福尔马林致痛对大鼠降钙素基因相关肽的影响

目的:研究福尔马林致痛后大鼠脊髓和背根神经节(dorsal root ganglion,DRG)内降钙素基因相关肽(calcitonin gene-related peptide,CGRP)的时空变化规律,为探讨CGRP在伤害性信息传递中的机制和作用提供实验依据。方法:选取健康成年正常SD大鼠54只随机分为生理盐水对照组和福尔马林实验组;实验组为右侧足底皮下给予0.1 mL 5%福尔马林后,分别存活15 min、30min、1 h、3 h、6 h、12h、24h和72h(n=6),免疫组化结合图像分析技术观测CGRP在脊髓腰段及L4~6DRG的表达变化。结果:正常DRG、脊髓前角和后角内CGRP有一定的基础表达。福尔马林致痛后3 h DRG的CGRP表达上升,12 h~24 h达峰值,72 h基本降低到正常;福尔马林致痛后6 h脊髓后角CGRP的表达上调,24 h达到高峰,72 h降低至正常;脊髓前角CGRP未见明显变化。结论:福尔马林致痛引起DRG和脊髓的CGRP的表达呈现一定的时空模式,可能是其参与伤害性信息传递的机制之一。     

血浆内皮素及降钙素基因相关肽在颅脑手术患者中的检测分析

目的:观察颅脑手术患者血浆内皮素及降钙素基因相关肽在应激性胃黏膜损伤中的变化规律,探讨在应激状态下胃黏膜损害的可能机制。方法:监测15例颅脑手术患者的血浆内皮素及降钙素基因相关肽,并应用放射免疫法分点测定术前及术后血浆内皮素及降钙素基因相关肽含量。结果:15例颅脑手术病人手术前后血浆内皮素及降钙素基因相关肽比较有显著差异性(P<0.05)。结论:内源性内皮素及降钙素基因相关肽可能是应激性胃黏膜损伤的重要致病因子。     

Expression of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide in Efferent Vestibular System and Vestibular Nucleus in Rats with Motion Sickness

Motion sickness presents a challenge due to its high incidence and unknown pathogenesis although it is a known fact that a functioning vestibular system is essential for the perception of motion sickness. Recent studies show that the efferent vestibular neurons contain calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). It is a possibility that the CGRP immunoreactivity (CGRPi) fibers of the efferent vestibular system modulate primary afferent input into the central nervous system; thus, making it likely that CGRP plays a key role in motion sickness. To elucidate the relationship between motion sickness and CGRP, the effects of CGRP on the vestibular efferent nucleus and the vestibular nucleus were investigated in rats with motion sickness.

Methods

An animal model of motion sickness was created by subjecting rats to rotary stimulation for 30 minutes via a trapezoidal stimulation pattern. The number of CGRPi neurons in the vestibular efferent nucleus at the level of the facial nerve genu and the expression level of CGRPi in the vestibular nucleus of rats were measured. Using the ABC method of immunohistochemistry technique, measurements were taken before and after rotary stimulation. The effects of anisodamine on the expression of CGRP in the vestibular efferent nucleus and the vestibular nucleus of rats with motion sickness were also investigated.

Results and Discussion

Both the number of CGRPi neurons in the vestibular efferent nucleus and expression level in the vestibular nucleus increased significantly in rats with motion sickness compared to that of controls. The increase of CGRP expression in rats subjected to rotary stimulation 3 times was greater than those having only one-time stimulation. Administration of anisodamine decreased the expression of CGRP within the vestibular efferent nucleus and the vestibular nucleus in rats subjected to rotary stimulation. In conclusion, CGRP possibly plays a role in motion sickness and its mechanism merits further investigation.     

