Effect of bupropion on hippocampal neurotransmitters and on peripheral hormonal concentrations in the rat.

The purpose of the present study was to administer an acute dose of the dual dopamine norepinephrine reuptake blocker bupropion in freely moving rats and to monitor the extracellular neurotransmitter concentrations in the hippocampus via in vivo microdialysis and the peripheral hormonal concentrations via catheterization. A microdialysis probe was inserted in the hippocampus, and samples for serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine were collected every 20 min before and after the injection of 17 mg/kg of bupropion, for a total sampling time of 180 min. A catheter was placed in the vena femoralis of the second group of rats, and blood samples were collected before and after bupropion injection for quantification of growth hormone, prolactin, corticosterone, adrenocorticotropin hormone, and beta-endorphins. All neurotransmitter levels (dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin) significantly increased after bupropion injection. This was accompanied by a significant decrease in prolactin concentrations, whereas the other hormones showed no statistically significant variation. It can, therefore, be concluded that, although bupropion has dual reuptake proprieties, the observed effects both at the central and at the peripheral level seem to be ruled by the dopaminergic system.     

Effect of exposure to diabetic and fasted plasma on glucose oxidation in rat aorta

Glucose metabolism is depressed in aortic intima-media of fasted and diabetic rats. The aim of this study was to elucidate the influence of diabetic and fasted plasma on glucose oxidation in rat aorta. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing about 200 g were used. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) and the rats were used after a diabetes duration of two weeks. Fasted rats were used after food deprivation for 3 days. Aortic intima-media was preincubated in plasma for 120 or 240 min. During a further incubation for 2 hours in Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer the oxidation of 14C-glucose to 14CO2 was measured. Preincubation of normal aorta in diabetic or fasted rat plasma and diabetic human plasma significantly depressed the subsequently determined glucose oxidation in comparison to aorta preincubated in normal plasma. Preincubation of aorta from diabetic or fasted rats in normal rat plasma enhanced the glucose oxidation compared with the glucose oxidation in aorta of diabetic or fasted rats after preincubation in the corresponding plasma. These results suggest that diabetic and fasted plasma contains factor(s) which in vitro depress glucose oxidation in vascular smooth muscle and, thus, may be of importance for the lowered glucose oxidation found in vascular smooth muscle preparations obtained from diabetic or fasted animals.     

Effect of allyl isothiocyanate on plasma and urinary concentrations of some biochemical entities in the rat.

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is a constituent of several plants of the family Cruciferae that are commonly used as food. This study investigated the effect of feeding AITC to male Sprague-Dawley rats on their plasma glucose and uric acid levels as well as on the urinary concentrations of glucose, 17-ketosteroids (17-KS), creatinine, and uric acid. Other test compounds included were thyroxine (T4) and thiouracil (TU). AITC caused a highly significant (P smaller than or equal to 0.01) depression in the plasma glucose and uric acid levels compared with the control. TU caused a significant depression only of the plasma glucose. T4, on the other hand, significantly increased the levels of both glucose and uric acid. The AITC-treated rats voided twice as much urine as the controls or those receiving TU or injected with T4. The 24-h excretion of glucose, uric acid, and creatinine was significantly (P smaller than or equal to 0.01) higher in animals fed AITC than in those consuming the control diet, while the excretion of 17-KS was significantly lower. Results on an equal urine volume basis showed that differences in the excretion of glucose and creatinine were related to differences in the urine volume. TU significantly depressed excretion of all the compounds but glucose. The effect of T4 on the excretion of 17-KS and uric acid resembled that of AITC and TU, thus showing that these compounds depressed the androgenic function of the animal.     

