Action of thyroid hormones on the calorigenic effect of adrenaline]

The present investigation was undertaken in order to appraise the interaction between thyroxine and epinephrine in dogs exposed to acute cold. In normal, then successively thyroidectomized, adrenal demedullated and thyroxine restored dogs, epinephrine was infused in basal condition and during acute cold exposure. In thyroidectomized dogs epinephrine lost its calorigenic effects. So it did in thyroidectomized and adrenal demedullated dogs. Conversely, when dogs were restored in thyroxine, epinephrine recovered its calorigenic effect. Evidence for thyroxine-catecholamine interaction can be seen in basal condition as during acute cold. Nevertheless, this interaction is more obvious during shivering thermogenesis.     

Changes in blood glucose, blood and muscle lactate,and plasma lactic dehydrogenase levels in the pigeon on acute exposure to cold.

Adult pigeons were subjected to acute cold exposure (-25 degrees C; 30 min) after which the levels of blood glucose, blood and muscle lactate and plasma lactic dehydrogenase were measured. Partially defeathered (dorsum and pectoral regions) birds, following exposure to cold, showed marked reduction in blood glucose and blood and muscle (pectoralis) lactate. Fully plumed birds, in contrast, showed no significant reduction in body temperature or blood glucose and only moderately reduced lactate levels indicating the effectiveness of the insulative feather coat in maintaining thermal and metabolic homeostasis. The partially-defeathered pigeons exposed to cold showed a two-to-three-fold increase in plasma lactic dehydrogenase activity, which may reflect a molecular adaptation in their calorigenic response to cold.     

Failure to prevent degeneration of insect muscles with pepstatin.

Minimal O₂ consumption (MOC), was elevated during pregnancy, lactation and after cold-acclimation. Since the MOC remained elevated in pregnant rats after removal of the gravid reproductive organs and fetuses, it was concluded that maternal tissues were hypermetabolic. Results of experiments using endocrine ablation (thyroidectomy) or replacement (thyroid hormones) techniques could not resolved the question of whether the thyroid was required to sustain this hypermetabolism.In order to determine whether the increased MOC during lactation was secondary to the calorigenic requirements of milk biosynthesis, the MOC was measured after removal of mammary tissue of the lactating rat. Despite the absence of lactating mammary tissue, the MOC remained elevated.Thyroidectomized rats were successfully acclimated to cold but their MOC did not change. In contrast, intact rats acclimated to cold in the same manner became better cold-acclimated, as judged by survival at colder temperatures, and their MOC was elevated. Cold-acclimation appears to consist of two components, only one of which depends on the presence of an intact thyroid gland. The presence of both components confers maximal tolerance to cold.     

NON-SHIVERING THERMOGENESIS AND ITS THERMOREGULATORY SIGNIFICANCE

1. Non-shivering thermogenesis (NST) is a heat-production mechanism participating in the chemical thermoregulation of mammals. 2. NST is additional to shivering and takes place at temperatures close to the thermoneutral zone. 3. NST occurs in newborn mammals and in those that hibernate. In some adult mammals it can be induced by adaptation to cold. 4. In small mammals NST produces approximately the same amount of heat as shivering. It becomes less important with increasing body weight of the animals. 5. NST is regulated by the hypothalamus and it is based predominantly on the calorigenic action of noradrenaline released from sympathetic nerve-endings. Participation of other calorigenic substances and of the specific dynamic action of food cannot be excluded. 6. NST is localized mainly in skeletal muscles and in brown adipose tissue. Small amounts of NST may come from liver, intestine, heart and brain. 7. The biochemical basis of the calorigenic action of noradrenaline has not yet been fully elucidated.     

Effect of altitude exposure on thermoregulatory response of man to cold.

The thermoregulatory responses to 10 degrees C (for 3 h) were investigated in 1) 12 natives from sea level (lowlanders) at 150 m, and on arrival at 3,350 and 4,340 m; 2) 6 of these during a 6-wk sojourn at 4,360 m, and on return to sea level; and 3) 5 natives from each of the two altitudes (highlanders) in their respective habitat, and after descent to 150 m. The cold-induced increase in the rate of O2 consumption (Vo2) of the lowlanders was significantly smaller at both altitudes than at sea level. It did not recover substantially during the 6 wk at altitude, but was restored to its initial rate on return to sea level. By contrast, visible shivering activity was augmented on arrival at altitude. It persisted throughout the 6 wk there, but was greatly depressed on return to sea level, despite the increased Vo2. Mean skin temperatures (Tsk) stabilized in the cold at significantly higher values at altitude. Rectal temperature (Tre) decreased similarly at all altitudes. Vo2 of the highlanders in the cold was significantly greater at sea level than at their resident altitudes, although shivering activity was less intense; Tsk stabilized at significantly lower levels at 150 m than at either altitude. These results indicate that altitude exposure reduces the calorigenic response of man to cold, and that this effect is not moderated by acclimatization to altitude, yet is reversible immediately on descent to sea level. The component of cold thermogenesis which appeared to be reduced by altitude exposure was nonshivering thermogenesis rather than visible shivering.     

