中脑导水管周围灰质内微量注射神经肽γ减弱慢性神经痛大鼠对伤害性刺激的反应

探讨神经肽Y(neuropeptide Y,NPY)在SD大鼠中脑导水管周围灰质(periaqueductal grey,PAG)对伤害性刺激反应的作用。应用热板和机械压力实验法,以大鼠后爪缩爪反应潜伏期(paw withdrawal latency,PWL)为痛阈指标。观察PAG内微量注射NPY对PWLS的影响。PAG内注射0．05、0．1、0．2nmol NPY均显著地增加慢性神经痛大鼠的双侧PWLS,且呈量效关系。NPY引起的PWLs增加可被Y1受体拮抗剂和阿片受体拮抗剂所阻断。结果提示,在大鼠PAG微量注射NPY可产生明显的镇痛作用。     

伏核对心血管活动的作用及其与阿片肽的关系

本文对乌拉坦麻醉大鼠采用电刺激伏核和脑内微量注射等方法,观察伏核对血压、心率的影响:(1)电刺激伏核具有明显的血压降低和心率减慢作用。(2)红藻氨酸微量注入伏核可消除上述反应。(3)伏核内注射纳洛酮可阻断电刺激伏核的心血管抑制反应(简称电刺激效应);μ受体激动剂DAGO微量注入伏核也能引起血压降低和心率减慢,减少幅度与电刺激效应相似,而κ受体激动剂U-50无此作用。(4)电刺激伏核时于蓝斑内记录到抑制性自发电活动,频率减慢,波幅交大、变宽。(5)切除颈部双侧迷走神经消除了电刺激伏核的心率变化,但降压反应依然存在。以上结果提示:伏核内某些神经元与心血管活动有关,并且至少涉及阿片肽能神经元及μ阿片受体。蓝斑和迷走神经可能参与上述心血管抑制反应。     

刺激蓝斑对心肌收缩力及肾交感神经放电的影响

在64只麻醉及人工呼吸的猫,观察到电刺激蓝斑(LC)能引起血压升高、心率加快,左心室收缩压升高,左心室内压最大变化率增加及肾交感神经放电(RNA)显著地增加。去缓冲神经对电刺激 LC 所引起的上述指标的增加幅度无明显影响,但可明显延长血压反应升高相以及血压恢复期的时间。LC 内微量注射谷氨酸钠可使血压下降,心率减慢,左室收缩压和左室内压最大变化率亦降低。LC 内注射海人酸,也能引起减压反应。而注射海人酸3h 后,使LC 神经元发生变性或去极化阻断时,再电刺激 LC 仍能引起明显的升压反应。以上结果表明,电刺激 LC 可使血压升高、心肌收缩力及肾交感神经放电增加,而 LC 内微量注射胞体兴奋剂则可降低血压、心率及心肌收缩力,说明电刺激 LC 引起的加压反应可能主要是兴奋了过路纤维所致,而 LC 本身神经元的兴奋引起的是减压反应。     

中脑导水管周围灰质内微量注射神经肽Y减弱慢性神经痛大鼠对伤害性刺激的反应

探讨神经肽Y(neruopride Y, NPY) 在SD大鼠中脑导水管周围灰质 (periaqueductal grey, PAG) 对伤害性刺激反应的作用.应用热板和机械压力实验法,以大鼠后爪缩爪瓜潜伏期(paw withdrawal latency, PWL) 为痕阈指标, 观察PAG 内微量注射NPY对PWLs的影响.PAG内注射 0.05、0.1、 0.2 nmol NPY 均显著地增加慢性神经痛大鼠的双侧PWLs, 且呈量效关系.NPY引起的PWLs增加可被Y1受体拮抗剂和阿片剂所阻断.结果提示,在大鼠PAG 微量注射NPY可产生明显的镇痛作用.     