Proceedings of the 4th International Meeting on Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide and its Receptor

Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP), a 37 amino acid peptide identified as the alternately spliced gene product of calcitonin gene, is a sensory neuropeptide with potent cardiovascular effects. CGRP is distributed throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems and possesses diverse biological actions. CGRP has been suggested to play a role in diseases such as migraine, diabetes, pain, and inflammation. Two forms of CGRP (alpha and beta) that differ in three amino acids have been identified and are encoded by different genes. Based on the differential biological activities of various CGRP analogs, the CGRP receptors have been classified into CGRP1 and CGRP2. Structure-activity studies of CGRP analogs showed that the C- and N-terminal regions of the peptide interact independently with their receptors. While C-terminal peptide, CGRP (8-37) behaves as a CGRP1 receptor antagonist, N-terminal peptide CGRP (1-12) behaves as a weak agonist. Structural modifications of CGRP(28-37) have yielded micromolar to nanomolar affinity ligands. CGRP receptor belongs to the calcitonin receptor like receptor (CRLR) family of G-protein-coupled receptors and has been shown to require a single transmembrane domain protein called receptor activity modifying protein-1 (RAMP1) for its functional expression as well as activity. Human, rat, and porcine CRLRs have been cloned and characterized. Currently, the major focus is on the identification of potent and specific nonpeptide antagonists for this receptor in order to understand the physiological and pathophysiological role of this peptide.     

慢性肾缺血致心功能不全时大鼠心肌组织降钙素基因相关肽含量的变化

目的观察慢性肾缺血导致心功能不全时心肌组织降钙素基因相关肽（CGRP）含量变化,并分析变化的机制。方法将40只Wistar大鼠分为,狭窄对照组（n=15）和狭窄治疗组（n=15）,均采用两肾动脉之间腹主动脉缩窄术造成单侧慢性肾缺血。假手术组（n=10）仅分离腹主动脉。至术后16周狭窄治疗组给予阿魏酸钠40mg／kg腹腔内注射,狭窄对照组和假手术组均给予同等剂量生理盐水。治疗2周后,测定颈动脉压、左心功能,处死大鼠后测定心肌组织CGRP、ET-1和NO含量,分别测定心肌和脊髓背根神经节CGRP mRNA表达。结果狭窄对照组和狭窄治疗组心功能均下降,但狭窄治疗组心脏舒张功能优于狭窄对照组。狭窄对照组心肌内ET-1含量明显增加,CGRP含量明显下降。狭窄治疗组心肌内ET-1含量较对照组减少,CGRP含量略增高。各组心肌CGRP mRNA表达无明显差异。狭窄治疗组脊髓背根神经节CGRP mRNA表达较假手术组增加。结论大鼠慢性肾缺血导致心脏组织ET-1持续激活,CGRP、NO合成受损,与心功能下降密切相关。心功能不全时,脊髓背根神经节CGRP mRNA表汰代偿件增高,但心脏血管内皮绢织受损可能是心脏CGRP含量下降的主要因素。     

Sex Differences in the Beneficial Cardiac Effects of Chronic Treatment with Atrial Natriuretic Peptide In Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Introduction

The aim of this study was to investigate both the effects of chronic treatment with atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on systolic blood pressure (SBP), cardiac nitric oxide (NO) system, oxidative stress, hypertrophy, fibrosis and apoptosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and sex-related differences in the response to the treatment.

Methods

10 week-old male and female SHR were infused with ANP (100 ng/hr/rat) or saline (NaCl 0.9%) for 14 days (subcutaneous osmotic pumps). SBP was recorded and nitrites and nitrates excretion (NOx) were determined. After treatment, NO synthase (NOS) activity, eNOS expression, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and glutathione concentration were determined in left ventricle, as well as the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Morphological studies in left ventricle were performed in slices stained with hematoxylin-eosin or Sirius red to identify collagen as a fibrosis indicator; immunohistochemistry was employed for identification of transforming growth factor beta; and apoptosis was evaluated by Tunel assay.

Results

Female SHR showed lower SBP, higher NO-system activity and less oxidative stress, fibrosis and hypertrophy in left ventricle, as well as higher cardiac NOS activity, eNOS protein content and NOx excretion than male SHR. Although ANP treatment lowered blood pressure and increased NOS activity and eNOS expression in both sexes, cardiac NOS response to ANP was more marked in females. In left ventricle, ANP reduced TBARS and increased glutathione concentration and activity of CAT and SOD enzymes in both sexes, as well as GPx activity in males. ANP decreased fibrosis and apoptosis in hearts from male and female SHR but females showed less end-organ damage in heart. Chronic ANP treatment would ameliorate hypertension and end-organ damage in heart by reducing oxidative stress, increasing NO-system activity, and diminishing fibrosis and hypertrophy.     

