电针对SAMP8小鼠海马区PS1蛋白表达的影响

目的:研究电针对于SAMP8模型小鼠海马区早老蛋白1(presenilian 1,PS1)表达的影响,探讨电针治疗阿尔兹海默病(AD)的作用机制。方法:将20只SAMP8小鼠(早老化小鼠)随机分为模型对照组、电针治疗组,每组10只;10只SAMR1小鼠(正常老化小鼠)组成正常对照组。正常对照组和模型对照组正常饲养15天,在电针治疗组治疗时抓取束缚一次,不做任何治疗;电针治疗组每天治疗前抓取束缚之后再进行电针治疗,治疗穴位选取"百会"、"印堂"、"人中"三穴,频率2 Hz,电流强度以小鼠头部微颤为宜,留针20 min,每日1次,共15天。电针治疗结束后,通过Morris水迷宫实验观察小鼠的行为学变化;通过免疫组化观察SAMP8小鼠海马区PS1蛋白表达情况;通过Western blot方法检测各组海马区的PS1蛋白表达水平。结果:行为学中Morris水迷宫检测显示:模型组与正常对照组比较逃避潜伏时增加,空间探索实验穿越平台次数和平台象限游泳时间明显减少(P0.05,P0.01);电针治疗组逃避潜伏时明显减少,空间探索实验穿越平台次数和平台象限游泳时间明显增加(P0.05);免疫组化观察各组海马区PS1蛋白表达,电针治疗组较模型组明显降低;Western blot结果显示PS1蛋白在海马区表达水平,模型组高于正常对照组(P0.01),而电针治疗组低于模型组(P0.01)。结论:电针可以改善小鼠的学习记忆能力,而且电针治疗组海马区PS1蛋白含量明显低于模型组,电针治疗可能参与减弱PS1蛋白的表达,降低Aβ水平,对于AD治疗有益。     

电针对海洛因成瘾大鼠PAG的NPY表达的影响

目的:观察韩氏穴位神经刺激器(HNAS)针刺对海洛因成瘾大鼠中脑导水管周围灰质(PAG)的神经肽Y(NPY)表达的影响。方法:按给药剂量逐日递增的原则皮下注射海洛因建立成瘾模型,Morris水迷宫测大鼠空间学习记忆,免疫组化测大鼠PAG的NPY表达。结果:①成瘾组大鼠在定位航行实验中逃避潜伏期及搜索距离较正常组明显延长(P0.05),而针刺组较成瘾组明显缩短(P0.05);空间探索实验中,成瘾组原平台所在象限搜索时间及原平台所在象限的游泳距离占总距离的百分比较正常组明显缩短(P0.05),针刺组较成瘾组明显增加(P0.01)。②PAG的NPY表达成瘾组低于正常组(P0.05),针刺组高于成瘾组(P0.05)。结论:HANS针刺对海洛因成瘾引起的大鼠学习记忆减退有恢复作用,并上调其PAG的NPY表达。     

负性刺激诱导小鼠情绪性记忆脑区神经元编程的可塑性

通过检测慢性复合应激小鼠在Morris水迷宫实验中记忆能力及其杏仁体和海马神经元电生理特性的变化探讨情绪性记忆相关脑区的作用机制及神经元网络可塑性变化的机理。水迷宫实验中两组小鼠的逃避潜伏期逐渐缩短,具有显著性差异,6个训练周期中,应激组有5个训练周期的逃避潜伏期较对照组缩短,存在显著性差异;应激组小鼠在目标象限游泳停留时间显著长于其在其它3个象限的时间,同时显著长于对照组,而在对侧象限游泳时间显著短于对照组。小鼠在慢性负性刺激下学习和记忆能力得到提升,其杏仁体内GABA能神经元功能出现下降、海马锥体神经元功能出现增强,表明情绪性记忆可能与海马和杏仁体的神经元网络整体兴奋性的可塑性变化有关。     

快速老化模型小鼠海马正反向抑制消减cDNA文库的构建

目的:构建快速老化模型小鼠(SAM)海马正反向抑制消减cDNA文库,以揭示SAMP8学习记忆脑老化的机制,同时为研究阿尔茨海默病(AD)的发病机制提供线索。方法:以快速老化模型小鼠SAMP8和SAMR1海马的总RNA为材料,采用抑制消减杂交方法和蓝白斑筛选克隆构建文库,并用PCR鉴定了文库的质量。结果:成功构建了12月龄雄性SAMP8和SAMR1海马的正反向抑制消减cDNA文库,其中正向文库包含864个克隆,反向文库包含960个克隆,阳性克隆率为96.16%,插入片段范围为250～2000bp。结论:SAMP8和SAMR1海马的正反向抑制消减cDNA文库的构建,为进一步筛选鉴定SAMR1和SAMP8海马差异表达基因提供了丰富的实验材料。     

