新疆维、汉妇女宫颈脱落细胞中hTERC 基因表达

目的:研究hTERC基因在新疆维吾尔族和汉族妇女宫颈脱落细胞中的表达情况及差异性。方法:收集2012年9月至2014年3月在新疆维吾尔自治区人民医院妇科门诊就诊或行宫颈癌机会性筛查的新疆维吾尔族和汉族妇女病例1160例,选择其中HPV感染阳性或TCT阳性或两项同时阳性的465例纳入研究队列,通过F1SH技术检测宫颈脱落细胞中hTERC基因的表达情况。结果:新疆维吾尔族与汉族妇女hTERC基因扩增的总阳性率无显著差异(P=0.620);维吾尔族与汉族妇女正常或慢性炎症组、CIN1组、CIN2组、CIN3组和SCC组hTERC基因扩增的阳性率亦均无显著差异(P=0.918,0.912,0.821,0.922,1.000),hTERC基因的表达率不存在民族差异;维吾尔族与汉族妇女正常或慢性炎症组/CIN1组和CIN2+组基因拷贝数的分布均无显著差异(P=0.925,0.862),且其正常或慢性炎症组/CIN1组和CIN2+组TERC:CEP比例分布亦均无显著差异(P=0.986,P=0.979),hTERC基因的扩增类型不存在民族差异;维吾尔族和汉族妇女hTERC基因扩增阳性率的大小顺序均为:SCC组≈CIN 3组CIN 2组CIN 1组≈正常或慢性炎症组,随着宫颈病变恶性程度的增加,各组中hTERC基因的扩增阳性率有增加的趋势,hTERC基因的表达与宫颈病变的恶性程度呈正相关(相关系数=0.648和0.712,P0.001)。结论:新疆维吾尔族与汉族妇女hTERC基因的表达率不存在民族差异;维吾尔族与汉族妇女hTERC基因的扩增类型不存在民族差异;随着宫颈病变恶性程度的增加,维吾尔族和汉族妇女hTERC基因的扩增阳性率有增加的趋势,hTERC基因的表达与宫颈病变的恶性程度呈正相关。     

恒温扩增HPV检测技术应用于子宫颈癌筛查的效果评价研究

为了评价人乳头状瘤病毒(Human papillomavirus,HPV)恒温DNA扩增检测技术用于高危型HPV检测和宫颈癌早期及癌前病变筛查的准确性和可行性。本研究于2016年6月至8月,在我国内蒙古地区招募2 774例30-64岁有性生活史的妇女进行宫颈癌筛查;采用薄层液基细胞学技术完成细胞学诊断。采用恒温DNA扩增HPV检测技术(Isomega)和第二代杂交捕获技术(Hybrid Capture 2,HC2)平行检测宫颈标本;对于Isomega检测为HPV16/HPV18阳性的标本和两种方法检测不一致的标本,使用线性探针法(INNO-LiPA)进行分型验证。以病理诊断为金标准,评价Isomega用于筛查宫颈上皮内瘤变(Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia,CIN)2级及以上患者的灵敏度和特异度。结果表明,Isomega与HC2检测高危型HPV的总一致率为92.72%(Kappa=0.74),阳性一致率为86.78%,阴性一致率为93.77%;以INNO-LiPA分型结果为标准,Isomega检出HPV16和HPV18的准确率分别为96.97%和86.11%。以病理诊断为金标准,Isomega筛查CIN2+的灵敏度和特异度分别为87.76%和82.94%。Isomega能准确检测HPV16、HPV18和其他高危型别HPV,有较高的筛查灵敏度和特异度。     

