Neurotransmitter release evoked by α-latrotoxin in the smooth muscle of the female pig urethra

Neuronal regulation of smooth muscle tone in the female pig urethra has mainly been studied in vitro using electrical field stimulation (EFS) of nerves. Excitatory control is considered to be exerted by released noradrenaline, whereas inhibitory control is non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC), and mediated by nitric oxide (NO), and an as yet unidentified agent. We investigated the functional and morphological effects of α-latrotoxin (αLTX), a spider neurotoxin believed to cause massive release of vesicle-stored neurotransmitters, on spontaneously developed urethral smooth muscle tone. The effects were compared to those of EFS and high potassium. In the presence of the NO-synthesis inhibitor N^ω-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG: 0.3 mM) both αLTX and EFS evoked contractions. After treatment with scopolamine and phentolamine, no contraction was observed, and under these conditions αLTX and EFS induced relaxation. At low frequencies (<12 Hz), the EFS-induced relaxations were rapid, whereas at higher frequencies (>12 Hz), they were biphasic, consisting of a rapid first phase followed by a more long-lasting second phase. L-NOARG abolished the relaxations at low frequencies, as well as the first phase of the biphasic relaxation. The second phase was not affected by treatment with L-NOARG, but 0.1 μM ω-conotoxin GVIA, blocker of N-type voltage-operated calcium- channels (VOCCs), markedly reduced or abolished the response. In the presence of L-NOARG or ω-conotoxin GVIA, the αLTX-induced relaxation was significantly decreased, and the combination of L-NOARG and ω-conotoxin GVIA further reduced or abolished the relaxation. In preparationstreated with tetrodotoxin or scorpion venom, believed to inactivate nerves by acting on sodium channels, αLTX and EFS had no effects. αLTX-induced relaxation was not associated with changes in cyclic GMP or cyclic AMP content. High (80 mM) potassium solution induced a triphasic response of the preparation. A transient relaxation was followed by a restoration of tone, and then by a persistent relaxation. The persistent relaxation was slightly reduced by scorpion venom or L-NOARG, but reduced by 50% by a combination of L-NOARG and ω-conotoxin GVIA. Ultrastructural analysis of the urethral circular smooth muscle layer revealed a moderate amount of nerve profiles supplying the smooth muscle. In control preparations, the nerve profiles contained both small synaptic vesicles and large dense core vesicles. αLTX caused a major loss of both types of vesicle. The present data suggest that αLTX has the ability to release not only adrenergic and cholinergic transmitters, but also NANC mediators of relaxation, including NO, from nerve terminals in the urethra. Received: 13 January 1997 / Accepted: 17 April 1997     

酸性环境介导皮质神经元损伤及阻断酸敏感离子通道1α的神经保护作用

目的 探讨脑梗死模型中酸性环境能否介导皮质神经元损伤及阻断酸敏感离子通道1α（acidsensing ion channels1α，ASIC1α）的神经保护作用。方法 制作缺氧细胞模型、脑梗死动物模型，检测ASIC1α阻断剂对乳酸脱氢酸（lactate dehydrogenase，LDH）释放率、大鼠行为学、脑梗死体积以及ASIC1蛋白表达的影响。结果 酸性环境可以损伤皮质神经元，加重缺氧对细胞的毒性作用，经侧脑室注射ASIC1α阻断剂可以改善脑梗死大鼠的行为学改变，梗死体积明显减小（P〈0.05）；随梗死时间延长，缺血半暗带ASIC1表达增加，在缺血后24h表达量较明显。结论 酸性环境导致皮质神经元损伤，其损伤机制与缺血后神经元ASIC1α开放以及表达增加有关；阻断ASIC1α具有神经保护作用。     

On the mechanism of increased potassium conductance by the potassium channel opener BRL 34915 in Isolated ventricular myocytes

The potassium conductance increased by BRL 34915 (BRL, cromakalim) was studied in single guinea pig ventricular myocytes by using a whole cell voltage-clamp technique. In control voltage-clamp recordings, the late current-voltage relation showed a distinct inward rectification. BRL (1–100 μM) shortened the action potential and diminished or abolished inward rectification but had no effect on the slope conductance and currents flowing during hyperpolarizing clamp steps. BRL did not decrease the slow inward current but accelerated the time constant of activation and amplitude of the outward current. Cd markedly decreased (0.2 mM) or abolished (0.4–0.6 mM) the slow inward current and BRL induced a faster outward shift of late current to a greater value. Glybenclamide (10 μM), a blocker of ATP-sensitive K⁺ channels, had little effect of its own on action potential, membrane currents, and I-V relation. However, in the presence of BRL, glybenclamide abolished BRL effects on action potential and currents and restored inward rectification. It is concluded that the mechanism by which BRL shortens the action potential is a faster growth of an outward current due to the reduction or abolition of the inward rectification of an ATP-dependent potassium channel. The reduction in force in non-isolated tissues appears to be an indirect result of the action potential shortening and not of a decreased slow inward current.     

