电针引起脊髓P物质释放的频率依赖性

我室以往的研究表明,不同频率的电针可引起脊髓释放不同种类的阿片肽。本工作观察Ｐ物质（ＳＰ）释放的频率依赖性,电针频率选择２,４,８,１５,３０和１００Ｈｚ,分别收集电针期间及电针前后各３０ｍｉｎ的脊髓灌流液,通过放射免疫方法测定大鼠电针有效组和电针无效组Ｐ物质免疫活性（ＳＰ－ｉｒ）．结果如下：（１）电针有效组：２Ｈｚ引起ＳＰ－ｉｒ降低,与电针前相比,Ｐ＜０．０１;４Ｈｚ电针前后ＳＰ－ｉｒ比较,无统计学意义;８,１５,３０,１００Ｈｚ时ＳＰ－ｉｒ均增加（Ｐ＜０．０１）,其中１５Ｈｚ时ＳＰ增加最多（Ｐ＜０．００１）,表明刺激引起ＳＰ释放有频率依赖性。（２）电针无效组：不论应用何种频率,电针前后脊髓灌流液中ＳＰ－ｉｒ变化不大（均Ｐ＞０．０５）。提示,电针时脊髓液中ＳＰ含量变化与镇痛效果有密切关系。     

α受体激动对绵羊心肌瞬时性内向离子流的影响

用乙酰毒毛旋花子甙元（ＡＳ）０．０５μｍｏｌ／Ｌ诱发绵羊心浦肯野纤维产生稳定的瞬时性内向离子流（Ｉｔｉ）,用普萘洛尔０．５μｍｏｌ／Ｌ阻断β受体,观察α受体激动剂苯肾上腺素（ＰＥ）０．３,１．０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ对Ｉｔｉ幅值与时程的影响。ＰＥ１．０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ灌流２０,５０ｍｉｎ时Ｉｔｉ幅值分别由对照值１２．８±１．９ｎＡ减小至１０．７±１．２ｎＡ（ｎ＝５,Ｐ＜０．０５）与９．６±１．９ｎＡ（ｎ＝５,Ｐ＜０．０１）;ＩｔｉＤ５０时程分别由对照值１４５±２４．４ｍｓ延长至１８３．３±２８．１ｍｓ（ｎ＝５,Ｐ＜０．０５）与２０７．５±３４．２ｍｓ（ｎ＝５,Ｐ＜０．０１）,ＰＥ对Ｉｔｉ的抑制作用呈剂量依赖性与时间依赖性。Ｉｔｉ到达峰值的时间和回复到基线的时间都延长,提示ＰＥ作用下Ｉｔｉ通道动力学发生了变化。如果在β受体激动剂异丙肾上腺素（ＩＳＯ）１．０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ增强Ｉｔｉ的基础上,ＰＥ１．０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ灌流１０ｍｉｎ,对Ｉｔｉ幅值的抑制及时程的延长作用更显著,Ｉｔｉ幅值由对照值１５．６±３．２ｎＡ减小到１０．３±２．２ｎＡ;ＩｔｉＤ５０由９２．５±１４．３ｍｓ延长到１３２．５±３６．０ｍｓ（ｎ＝５,Ｐ＜０．０１）。     

钙离子和蛋白激酶C对大鼠缺血海马脑片谷氨酸堆积的影响

采用大鼠海马脑片体外缺血模型观察钙离子和蛋白激酶Ｃ（ＰＫＣ）对神经元胞外谷氨酸（ＧＬＵ）堆积的影响,结果显示：海马脑片在体外“缺血”１０ｍｉｎ,ＧＬＵ在胞外的浓度增加４倍（从３２±４升高到１１３±１０ｐｍｏｌ／（ｍｉｎ．ｍｇＰｒ）．ｎ＝６）．Ｎ型钙通道拮抗剂蝙蝠葛苏林碱（ＤＳＬ）或无钙培养液均能有效抑制这种浓度的升高（Ｐ＜０．０１）．提示缺血１０ｍｉｎ引发的ＧＬＵ浓度升高是受Ｃａ２＋内流调控的．当脑片在缺血状况下孵育３０ｍｉｎ,ＤＳＬ只部分抑制这种ＧＬＵ堆积,而无钙培养液则无影响,但这额外的ＧＬＵ堆积可被ＰＫＣ抑制剂Ｈ－７完全阻断,而被ＰＫＣ激动剂ＰＤＢ所加强;且不受钙调蛋白抑制剂Ｃａｌｍｄａｚｏｌｉｕｍ和８－溴－ｃＡＭＰ影响．提示缺血３０ｍｉｎ,胞外ＧＬＵ的堆积受钙内流和ＰＫＣ双重调控。     