Changes in muscle, liver, and plasma free fatty acid levels in the pigeon on acute exposure to cold.

Adult pigeons were subjected to acute cold exposure (-25 degrees C; 30 min). Fully-plumed birds, showed a pronounced increase in the level of FFA in the blood, but not in the liver or muscle. Partially-defeathered (dorsum and pectoral regions) birds, likewise, showed a marked increase in plasma FFA level but failed to indicate any change in FFA levels in the liver or the muscle. It is concluded that even if the mobilized FFA may have supported calorigenic processes in the normothermic cold-exposed pigeon, lipid reserves are unlikely to have served as a significant source of energy for thermogenic functions in the hypothermic (defeathered) bird.     

Modified metabolic responsiveness to glucagon in cold-acclimated and heat-acclimated rats

Calorigenic effect of glucagon on whole body oxygen consumption and interscapular brown adipose tissue (BAT) was investigated in unanesthetized and unrestrained warm controls (WC), cold-acclimated rats (CA) and heat-acclimated rats (HA). Glucagon produced significant elevation of oxygen consumption, body temperature and BAT temperature in all experimental groups. Such increased calorigenic responses to glucagon were significantly potentiated in CA and reduced in HA compared with those in WC. Thermogenic response of BAT to norepinephrine was also similar to that to glucagon; it was potentiated in CA, reduced in HA. These results indicate that glucagon would serve thermoregulatory nonshivering thermogenesis in temperature acclimation as calorigenic hormone, at least in part, through its action on BAT.     

Effect of glucagon on the metabolic rate in growing chicken.

The investigations were carried out on 70 growing broiler chickens. The chickens were kept on a higher and the other ones on the lower level of nutrition. As a result of this the rate of growth was different in both groups. Glucagon had a strong calorigenic effect, reaching a peak 30 min after its injection. This effect of glucagon increased progressively with the growth and development of birds reaching a maximum in chickens aged about 7 weeks, and weighing approx. 1200 g. In the birds examined 2 hours after feeding the calorigenic effect of glucagon was most expressed in birds maintained on the low nutrition levels. The fall of RQ after glucagon injection may suggest that this hormone has a strong lipolytic action.     

Effect of arginine on the arginase activity and urea content of the brain and liver of rats acclimating to cold

At cold stress (3 days exposition at 2--4 degrees C) the urea formation in rats brain and liver does not become more active, the content of extraerythrocytic hemoglobin and the total peroxydase activity increase in blood serum, the animals sensitivity to the action of hyperbaric oxygenation (HB0) grows. At cold adaptation (45 days at 2--4 degrees C) the urea content in tissues and the activity of arginase in liver increase, the concentration of extraerythrocytic hemoglobin and the total peroxydase activity normalize, animals become more resistant to HB0. Every day administration of arginine during 3-day cold effect makes the brain and liver arginase on 42 and 28% more active, increases the urea content on 26 and 19%, stabilizes the erythrocytic membranes. The animals protected by arginine against cold are more resistant to the action of HB0.     

Accumulation of dehydrin-like proteins in the mitochondria of cereals in response to cold, freezing, drought and ABA treatment

Background

Dehydrins are known as Group II late embryogenesis abundant proteins. Their high hydrophilicity and thermostability suggest that they may be structure stabilizers with detergent and chaperone-like properties. They are localised in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and plasma membrane. We have recently found putative dehydrins in the mitochondria of some cereals in response to cold. It is not known whether dehydrin-like proteins accumulate in plant mitochondria in response to stimuli other than cold stress.

Results

We have found five putative dehydrins in the mitochondria of winter wheat, rye and maize seedlings. Two of these polypeptides had the same molecular masses in all three species (63 and 52 kD) and were thermostable. Drought, freezing, cold, and exogenous ABA treatment led to higher accumulation of dehydrin-like protein (dlp) 63 kD in the rye and wheat mitochondria. Protein 52 kD was induced by cold adaptation and ABA. Some accumulation of these proteins in the maize mitochondria was found after cold exposition only. The other three proteins appeared to be heat-sensitive and were either slightly induced or not induced at all by all treatments used.

Conclusions

We have found that, not only cold, but also drought, freezing and exogenous ABA treatment result in accumulation of the thermostable dehydrins in plant mitochondria. Most cryotolerant species such as wheat and rye accumulate more heat-stable dehydrins than cryosensitive species such as maize. It has been supposed that their function is to stabilize proteins in the membrane or in the matrix. Heat-sensitive putative dehydrins probably are not involved in the stress reaction and adaptation of plants.     