新疆维吾尔族和汉族妇女宫颈脱落细胞中HPV Ll 壳蛋白的表达比较

目的:研究HPV L1壳蛋白在在新疆维吾尔族和汉族妇女宫颈脱落细胞中的表达情况及差异性。方法:收集2012年9月至2014年3月在新疆维吾尔自治区人民医院妇科门诊就诊或行宫颈癌机会性筛查的新疆维吾尔族和汉族妇女病例1160例,选择其中HPV感染阳性或TCT阳性或两项同时阳性的465例纳入研究队列,通过免疫细胞化学法检测宫颈脱落细胞中HPV L1蛋白的表达情况。结果:新疆维吾尔族与汉族妇女HPV L1壳蛋白的总阳性表达率比较无显著差异(P=0.964);维吾尔族与汉族妇女正常或慢性炎症组、CIN1组、CIN2组、CIN3组和SCC组HPV L1壳蛋白表达的阳性率比较均无显著差异(P=0.988,0.957,0.803,0.892,1.000)。新疆维吾尔族妇女和汉族妇女HPV L1壳蛋白表达的阳性率在C1N1组为最高,高于正常或慢性炎症组及其它高病变组,且HPV L1壳蛋白表达的阳性率随宫颈病变恶性程度的增加而降低,呈负相关(相关系数=-0.687和-0.379,P0.001)。结论:新疆维吾尔族与汉族妇女宫颈脱落细胞中HPV L1壳蛋白的表达不存在民族差异,但其与宫颈病变的恶性程度呈负相关,可能是宫颈病变的保护性因素之一。     

阴道镜及宫颈活组织检查对早期宫颈上皮内瘤变诊断价值分析

目的:探究阴道镜及宫颈活组织检查对早期宫颈上皮内瘤变(cervicalintraepithelialneoplasia,CIN)的诊断价值。方法:选择2015年3月至2018年5月于我院接受诊治的543例疑似宫颈上皮瘤变患者,分别对其实施阴道镜及宫颈活组织检查,以病理学检测结果为金标准,分别评估两种方式单独检测及联合检测对早期CIN的诊断一致性、灵敏度和特异度,并进行组间对比。结果:(1)543例疑似CIN患者病理诊断早期CIN阳性患者168例,阴性患者375例,诊断率为30.94%;阴道镜对早期CIN诊断发现阳性患者有143例,良性患者有400例,诊断率为26.34%;宫颈活组织检测对早期CIN诊断发现阳性患者有159例,良性患者有384例,诊断率为29.28%;阴道镜联合颈活组织检测对早期CIN诊断发现阳性患者有163例,良性患者有380例,诊断率为30.02%。(2)检测发现,阴道镜对早期CIN诊断一致性为81.77%,灵敏度为60.12%,特异度为91.47%。(3)宫颈活组织对早期CIN诊断一致性为91.71%,灵敏度为83.33%,特异度为95.47%。(4)阴道镜联合宫颈活组织对早期CIN诊断一致性为96.50%,灵敏度为92.86%,特异度为98.13%。(5)联合检测对早期CIN诊断的一致性、灵敏度和特异度均明显优于阴道镜及宫颈活组织单独检测。结论:阴道镜及宫颈活组织检测对早期CIN具有较好的诊断效果,但联合检测诊断准确率更高,适用于早期CIN临床筛查中。     

两种高危型HPV检测技术诊断宫颈病变的临床价值比较

目的:比较酶切信号放大法(Cervista)与导流杂交基因芯片技术(Hybri Ma)检测高危型人乳头状瘤病毒(HR-HPV)诊断宫颈上皮内瘤变2级或2级以上(CIN2+)的临床价值。方法:随机选择288例2012年3月至2013年1月在哈尔滨医科大学附属第一医院妇科门诊进行新柏氏液基细胞学检查的年龄在20~65岁的宫颈细胞学检测未明确意义的不典型鳞状细胞(ASCUS)的患者,采用Cervista技术与Hybri Ma技术进行高危型HPV检测,并对入组的患者行阴道镜下宫颈活组织检查。以病理学诊断结果为金标准,比较Cervista技术与Hybri Ma技术诊断宫颈上皮内瘤变2级或2级以上(CIN2+)的敏感度、特异度及ROC曲线。结果:在入组的288例患者中,Cervista技术和Hybri Ma技术检出高危型HPV的阳性率分别为49.31%和51.39%(P0.05),其诊断CIN2+的敏感度分别为95.65%和91.30%(P0.05),特异度分别为59.50%和56.20%(P0.05),阳性预计值分别为30.99%和28.38%(P0.05),阴性预计值分别为98.63%和97.14%(P0.05)。两组ROC曲线下面积分别为0.776和0.738(P0.05)。结论:Cervista技术与Hybri Ma技术诊断CIN2+的临床价值相当。     