快速老化模型小鼠SAMP8行为学的增龄性变化

目的：对快速老化模型小白鼠SAMP8老化征象和学习记忆能力的增龄性变化进行系统研究,为利用该模型进行其它研究提供实验依据。方法：选用2、4、6、8、10、12月龄SAMP8,以同龄正常老化的SAMR1为对照,应用老化度评分和Morris水迷宫测试SAMP8的老化度和学习记忆能力的增龄性变化。结果：SAMP8在4月龄出现明显的老化体征,并在6月龄开始表现出空间学习记忆障碍。结论：SAMP8在成熟期（4-6月）过后发生了快速老化,证实SAMP8是研究衰老和老年性痴呆的理想模型。     

水迷宫实验中三种品系小鼠学习记忆能力的比较

目的探讨三种品系小鼠在Morris水迷宫实验中的学习记忆能力差异,为与改善学习记忆能力相关新药研究的实验动物选择提供参考。方法选用C57BL/6小鼠、昆明种小鼠和ICR小鼠,进行定位航行实验(5d)、空间搜索实验(1d)和工作记忆实验(4d),考察其学习记忆能力。结果定位航行实验从第3天起C57BL/6小鼠的潜伏期明显小于昆明种小鼠和ICR小鼠(P0.01);空间搜索实验C57BL/6小鼠穿过原平台位置的次数、在原平台象限游程比率和时间比率均明显多于昆明种小鼠和ICR小鼠(P0.05);动物每天工作记忆实验的潜伏期随测试次数增加而缩短,C57BL/6小鼠缩短的较昆明种小鼠和ICR小鼠稍多。结论C57BL/6小鼠的空间参考记忆能力与工作记忆能力均优于昆明种小鼠和ICR小鼠,且非空间因素对其学习记忆能力的评价干扰较小,可作为优先选择的水迷宫实验动物。     

快速老化小鼠额叶皮质的蛋白组学研究

目的:探讨快速老化过程中差异蛋白质及其与学习记忆的关系.方法:以13月龄和8月龄快速老化小鼠模型的快速老化亚系SAMP8和抗快速老化亚系SAMR1的额叶为研究对象,经双向电泳技术和考马斯亮兰G250染色,分别获取13月龄和8月龄SAMP8和同龄SAMR1额叶的2-DE考染图谱,用PDQuest 7.40图像分析软件,建立不同月龄蛋白质组的匹配差异图谱,分析图谱中SAMP8与SAMR1蛋白质的表达变化.结果:8月龄SAMP8额叶检测到579个蛋白点,同龄SAMR1额叶检测到612个蛋白点;13月龄SAMP8额叶检测到705个蛋白点,同龄SAMR1额叶检测到621个蛋白点.PDQuest7.40软件匹配差异分析显示,8月龄SAMP8与同龄SAMR1比较,SAMP8表达缺失33个蛋白,两者共有显著差异表达蛋白35个.13月龄SAMP8与同龄SAMR1比较,SAMR1中表达缺失84个蛋白,两者均有但表达有显著变化的蛋白质36个.13月龄和8月龄的SAMP8互相比较,13月龄组新增蛋白126个,二者共有差异表达蛋白58个.13月龄和8月龄的SAMR1比较,13月龄组新增9个蛋白,二者共有差异表达蛋白33个.结论:两组不同月龄小鼠额叶SAMP8和SAMR1存在差异表达蛋白质,进一步研究有助于了解衰老的发生机制,并为研发调节学习记忆蛋白的新药提供依据.     