Effect of different anesthetics on immunoreactive atrial natriuretic factor concentrations in rat plasma

The effect of different conditions of blood withdrawal and use of different anesthetics on immunoreactive atrial natriuretic factor (IR-ANF) concentrations in plasma was studied in rats. The concentration of IR-ANF in plasma from jugular vein of non-anesthetized conscious rats, cannulated either 24 hr before blood withdrawal was 93.9 +/- 17.1 pg/ml (n = 30); and 48 hr: 81.9 +/- 11.5 pg/ml (n = 29). Immobilization stress (4 hr) increased IR-ANF concentration: 248.0 +/- 80.2 pg/ml (n = 5). Anesthesia by morphine, diethyl-ether, chloral hydrate and ketamine chlorhydrate increased IR-ANF concentrations to 2,443.0 +/- 281.2 pg/ml (n = 24), 806.1 +/- 74.6 pg/ml (n = 64), 224.0 +/- 81.4 pg/ml (n = 20), and 195.0 +/- 20.3 pg/ml (n = 51), respectively. IR-ANF in plasma of sodium-pentobarbital and urethane anesthetized rats was 59.2 +/- 6.7 pg/ml (n = 10) and 42.6 +/- 8.1 pg/ml (n = 8), respectively. These changes in IR-ANF evoked by different types of anesthetics and different conditions of blood withdrawal have to be taken into consideration during studies on the physiopathological role of atrial natriuretic factor.     

Adrenergic influence on rat plasma concentrations of tyrosine and tryptophan

Isoprenaline given to rats in doses between 0.08 and 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally caused a significant decrease in plasma concentrations of tyrosine and tryptophan. Low doses of adrenaline (0.04 ? 0.16 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) caused a 30 per cent decrease in plasma concentrations of tyrosine, while high doses (0.63 ? 1.25 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) caused an increase in plasma tyrosine to nearly 200 per cent of the controls. High doses of noradrenaline (0.63 ? 2.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) caused a similar increase in plasma tyrosine concentration. The decrease in plasma amino acids caused by these catecholamines is inhibited by propranolol, suggesting that this effect is mediated via adrenergic β-receptors, while the increasing effect is inhibited by phenoxybenzamine, which suggests that this effect is caused by an α-adrenergic mechanism.     

Increased plasma post-heparin diamine oxidase activity and plant sterol levels in streptozotocin diabetic rat.

Plasma post-heparin diamine oxidase (DAO) activity and plasma levels of plant sterols were examined in streptozotocin diabetic rats fed with chow containing plant sterols, to investigate the enzyme activity in relation to the morphological changes of small intestine as well as sterol absorption in the diabetic rats. Diabetic rats showed increased small intestinal mass and surface area compared with control rats. Plasma post-heparin DAO activity and plant sterol level were also increased more than 2.5-fold in the diabetic rats. Insulin treatment improved these abnormalities. Plasma DAO activity correlated to both the small intestinal hyperplastic change and plasma plant sterol levels. These results indicate that plasma post-heparin DAO activity may be used as a marker of intestinal hypertrophy as well as ability to absorb dietary sterols.     

Tryptophan and the control of plasma glucose concentrations in the rat.

1. Injection of L-tryptophan (750 mg/kg body wt.) led to pronounced hypoglycaemia in fed and 48 h-starved rats. 2. The hypoglycaemic effect is blocked by pretreament with p-chlorophenylalanine, compound MK-486 [Carbidopa: L-alpha-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-alpha-hydrazinopropionic acid monohydrate] or methysergide, and potentiated by pargyline. 3. 5-Hydroxy-L-tryptophan is more potent and induces a more rapid hypoglycaemia than does tryptophan. Other tryptophan metabolites were not associated with hypoglycaemia. 4. Adrenalectomy increases, and acute experimental diabetes strongly decreases, the sensitivity of rats to tryptophan induction of hypoglycaemia. Diabetic animals were also insensitive to 5-hydroxytryptophan. 5. Metabolite concentration changes in the livers from tryptophan-treated 48h-starved and diabetic animals were consistent with a rapid inhibition of gluconeogenesis. This did not correlate with the hypoglycaemic response. 6. Tryptophan treatment was associated with a significant increase in the plasma [beta-hydroxybutyrate]/[acetoacetate] ratio; there were no changes in the plasma concentrations of urea, triacyglycerol, non-esterified fatty acids and glycerol. 7. These observations suggest that the hypoglycaemic action of tryptophan is mediated through formation of intracellular 5-hydroxytryptamine, and is unrelated to the inhibition of gluconeogenesis. It is unlikely that this increased synthesis of 5-hydroxytryptamine involves directly either the adrenal glands or the central nervous system.     