不同介质标本中人乳头瘤病毒E6癌蛋白检测效果对比研究

高危型人乳头瘤病毒(HR-HPV)E6癌蛋白在宫颈癌发生发展中起重要作用。本研究旨在评估一种新型、快速、低成本的HPV E6癌蛋白检测技术(OncoE6TM,AVC,Sunnyvale,CA,USA)在棉签和液基细胞学(Liquidbased cytology,ThinPrep)两种不同采样和储存介质宫颈标本中对HPV E6癌蛋白检测结果的一致性和对宫颈上皮内瘤变2/3(CIN2/3)及以上病变检出准确性。依托于1999年在山西省建立的宫颈癌筛查队列,对2014年随访中HPV DNA检测(第二代杂交捕获技术,HC2)阳性妇女的棉签和ThinPrep标本均进行E6癌蛋白检测,并用线性反向探针杂交技术(LiPA,Innogenetics)进行HPV基因分型。在294例HPV阳性妇女的棉签和ThinPrep标本中,E6癌蛋白阳性率相当(11.2%vs 7.8%,P=0.16);两者一致率为96.6%、Kappa值0.8。E6癌蛋白检测和LiPA基因分型对HPV16和HPV18型别的检测结果在两种标本中的一致性均较高(90%)。E6癌蛋白检测对CIN2+的检出效果如下:在棉签标本中,其灵敏度50.0%、特异度93.9%、阳性预测值51.6%;而ThinPrep标本中,灵敏度46.9%、特异度97.1%、阳性预测值68.2%;两者ROC曲线下面积同样为0.72;各项指标间无统计学差异(P0.05)。同样,对CIN3+的检出效果也相当,各指标间无统计学差异(P0.05)。E6蛋白检测在不同检测条件下可重复性较好,且两种标本有其不同的优势,应当根据不同地区卫生资源,适当选择标本类型,进行宫颈癌筛查。     

TCT联合HPV检测诊断宫颈病变的临床价值分析

目的:探讨新柏氏液基细胞学技术(TCT)联合人乳头瘤病毒(human papilloma virus,HPV)检测诊断宫颈病变的临床价值。方法:选择哈尔滨医科大学附属第一医院妇科门诊收治的6752例患者,采集其宫颈脱落细胞进行TCT检测,登记患者的年龄及宫颈外观。分别随机选取TCT阳性和阴性结果的患者144例进行HPV检测及阴道镜下活检,分析和比较TCT单独及联合HPV检测诊断宫颈病变的敏感性和特异性。结果:宫颈柱状上皮细胞的外移程度及患者的年龄与宫颈TCT结果均无显著相关性。单独TCT检测诊断宫颈病变的灵敏度为87.04%,特异性为58.55%;单独HPV检测诊断宫颈病变的灵敏度为62.96%,特异性为81.62%;而联合测诊断宫颈病变的灵敏度为100%,特异度为48.29%。结论:TCT联合HPV检测可显著降低宫颈病变的漏诊率。     

三种常用宫颈癌检查方法比较

目的比较常规细胞学、高危型HPV-DNA病毒测定及DNA倍体分析方法在诊断宫颈癌及癌前病变(cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, CIN)的优缺点。方法 374名妇女做宫颈活检前进行了宫颈细胞常规细胞学诊断、高危型HPV-DNA病毒测定和DNA倍体分析。用宫颈刷刷取宫颈细胞,每个样本制成二张液基薄层玻片,一张经巴氏染色用于常规细胞学诊断(TBS),另一张经Feulgen染色做DNA倍体分析,剩余样本做HC2-HPV-DNA检测。宫颈活检样本进行组织病理诊断。结果 374例宫颈活检样本中发现167例宫颈炎,92例CIN1,63例CIN2,37例CIN3和15例宫颈浸润癌。在259例宫颈炎和CIN1病例中,高危型HPV检测201例为阴性,58例为阳性;DNA倍体分析发现有异倍体细胞的病例为40例,219例为阴性;TBS诊断ASCUS及以上级别的病例30例,229例为正常。在115例CIN2、CIN3和宫颈浸润癌中,高危型HPV病毒测定阳性为98例,阴性为17例;DNA倍体分析阳性为93例,阴性为22例;TBS诊断ASCUS及以上级别的有79例,正常为36例。诊断CIN2及以上级别的敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值和阴性预测值,高危型HPV测定分别为85.2%、77.6%、62.8%和92.2%;DNA倍体分析分别为80%、84.6%、69.9%和90.9%;TBS诊断为68.7%、88.4%、72.5%和86.4%。结论在诊断宫颈高级别癌前病变(CIN2和CIN3)和宫颈癌上,HPV-DNA病毒方法敏感性高,特异性低;常规细胞学方法敏感性低,特异性高;DNA倍体分析方法正好介于二种方法之间。三种方法均有优缺点,具体运用应根据实际情况而定。     