KA海马注射对大鼠学习和记忆的影响及雷公藤甲素的保护作用

目的:观察海人藻酸(Kainic acid,KA)海马内注射后大鼠学习记忆的变化及雷公藤甲素(TRP)对其的影响.方法:采用Morris水迷宫筛选空间学习记忆能力正常的SD雄性大鼠90只(200-220g).将实验动物分为:右侧海马注射生理盐水后生理盐水灌胃对照组(NS+NS)、右侧海马注射海人藻酸后生理盐水灌胃干预组(KA+NS)、右侧海马注射海人藻酸后雷公藤甲素灌胃干预组(KA+TRP).动物分别存活1天、3天、5天、7天、14天,用Morris水迷宫检测各组动物空间位置记忆能力:尼氏染色法观察海马CA1区神经元数目和形态.结果:与NS组(NS+NS)比较,KA组(KA+NS)大鼠逃避潜伏期延长(P<0.05).跨越原平台次数减少(P<0.05);CA1区的神经元出现胞体肿胀、排列散乱等形态改变及神经元的丢失(P<0.05);TRP组(TRP+KA)与KA组比较,大鼠的平均逃避潜伏期从第5天起缩短(P＜0.05),跨越原平台次数增多(P<0.05),神经元形态好转,数目增多.结论:KA 海马内注射,可以导致大鼠学习记忆功能障碍及神经元形态的改变;雷公藤甲素干预治疗,能够改善动物的学习和记忆能力,保护海马神经元.     

Morris水迷宫逃避潜伏期阈值设定对检测结果的影响

目的:探讨Morris水迷宫不同逃避潜伏期阈值的设定是否影响阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer's disease,AD)转基因小鼠及其同窝同龄野生型(Littermates,LM)小鼠学习和记忆能力的检测结果。方法:将雄性AD转基因鼠与雌性C57BL/6J野生型(Wild-Type,WT)鼠按1:4比例合笼繁育,获得子代小鼠,饲养至3周后进行AD基因表型鉴定。继而选取4月龄雌性AD转基因阳性小鼠17只为AD组,同窝同龄LM雌性小鼠15只为LM组,分析将逃避潜伏期阈值分别设定为90 s和60 s时,AD组和LM组采用Morris水迷宫检测小鼠学习和记忆能力障碍的检出率和可靠性。结果:60 s到90 s期间,AD组小鼠跨越平台次数占比中位数50.0%(0.0%,75.0%),明显高于LM组小鼠跨越平台次数占比中位数16.7%(0.0%,28.6%)(P0.05);60 s到90 s期间,AD组小鼠目的象限停留时间占比中位数45.2%(37.6%,52.8%),显著高于LM组小鼠目的象限停留时间占比中位数31.7%(28.7%,40.9%)(P0.05)。AD转基因鼠在潜伏期阈值设定为60 s时较设定为90 s时将损失更多客观实验信息。结论:应用Morris水迷宫检测认知功能障碍时,将逃避潜伏期阈值设定为90 s相较于60 s更能反映出AD鼠空间学习记忆能力的受损程度。     

亚麻木酚素对2型糖尿病小鼠学习记忆的影响及其机制初探

目的:研究亚麻木酚素(Flax ligands,FL)对2型糖尿病模型小鼠空间学习记忆的影响及其初步机制。方法:雄性C57小鼠随机分为对照组(Con)、糖尿病模型组(DM)及亚麻木酚素治疗组(DM+FL),DM与DM+FL组给予高脂饮食加小剂量链脲佐菌素(Streptozotocin,STZ)诱导2型糖尿病模型,之后DM+FL组灌胃给予FL 10 mg/kg,每日一次,连续14天,Con与DM组给予等量生理盐水。通过新物体识别试验、Morris水迷宫试验检测小鼠的学习记忆能力,利用Western blot技术测定小鼠海马脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)及谷酰胺AMPA受体845位磷酸化(pGluA1-Ser845)蛋白表达水平。结果:与Con组比较,DM组小鼠新物体识别指数显著下降(P<0.01),在Morris水迷宫中逃避潜伏期延长(P<0.05),在目的象限内徘徊时间减少(P<0.01);小鼠海马区BDNF和pGluA1-Ser845的蛋白表达水平均显著低于对照组(P<0.01)。与DM组相比,DM+FL组小鼠新物体识别指数显著提高(P<0.01),在Morris水迷宫中逃避潜伏期明显缩短(P<0.05),目的象限徘徊时间显著增多(P<0.05);小鼠海马区BDNF和pGluA1-Ser845的蛋白表达水平均显著升高(P<0.01)。结论:亚麻木酚素对2型糖尿病小鼠学习记忆有明确改善作用,增加海马BDNF和pGlu-A1-Ser845的表达可能是其潜在作用机制。     