胰岛素对离体大鼠胸主动脉血管张力的影响

制备离体大鼠胸主动脉环,分有内皮组和去内皮组,采用离体血管灌流技术,观察胰岛素对去氧肾上腺素（PE）和氯化钾（KCl）预收缩的胸主动脉环收缩张力的影响。结果表明胰岛素对PE预收缩的胸主动脉环产生浓度依赖性的舒张作用,且有内皮组和去内皮组间无显著差异。胰岛素对KCl预收缩的胸主动脉环没有显著影响。胰岛素对PE预收缩的胸主动脉环有非内皮依赖性舒张作用。     

Vitamin A deficiency induces prooxidant environment and inflammation in rat aorta

We evaluated whether nutritional vitamin A deficiency generates oxidative stress and inflammation in aorta. Wistar male rats (21 days old) were given free access to a control (8 mg retinol as retinyl palmitate/kg) or a vitamin A- deficient diet for three months. One group of deficient animals was fed with the control diet fifteen days before sacrifice. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and nitrite concentration where both analyzed in serum and aorta. Aorta Copper-Zinc Superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), Glutathion peroxidase (GPx) and Catalase (CAT) activities were measured. In addition, binding activity of the nuclear factor- kB (NF-kB), inducible and endothelial Nitric Oxide synthase (iNOS and eNOS, respectively) and Ciclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expressions were determinated in aorta. Rats fed the vitamin A- deficient diet were characterized by sub-clinical plasma retinol concentration and showed increased serum and aorta concentrations of TBARS compared to controls. Lower than control activities of CuZnSOD, GPx, and CAT were observed in aorta of the vitamin A- deficient group. The binding activity of NF- kB was higher in vitamin A- deficient animals than controls. In addition, NO production evaluated as nitrite concentration increased in aorta and serum, associated with a higher expression of iNOS, eNOS and COX-2 in aorta of vitamin A-deficient rats. The incorporation of vitamin A into the diet of vitamin A-deficient rats reverted the changes observed in TBARS level, CuZnSOD and GPx activities, nitrite concentration and also, iNOS, eNOS and COX-2 expression. Prooxidant environment and inflammation are induced by vitamin A deficiency in rat aorta.     

Effect of pertussis toxin on hormonal responsiveness of rat hepatocytes

The ureogenic action of epinephrine in hepatocytes from normal adult rats is mediated through activation of alpha 1-adrenoceptors. beta-Adrenoceptors in addition to alpha 1-adrenoceptors, became involved in mediating this effect in cells from animals treated with pertussis toxin. The accumulation of cyclic-AMP in response to epinephrine or isoproterenol was markedly increased in hepatocytes from pertussis-treated rats as compared to that observed in control cells. The accumulation of cyclic-AMP due to glucagon was also increased. It is suggested that pertussis toxin may release a constraint on adenylate cyclase activity by blocking the inhibitory coupling mechanism (Ni) or some other entity involved in the regulation of the activity of this enzyme.     

Sex and hormonal modification of 6-keto-PGF1α release by rat aorta

The stable breakdown product of prostacyclin, 6-keto-PGF_1α, was estimated in plasma samples after incubation with rat aortic rings. The 6-keto-PGF_1α concentration obtained with the male aortae was two-fold higher than that of the female. Ovariectomy markedly increased 6-keto-PGF_1α six-fold, but castration had no effect. Estradiol and progesterone treatment of the ovariectomized female suppressed (by 50%) and enhanced (two-fold) 6-keto-PGF_1α. Testosterone was without effect in gonadectomized males and females. Castrate males did not respond to gonadal steroid treatment.     

Effect of prostaglandins on hormonal function of cultured rat Leydig cells

The effect of PGF2 alpha and its analogues on androgen production and activity of delta 5,3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in rat Leydig cells in vitro was investigated. Prostaglandin of the F type inhibit the enzyme activity and hormone secretion by cultured Leydig cells. This effect was considerably stronger in Leydig cells isolated from mature rats, than by Leydig cells from immature animals.     