福尔马林致痛后大鼠中脑导水管周围灰质甲啡肽及脊髓背角P物质含量的变化

本文用免疫组化方法结合计算机图像处理技术观察大鼠后脚掌皮下注射福尔马林后脊髓背角Ｐ物质免疫阳性反应（ＳＰＬＩ）变化的节段性分布及中脑导水管周围灰质（ＰＡＧ）内甲啡肽样免疫阳性反应（ＭＥＬＩ）的变化。结果显示,注射福尔马林后,脊髓腰段（Ｌ１－２,Ｌ４－５）背角ＳＰＬＩ显著增强（Ｐ＜．０５）,３０ｍｉｎ组与６０ｍｉｎ组相比较无显著变化（Ｐ＞０．０５）;胸脊髓（Ｔ８）无显著变化（Ｐ＞０．０５）;颈脊髓背角ＳＰＬＩ有增强趋势（０．０５＜Ｐ＜０．１）;ＰＡＧ中ＭＥＬＩ减弱,腹外侧部３０ｍｉｎ组比６０ｍｉｎ组变化更大（Ｐ＜０．０５）。ＰＡＧ中ＭＥＬＩ与脊髓背角ＳＰＬＩ变化的时相关系提示福尔马林致痛引起的脊髓背角Ｐ物质的增多可能与ＰＡＧ中甲啡肽及阿片受体活动有关。     

粉防己碱对大鼠心肌缺血再灌注时心肌ATP酶活性的影响

实验旨在观察在体大鼠短暂缺血后心肌膜ＡＴＰ酶活性的变化及粉防己碱（Ｔｅｔ）的作用。分离缺血１５ｍｉｎ、再灌注２ｈ后及在缺血再灌注前给Ｔｅｔ的大鼠心肌粗制质膜和内质网,测定质膜Ｎａ＋－Ｋ＋－ＡＴＰ酶和内质网Ｃａ２＋－ＡＴＰ酶活性。结果表明,心肌缺血１５ｍｉｎ后二酶活性均明显降低,分别为假结扎组的６３．６％和７２．６％（Ｐ＜０．０１）,再灌注后Ｎａ＋－Ｋ＋－ＡＴＰ酶活性有所恢复,再灌注３０ｍｉｎ时为假结扎组的７２．１％（Ｐ＜０．０１）,而Ｃａ２＋－ＡＴＰ酶活性则进一步下降,再灌注３０ｍｉｎ时为假结扎组的５０．４％（Ｐ＜０．０１）,再灌注后２ｈ二酶活性分别升高至假结扎组的８０．９％和６５．３％（Ｐ＜０．０１）。在缺血前２０ｍｉｎ分别给予Ｔｅｔ６４．２和９６．３μｍｏｌ／ｋｇ及硝苯啶（０．２３μｍｏｌ／ｋｇ）,能明显减少内质网Ｃａ２＋－ＡＴＰ酶活性的降低。结果提示心肌膜ＡＴＰ酶活性的降低可能参与了短暂心肌缺血所致再灌注损伤的发生机制,Ｔｅｔ可减少缺血和／或再灌注时内质网Ｃａ２＋－ＡＴＰ酶活性降低。     

质粒DNA增强大鼠缺血骨骼肌肌浆网钙转运功能

在大鼠肢体缺轿模型上观察质粒ｐｃＤＮＡ３对缺血骨骼肌肌浆网（ＳＲ）Ｃａ＾２＋转运的影响。结果显示,骨骼肌缺血时ＳＲＣａ＾２＋转运（Ｃａ＾２＋摄入与释放）较非缺血肌肉增强,而质粒ｐｃＤＮＡ３与ＳＲ上ＤＮＡ结合蛋白结合之后,可进一步增强缺备骨骼肌ＳＲＣａ＾２＋摄入（Ｐ＜０．０１）及释放速率（Ｐ＜０．０５）。提示质粒ＤＮＡ对正常及缺血大鼠骨骼肌的ＳＲＣａ＾２＋转运能力均有影响,其临床病理生理意义值得进一     