Mercury and cadmium induced structural alterations in the taste buds of the fish Alburnus alburnus

The ultrastructural damages of the taste buds of the fish, Alburnus alburnus were studied after applying 0.05 microM and 0.5 microM mercury chloride as well as 0.1 microM and 1 microM cadmium chloride. The most conspicuous alterations were induced during the first week of heavy metal exposition. The main structural alterations are: 1) the swelling of sensory microvilli and cilia; 2) the extreme dilation of the rER tubules and nuclear membranes, which is most expressed after cadmium exposition; 3) the increase in the number of lysosomes and dens bodies, which is more expressed after mercury exposition; 4) the swelling of the innervating nerve fibres at the synaptic areas of the taste buds, especially after mercury exposition. The damaging processes induced by the applied dose of heavy metals did not increase after the first week of exposition. The taste buds showed regenerated structural appearance after two weeks of exposition to 1 microM CdCl2, while the evoked structural alterations could be detected even after two weeks of exposition to 0.5 microM HgCl2.     

Calorigenic response to noradrenaline following 6-hydroxydopamine treatment

Treatment of rats with 6-hydroxydopamine increased the calorigenic response to noradrenaline (NA). This was evident when NA was infused at rates which is untreated animals produced submaximal responses. The increased response was particularly evident in cold-acclimated rats and likely reflects a lack of uptake of the NA by adrenergic nerve terminals damaged by the drug.     

Stability of wheat Protoplasts during Freezing-Thawing in Relation to Cold Resistance of Its Varieties

Freezing tolerance of isolated protoplasts of three wheat, varieties which differ from each other in cold resistance has been measured. The results obtained in the present study indicate that the survival percentage of wheat protoplasts after freezing treatment is indirect correlation with the cold resistance of its varieties. It is discussed that the change in plasmolemma plays a role in the mechanism of chilling injury and cold resistance of plants, and the results obtained may be used as an indicator for determining the cold resistance of the plants.     

Noradrenaline thermogenesis in conscious and anaesthetised pouched mice (Saccostomus campestris)

1. The metabolic response to injections of noradrenaline (NA) and saline (control) was investigated in conscious and anaesthetised (sodium pentobarbitone) pouched mice, Saccostomus campestris. 2. NA injection produced a calorigenic response which was significantly greater than that elicited by saline injection in both conscious and anaesthetised animals. 3. This calorigenic response was enhanced by motor activity in conscious pouched mice, but the exclusion of measurements recorded during visible activity eliminated the influence of movement. 4. Anaesthetised pouched mice underwent mild Hypothermia and displayed a retarded metabolic response to NA injection which suggests that anaesthesia affects the expression of NA-induced thermogenesis. 5. The validity of proposed techniques for the measurement of NA thermogenesis is further discussed.     

Adaptive modifications of cold pain. III. Communication: short-term experiments with 1-min-intervals (author's transl)

The subjective short-term habituation to pain-inducing cold stimuli is demonstrated for the first time by measuring the tolerated exposition time. It proves impossible to separate temporally a detection threshold of cold pain from the distress reaction level. The slope of subjective habituation is clearly dependent on the individual vegetative starting position. It is discussed why the blood pressure reaction may be used as a valid parameter for experienced intensity of a cold pain sensation only to a limited extent.     

Hormonal regulation of thermogenesis in goslings. Possible role of the thyroid gland.

The experiments performed on 90 male goslings showed that 6 h cold exposure (5 +/- 1 degree C) of the specimens 3, 10 and 21-day-old increases considerably 131I uptake by their thyroid gland. After single subcutaneous injection of thyroxine (100 mug/kg) no significant alterations of the metabolic rate, during 4 h measurements, in comparison with the pre-injection value were observed. Since, in control birds about 17% decrease of the metabolic rate within the same time occurred, as the effect of fasting, it was concluded that thyroxine does have the calorigenic effect. The metabolic rate of the goslings 5 to 7-day-old treated with thyroxine for four consecutive days (100 mug/kg daily) and the control ones was very similar. In the older goslings (22--24 days) thyroxine treatment significantly elevated the metabolic rate. Direct (extrathyroid) effect of TSH on heat production, did not occur in goslings.     