Effect of cholestanol feeding on sterol concentrations in the serum, liver, and cerebellum of mice

In order to elucidate the mechanism of xanthoma formation in cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, mice were fed for 32 weeks with a diet rich in 5 alpha-cholestan-3 beta-ol (cholestanol) (1%, w/w). The concentrations of sterols in the serum, liver, and cerebellum were determined using high performance liquid chromatography. In the cholestanol-fed mice, the cholestanol concentrations in the serum and liver reached maxima in the first 2 to 4 weeks; the levels were about 30- to 100-fold higher than in the control diet mice. The cholestanol concentrations declined thereafter, finally to 50-60% of the maxima. Cholesterol concentrations were slightly lower in the cholestanol-fed mice throughout the experiments than in the control diet mice. On the other hand, the levels of cholestanol in the cerebellum increased almost linearly in parallel to the feeding time, and no decline was observed. These results suggest that the capacity of the liver to remove or degrade cholestanol was increased by long-term intake of this compound, whereas the cerebellum had no such feed-back regulation. Histological examinations using an electron microscope revealed the enlargement of lysosomal granules in the liver of the cholestanol-fed mice.     

Effect of active immunization against inhibin on hormonal concentrations and semen characteristics in Shiba bucks

Active immunization against inhibin increased ovulation rate in females; in males, the effects of active immunization against inhibin on hormonal concentrations and sperm production need more investigation. To test the hypothesis that active immunization against inhibin increases FSH secretion and sperm output, the present study was undertaken to determine the effects of active immunization against inhibin on hormonal profile and sperm production in Shiba bucks. The bucks were actively immunized against inhibin alpha-subunit (immunized group, n=6) or Freund adjuvant (control group, n=5) four times, at 5-weeks intervals. Blood samples were collected twice-weekly and two successive ejaculates of semen were collected (with an artificial vagina) once-weekly. Plasma concentrations of FSH, LH and testosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and sperm motility characteristics were measured by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). All inhibin-immunized bucks produced antibodies against inhibin. Relative to control bucks, in immunized bucks there were significant increases in plasma FSH concentrations and in sperm concentrations from 5 to 9 weeks and from 8 to 11 weeks, respectively, after primary immunization. However, plasma concentrations of LH and testosterone, semen volume, percentage of motile spermatozoa and motility parameters (straight-line velocity, curvilinear velocity and linearity index) were similar in both groups. In conclusion, active immunization against inhibin alpha-subunit increased FSH secretions and enhanced sperm production in bucks, whereas LH and testosterone concentrations, semen volume and sperm motility parameters were unaffected. Active immunization against inhibin could be used to improve fertility in Shiba bucks.     

Effect of heat stress on plasma concentrations of prolactin and luteinizing hormone in ewes.

Basal concentrations of prolactin but not luteinizing hormone were elevated in ewes by 8--10 h of heat stress given daily during the first 11 days of their oestrous cycle. However, the prolactin and luteinizing hormone responses to thyrotrophin releasing hormone and gonadotrophin releasing hormone were unaffected.     

Effect of hypertension on fibronectin expression in the rat aorta

Interactions between extracellular fibronectin and vascular cells are thought to influence the phenotype of those cells. To determine if changes in fibronectin expression accompany the phenotypic changes of vascular tissue characteristic of experimental hypertension, steady state mRNA levels for fibronectin were determined in aortae of normotensive and hypertensive rats. A 3-6-fold increase in fibronectin mRNA was observed in aortic tissue of hypertensive rats following 3 weeks of treatment with deoxycorticosterone and salt, whereas if rats were treated only with deoxycorticosterone or salt alone, no changes occurred. The changes were reversed by normalization of blood pressure. The increases observed were localized to aorta and not to the periaortic tissue. Angiotensin II infusion using osmotic minipumps also caused an increase in fibronectin expression. Age-dependent increases in aortic fibronectin mRNA occurred in several rat strains, and the combined effects of hypertension and aging were greater than either variable alone. A clear distinction between the expression of fibronectin mRNA and that for collagen or tropoelastin were found in hypertensive and aging models. Aortic fibronectin was also increased in the hypertensive rats as determined by Western blot analysis. The findings indicate that elevation in blood pressure increases fibronectin expression in rat aorta and suggest that such changes may influence the aortic cellular responses to hypertension.