正常足月儿畸变产物耳声发射(DPOAEs)特性分析

研究提出正常足月儿畸变产物耳声发射（ＤＰＯＡＥｓ） 特性分析如下：１ ． ＤＰＯＡＥｓ 反应强度曲线,ＤＰ 图显示两个反应峰（ｆ２ ＝ １ ．６ 和５ ．０ ｋＨｚ） 和一个反应谷（ｆ２ ＝ ３ ．１ ～４ ．０ ｋＨｚ） ;２． ＤＰＯＡＥ 本底噪声及其特性,ｆ２ ＝ １．０ ｋＨｚ 其测试频率点（２ｆ１ －ｆ２） 本底噪声最高（Ｐ＜ ０ ．０５） ,ｆ２ ＝ ３ ．１ ,４．０ 和５ ．０ｋＨｚ ,测试频率点（２ｆ１ －ｆ２） 本底噪声较低（Ｐ＜ ０．０５） ;除ｆ２ ＝ ４．０ ｋＨｚ 外,ＤＰＯＡＥ 本底噪声与其反应强度均未呈现直线相关特性;３ ． ＤＰＯＡＥ ＳＮＲ 特性,ｆ２ ＝ １．０ ｋＨｚ 其ＳＮＲ 最小（Ｐ＝ ０．０００） ,ｆ２ ＝２ ．０ ｋＨｚ 其ＳＮＲ 最大（Ｐ０ ．００３） ;４． ＤＰＯＡＥ ＳＮＲ 和ＴＥＯＡＥ ＳＮＲ 相关特性,除１．０ ｋＨｚ 频段外,其余频段其二者间均有着非常显著的直线相关特性。     

丁胺卡那霉素对耳蜗外毛细胞运动及胞内游离钙的影响

本文运用连续录像手段和荧光测钙技术研究丁胺卡那霉素对离体耳蜗外毛细胞运动及胞内游离钙浓度的影响。结果显示：（１）正常状态下外毛细胞内游离钙的荧光比值为１．３９±０．０９（ｘ±ｓｘ,ｎ＝１５）;从等渗环境进入低渗环境外毛细胞变短变粗（Ｐ＜０．０５,ｎ＝７。（２）丁胺卡那霉素（６．６７ｍｇ／ｍｌ）可使外毛细胞胞膜皱缩内陷,局部直径明显变细（Ｐ＜０．０１,ｎ＝１９）,即使在低渗环境中也难以恢复原状。（３）丁胺卡那霉素（３．２３ｍｇ／ｍｌ）可瞬间降低细胞内钙离子浓度,使荧光比值降低１４．６８±２．０５％（Ｐ＜０．０１,ｎ＝１２）。提示丁胺卡那霉素的耳毒性作用机制可能通过降低细胞内游离钙浓度,进而影响外毛细胞钙依赖性的“慢能动性”运动     

电针频率对大鼠脊髓灌流液中SOM和CGRP含量的影响

本研究采用放射测定法,分析不同频率电针刺激下大鼠脊髓流液中抑制素（ＳＯＭ０和降钙素基因相关肽（ＣＧＲＰ）放免活性（ｉｒ）的变化。电针频率选择２,１５和１００Ｈｚ,分别收集电针前、中、后各３０ｍｉｎ脊髓灌流液进行测定,实验结果如下：（１）低频（２Ｈｚ）电针使脊髓脊流液中ＳＯＭ－ｉｒ水平升高３９％（Ｐ〈０．０５）,ＣＧＲＰ－ｉｒ降低４７％（Ｐ〈０．０５）;（２）中频电针（１５Ｈｚ）则相反,使ＳＯＭ－ｉ     