正常血钾型周期性麻痹SCN4A基因新突变的检测

目的　报道正常血钾型周期性麻痹 (normoPP)一家系的临床特点 ,并筛查SCN4A基因以期发现有义突变。方法　提取知情同意的患者及部分家属外周血基因组DNA ,应用变性高效液相色谱分析 (DHPLC)技术筛查患者SCN4A基因全部 2 4个外显子 ,对发现异常者进行测序分析。结果先证者常规实验室检查未见异常 ,发作期肌酸激酶 (CK) 112 6U/L(正常值 <2 0 0U/L) ,肌电图正常。发作间期行肌肉活检未见显著异常。基因研究发现先证者及其父亲 (患者 )SCN4A基因发生同一新突变G2 10 1A ,并引起氨基酸序列改变Arg6 75Gln。该突变不同于目前发现的明确导致高钾型周期性麻痹(hyperPP)的突变 ,也不同于已知的SCN4A基因所有突变。结论　normoPP患者存在一新突变Arg6 75Gln ,该突变可能与疾病相关。     

背根神经节Nav1.8磷酸化在大鼠糖尿病痛性周围神经病变中的作用

目的 本研究采用射频热凝毁损腰交感神经节,探讨背根神经节（DRG）Nav1．8磷酸化在大鼠糖尿病痛性周围神经病变中的作用。方法 采用腹腔注射链尿佐菌素诱导糖尿病痛性周围神经病变大鼠模型,取造模成功的大鼠20只,随机分为糖尿病对照组（D组）及交感神经节射频热凝组（R组）,每组10只,另取10只同月龄大鼠为正常对照组（C组）。R组大鼠在X光机介导下行右侧L3,4椎旁腰交感神经节射频热凝毁损。分别于射频热凝前、射频热凝后1、2周时,采用von Frey纤维丝测定大鼠右侧后爪对机械性刺激缩足反应的阈值（PWT）;射频热凝后2周,采用Western-blotting方法测定DRG细胞Nav1．8蛋白和苏氨酸磷酸化Nav1．8蛋白表达,并采用透射电镜观察大鼠腓肠神经超微病理结构。结果 与C组比较,射频热凝前D组和R组PWT降低（P＜0．01）。射频热凝后1～2周,R组较D组PWT升高,但仍较C组降低（P＜0．05）。C组髓鞘排列均匀,轴突内可见形态正常的线粒体;D组脱髓鞘明显,髓鞘板层排列紊乱、断裂、肿胀;R组脱髓鞘程度明显减轻,髓鞘板层局部排列紊乱、空泡形成。与C组比较,D组和R组Nav1．8蛋白表达降低（P＜0．05）,而苏氨酸磷酸化Nav1．8蛋白表达增高（P＜0．01）;R组苏氨酸磷酸化Nav1．8蛋白表达低于D组（P＜0．05）。结论 DRG细胞Nav1．8的磷酸化可能是糖尿病痛性周围神经病变大鼠痛觉过敏形成的机制之一。     

瑞芬太尼对人肠系膜小动脉平滑肌细胞L-型钙通道电流的影响

目的观察瑞芬太尼对人肠系膜小动脉平滑肌细胞(MASMCs)L-型钙通道电流的影响,探讨其扩张血管的机制。方法酶解法分离人肠系膜小动脉单个平滑肌细胞,采用全细胞膜片钳技术,以钡电流作为载流子,观察19.4nmol／L瑞芬太尼在不同钳制电压下以及不同浓度瑞芬太尼在最大激活电压下对MASMCs L-型钡电流(TBa-L)的影响。结果19．4 nmol／L瑞芬太尼可抑制TBa-L,使电流密度-电压曲线上移,最大激活电压及翻转电压均向膜的负电位方向移动(P<0．01)。瑞芬太尼浓度依赖性地抑制TBa-L,其半数最大抑制效应的浓度为(39±4)nmol／L。结论瑞芬太尼浓度依赖性地抑制人肠系膜小动脉平滑肌细胞L-型钙通道,从而产生扩张血管的作用。     

Asbestos disease risk communication conducted by the New Jersey department of health