经穴注射BMSCs联合中药对大鼠血清VEGF、G-CSF、SDF-1浓度的影响

目的：前期基础实验发现经穴注射骨髓间充质干细胞联合益气活血中药对大鼠缺血后肢骨骼肌血管密度以及后肢血流恢复具有明显促进作用,为进一步明确其机制,本研究着重经穴注射骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）联合益气活血方对大鼠血清中血管内皮细胞生长因子（VGEF）,粒细胞集落刺激因子（G-CSF）,基质细胞衍生因子-1（SDF-1）浓度的影响,从而为临床中医血管外科防治后肢动脉缺血性疾病提供新的思路和方法。方法：25只大鼠随机分为空白对照组（CG）、下肢缺血模型组（IG）、益气活血方缺血组（HG）、经穴注射BMSCs缺血组（BG）,经穴注射BMSCs＋益气活血方缺血组（BHG）,每组5只,在给予相应干预措施后,于7天后取血清,用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）测定大鼠血清中VEGF、G-CSF、SDF-1质量浓度。结果：1与CG比较,IG、HG、BG、BHG大鼠血清中VEGF、SDF-1、G-CSF浓度显著升高（P〈0.01）;2与IG比较,HG、BG、BHG组大鼠血清中VEGF,G-CSF浓度显著升高（P〈0.01）,BG、BHG大鼠血清中SDF-1浓度显著升高（P〈0.01）;3与HG比较,BG、BHG大鼠血清中VEGF,SDF-1,G-CSF浓度显著升高（P〈0.01）;4与BG比较,BHG大鼠血清中VEGF,SDF-1,G-CSF浓度显著升高（P〈0.01）,以上差异均有统计学意义。结论：经穴注射BMSCs联合益气活血中药可大幅提升下肢缺血模型大鼠血清中VEGF、G-CSF、SDF-1质量浓度,为临床中医血管外科防治后肢动脉缺血性疾病提供了新的思路和方法。     

Feeding-suppressive mechanism of sulfated cholecystokinin (26-33) in chicks

The anorexigenic effect of cholecystokinin (CCK) is well documented in mammals, but documentation in neonatal chicks is limited. Thus, the present study investigated the mechanism underlying the anorexigenic effect of CCK in neonatal chicks. Intraperitoneal (IP) injection of sulfated CCK(26-33) (CCK8S) significantly decreased food intake in chicks at 60 and 300 nmol/kg. Non-sulfated CCK(26-33) (CCK8) also significantly decreased food intake, but its anorexigenic effect was observed only at the highest dose (300 nmol/kg) and short-lived. However, CCK(30-33) (CCK4) had no effect on food intake. Also, the intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of CCK8S (0.2 and 1 nmol) significantly decreased food intake in chicks. Similar to IP administration, the anorexigenic effect of CCK8 was weak and CCK4 did not affect food intake. IP and ICV injections of CCK8S caused conditioned aversion and increased plasma corticosterone concentrations, suggesting that their anorexigenic effects might be related to stress and/or malaise. This might be true in ICV-injected CCK8S because co-injection of astressin, a corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor antagonist, tended to attenuate the effect of CCK8S. The present study revealed that N-terminal amino acids and the sulfation of Tyr are important for the anorexigenic effect of CCK8S after IP and ICV administered in chicks. Additionally, the effect of central CCK8S might be related to stress and/or malaise.     

Significance of Ca2+, Rb+ fluxes, of cAMP and cGMP for the CCK8-modulated insulin release

In rat pancreatic islets the effects of cholecystokinin-8 (CCK8) on glucose-mediated insulin release, 45Ca2+ net uptake, 45Ca2+ efflux, 86Rb+ efflux, cAMP- and cGMP levels were studied. In the presence of a substimulatory glucose concentration (3 mM) CCK8 concentrations of up to 1 microM had no effect on insulin release, but CCK8 at 10 nM potentiated the stimulatory effect of glucose (11.1 mM). 10 nM CCK8 enhanced glucose-stimulated 45Ca2+ net uptake but was ineffective at substimulatory glucose levels. CCK8 had no effect on cAMP and cGMP levels in the presence of 11.1 mM glucose, CCK8 increased 86Rb+ (a measure of K+) in the presence of both 3 and 11.1 mM glucose. This effect was abolished when Ca2+ was omitted from the perifusion medium. CCK8 did not alter glucose (11.1 mM)-stimulated 45Ca2+ efflux rate. These data indicate that (1) CCK8 potentiates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion possibly via an effect on Ca2+ uptake, 2) by affecting Ca2+ uptake, CCK8 enhances K+ efflux, and 3) CCK8 does not mediate its effect via cAMP or cGMP. With respect to 86Rb+ efflux the mechanism of CCK8 action appears to be different from that of glucose. When the mechanism of CCK action on islets is compared with that on exocrine pancreas (data from others) there are similarities (importance of Ca2+ uptake and non-importance of cAMP and cGMP).     