听觉声损伤与耳蜗鼓阶淋巴氧分压的关系

本实验运用极谱式氧电极研究了噪声暴露对耳蜗鼓阶淋巴氧分压（ＳＴＰＯ２）的影响以及ＳＴＰＯ２的变化与听觉电生理、毛细胞损伤之间的关系。结果表明：（１）８５ｄＢＳＰＬ以上声刺激时ＳＴＰＯ２迅速降低;８５ｄＢＳＰＬ窄带噪声暴露时ＳＴＰ０２与血压一同缓慢增高;低于８５ｄＢＳＰＬ的声刺激则未能引起ＳＴＰ０２和血压的改变。（２）ＳＴＰＯ２降低约２０％即伴随明显的听损伤;ＳＴＰＯ２的变化程度与声暴露量（ｒ＝０．９７,Ｐ＜０．０５）、听力损失（ｒ＝０．８２,Ｐ＜０．０５）呈相关;与耳蜗病理改变也有一定关系,但与血压无明显相关性（ｒ＝０．２１,Ｐ＞０．２）。（３）声暴露时,吸入碳氧混合气对听力损失具有部分保护作用。     

Regulation of Neuropeptide Y Release by Neuropeptide Y Receptor Ligands and Calcium Channel Antagonists in Hypothalamic Slices

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is an important regulator of energy balance in mammals through its orexigenic, antithermogenic, and insulin secretagogue actions. We investigated the regulation of endogenous NPY release from rat hypothalamic slices by NPY receptor ligands and calcium channel antagonists. High-potassium stimulation (60 mM) of the slices produced a calcium-dependent threefold increase in NPY release above basal release. The Y2 receptor agonists NPY(13-36) and N-acetyl[Leu28,Leu31]NPY(24-36), the Y4 agonist rat pancreatic polypeptide (rPP), and the Y4/Y5 agonist human pancreatic polypeptide (hPP) significantly reduced both basal and stimulated NPY release. NPY(13-36)-induced reduction of NPY release could be partially prevented in the presence of the weak Y2 antagonist T4-[NPY(33-36)]4, whereas the hPP- and rPP-induced inhibition of release was not affected by the Y5 antagonist CGP71683A or the Y1 antagonist BIBP3226. The selective Y1, Y2, and Y5 antagonists had no effect on either basal or potassium-stimulated release when administered alone. The calcium channel inhibitors omega-conotoxin GVIA (N-type), omega-agatoxin TK (P/Q-type), and omega-conotoxin MVIIC (Q-type) all significantly inhibited potassium-stimulated NPY release, without any effect on basal release, whereas nifedipine had no effect on either basal or stimulated release. Addition of both omega-conotoxin GVIA and omega-agatoxin TK together completely inhibited the potassium-stimulated release. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that NPY release from hypothalamic slices is calcium-dependent, involving N-, P-, and Q-type calcium channels. NPY release is also inhibited by Y2 agonists and rPP/hPP, suggesting that Y2 and Y4 receptors may act as autoreceptors on NPY-containing nerve terminals.     

The effects of pancreatic polypeptides and neuropeptide Y on the rat vas deferens

In order to study the physiological significance of the coexistence of pancreatic polypeptide and norepinephrine (NE) in peripheral noradrenergic nerves, the effects of pancreatic polypeptides of several species were tested on the isolated rat vas deferens. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) was also studied because of its sequence homology to the pancreatic polypeptides. The contractile responses, which were mediated predominantly by activation of noradrenergic nerves following electrical stimulation, were inhibited by bovine pancreatic polypeptide (BPP), human pancreatic polypeptide (HPP), avian pancreatic polypeptide (APP) and NPY in a dose-dependent manner using a constant flow bath. The decreasing order of the inhibitory responses was as follows: BPP = HPP greater than NPY greater than APP. The inhibitory responses produced by BPP and HPP lasted more than 1 hr and displayed a marked tachyphylaxis. In contrast, the inhibitory effects induced by NPY and APP usually returned to the control level after 20-30 min and had minimal tachyphylaxis. The inhibitory action of NPY was still present during alpha-adrenergic blockade. Contractions produced by a single submaximal dose of exogenous NE or serotonin (5-HT) in unstimulated preparations were not affected by pretreatment with NPY. The amplitude of contractions was partially reduced 1 min after pretreatment with BPP or HPP; recovery occurred about 15 min after peptide pretreatment in a constant flow bath. These results suggest that an NPY receptor exists presynaptically in the rat vas deferens and that stimulation of the receptor by NPY inhibits the release of NE from noradrenergic nerves.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Dual regulation of ACTH secretion by guanine nucleotides in permeabilized AtT-20 cells