Since October 1985, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has required hospitals to report all patients with a discharge diagnosis of asbestosis. As follow-up to a needs assessment survey of these patients, the NJDOH developed an educational packet including an information bulletin titled “Asbestos Disease: Medical and Legal Facts for Employees” and a pre-stamped postcard evaluation survey. The packet was sent to 1,418 patients reported by hospitals; 433 patients returned the evaluation questionnaire. The survey assessed attitudinal responses (were the materials helpful and easy to understand?) and behavioral responses (did the respondent plan on discussing the materials with a doctor or lawyer?) to the information in the packet. Of the postcard respondents, 85% found the materials helpful, and approximately half indicated that they would discuss the materials with a doctor or lawyer. Of the 33% who were proxy respondents, half appeared not to have understood that the materials had relevance to them as family members. Modifications to the protocol for the asbestos disease educational packet were made based on the evaluation data. Limitations of the evaluation survey and the value of process evaluations in risk communication projects are discussed. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

内皮超极化因子的研究进展

内皮超极化因子（EDHF）是由内皮释放的NO和PGI_2以外的另一种舒张因子,它通过使平滑肌细胞膜超极化而舒张血管,是内皮依赖性血管松驰的第3种重要机制。EDHF可能是花生四烯酸的细胞色素P450代谢产物EET-s,乙酰胆碱、缓激肽等激动剂作用于内皮细胞,使细胞内游离钙浓度升高,合成和（或）释放EDHF,作用于平滑肌细胞膜,激活钙依赖性钾通道,使细胞膜超极化,抑制电压依赖性钙通道的开放,引起血管松弛。在大血管中NO-cGMP松弛机制可能占主导地位,并且抑制EDHF生成;而在阻力小血管,EDHF则可能是引起血管松弛的主要因素。     

Similarities between the relaxations induced by vasoactive intestinal peptide and by stimulation of the non-adrenergic non-cholinergic neurons in the rat stomach

Summary The characteristics of the non-adrenergic, noncholinergic inhibitory response of the rat stomach fundus to transmural nerve stimulation were compared with the relaxation induced by vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). Treatment with -chymotrypsin (5 U/ml) or VIP antiserum (1:200) significantly reduced the relaxation induced by transmural nerve stimulation at 30 Hz, indicating that the possible transmitter in the non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic nerves is a peptide and may be VIP or a closely related peptide. VIP was able to relax, fully and dose-dependently, the stomach fundus that had previously been constricted by treatment with 10^–6 M serotonin, and the IC₅₀ value for VIP was 2.4 × 10^–9 M. VIP elevated levels of cyclic AMP in a dose-dependent manner and the EC₅₀ value was 2.8 × 10^–9 M in the presence of 10^–6 M atropine and 10^–6 M guanethidine. The stomach fundus was relaxed by transmural nerve stimulation (30 Hz, 50 mA) and transmural nerve stimulation also caused production of cyclic AMP in the rat stomach in the presence of atropine and guanethidine. The basal level of cyclic AMP in the stomach was 8.7 ± 0.26 pmole/mg protein. When transmural nerve stimulation was applied for 5 min, the contraction of the stomach, induced by 10^–6 M serotonin, was inhibited by 54% in the presence of atropine and guanethidine and the level of cyclic AMP was increased to 13.0 ± 0.73 pmol/mg protein. Apamin inhibited the transmural nerve stimulation-induced relaxation and shifted the dose-response curve for VIP to the right. These results suggest that one of the putative neurotransmitter from non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic nerves in the rat stomach is VIP and that VIP-induced relaxation may be mediated by the production of cyclic AMP and by the opening of apamin-sensitive K⁺-channels.Send offprint requests to K. Kamata at the above address     

Differential potentiation by calcium antagonists of neuromuscular blockade induced by pancuronium and succinylcholine in cats in vivo

Summary The effects of several calcium antagonists (verapamil, nicardipine and two diltiazem isomers, d-cis and l-cis diltiazem) alone and associated to non-depolarizing (pancuronium) and depolarizing (succinylcholine) neuromuscular blockers, were evaluated on sciatic nerve-tibialis anterior muscle preparations from cats in vivo. The calcium antagonists used (at 0.1 and 0.5mg/kg iv) did not modify the height of muscular twitches elicited indirectly. However, these agents potentiated in a dose-dependent way the neuromuscular blockade induced by iv pancuronium (2–40g/kg) and succinylcholine (6–200g/kg). The order of potency in increasing the effects of pancuronium was nicardipine d-cis diltiazem verapamil, whereas the order of potency in enhancing succinylcholine effects was d-cis diltiazem verapamil nicardipine. The effects of diltiazem were stereoselective, thus the potentiation induced by d-cis diltiazem was significantly greater in all cases than that induced by l-cis diltiazem, which suggests that calcium channel blockade plays a role in these interactions. However, other mechanisms such as calcium antagonists-induced nicotinic receptor desensitization may also be involved.