阿片系统介导的去甲肾上腺素在兔孤束核联合亚核引起的心血管效应

于杂种白兔的孤束核联合亚核(CNTS)内微量注射去甲肾上腺素(NE),引起血压降低和心率减慢,将小剂量阿片受体阻断剂纳洛酮注入CNTS,本身不影响血压与心率,但减弱NE在CNTS中的降压降率幅度。于CNTS内微量注射盐酸吗啡,降低血压和心率;小剂量NE注入CNTS, 本身对血压和心率无明显影响,但可显著增强盐酸吗啡在CNTS中的心血管作用。结果表明,去甲肾上腺素在CNTS中的心血管效应至少部分由降压性阿片系统介导。     

脑内微量注射吗啡、纳洛酮对针刺降压作用的影响

在清醒犬的中脑中央灰质、海马背侧、乳头体上区等中枢部位微量注射生理盐水(2微升/2分钟),对血压、心率无明显影响,此时电针“足三里”穴对匀速注射去甲肾上腺素所致的实验性高血压具有显著的降压效应。在这种高血压的基础上,在以上三个部位微量注射吗啡(4微克/2微升/2分钟)可见血压短暂下降后又回升到原高血压水平,心率无显著变化。在这些部位微量注射纳洛酮后(4微克/2微升/2分钟)则以上电针降压效应消失。而在大脑顶叶内侧皮层微量注射吗啡对血压、心率无明显影响;在该处微量注射纳洛酮后,电针对实验性高血压仍有明显的降压作用。结果表明:电针对交感缩血管中枢的抑制与电针时中枢内产生的内(脑)啡肽对中脑中央灰质、海马、乳头体上区等部位鸦片受体的激活有关。     

家兔孤束核联合亚核微量注射血管紧张素Ⅱ的心血管效应

在乌拉坦麻醉的家兔,向孤束核联合亚核(CNTS)微量注射血管紧张素Ⅱ(AⅡ)4μg平均动脉血压明显升高,心率减慢;切断双侧窦神经和减压神经后,AⅡ的升压作用更为显著,但心率几乎不再减少;AⅡ对血压和心率的作用不受预先向CNTS注射纳洛酮的影响;注射AⅡ也不影响动脉压力感受器反射的敏感性。这些结果表明:CNTS内小剂量注射AⅡ主要影响脑干内的血管运动神经元,而对控制心率的神经元无明显影响。     

延髓头端腹外侧区肾上腺素能机制在应激性升压反应和心动过速中的作用

目的和方法：在延髓头端腹外侧区（ｒＶＬＭ）内注射肾上腺素（Ｅ）旨在能否影响正常大鼠的血压和心率,并分析ｒＶＬＭ内肾上腺素能机制在应激性升压反应和心动过速中的作用。将清醒ＳＤ大鼠四肢固定在铁丝网架上,经束缚方法观察应激性血压和心率的变化。结果：①束缚清醒大鼠可引起升压反应和心动过速;②在双侧ｒＶＬＭ内注射微量Ｅ可引起血压和心率垢明显增加,此作用可被在同一区域双侧注射α－肾上腺素能受体阻断剂（酚妥拉明     

大鼠缰核与下丘脑外侧区在调节心血管活动方面的机能联系

电刺激大鼠下丘脑外侧区（LH）,动脉压明显升高,心率加快,在刺激电极同侧缰核（Hb)内微量注射盐酸利多卡因、电刺激LH引起的升压反应可被阻断38.9%,心率增快反应可被阻断44.4%,双侧Hb内微量注射盐酸利多卡因,电刺激LH引起的升压反应可被阻断40.7%,心率增快反应可被阻断41.2% ,单侧或双侧Hb内微量注射人工脑脊液均不能阻断电刺激LH引起的心血管反应。电刺激大鼠Hb,动脉压明显升高,心率无明显改变,在刺激电极同侧LH内微量注射盐酸利多卡因,电刺激Hb引起的升压反应可被阻断63.2%,双侧LH内微量注射盐酸利多卡因,电刺激Hb引起的升压反应可被阻断62.6%,单侧或双侧LH内微量注射人工脑脊液均不能阻断电刺激Hb引起的心血管反应。本实验提示Hb与LH在调节心血管活动方面有协同作用。     

大鼠延髓背侧迷走复合体注射ghrelin激活弓状核神经肽Y/刺鼠色蛋白相关蛋白神经元而诱发多食(英文)

