High-resolution myocardial perfusion mapping in small animals in vivo by spin-labeling gradient-echo imaging.

An ECG and respiration-gated spin-labeling gradient-echo imaging technique is proposed for the quantitative and completely noninvasive measurement and mapping of myocardial perfusion in small animals in vivo. In contrast to snapshot FLASH imaging, the spatial resolution of the perfusion maps is not limited by the heart rate. A significant improvement in image quality is achieved by synchronizing the inversion pulse to the respiration movements of the animals, thereby allowing for spontaneous respiration. High-resolution myocardial perfusion maps (in-plane resolution=234 x 468 microm2) demonstrating the quality of the perfusion measurement were obtained at 4.7 T in a group of seven freely breathing Wistar-Kyoto rats under isoflurane anesthesia. The mean perfusion value (group average +/- SD) was 5.5 +/- 0.7 ml g(-1)min(-1). In four animals, myocardial perfusion was mapped and measured under cardiac dobutamine stress. Perfusion increased to 11.1 +/- 1.9 ml g(-1)min(-1). The proposed method is particularly useful for the study of small rodents at high fields.     

Down-regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in rat with congenital hydronephrosis

BACKGROUND: Most of our knowledge concerning obstructive uropathy has been derived mainly from surgically manipulated animal models, and the pathogenesis of congenital obstructive hydronephrosis is not fully elucidated. Nitric oxide (NO) acts as an important biological modulator with diverse physiological functions, which can be either toxic or protective depending on the situation. NO is synthesized from l-arginine by nitric oxide synthase, and in the kidney iNOS is expressed spontaneously. The aim of our study is to investigate the expression of iNOS protein and its relationship with tubulointerstitial fibrosis and tubular cell apoptosis in congenital hydronephrosis. METHODS: We conducted histological studies on 18 kidneys of six-week-old-rats from an inbred colony of congenital hydronephrosis with reference to the histological grading of the affected kidney, tubulointerstitial fibrosis, renal tubular atrophy, and tubular cell apoptosis. Renal transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) level was determined by a sandwich ELISA assay and the expression of iNOS was analyzed by western blotting. RESULTS: Most of the hydronephrotic kidneys were markedly enlarged with dilatation of the collecting system, parenchymal thinning, tubular atrophy, interstitial infiltration and fibrosis. Renal TGF-beta1 level was higher in hydronephrotic kidneys than normal control kidneys (364.81 +/- 52.60 vs. 221.19 +/- 22.53 pg/mg protein, P < 0.05). Tubular apoptotic score in hydronephrotic kidneys was also significantly higher than in the normal control kidneys (1.97 +/- 0.42 vs. 0.14 +/- 0.02/HPF, P < 0.01). The expression of iNOS protein was lower in the affected kidneys compared with the normal control kidneys (8.79 +/- 0.78 vs. 14.00 +/- 0.83 arbitrary unit, P < 0.01). There was a negative correlation between iNOS expression and histological grading in congenital hydronephrosis. The iNOS expression also correlated negatively with renal interstitial fibrosis, TGF-beta1 level and tubular cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed the down-regulation of iNOS expression in affected kidneys from rats with congenital hydronephrosis, in which the cytoprotective effect of NO may be lost or weakened.     

Transfer of 45Ca and 36Cl at the blood-nerve barrier of the sciatic nerve in rats fed low or high calcium diets

Unidirectional fluxes of 45Ca, 36Cl, and of [3H]mannitol from blood into the sciatic nerve and cerebral cortex were determined from 5- and 15-min uptakes of these tracers after an intravenous (i.v.) bolus injection in awake rats. Rats were fed diets for 8 wk, that had either a low (0.01% wt/wt), normal (0.67%), or high (3%) Ca content. Plasma [Ca] was 32% less and 11% more in rats fed low (LOCA) and high Ca diets (HICA), respectively, than in rats fed a normal Ca diet (CONT). The mean permeability-surface area product (PA) of 45Ca at the blood-nerve barrier was about eightfold higher than at the blood-brain barrier in the same animals and did not differ significantly between groups (greater than 0.05). Mean PA ratios of 45Ca/36Cl for the blood-nerve and blood-brain barriers in CONT rats, 0.52 +/- 0.04 and 0.40 +/- 0.02, respectively, were not significantly different from corresponding ratios in LOCA and HICA groups, and corresponded to the aqueous limiting diffusion ratio (0.45). Our results show no evidence for concentration-dependent transport of Ca over a plasma [Ca] range of 0.8-1.4 mmol/liter at the blood-nerve barrier of the rat peripheral nerve, and suggest that Ca and Cl exchange slowly between nerve and blood via paracellular pathways.     