1. We have examined the effects of guanine nucleotides on ACTH secretion from digitonin-permeabilized AtT-20 cells, with the aim of analyzing the involvement of GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) in the secretory process. 2. AtT-20 cells permeabilized with 20 microM digitonin displayed calcium-dependent secretion. The EC50 of calcium was approximately 2 microM and the maximal stimulation was 350% of basal release. 3. Nonhydrolyzable guanine nucleotides also stimulated ACTH release, in a virtually Ca2+-free medium. The EC50 of guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S) was approximately 15 microM and the maximal stimulation was approximately 230% of basal release. The effects of calcium and guanine nucleotides were not additive. 4. In the presence of the inhibitory hormone, somatostatin guanine nucleotides inhibited the calcium-stimulated secretion. 5. Both the stimulatory and the inhibitory effects on secretion of guanine nucleotides were independent of changes in cyclic AMP (cAMP) and calcium. It is suggested that G proteins influence an unknown step in the secretion process, which would be near or at the exocytotic site. 6. The results can be explained by assuming the existence of two types of G proteins, one with stimulatory effects on exocytotic release (GeS) and another with inhibitory effects (GeI).     

Stimulation of the Sympathetic Perimesenteric Arterial Nerves Releases Neuropeptide Y Potentiating the Vasomotor Activity of Noradrenaline: Involvement of Neuropeptide Y-Y1 Receptors

Abstract: Neuropeptide Y (NPY) appears to be involved in the sympathetic regulation of vascular tone. To assess the putative role of NPY in mesenteric circulation, the release and biological effect of NPY were examined after electrical stimulation of perimesenteric arterial nerves. Nerve stimulation with trains of 2–30 Hz increased the perfusion pressure of the arterially perfused rat mesenteric bed in a frequency- and time-dependent fashion. Trains of 15–30 Hz significantly displaced to the left, approximately threefold, the noradrenaline (NA)-induced pressor concentration-response curve, in addition to increasing significantly its efficacy. Perfusion with 10 nM exogenous NPY mimicked the electrical stimulation effect, causing a threefold leftward shift of the NA concentration-response curve and increasing the maximal NA response. These effects were antagonized by 100 nM BIBP 3226, indicating the activity of NPY-Y₁ receptors. Electrical stimulation of the perimesenteric nerves released immunoreactive NPY (ir-NPY) in a frequency-dependent fashion; the ir-NPY coelutes with synthetic NPY as confirmed by HPLC. Both the electrically induced pressor response and the calcium-dependent release of NPY were obliterated in preparations perfused with 1 µM guanethidine or in rats pretreated intravenously for 48 h with 6-hydroxydopamine, thus revealing the sympathetic origin of these phenomena. Only a small proportion of the total NPY content in the perimesenteric arterial nerves is released after electrical stimulation. Chromatographic studies of the physiological sources of the ir-NPY support that NPY fragments are generated via peptidase degradation. The present findings demonstrate that NPY is released from the perimesenteric arterial sympathetic nerves and acts, via the activation of NPY-Y₁ receptors, as the mediator responsible for the potentiation of NA's effect on perfusion pressure in the isolated rat mesenteric bed.     

Effect of leukopenia on pulmonary hypertension after heparin-protamine in pigs.

