significantly from control values. 4. It is concluded that chronic forelimb immobilization in monkeys induces a low-renin hypertension, associated with changes in extracellular fluid compartments resembling the pattern found in the hypovolaemic type of essential hypertension.