Glutamergic Action on Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone Release from the Rat Hypothalamus

Release of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) synthesized in the hypothalamus is regulated by monoaminergic neuronal systems. An endogenous dopaminergic system inhibits α-MSH release (1, 2) whilst serotoninergic systems exert a biphasic effect on peptide release (3). The toxic effects of neonatal peripheral administration of monosodium glutamate on hypothalamic neurons containing proopiomelanocortin- (POMC-) derived peptides (4, 5) suggest additionally the presence of glutamate receptors on or indirectly influencing the POMC neuron. By comparison of the effect of the excitatory amino-acid agonists N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), quisqualate and kainate on the release of α-MSH from superfused slices of rat hypothalamus, we have demonstrated a stimulatory glutamergic action on α-MSH release mediated through NMDA-type receptors.     

参附注射液对大鼠胰腺移植受体小肠肠粘膜屏障的保护作用

目的探讨参附注射液（SF）对大鼠胰腺移植受体肠粘膜屏障的保护作用及机制。方法24只糖尿病大鼠随机分为缺血再灌注组（IR组。n=12），参附注射液预处理组（SF组．n=12），12只正常大鼠为对照组，IR组和SF组大鼠均接受胰腺移植，再灌注后5d检测小肠通透性和吸收功能，检测血清TNF-α、NO、SOD和淀粉酶活性，取受体空肠粘膜组织检测小肠粘膜粘膜湿重、微绒毛高度及宽度、MDA含量及MPO活性，同时取肠系膜静脉血、肠系膜淋巴结、肝及脾组织进行细菌培养，观察细菌易位情况。结果再灌注后SF组血清TNF—α含量（P〈0．01）、淀粉酶活性（P〈0．01）、MDA含量（P〈0．01）、MPO活性（P〈0．01）、小肠通透性（P〈0．01）、细菌易位率（P〈0．01）和小肠粘膜损伤程度均低于IR组；血清NO和SOD含量、小肠吸收功能均高于IR组（P〈0．01）。结论SF预处理可保护大鼠胰腺移植受体小肠肠粘膜屏障，降低细菌易位率，机制可能与降低胰酶活性、减少TNF—α生成、减轻PMNs粘附与聚集、增加NO和SOD含量有关。     

参附注射液对实验性急性坏死性胰腺炎肠道细菌移位的影响

目的：研究参附注射液对实验性急性坏死性胰腺炎（ANP）时肠道细菌移位的影响。方法：ANP大鼠制模方法采用胰腺被膜下注射牛磺胆酸钠。假手术组、对照组经皮下注射生理盐水，实验组同法给予等量参附注射液。取标本（下腔静脉血、腹水、肠系膜淋巴结及大肠内容物）进行细菌培养，计数菌落数及鉴定细菌种类。结果：标本中生长的细菌与大肠内容物培养细菌种类相同，实验组标本的菌落数少于对照组（P〈0.01）。结论：实验性ANP大鼠合并感染的细菌来源于肠道，参附注射液可以减少肠道细菌移位。     

Activation of peripheral 5-HT4 receptors attenuates colonic sensitivity to intraluminal distension