Blocking of cholecystokinin octapeptide behavioral effects by proglumide

An open field apparatus was used to assess the effect of proglumide, a selective antagonist of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8), to block the behavioral effect of CCK-8 in rats. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of CCK-8 (0.5 to 2 micrograms) was effective in suppressing general exploratory activities and this effect was blocked by proglumide at doses of 2 to 5 micrograms administered ICV or 1 mg/kg administered subcutaneously. The effect of peripherally administered CCK-8 (10 micrograms/kg) was blocked by peripherally administered proglumide at a dose of 2 mg/kg but not by centrally administered proglumide at a dose of 5 micrograms/rat. The behavioral effect of CCK-8 was thus clearly blocked by proglumide.     

Role of Calcium in Phytochrome-Controlled Nyctinastic Movements of Albizzia lophantha Leaflets

The involvement of Ca(2+) on phytochrome-controlled nyctinastic closure in Albizzia lophantha has been studied by testing the effect of the calcium ionophore 6S-[6alpha(2S(*),3S(*)),8beta(R(*)),9beta,11alpha]-5- methyl-amino)-2-[[3,9,11-trimethyl-8-[-1-methyl-2-oxo-2-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl) ethyl]-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]-undec-2yl] methyl]-4-benzoxazolecarboxylic acid (A23187) and the intracellular calcium antagonist 8-(diethylamino)octyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate hydrochloride (TMB-8). An external supply of Ca(2+) or calcium ionophore A23187 to the Albizzia leaflets emulates the effect of red light irradiation and counteracts the inhibitory effect of far red light. The intracellular calcium antagonist TMB-8 supplied to Albizzia leaflets inhibits the effect of red light, but had no effect on far red irradiated plants. This suggests a dependence between phytochrome action and intracellular free Ca(2+). We suggest that calcium acts as a phytochrome messenger on control of ion fluxes that drive turgor changes in pulvinular motor cells.     

Paracrine mitogenic effect of human endothelial progenitor cells: role of interleukin-8

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an important role in repair of vascular injury and neovascularization. Molecular mechanisms underlying vascular effects of EPCs are not fully understood. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that human EPCs exert a strong paracrine mitogenic effect on mature endothelial cells. Levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) were significantly higher in conditioned medium (CM) collected from EPCs than in CM derived from mature endothelial cells [umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and coronary artery endothelial cells (CAECs)]. CM of EPCs stimulated proliferation of HUVECs and CAECs. This mitogenic effect was partially inhibited by IL-8-neutralizing antibody. In contrast, CM of HUVECs and CAECs had a weak or no mitogenic effect on mature endothelial cells. Our results demonstrate significantly higher levels of IL-8 secretion by human EPCs than by mature endothelial cells. IL-8 appears to be an important mediator of the paracrine mitogenic effect of EPCs.     

8-(Diethylamino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate, HCl], the inhibitor of intracellular calcium mobilization, blocked mitogen-induced T cell proliferation by interfering with the sustained phase of protein kinase C activation

The physiological role of IP(3)-dependent Ca(2+) release in T cell activation was in question due to the contradictory findings that [8-(Diethylamino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate, HCl] (TMB-8), an inhibitor of intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization, blocked T cell proliferation, curtailing specifically the level of released Ca(2+) did not affect T cell activation and T cell line lacking IP(3) receptor was defective in IL-2 production in response to TCR/CD3 ligand. In the present study we found that TMB-8 inhibited Concanavalin A (Con A)- but not PMA/Ionomycin-induced T cell proliferation in a reversible and dose-dependent manner. The kinetic study revealed that TMB-8 exerted the inhibitory effect at a very early step of T cell activation. The Ca(2+) ionophore ionomycin augmented instead of overcoming the inhibitory effect of TMB-8, although the same doses of ionomycin alone had no effect on Con A-induced T cell proliferation. PMA the metabolically stable, but not diacylglycerol (DAG) the metabolically labile, activator of protein Kinase C (PKC) completely overcome the antiproliferative effect of TMB-8. A specific DAG lipase inhibitor RHC80267 also overcome the effect of TMB-8. Taken together, these results showed that the process of Ca(2+) release through IP(3) receptor, not the released Ca(2+), is essential for the sustained phase of PKC activation during T cell proliferation.     