TCT、HPV检测在宫颈锥切术后复发中的预测价值

目的:评估薄层液基细胞学检查(thinprep cytologic test,TCT)和人乳头瘤病毒(human papillomavirus,HPV)检测在宫颈锥切术后复发中的预测价值。方法:随访531例病理诊断为子宫颈上皮内瘤变(cervical intraepithelial neoplasia,CIN)Ⅱ-Ⅲ级接受宫颈锥切术的患者,分别于术后3、6个月及术后每6-12月随访1次,以TCT及HPV检测作为随访的检测指标,若二者有一项异常,行阴道镜下活组织检查,病理证实存在子颈上皮内瘤变Ⅰ-Ⅲ级者视为复发。采用敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值表示TCT、HPV检测性能。结果:531例患者中10%(54例)的患者出现不同级别的病变复发。TCT在术后预测病变复发的灵敏度77%,特异度72%;HPV在术后预测病变复发的灵敏度95%,特异度60%,TCT联合HPV预测病变复发的灵敏度100%,特异性80%。术后HPV负荷量100 RLU/PC者较HPV负荷量100 RLU/PC者而言术后病变复发的风险增高,差别有统计学意义(P0.01),术后HPV负荷量100 RLU/PC是锥切术后病变复发的高危因素。结论:使用细胞学联合HPV检测是有效的预测宫颈锥切术后病变复发的方法,术后高HPV负荷量与病变复发相关,并可对术后复发高风险人群进行分流,临床需严密随访。     

Truscreen联合HPV-DNA分型检测在宫颈病变筛查中的作用

目的:探讨应用宫颈癌筛查系统初善仪()(TruScreen())与HPV分型检测时宫颈病变的诊断价值.方法:对80例LCT≥ASC的患者依次进行TruScreen检查、HPV分型检测和阴道镜下宫颈活检,将病理结果与TruScreen和HPV结果对照分析.结果:TruScreen和HPV阳性分别为52例和41例,病理学检查阳性为38例.TruScreen、HPV检测CIN的敏感度分别为94.73%、81.58%,特异度分别为61.90%、76.19%,差异有显著性(P<0.05),两种检查的符合率:71.25%.联合检查对高度CIN诊断的敏感度为100%.HPV16、58感染较多出现在高度CIN中.结论:TruScreen可即时检测宫颈病变,敏感度高,联合HPV分型检测对宫颈癌及癌前病变的筛选及预后判断有重要意义.     

Role for dopamine in malonate-induced damage in vivo in striatum and in vitro in mesencephalic cultures

Defects in mitochondrial energy metabolism have been implicated in the pathology of several neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, the reactive metabolites generated from the metabolism and oxidation of the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) are thought to contribute to the damage to neurons of the basal ganglia. We have previously demonstrated that infusions of the metabolic inhibitor malonate into the striata of mice or rats produce degeneration of DA nerve terminals. In the present studies, we demonstrate that an intrastriatal infusion of malonate induces a substantial increase in DA efflux in awake, behaving mice as measured by in vivo microdialysis. Furthermore, pretreatment of mice with tetrabenazine (TBZ) or the TBZ analogue Ro 4-1284 (Ro-4), compounds that reversibly inhibit the vesicular storage of DA, attenuates the malonate-induced DA efflux as well as the damage to DA nerve terminals. Consistent with these findings, the damage to both DA and GABA neurons in mesencephalic cultures by malonate exposure was attenuated by pretreatment with TBZ or Ro-4. Treatment with these compounds did not affect the formation of free radicals or the inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation resulting from malonate exposure alone. Our data suggest that DA plays an important role in the neurotoxicity produced by malonate. These findings provide direct evidence that inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase causes an increase in extracellular DA levels and indicate that bioenergetic defects may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic neurodegenerative diseases through a mechanism involving DA.     