Effects of Electroconvulsive Stimuli and MK-801 on Neuropeptide Y,Neurokinin A,and Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide in Rat Brain

Rats were pretreated with 0.9% NaCl, or 0.1 or 1.0 mg/kg MK-801, an anticonvulsant and a psychotomimetic drug, and 60 minutes later given ECS or sham ECS. After six sessions the animals were sacrificed and neuropeptide Y (NPY-), neurokinin A (NKA-), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP-) like immunoreactivity (-LI) measured with radioimmunoassays. ECS increased NPY-LI in frontal cortex, striatum, occipital cortex and hippocampus, and NKA-LI in occipital cortex and hippocampus. MK-801 increased CGRP in a dose-response manner in frontal cortex, and NKA-LI in occipital cortex. Although the higher MK-801 dose reduced seizure duration by 50%, the ECS induced NPY-LI increase in striatum, occipital cortex and hippocampus, and NKA-LI in occipital cortex was not diminished. In contrast, there was a parallel decrease in seizures and NPY-LI and NKA-LI changes in frontal cortex and hippocampus, respectively. Investigation of neuropeptides in brain may contribute to understanding of the mechanisms of action of antide-pressive and antipsychotic treatments and of psychotomimetic drugs.     

The Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Activates Both cAMP and NO Pathways to Induce Relaxation of Circular Smooth Muscle Cells of Guinea-Pig Ileum

Rekik, M., M. Delvaux, J. Frexinos, and L. Bueno. Calcitonin gene-related peptide activates both cAMP and NO pathways to induce relaxation of circular smooth muscle cells of guinea-pig ileum. Peptides 18(10) 1517–1522, 1997.—The direct effects and the intracellular pathways of rCGRP were investigated on smooth muscle cells (SMC) isolated by enzymatic digestion from the circular and longitudinal layers of guinea-pig ileum. In circular SMC, rCGRP inhibited CCK8-induced contraction in a concentration-dependent manner (Cmax = 100 μM and EC₅₀ = 0.7 ± 0.4 nM). Preincubation of SMC with 1 μM Rp-cAMPs, a cAMP antagonist, abolished the relaxing effect of rCGRP; moreover, preincubation of SMC with 100 μM L-NAME, an inhibitor of NOS, inhibited the relaxing effect of rCGRP. hCGRP(8-37), a selective antagonist of rCGRP receptors, inhibited the rCGRP-induced relaxation in a concentration dependent manner whereas the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) antagonist had no significant effect. In longitudinal SMC, rCGRP-induced relaxation was abolished by Rp-cAMPs, whereas L-NAME had no effect. In conclusion, rCGRP triggers different intracellular pathways to induce relaxation of circular or longitudinal intestinal SMC; cAMP is involved in cells from both layers while nitric oxide (NO) is involved only in relaxation of circular SMC.     

Sex Hormones Promote Opposite Effects on ACE and ACE2 Activity,Hypertrophy and Cardiac Contractility in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

BackgroundThere is growing interest in sex differences and RAS components. However, whether gender influences cardiac angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) activity is still unknown. In the present work, we determined the relationship between ACE and ACE2 activity, left ventricular function and gender in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).ConclusionOvariectomy leads to increased cardiac hypertrophy, ACE2 activity, PLB expression and PLB to SERCA2a ratio, and worsening of hemodynamic variables, whereas in males the removal of testosterone has the opposite effects on RAS components.     