Heparin neutralization by protamine after cardiac surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass may be associated with complement activation, transient leukopenia, thromboxane A2 release, and severe pulmonary hypertension. The role of leukocytes in the heparin-protamine reaction was studied in leukopenic pigs (n = 9) and a control group (n = 8). Leukopenia was induced by pretreatment with cyclophosphamide (30 mg.kg-1.day-1) for 6-7 days. During general anesthesia and after catheterization, baseline recordings of hemodynamics were performed and blood samples were withdrawn. Heparin (250 IU/kg) was injected and measurements were repeated after 10 min. Protamine sulfate (100 mg) was then infused over 2 min and measurements were performed after 2, 5, and 15 min. Prostanoid concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassays. In additional in vitro experiments, the release of thromboxane B2 from washed platelets and leukocytes after heparin-protamine stimulation was measured. Pretreatment with cyclophosphamide reduced leukocyte counts by 95.5% and the number of neutrophils by greater than 99.9%. Protamine infusion increased mean pulmonary arterial pressure by 74 and 46% and pulmonary vascular resistance by 185 and 384% in control and leukopenic animals, respectively. Thromboxane B2 concentrations increased in both groups. Stimulation by heparin, protamine, or heparin and protamine in sequence did not induce any thromboxane A2 release from washed blood cells. It is concluded that leukocytes do not contribute to pulmonary hypertension after heparin-protamine.     

Activation of Different Neuronal Phenotypes in the Rat Brain Induced by Liver Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury: Dual Fos/Neuropeptide Immunohistochemistry

The aim of the present study was to reveal the effect of liver ischemia–reperfusion injury (LIRI) on the activity of selected neuronal phenotypes in rat brain by applying dual Fos-oxytocin (OXY), vasopressin (AVP), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT), corticoliberine (CRH), and neuropeptide Y (NPY) immunohistochemistry. Two liver ischemia–reperfusion models were investigated: (i) single ligation of the hepatic artery (LIRIa) for 30 min and (ii) combined ligation of the portal triad (the common hepatic artery, portal vein, and common bile duct) (LIRIb) for 15 min. The animals were killed 90 min, 5 h, and 24 h after reperfusion. Intact and sham operated rats served as controls. As indicated by semiquantitative estimation, increases in the number of Fos-positive cells mainly occurred 90 min after both liver reperfusion injuries, including activation of AVP and OXY perikarya in the hypothalamic paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei, and TH, NPY, and PNMT perikarya in the catecholaminergic ventrolateral medullar A1/C1 area. Moreover, only PNMT perikarya located in the A1/C1 cell group exhibited increased Fos expression 5 h after LIRIb reperfusion. No or very low Fos expression was found 24 h after reperfusion in neuronal phenotypes studied. Our results show that both models of the LIRI activate, almost by the same effectiveness, a number of different neuronal phenotypes which stimulation may be associated with a complex of physiological responses induced by (1) surgery (NPY, TH, PNMT), (2) hemodynamic changes (AVP, OXY, TH, PNMT), (3) inflammation evoked by ischemia and subsequent reperfusion (TH), and (4) glucoprivation induced by fasting (NPY, PNMT, TH). All these events may contribute by different strength to the development of pathological alterations occurring during the liver ischemia–reperfusion injury.     

Pancreatic hormone response to neuropeptide Y (NPY) perifusion in vitro

Available data on the effect of neuropeptide Y (NPY) on insulin release are conflicting and little data exist regarding the effect of NPY on glucagon secretion. The purpose of the present study, therefore, was to characterize the direct effect of NPY on the release of these pancreatic hormones and to examine the role of glucose on these interactions. Using a perifused mouse islet system, we found that NPY suppressed both basal and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Thus, basal insulin release assessed as mean integrated area under the curve/20 min (AUC/20 min) decreased from 1446 +/- 143 pg to 651 +/- 112 pg (P less than 0.05) with the addition of 2 x 10(-8) M NPY and the AUC/20 min for glucose stimulated insulin output decreased from 1973 +/- 248 pg to 1426 +/- 199 pg (P less than 0.05). In both cases, this inhibitory effect was followed after removing NPY by a stimulation of insulin secretion which was typical of a 'rebound off-response'. In contrast, NPY exerted a stimulatory effect on basal glucagon release and significantly reversed the suppressive effect of high glucose on glucagon output. The basal glucagon AUC/20 min increased from 212 +/- 103 pg to 579 +/- 316 pg (P less than 0.05), while glucagon secretion in the presence of 27.7 mM glucose increased from 75 +/- 26 pg to 255 +/- 28 pg (P less than 0.01). In conclusion, we have shown that the direct effect of NPY on the endocrine pancreas is to suppress insulin but stimulate glucagon secretion. These data are compatible with a role for NPY in the regulation of pancreatic hormone output.     