Role of Adenylate Cyclase in the Modulation of the Release of Dopamine: A Microdialysis Study in the Striatum of the Rat

In the present study, we have applied the brain microdialysis technique to investigate the effect of the stimulation of adenylate cyclase on the extracellular levels of dopamine (DA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the striatum of freely moving rats. Infusion of 8-bromo-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP), 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, or forskolin produced a significant increase in the release of DA. The effect of 8-Br-cAMP was tetrodotoxin, Ca2+, and dose dependent and was saturable. 8-Br-cAMP also caused an increase in the output of DOPAC and HVA. No effects were seen on the output of 5-HIAA, except at the highest 8-Br-cAMP concentration studied. Infusion of 8-Br-cAMP (25 microM, 1.0 mM, and 3.3 mM) together with infusion of (-)-sulpiride (1 microM) or systemic administration of (+/-)-sulpiride (55 mumol/kg i.p.) produced an additive effect on the release of DA. Infusion or peripheral administration of (-)-N-0437 (1 microM or 1 mumol/kg) both decreased the 8-Br-cAMP-induced increase in the release of DA. These results demonstrate that cyclic AMP may stimulate the release of DA, but it is unlikely that this second messenger is linked to presynaptic D2 receptors controlling the release of DA.     

Ceramide promotes the death of human cervical tumor cells in the absence of biochemical and morphological markers of apoptosis

C8-ceramide, a synthetic cell-permeable analog of endogenous ceramides, interfered with cell proliferation, and was cytotoxic to papilloma virus-containing human cervix carcinoma cells, CALO, INBL, and HeLa, that match two clinical stages of tumor progression. C8-ceramide (3 microM) markedly reduced the tumor cell number after 48 h of treatment, an effect that endured even after the removal of C8-ceramide. The carcinoma cells showed morphologic changes, characteristic of necrosis and released lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). A biologically inactive analog C8-dihydro-ceramide had no effect on cell viability in any of the cell lines tested. Seventy-two hours after C8-ceramide treatment none of the biochemical and morphological markers characteristic of apoptosis: (a) nuclear chromatin condensation, (b) DNA fragmentation, (c) proteolysis of the caspase-3 substrate poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase (PARP), and (d) appearance of phosphatidylserine on the external cell membrane, were observed. C8-ceramide had no effect on human cervix fibroblasts and induced a mild reduction (30%) in the proliferation of normal human cervix epithelia and HeLa cells (IV-B metastatic stage). The cytotoxicity of C8-ceramide was restricted to CALO (early II-B) and INBL (IV-A non-metastatic) carcinoma cells. The possible application of ceramide in the treatment of early stages of cervical cancer is discussed.     

Regulation of transient receptor potential channels of melastatin type 8 (TRPM8): effect of cAMP, cannabinoid CB(1) receptors and endovanilloids

The transient receptor potential channel of melastatin type 8 (TRPM8), which is gated by low (<25 degrees C) temperature and chemical compounds, is regulated by protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation in a way opposite to that observed with the transient receptor potential channel of vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1), i.e. by being desensitized and not sensitized. As TRPV1 is sensitized also by protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated phosphorylation, we investigated the effect of two activators of the PKA pathway, 8-Br-cAMP and forskolin, on the activity of menthol and icilin at TRPM8 in HEK-293 cells stably overexpressing the channel (TRPM8-HEK-293 cells). We also studied the effect on TRPM8 of: (1) a series of compounds previously shown to activate or antagonize TRPV1, and (2) co-stimulation of transiently co-expressed cannabinoid CB(1) receptors. Both 8-Br-cAMP (100 microM) and forskolin (10 microM) right-shifted the dose-response curves for the TRPM8-mediated effect of icilin and menthol on intracellular Ca(2+). The inhibitory effects of 8-Br-cAMP and forskolin were attenuated by the selective PKA inhibitor Rp-cAMP-S. Stimulation of human CB(1) receptors transiently co-expressed in TRPM8-HEK-293 cells also inhibited TRPM8 response to icilin. Finally, some TRPV1 agonists and antagonists, but not iodinated antagonists, antagonized icilin- and much less so menthol-, induced TRPM8 activation. Importantly, the endovanilloids/endocannabinoids, anandamide and NADA, also antagonized TRPM8 at submicromolar concentrations. Although these findings need to be confirmed by experiments directly measuring TRPM8 activity in natively TRPM8-expressing cells, they support the notion that the same regulatory events have opposing actions on TRPM8 and TRPV1 receptors and identify anandamide and NADA as the first potential endogenous functional antagonists of TRPM8 channels.