HRGP在小麦抗寒锻炼过程中的变化及其与抗寒性的关系

强抗寒小麦品种(R-025、中品94-19、品83-1、品83-2、品83-3、米罗诺夫808)经抗寒锻炼后,其幼苗体内的游离脯氨酸、细胞壁结合的羟脯氨酸和糖蛋白含量发生了明显的变化.游离脯氨酸含量比未经抗寒锻炼处理时增加5～32倍,细胞壁结合的羟脯氨酸含量比对照增加1.77～2.17倍,糖蛋白含量比对照增加4.68～9.72倍,而不抗寒小麦品种(中国春、冬103)增加量较小.脯氨酸积累进程各个品种间差异比较大,品83-1、品83-2积累较快,抗寒锻炼第21d时达到最高峰,而R-025在第56d达到最高峰.脯氨酸含量与小麦品种抗寒性相关不显著(相关系数为0.3462),而羟脯氨酸含量、糖蛋白含量与小麦品种抗寒性相关显著,相关系数分别为0.6491和0.7039.从小麦细胞壁纯化得到了2种伸展蛋白Extensm1和Ex-tensin2,其含量都和小麦品种抗寒性呈正相关.Extensin1是分子量为28kD、羟脯氨酸为主要成份(32mo1%)的富含羟脯氨酸糖蛋白.     

Restart of exponential growth of cold-shocked Yersinia enterocolitica occurs after down-regulation of cspA1/A2 mRNA

The cellular content of major cold shock protein (MCSP) mRNA transcribed from the tandem gene duplication cspA1/A2 and growth of Yersinia enterocolitica were compared when exponentially growing cultures of this bacterium were cold shocked from 30 to 20, 15, 10, 5, or 0 degrees C, respectively. A clear correlation between the time point when exponential growth resumes after cold shock and the degradation of cspA1/A2 mRNA was found. A polynucleotide phosphorylase-deficient mutant was unable to degrade cspA1/A2 mRNA properly and showed a delay, as well as a lower rate, of growth after cold shock. For this mutant, a correlation between decreasing cspA1/A2 mRNA and restart of growth after cold shock was also observed. For both wild-type and mutant cells, no correlation of restart of growth with the cellular content of MCSPs was found. We suggest that, after synthesis of cold shock proteins and cold adaptation of the cells, MCSP mRNAs must be degraded; otherwise, they trap ribosomes, prevent translation of bulk mRNA, and thus inhibit growth of this bacterium at low temperatures.     

Cryptococcus neoformans biofilm formation depends on surface support and carbon source and reduces fungal cell susceptibility to heat, cold, and UV light

The fungus Cryptococcus neoformans possesses a polysaccharide capsule and can form biofilms on medical devices. We describe the characteristics of C. neoformans biofilm development using a microtiter plate model, microscopic examinations, and a colorimetric 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino) carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium-hydroxide (XTT) reduction assay to observe the metabolic activity of cryptococci within a biofilm. A strong correlation between XTT and CFU assays was demonstrated. Chemical analysis of the exopolymeric material revealed sugar composition consisting predominantly of xylose, mannose, and glucose, indicating the presence of other polysaccharides in addition to glucurunoxylomannan. Biofilm formation was affected by surface support differences, conditioning films on the surface, characteristics of the medium, and properties of the microbial cell. A specific antibody to the capsular polysaccharide of this fungus was used to stain the extracellular polysaccharide matrix of the fungal biofilms using light and confocal microscopy. Additionally, the susceptibility of C. neoformans biofilms and planktonic cells to environmental stress was investigated using XTT reduction and CFU assays. Biofilms were less susceptible to heat, cold, and UV light exposition than their planktonic counterparts. Our findings demonstrate that fungal biofilm formation is dependent on support surface characteristics and that growth in the biofilm state makes fungal cells less susceptible to potential environmental stresses.     

Effect of thermal dehydration on blood levels of hormones regulating volume and electrolyte content of sweat in patients with kidney transplantation]

The thermal dehydration test was performed in 12 patients with renal transplant and in 20 healthy subjects. The study was aimed at the evaluation of the effect of volume regulating hormones on electrolyte composition of thermal sweat in patients with renal transplant. Blood plasma renin activity (PRA) as well as plasma concentrations of aldosterone (ALD), vasopressin (AVP) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were determined before and after thermal dehydration in all the subjects studied. In all the subjects sweat was also collected after 15 and 45 minutes of exposition to heat and the concentrations of sodium, potassium and chloride were determined in all sweat samples. Significantly elevated PRA and ANP concentrations and significantly lowered plasma AVP concentrations but normal ALD levels were found before thermal dehydration test in all the patients with renal transplant. After the exposition to heat lasting 1 hour the direction of changes was similar, their magnitude was, however, different in renal transplant patients than in healthy subjects. In addition, lower concentrations of sodium and chloride in thermal sweat and lower total concentration of sweat solids were found in renal transplant patients than in healthy controls. No significant correlation was found between the plasma concentrations of the hormones determined and the electrolyte concentrations of thermal sweat both in the renal transplant patients and in healthy subjects. The results suggest that the volume regulating hormones have no effect on the electrolyte composition of thermal sweat induced by short exposition to heat both in renal transplant patients and in healthy subjects.