Ghrelin是生长素促分泌受体的内源性配体,刺激摄食并增加体重。已有研究证实ghrelin刺激摄食的作用靶点主要是下丘脑弓状核(hypothalamic arcuate nucleus,ARC)内的神经肽Y(neuropeptide Y,NPY)/刺鼠色蛋白相关蛋白(agouti-related peptide,AgRP)神经元。除下丘脑外,脑干尾部迷走复合体具有ghrelin受体,是ghrelin调控摄食活动的另一靶点。本实验旨在验证ghrelin作用于脑干尾部所诱发的摄食增加是否需要下丘脑NPY/AgRP神经元参与。在大鼠延髓背侧迷走复合体(dorsal vagalcomplex,DVC)微量注射20pmol的ghrelin,用摄食自动分析仪测量大鼠的摄食反应,用荧光定量PCR技术测定ARC的NPY/AgRP mRNA的表达水平,同时利用免疫组化技术测定ARC的NPY阳性神经元数量及光密度。结果显示,与对照组(DVC微量注射生理盐水)相比,ghrelin微注射组大鼠摄食量增加,其累积摄食量在注射后2h达最高峰;ARC处NPY/AgRP mRNA的表达水平、NPY免疫阳性神经元的数量及光密度也明显增加,且均在ghrelin注射后2h增高达到高峰。以上结果提示,大鼠DVC注射ghrelin可能通过上行纤维激活弓状核NPY/AgRP神经元,介导大鼠的多食反应。     

蝎毒中枢镇痛机制的初步探讨

目的：研究BmK蝎毒是能过何种受体实现其中枢镇痛作用的;外侧隔核是否是BmK蝎毒产生中枢镇痛作用的重要部位之一。方法：用辐射热一甩尾法测定痛阈,用玻璃微电极记录束旁核的单位放电;通过不锈钢套管向侧脑室和外侧隔核内微量注射0.01％BmK蝎毒。结果：向大鼠侧脑室2μl0.01%蝎毒可明显升高痛阂。该效应可被侧脑室注射2μl0.25%纳洛酮完全翻转,向隔核内注射0.5μl0.01%BmK蝎毒,分别对束帝核中的71％（15／21）痛兴奋单位和83％（5／6）痛抑制单位对痛刺激的反应减北,而对痛无关单位的电活动夫明显影响。结论：BmK蝎毒的中枢镇痛作用可能主要是通过吗啡受体实现的;隔核是BmK蝎毒产生中枢镇痛作用的重要部位之一。     

Convergence between influences from midbrain and bulbar locomotor sites and from an inhibitory site in neurons of the medulla

Synaptic response to regular stimulation of midbrain and bulbar locomotor sites (LS) and a pontine inhibitory site (IS) was recorded in medial and lateral bulbar neurons in cats (mesencephalic decerebellate preparation). Excitatory post-synaptic potentials (PSP) and discharges were usually noted in medial neurons; mixed PSP also occurred when stimulating the IS. Almost 50% of lateral and over 25% of medial neurons showed a change in background firing rate, failing to generate response time-locked to stimulus. Medial neurons producing a response time-locked to the stimulus showed equal sensitivity to stimulation of midbrain and bulbar LT and very little reaction to IS stimulation. Medial neurons with a response not time-locked to stimuli together with lateral neurons were most receptive to input from the bulbar LS, less sensitive to stimulation of the midbrain LS, and least responsive of all to IS stimulation. Convergence between influences from midbrain and bulbar LS was the same in neurons of all populations. The part played by different neuronal populations in initiation and cessation of locomotion is discussed.Institute for Research into Information Transmission, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 23, No. 3, pp. 297–306, May–June, 1991.     

Adrenocortical function in mice selectively bred for different sensitivity to ethanol

The adrenocortical response to ethanol, histamine and electric shock was studied in the Short-Sleep (SS) and Long-Sleep (LS) mice. The plasma corticosterone levels measured at 60 min following ethanol injection were consistently higher in LS mice (males and females) than in SS mice. The corticosterone levels determined 60 min after histamine injection (50 mg/kg) or electric foot shock were not statistically different in these two lines of mice. The initial rise of the corticosteroid after ethanol injection was identical in SS and LS mice, whereas the costicosteroid response to mild stress of saline injection was different: SS mice showed higher levels of corticosterone than LS mice at 20 and 30 min after the injection. Corticosterone increment attributable to alcohol stress clearly seemed greater in LS than in SS mice, even though the adrenals of the SS mice were 20–30% heavier than those of LS. The possible significance of these endocrine differences with respect to sensitivity to ethanol and behavioral arousal level was discussed.     