Effect of L-DOPA on the Behavioral Activity of Wistar and Spontaneously Hypertensive (SHR) Rats in the Open-Field Test

We studied the effects of i.p. injections of L-DOPA (100 mg/kg) on the behavioral activity of Wistar rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) in the open-field test, as well as on the content of catecholamines in the blood plasma of these animals. Prior to the administration of L-DOPA, the total level of locomotor/research activity in SHR was higher, as compared with that in Wistar rats. This was manifested in significantly greater values of the duration of moving of the animals in the center and on the periphery of the field and also in a greater number of rearings on the periphery of this field. At the same time, the episodes of grooming and sitting in Wistar rats were longer. After injections of L-DOPA, interstrain differences increased and became significant for most (9/10) indices of behavioral activity examined in our study. Injections of L-DOPA resulted in significant modifications of the behavioral activity of rats of the above strains, which is evidenced by changes in the number of visits to the peripheral squares of the open field and of rearings in the same field zones. Over repetitive test sessions, interstrain differences between most indices of behavioral activity (except the duration of research activity on the periphery and that of sitting) decreased. Injections of L-DOPA resulted in a significant increase in the content of this agent and dopamine in the blood plasma of rats of both strains; the level of noradrenaline in SHR also increased. The importance of a hereditary factor-determined increase in the activity of catecholaminergic brain systems (first of all, the dopaminergic system) in SHR for the specificity of locomotor behavior of these animals is discussed.     

Characterisation and Molecular Identification of Adrenomedullin Binding Sites in the Rat Spinal Cord: A Comparison with Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Receptors

Abstract: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and its receptors are found in mammalian spinal cord. We show, for the first time, binding sites for the novel related peptide adrenomedullin in rat spinal cord microsomes. ¹²⁵I-Adrenomedullin binding showed high affinity ( K _D = 0.45 ± 0.06 n M ) and sites were abundant ( B _max = 723 ± 71 fmol/mg of protein). CGRP, amylin, and calcitonin did not compete at these sites ( K _i > 10 µ M ). High-affinity CGRP binding sites ( K _D = 0.18 ± 0.01 n M ) were much less numerous ( B _max = 17.7 ± 2.4 fmol/mg of protein) and showed competition by unlabeled adrenomedullin ( K _i = 34.6 ± 2.4 n M ). Chemical cross-linking revealed a major band for ¹²⁵I-adrenomedullin of M_r = 84,400 ± 1,200 and a minor band of M_r = 122,000 ± 8,700. ¹²⁵I-CGRP cross-linking showed bands of lower molecular weight (M_r = 74,500 ± 5,000 and 61,000 ± 2,200). Enzymic deglycosylation of the adrenomedullin binding site showed a considerable carbohydrate content. Neither adrenomedullin nor CGRP was able to increase cyclic AMP in spinal cord. Adrenomedullin mRNA was present in spinal cord, at one-third of its level in lung, and adrenomedullin immunoreactivity was present, at a low concentration (40 fmol/g of tissue). Thus, the presence of abundant binding sites and adrenomedullin mRNA and immunoreactivity anticipate an as yet undefined function for this peptide in spinal cord.     

Autophagic Signaling and Proteolytic Enzyme Activity in Cardiac and Skeletal Muscle of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats following Chronic Aerobic Exercise

Hypertension is a cardiovascular disease associated with deleterious effects in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Autophagy is a degradative process essential to muscle health. Acute exercise can alter autophagic signaling. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the effects of chronic endurance exercise on autophagy in skeletal and cardiac muscle of normotensive and hypertensive rats. Male Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were assigned to a sedentary condition or 6 weeks of treadmill running. White gastrocnemius (WG) of hypertensive rats had higher (p<0.05) caspase-3 and proteasome activity, as well as elevated calpain activity. In addition, skeletal muscle of hypertensive animals had elevated (p<0.05) ATG7 and LC3I protein, LAMP2 mRNA, and cathepsin activity, indicative of enhanced autophagic signaling. Interestingly, chronic exercise training increased (p<0.05) Beclin-1, LC3, and p62 mRNA as well as proteasome activity, but reduced (p<0.05) Beclin-1 and ATG7 protein, as well as decreased (p<0.05) caspase-3, calpain, and cathepsin activity. Left ventricle (LV) of hypertensive rats had reduced (p<0.05) AMPKα and LC3II protein, as well as elevated (p<0.05) p-AKT, p-p70S6K, LC3I and p62 protein, which collectively suggest reduced autophagic signaling. Exercise training had little effect on autophagy-related signaling factors in LV; however, exercise training increased (p<0.05) proteasome activity but reduced (p<0.05) caspase-3 and calpain activity. Our results suggest that autophagic signaling is altered in skeletal and cardiac muscle of hypertensive animals. Regular aerobic exercise can effectively alter the proteolytic environment in both cardiac and skeletal muscle, as well as influence several autophagy-related factors in skeletal muscle of normotensive and hypertensive rats.     