In vivo modulation by alpha 2-adrenoceptors of adrenal catecholamine release in the anaesthetized dog

In this study, the reversal of the potentiating effect of idazoxan, a selective alpha 2-antagonist, on adrenal catecholamine release elicited by splanchnic nerve stimulation in anaesthetized and vagotomized dogs, was investigated with the use of oxymetazoline, a selective alpha 2-agonist. Stimulation of the left splanchnic nerve (5.0-V pulses of 2 ms duration for 3 min at a frequency of 2 Hz) was applied before and 20 min after the i.v. injection of each drug. Blood samples were collected in the adrenal vein before and at the end of each stimulation. The results show that the release of catecholamines induced by electrical stimulation was potentiated by 50% after idazoxan injection (0.1 mg/kg). This enhanced response was significantly antagonized by the subsequent injection of oxymetazoline (2 micrograms/kg). The alpha 2-modulating effect appears to be related to the amount of catecholamines released during the stimulation, since by subgrouping of the data on the basis of the degree of potentiation by idazoxan, it was observed that this drug was more efficient when catecholamine release was higher during control stimulation. In contrast, the reversing effect of oxymetazoline was found to be more pronounced when catecholamine release was lower. These results thus suggest that the sensitivity of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor mechanism may depend upon the in situ concentration of adrenal catecholamine release during electrical stimulation and that the potentiating effect of alpha 2-blockade can be reversed by activation of those receptors by a selective alpha 2-agonist.     

Basophil histamine release induced by a substance from stimulated human platelets

Platelet activation may occur during immunoglobulin E antibody (IgE)-mediated reactions. In these studies, we confirm that platelet-derived supernatants (PDS) induce histamine release from human mixed leukocytes containing basophils, one of the initial target cells in IgE-mediated reactions. In extending this observation, we have shown that this PDS-induced histamine release is both temperature- and calcium-dependent. Kinetic studies of release induced by PDS indicate that release is more rapid than that associated with IgE-dependent mechanisms. This platelet-derived, histamine-releasing activity is produced by platelet stimulation with collagen (5 micrograms/ml) and acetylglyceryl ether phosphorylcholine (10(-7)), as well as thrombin (1 U/ml). Initial characterization has shown that it is stable to acid and to freeze-thawing but not to boiling for 10 min. In addition, although this histamine-releasing activity is nondialyzable (i.e., greater than 3500 m.w.), it cannot be attributed to platelet factor 4. Thus, platelets, once activated, can produce a soluble substance or substances which can initiate basophil-mediated reactions, further suggesting that platelet activation can enhance allergic and inflammatory reactions.     

Stimulation of the locus coeruleus elicits noradrenaline and dopamine release in the medial prefrontal and parietal cortex

Our previous studies have suggested that dopamine and noradrenaline may be coreleased from noradrenergic nerve terminals in the cerebral cortex. To further clarify this issue, the effect of electrical stimulation of the locus coeruleus on extracellular noradrenaline, dopamine and DOPAC in the medial prefrontal cortex, parietal cortex and caudate nucleus was analysed by microdialysis in freely moving rats. Stimulation of the locus coeruleus for 20 min with evenly spaced pulses at 1 Hz failed to modify cortical catecholamines and DOPAC levels. Stimulation with bursts of pulses at 12 and 24 Hz increased, in a frequency-related manner, not only noradrenaline but also dopamine and DOPAC in the two cortices. In both cortices noradrenaline returned to baseline within 20 min of stimulation, irrespective of the stimulation frequency, whereas dopamine returned to normal within 20 and 60 min in the medial prefrontal cortex and within 60 and 80 min in the parietal cortex after 12 and 24 Hz stimulation, respectively. DOPAC remained elevated throughout the experimental period. Phasic stimulation of the locus coeruleus at 12 Hz increased noradrenaline in the caudate nucleus as in the cerebral cortices but was totally ineffective on dopamine and DOPAC. Tetrodotoxin perfusion into the medial prefrontal cortex dramatically reduced noradrenaline and dopamine levels and suppressed the effect of electrical stimulation. These results indicate that electrical stimulation-induced increase of dopamine is a nerve impulse exocytotic process and suggest that cortical dopamine and noradrenaline may be coreleased from noradrenergic terminals.