Somatic embryogenesis in Sesbania sesban var. bicolor: A multipurpose fabaceous woody species

Somatic embryos differentiated on cotyledonary explants harvested from green pods of Sesbania sesban var. bicolor and cultured on four basal media. The best response was elicited on LS basal medium. Supplementing the LS medium with an auxin (NAA or 2,4-D) enhanced the embryogenic response. An average of 9.3 embryos developed in 23% of the cultures on 0.1 mg l^–1 NAA. The somatic embryos that developed into plantlets were transferred to soil where they have been thriving for the past 2 years.     

Introgression of chromosome 13 in Dahl salt-sensitive genetic background restores cerebral vascular relaxation

To evaluate the potential role of impaired renin-angiotensin system (RAS) function in contributing to reduced vascular relaxation in Dahl salt-sensitive (S) rats, responses to ACh (10(-6) mol/l) and hypoxia (Po(2) reduction to 40-45 mmHg) were determined in isolated middle cerebral arteries of Dahl S rats, Brown Norway (BN) rats, and consomic rats having chromosome 13 (containing the renin gene) or chromosome 16 of the BN rat substituted into the Dahl S genetic background (SS-13(BN) and SS-16(BN), respectively). Arteries of BN rats on a low-salt (LS) diet (0.4% NaCl) dilated in response to ACh and hypoxia, whereas dilation in response to these stimuli was absent in Dahl S rats on LS diet. Vasodilation to ACh and hypoxia was restored in SS-13(BN) rats on an LS diet but not in SS-16(BN) rats. High-salt diet (4% NaCl), to suppress ANG II, eliminated vasodilation to hypoxia and ACh in BN and in SS-13(BN) rats. Treatment of SS-13(BN) rats with the AT(1) receptor antagonist losartan also eliminated the restored vasodilation in response to ACh and hypoxia. These studies suggest that restoration of normal RAS regulation in SS-13(BN) consomic rats restores vascular relaxation mechanisms that are impaired in Dahl S rats.     

A NEW ACOUSTIC SIGNAL OF THE FRUIT-FLIES DROSOPHILA SIMULANS AND D. MELANOGASTER

ABSTRACT

We found a new acoustic signal in Drosophila simulans (si) and D. melanogaster (me). It is a ‘rejection signal’ (RS) produced by adult males and young males and females in response to the courting behaviour of mature males who emit ‘pulse songs’ (i.e. love song: LS). It occurs most frequently in si, less in adults me except if the interacting males belong to different chemical morphs (i.e. temperate or equatorial population). There are no differences in the LS characteristics directed to various sexes and ages. The RSs produced by adult males or by young animals do not differ significantly either. They are emitted by neither virgin nor fecundated adult me females but a few times by virgin adult si females. The RS (like the LS) is a multipulse signal but intervals between pulses are about twice those of LS, around 90 ms for si and 80 ms for me. They are very irregular, as is the distribution of energy along the bandwidth mainly between 300 and 800 Hz for si and 200 and 600 Hz for me. The sound level of the RS is from 10 to 20 dB less than the LS. The RS seems to be linked to the ‘flicking’ behaviour produced by both wings, while the LS always corresponds to the so-called ‘wing vibration’.     

Effects of dietary lactosucrose (4G-beta-D-galactosylsucrose) on the IgE response in mice

In this study, we examined the effects of dietary lactosucrose (LS, a non-digestible oligosaccharide) on the IgE response in mice immunized with ovalbumin (OVA)/alum. In addition to IgG1 and IgG2a responses, the anti-OVA IgE response in mice fed LS diets was dose-dependently suppressed, as compared with the control mice, while the serum total IgG levels were comparable. Moreover, dietary LS feeding inhibited antigen-specific IgE and IgG1 productions even after a second immunization. Regarding with cytokine production, when stimulated in vitro with OVA, splenocytes obtained from LS-fed mice produced a similar level of IFN-gamma, and lower levels of IL-4 and IL-5, as compared with the control mice. But IL-10 production by OVA-stimulated splenocytes was augmented in LS-fed mice, suggesting that IL-10 producing cells are responsible for the immunoregulatory effect of LS. Our findings indicate the further possibility that dietary LS supplementation can be used to prevent IgE-mediated allergic diseases.     