2018年中国植物科学若干领域重要研究进展

2018年中国植物科学继续呈现快速发展的态势, 我国科学家在国际植物科学主流学术刊物发表论文数量大幅增加, 取得了多项具有重要影响的成果。调控植物生长-代谢平衡实现可持续农业发展入选2018年度中国科学十大进展; 中国被子植物区系进化历史研究入选2018年度中国生命科学十大进展。以水稻为代表的农作物和果蔬等经济作物研究在国际上已呈现出明显的优势, 若干领域已从“追赶”状态跨越到“领跑”地位。该文对2018年中国科学家在植物科学若干领域取得的重要研究成果进行了概括性评述, 旨在全面追踪和报道当前中国植物科学领域的发展前沿和热点, 展示中国科学家所取得的杰出成就。     

2017年中国植物科学若干领域重要研究进展

2017年中国植物科学继续保持高速发展态势, 重大成果频出, 具体表现在中国植物学家在国际顶级学术期刊发表的文章数量平稳上升。中国植物科学领域的研究工作者成果精彩纷呈, 如新型广谱抗病机制的发现、水稻广谱抗病遗传基础及机制和疫霉菌诱发病害成灾机制研究等。2017年中国生命科学领域十大进展评选中, 有两项植物科学领域的研究成果入选。水稻生物学、进化与基因组学和激素生物学等领域学科发展突出。另外, 值得一提的是, 长期从事高等植物与代谢途径调控分子网络研究和水稻品种设计育种的李家洋院士的研究成果“水稻高产优质性状形成的分子机理及品种设计”荣获2017年国家自然科学一等奖。这一具有重大国际影响的开创性贡献标志着中国植物科学在该领域的国际科学前沿居于引领和卓越地位。该文对2017年中国本土科学家在植物科学若干领域取得的重要研究成果进行了系统梳理, 旨在全面追踪和报道当前中国植物科学领域发展的最新前沿动态, 与广大读者共同分享我国科学家所取得的辉煌成就。     

我国葫芦科植物离体培养研究进展

葫芦科植物包括多种瓜类蔬菜,对其进行离体培养研究具有重要的理论和实践意义。综述了国内在葫芦科植物器官培养、体细胞胚胎发生、花药培养、原生质体培养和体细胞杂交及离体遗传转化等方面取得的研究进展,并对葫芦科植物离体培养、遗传转化与育种的前景作了展望。     

SSTR5 ablation in islet results in alterations in glucose homeostasis in mice

Somatostatin (SST) peptide is a potent inhibitor of insulin secretion and its effect is mediated via somatostatin receptor 5 (SSTR5) in the endocrine pancreas. To investigate the consequences of gene ablation of SSTR5 in the mouse pancreas, we have generated a mouse model in which the SSTR5 gene was specifically knocked down in the pancreatic beta cells (betaSSTR5Kd) using the Cre-lox system. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that SSTR5 gene expression was absent in beta cells at three months of age. At the time of gene ablation, betaSSTR5Kd mice demonstrated glucose intolerance with lack of insulin response and significantly reduced serum insulin levels. Insulin tolerance test demonstrated a significant increase of insulin clearance in vivo at the same age. In vitro studies demonstrated an absence of response to SST-28 stimulation in the betaSSTR5Kd mouse islet, which was associated with a significantly reduced SST expression level in betaSSTR5Kd mice pancreata. In addition, betaSSTR5Kd mice had significantly reduced serum glucose levels and increased serum insulin levels at 12 months of age. Glucose tolerance test at an older age also indicated a persistently higher insulin level in betaSSTR5Kd mice. Further studies of betaSSTR5Kd mice had revealed elevated serum C-peptide levels at both 3 and 12 months of age, suggesting that these mice are capable of producing and releasing insulin to the periphery. These results support the hypothesis that SSTR5 plays a pivotal role in the regulation of insulin secretion in the mouse pancreas.     

2018年中国植物科学若干领域重要研究进展

2018年中国植物科学继续呈现快速发展的态势, 我国科学家在国际植物科学主流学术刊物发表论文数量大幅增加, 取得了多项具有重要影响的成果。调控植物生长-代谢平衡实现可持续农业发展入选2018年度中国科学十大进展; 中国被子植物区系进化历史研究入选2018年度中国生命科学十大进展。以水稻为代表的农作物和果蔬等经济作物研究在国际上已呈现出明显的优势, 若干领域已从“追赶”状态跨越到“领跑”地位。该文对2018年中国科学家在植物科学若干领域取得的重要研究成果进行了概括性评述, 旨在全面追踪和报道当前中国植物科学领域的发展前沿和热点, 展示中国科学家所取得的杰出成就。     

我国葫芦科植物离体培养研究进展

葫芦科植物包括多种瓜类蔬菜,对其进行离体培养研究具有重要的理论和实践意义.综述了国内在葫芦科植物器官培养、体细胞胚胎发生、花药培养、原生质体培养和体细胞杂交及离体遗传转化等方面取得的研究进展,并对葫芦科植物离体培养、遗传转化与育种的前景作了展望.     

