Beta 2-adrenergic agonist regulation of immune aggregate- and platelet-activating factor-stimulated hepatic metabolism

Vasoconstriction and subsequent glycogenolysis stimulated by immune complex infusion into perfused rat livers was inhibited by prior infusion of isoproterenol. Similarly, isoproterenol inhibited the biosynthesis of bioactive lipid autacoids such as platelet-activating factor, prostaglandin E2, and thromboxane B2 which was stimulated by immune aggregates. The adrenergic receptor specificity of these effects was determined through the use of specific adrenergic subtype-specific agonists and antagonists to be mediated by beta 2-adrenergic receptors. Indirect evidence for the differential expression of hepatic sinusoidal and parenchymal beta-adrenergic receptors in the male rat during ontogeny suggested that inhibition of immune aggregate-stimulated autacoid biosynthesis, vasoconstriction, and glycogenolysis by isoproterenol occurs at a sinusoidal locus, most likely Kupffer cells. In contrast with the ability of beta 2-adrenergic agonists to inhibit immune aggregate- and platelet-activating factor-stimulated hepatic metabolism, dibutyryl cyclic AMP did not mimic these sinusoidal beta 2-adrenergic effects, despite stimulating hepatic parenchymal cell glycogenolysis as effectively as isoproterenol. These observations suggest a role for cyclic AMP-independent mechanisms in the regulation of heterologous stimulus-response coupling by hepatic sinusoidal beta 2-adrenergic receptors.     

Is ADHD a valid diagnosis in older adults?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental syndrome that often persists into adulthood. It is possible that different criteria are necessary for older adults than younger adults: the manifestations of ADHD could change with age; other conditions with onset in later life share presenting symptoms with ADHD; different contextual challenges and patterns of compensatory support may exist. For these reasons, we reviewed evidence for the validity of DSM ADHD criteria in adulthood for individuals over the age of 50. Specifically, we evaluated evidence that the DSM criteria for ADHD identify a valid syndrome in older adults based on clinical presentation, laboratory or testing findings, absence of alternate diagnosis to explain symptoms, course of the syndrome, or familial presence of the condition. We found evidence that various ADHD criteria identify subjects with clinical presentations similar to that seen in younger adults, but only 92 well-described cases have been reported in the literature. ADHD traits also may be less common in the general population of older adults than in younger adults, suggesting that the threshold for an atypical burden of ADHD traits may be lower in older populations. Future research can establish a richer basis for validity of diagnostic criteria for ADHD in older adults.     

Bisphenol A and Risk Management Ethics

It is widely recognized that endocrine disrupting compounds, such as Bisphenol A, pose challenges for traditional paradigms in toxicology, insofar as these substances appear to have a wider range of low‐dose effects than previously recognized. These compounds also pose challenges for ethics and policymaking. When a chemical does not have significant low‐dose effects, regulators can allow it to be introduced into commerce or the environment, provided that procedures and rules are in place to keep exposures below an acceptable level. This option allows society to maximize the benefits from the use of the chemical while minimizing risks to human health or the environment, and it represents a compromise between competing values. When it is not possible to establish acceptable exposure levels for chemicals that pose significant health or environmental risks, the most reasonable options for risk management may be to enact either partial or complete bans on their use. These options create greater moral conflict than other risk management strategies, leaving policymakers difficult choices between competing values.