Two patterns of bulbar neuronal response to microstimulation of locomotor and inhibitory brain stem sites

Synaptic responses (postsynaptic potentials and action potentials) were evoked in mesencephalic decerebellated cats by stimulating pontine bulbar locomotor and inhibitory sites (LS and IS, respectively) with a current of not more than 20 µA in "medial" and "lateral" neurons of the medulla. Some neurons even produced a response to presentation of single (actually low — 2–5 Hz — frequency) stimuli. The remaining cells responded to stimulation at a steady rate of 30–60 Hz only. Both groups of medial neurons were more receptive to input from LS. Lateral neurons responding to even single stimuli reacted more commonly to input from LS and those responding to steady stimulation only to input from IS. Many neurons with background activity (whether lateral or medial) produced no stimulus-bound response, but rhythmic stimulation either intensified or inhibited such activity. This response occurs most commonly with LS stimulation. Partial redistribution of target neurons in step with increasing rate of presynaptic input may play a major part in control of motor activity.Institute for Research into Information Transmission, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 257–266, March–April, 1990.     

Long-term effects of growth hormone therapy on bone mineral density,body composition,and serum lipid levels in growth hormone deficient children: a 6-year follow-up study

AIM: To study the effects of growth hormone (GH) deficiency (GHD) and GH replacement therapy (GHRx) on bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition. METHODS: 59 GHD children participated (age range 0.4-16.9 years); the follow-up period was 6 years. Lumbar spine BMD (BMD(LS)), total-body BMD (BMD(TB)), and body composition were measured prospectively using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Mean BMD(LS )and BMD(TB) were significantly reduced at the time of the diagnosis. The bone mineral apparent density of the lumbar spine (BMAD(LS)) was reduced to a lesser degree. The BMAD(LS) increased to normal values after 1 year; BMD(LS) and BMD(TB) normalized 1 year later. At the time of the diagnosis, the lean body mass was reduced and steadily increased during GHRx. Percentage of body fat was increased at baseline and normalized within 6 months. The severity of GHD was not associated with the BMD at diagnosis or the response to GHRx. CONCLUSION: Areal BMD(LS) and BMD(TB) and, to a lesser extent, BMAD(LS) are decreased in GHD children, but normalize within 1-2 years.     

Regulation of human Cripto-1 gene expression by TGF-beta1 and BMP-4 in embryonal and colon cancer cells

Human Cripto-1 (CR-1) is a cell membrane protein that is overexpressed in several different types of human carcinomas. In the present study we investigated the mechanisms that regulate the expression of CR-1 gene in cancer cells. We cloned a 2,481 bp 5'-flanking region of the human CR-1 gene into a luciferase reporter vector and transfected NTERA-2 human embryonal carcinoma cells and LS174-T colon cancer cells to test for promoter activity. Activity of CR-1 promoter in both cell lines was modulated by two TGF-beta family members, TGF-beta1 and BMP-4. In particular, TGF-beta1 significantly up-regulated CR-1 promoter activity, whereas a dramatic reduction in CR-1 promoter activity was observed with BMP-4 in NTERA-2 and LS174-T cells. Changes in the CR-1 promoter activity following TGF-beta1 and BMP-4 treatments correlated with changes in CR-1 mRNA and protein expression in NTERA-2 and LS174-T cells. We also identified three Smad binding elements (SBEs) within the CR-1 promoter and point mutation of SBE1 (-2,197/-2,189) significantly reduced response of the CR-1 promoter to both TGF-beta1 and BMP-4 in NTERA-2 and LS174-T cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay also demonstrated binding of Smad-4 to a CR-1 promoter DNA sequence containing SBE1 in LS174-T cells. Finally, BMP-4 inhibited migration of LS174-T cells and F9 mouse embryonal carcinoma cells by downregulation of CR-1 protein. In conclusion, these results suggest a differential modulation of CR-1 gene expression in embryonal and colon cancer cells by two different members of the TGF-beta family.