老年患者腹腔镜手术时应用丙泊酚对血浆内皮素、降钙素基因相关肽的影响

目的:在腹腔镜手术中应用丙泊酚对老年患者血浆内皮素(ET)和降钙素基因相关肽(CGRP)含量的影响.方法:50例腹腔镜手术病人,年龄58-69岁,ASAI-Ⅱ级,随机分P组和C组两组,每组25例.P组为丙泊酚组、C组为对照组,分别于麻醉前、麻醉后、气腹后10min、20min和30min,抽取静脉血测定ET和CGRP值.结果:麻醉前后两组患者ET和CGRP水平无显著性差异(P＞0.05).气腹后10min P组ET水平开始下降,30min时显著低于C组和气腹前,而C组气腹后ET水平显著增高(P＜0.05).P组CGRP水平30min时较气腹前显著增高(P＜0.05),而C组CGRP水平气腹后20min开始下降,30min时显著低于P组(P＜0.05).结论:CO2气腹压可致机体ET水平升高,而丙泊酚能明显拮抗ET水平,提高CGRP水平,减轻老年患者在腹腔镜手术中的心血管应激反应.     

Chronic Cadmium Exposure Lead to Inhibition of Serum and Hepatic Alkaline Phosphatase Activity in Wistar Rats

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in the serum and liver from rats administered with cadmium (Cd) in drinking water was studied. After metal administration, Cd showed a time‐dependent accumulation in the liver, meanwhile metallothionein had a maximum increase at 1 month, remaining in this level until the end of the study. On the other hand, serum and liver ALP activity was decreased after 3 months exposure. To determine if Cd produced an inhibition on enzyme, apo‐ALP prepared from both nonexposed and exposed rats was reactivated with Zn, showing 60% more activity as compared with the enzyme isolated from nonexposed rats. In vitro assays showed that Cd‐ALP was partially reactivated with Zn; however, in the presence of cadmium, Zn‐ALP was completely inhibited. Kinetic studies indicate a noncompetitive inhibition by Cd; these results suggest that Cd can substitute Zn, and/or Cd can interact with nucleophilic ligands essential for the enzymatic activity.     

Effects of NMDA Receptor Blockade During the Early Development Period on the Retest Performance of Adult Wistar Rats in the Elevated Plus Maze

The elevated plus maze (EPM) is an animal model of anxiety used to test the effects of anxioselective drugs. The loss of the anxiolytic effect of drugs during the second exposure to the EPM is called the “one trial tolerance” (OTT) phenomenon. The present study was designed to investigate the relationship between the OTT phenomenon and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blockade in the early developmental period of rats. NMDA receptor blockade was accomplished using MK-801 treatment given between postnatal days 20–30. Beginning on postnatal day 20, the rats were subcutaneously injected with MK-801 twice a day at the nape of the neck for a period of 10 days (0.25 mg/kg). Increased open arm exploration was observed in MK-801-treated rats during trial 1 (p = 0.001) and trial 2 (p = 0.003). The rats spent less time in the closed arms as compared to the saline animals in trial 1 (p = 0.006), and this time decreased further in trial 2 (p = 0.02). The fecal boli of the MK-801 group was decreased in trial 1 as compared to the saline group (p = 0.01), but was not significantly different in trial 2 (p = 0.08). In conclusion, NMDA receptor blockade using MK-801 produced an anxiolytic-like effect in trials 1 and 2. Furthermore, OTT was not affected by NMDA receptor blockade.     