Changes in aquatic vegetation in Rhine floodplain streams in Alsace in relation to disturbance

Abstract. Changes are described in aquatic vegetation in oligotrophic, groundwater-fed Rhine floodplain streams in Alsace (eastern France), resulting from disturbance. Disturbance factors include changes in nutrients, either permanent ones - effluent from a waste water treatment plant or trout hatcheries - or periodic ones: flooding. Regular inputs of high levels of phosphate and ammonia modified the macrophyte vegetation in these streams. The floristic composition, which was characteristic of oligotrophic waters upstream of the eutrophicated sector, changed to that of a eutrophic situation as originally found downstream. Periodic disturbance by floods which normally occur once a year, irregularly eutrophicates the small streams, causing the development of a mixture of eutrophic and oligotrophic species. Six macrophyte communities are distinguished, indicating different trophic levels. The aquatic vegetation is adapted to the variations of phosphate and ammonia levels. Hence, aquatic macrophytes can be used as bio-indicators of fluctuations in water nutrient levels in relation to the type of disturbance.     

Apoptosis in experimental myocardial infarction in situ and in the perfused heart in vitro

We report the appearance of apoptotic cells in experimental myocardial infarction (rabbit heart) in in situ and in vitro preparations. Apoptosis was recognized by intravital staining with Hoechst 33342 (Ho342), by nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and by DNA laddering. A steady rise in the relative number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes (apoptotic index) was noted in in situ preparations. Apoptosis was first noted 6 h after the onset of ischemia with its highest value occurring after 72 h. Apoptotic nuclei were absent in remote areas of the left and right ventricles. Apoptotic nuclei within the infarcted area showed diminished intensity of Ho342 fluorescence. Three days after ischemia, a border zone adjacent to the infarcted area consisting of apoptotic macrophages was recognized. A novel finding was the appearance of apoptotic cardiomyocytes in the isolated perfused ischemic heart. Occurring as early as 50 min after the onset of ischemia, a high apoptotic index was present adjacent to the ligature placed around the coronary artery. This observation provides the opportunity to selectively examine factors leading to apoptosis in the ischemic heart under controlled experimental conditions.     

Morphine-potentiated platelet aggregation in in vitro and platelet plug formation in in vivo experiments

The detailed mechanisms underlying morphine-signaling pathways in platelets remain obscure. Therefore, we systematically examined the influence of morphine on washed human platelets. In this study, washed human platelet suspensions were used for in vitro studies. Furthermore, platelet thrombus formation induced by irradiation of mesenteric venules with filtered light in mice pretreated with fluorescein sodium was used for an in vivo thrombotic study. Morphine concentration dependently (0.6, 1, and 5 microM) potentiated platelet aggregation and the ATP release reaction stimulated by agonists (i.e., collagen and U46619) in washed human platelets. Yohimbine (0.1 microM), a specific alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist, markedly abolished the potentiation of morphine in platelet aggregation stimulated by agonists. Morphine also potentiated phosphoinositide breakdown and intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization in human platelets stimulated by collagen (1 microg/ml). Moreover, morphine (0.6-5 microM) markedly inhibited prostaglandin E(1) (10 microM)-induced cyclic AMP formation in human platelets, while yohimbine (0.1 microM) significantly reversed the inhibition of cyclic AMP by morphine (0.6 and 1 microM) in this study. The thrombin-evoked increase in pH(i) was markedly potentiated in the presence of morphine (1 and 5 microM). Morphine (2 and 5 mg/g) significantly shortened the time require to induce platelet plug formation in mesenteric venules. We concluded that morphine may exert its potentiation in platelet aggregation by binding to alpha(2)-adrenoceptors in human platelets, with a resulting inhibition of adenylate cyclase, thereby reducing intracellular cyclic AMP formation followed by increased activation of phospholipase C and the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger. This leads to increased intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization, and finally potentiation of platelet aggregation and of the ATP release reaction.