Reactivity of the Thyroid System to Short-Term Stress in Wistar Rats with Visceral Obesity and Restricted Social Activity

Journal of Evolutionary Biochemistry and Physiology - The obesity problem requires a study of its pathophysiological consequences affecting hormonal regulation and organism’s reactivity to...     

微量元素锶对幼年自发性高血压大鼠血压升高 的预防作用及其作用机制探讨

目的:研究微量元素锶对幼年自发性高血压大鼠(Spontaneously hypertensive rats,SHR)血压升高的预防作用并探讨其作用机制。方法:107只自发性高血压大鼠适应性喂养1周后,随机分为A组纯水对照组22只、B组锶水浓度3mg/L组22只、C组锶水浓度9mg/L组19只、D组锶水浓度18mg/L组22只,E组锶水浓度36mg/L组22只,普通饲料喂养12周。实验开始时测定基础血压,至结束时共测十次血压。实验开始及结束采血两次,检测肝、肾功能,Elisa法检测血清内皮素-1(endothelin-1,ET-1)、肾素(renin)、血管紧张素I(Iangiotensin-II)及去甲肾上腺素(noradrenalin,NA),免疫组化法检测主动脉核因子κB(nuclear factor-kappa B,NF-κB)、血管细胞黏附分子-1(vascular cell adhesion molecule-1,VCAM-1)、细胞间黏附分子-1(intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1,ICAM-1)的表达。结果:(1)SHR成年后,E组与A组相比表现出血压下降趋势(P<0.05);第十、十一、十二周时D、E组血压均显著低于A组(P<0.01);B、C组较A组也有不同程度下降;随锶水浓度增高血压呈逐渐下降的大体趋势,B-E组血压值低于A组(P<0.05,P<0.01);(2)锶水喂养后各组肝、肾功能指标及ET-1、renin、Ang-II、NA变化无明显差异(P>0.05);(3)锶水喂养后,B-E组主动脉NF-κB、VCAM-1;ICAM-1的积分光密度值(IOD)均显著低于A组(P<0.01),且随锶水浓度增高,NF-κB、VCAM-1、ICAM-1的表达呈递减趋势(P<0.01)。结论:微量元素锶可延缓SHR血压升高,减小血压波动,其对高血压的预防作用机制可能是由于抑制NF-κB经典通路,减少VCAM-1、ICAM-1等炎症介质的产生而减轻血管壁损害。     

High Intensity Interval and Endurance Training Have Opposing Effects on Markers of Heart Failure and Cardiac Remodeling in Hypertensive Rats

There has been re-emerging interest and significant work dedicated to investigating the metabolic effects of high intensity interval training (HIIT) in recent years. HIIT is considered to be a time efficient alternative to classic endurance training (ET) that elicits similar metabolic responses in skeletal muscle. However, there is a lack of information on the impact of HIIT on cardiac muscle in disease. Therefore, we determined the efficacy of ET and HIIT to alter cardiac muscle characteristics involved in the development of diastolic dysfunction, such as ventricular hypertrophy, fibrosis and angiogenesis, in a well-established rodent model of hypertension-induced heart failure before the development of overt heart failure. ET decreased left ventricle fibrosis by ~40% (P < 0.05), and promoted a 20% (P<0.05) increase in the left ventricular capillary/fibre ratio, an increase in endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein (P<0.05), and a decrease in hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha protein content (P<0.05). In contrast, HIIT did not decrease existing fibrosis, and HIIT animals displayed a 20% increase in left ventricular mass (P<0.05) and a 20% decrease in cross sectional area (P<0.05). HIIT also increased brain natriuretic peptide by 50% (P<0.05), in the absence of concomitant angiogenesis, strongly suggesting pathological cardiac remodeling. The current data support the longstanding belief in the effectiveness of ET in hypertension. However, HIIT promoted a pathological adaptation in the left ventricle in the presence of hypertension, highlighting the need for further research on the widespread effects of HIIT in the presence of disease.