Tegaserod is a 5-HT(4) receptor partial agonist approved for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in women with constipation and in both men and women with chronic constipation. The efficacy of tegaserod is based on the importance of 5-HT(4) receptors regulating intestinal peristalsis and secretion, and possibly visceral sensory pathways. Our aim was to investigate the effect of tegaserod on colorectal sensitivity using models of normal and exaggerated responsiveness to colorectal distension (CRD). The visceromotor responses (VMR) to CRD at graded pressures (0-60 mmHg) were measured by the number of reflex abdominal contractions. Acute colorectal hypersensitivity was induced by intracolonic infusion of dilute acetic acid. Chronic hypersensitivity was observed in rats following spontaneous resolution of trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced colitis. Rats with normosensitive colons served as controls. Tegaserod (0.1-10 mg kg(-1)) caused dose-dependent reduction of the VMR to CRD in control rats and in those with colonic hypersensitivity. 5-HT(4) antagonists reversed the effects of tegaserod in rats with normosensitive colons, and partially inhibited effects in rats with colonic hypersensitivity. Central administration of tegaserod had no inhibitory effect. These results support the assumption that colonic hypersensitivity could be normalized by tegaserod acting, at least in part, through peripheral 5-HT(4) receptors.     

七氟醚和缺氧预适应诱导乳鼠心肌细胞HSP70表达的改变

目的 :探讨七氟醚预适应和缺氧预适应对乳鼠心肌细胞热休克蛋白 70表达的影响。方法 :第 2代培养心肌细胞随机分为正常对照组 (C组 )、缺氧 /复氧组 (A/R组 )、缺氧预适应组 (IP组 )和七氟醚预适应组 (S组 ) ,每组均缺氧 2h ,复氧 48h。分别取复氧 0 ,1,12 ,2 4,36和 48h的细胞 ,用免疫组化染色检测HSP70 表达并进行图象分析。结果 :在各个时间点 ,S组和IP组间的HSP70 表达均显著高于A/R组和C组 (P <0 .0 1) ,A/R组的HSP70 表达略高于C组 ,S组和IP组间的HSP70 表达差异无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 )。随着复氧时间的延长 ,S组和IP组间的HSP70 表达从 1h开始增加 ,2 4h表达最强 ,与 1h相比差异具有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论 :七氟醚预处理和缺氧预处理均可诱导乳鼠心肌细胞HSP70 在延迟相呈高表达 ,提示HSP70 参与了七氟醚预适应和缺氧预适应的延迟保护相。     

成年大鼠纹状体海人藻酸损伤后nestin的表达

目的　 研究成年大鼠纹状体海人藻酸 (kainicacid,KA)损伤后不同时间点nestin的表达并探讨其机制。方法　向成年SD大鼠纹状体内立体定位注射 0 .5 μlKA(1mg/ml) ,分别于手术后第 1、3、7、14天用免疫组织化学法检测纹状体内nestin表达的变化。结果　 正常纹状体内可观察到微弱的淡染nestin样免疫活性阳性细胞 ;大鼠纹状体KA损伤后 1d ,nestin样免疫活性增强 ;第 3天nestin样免疫活性达峰值 ,nestin样免疫活性阳性细胞的胞体肥大 ,突起粗大 ,分支增加 ;此后nestin样免疫活性阳性细胞染色强度减弱 ,其胞体和突起逐渐变小变细。 结论　 成年大鼠纹状体内注射海人藻酸可诱导nestin的大量表达 ,该表达可能与脑损伤后的自身修复相关。     

头皮针对脑缺血模型大鼠血浆内皮素-1的影响

目的 :研究头皮针对脑缺血模型大鼠内皮素 - 1 ( ET- 1 )的影响 ,并与电针组比较。方法 :Wistar大鼠 5 0只 ,随机分正常、假手术、模型、电针、头皮针五组 ,每组 1 0只 ,后四组均于造模后 72小时、1 0天、1 5天取血测 ET- 1 ,并与手术后 6小时测定值进行比较 ;前三组不治疗 ,后两组造模后分别用电针与头皮针治疗。观察治疗前后 ET- 1测定值。结果 :神经功能评分 ,术后 1 0天与 1 5天 ,治疗组与模型组有显著性差异 ( P<0 .0 5～ 0 .0 1 ) ,电针组与头皮针组 ET- 1测定值无明显差异。对ET- 1的影响 ,术后 72小时及 1 0天时 ,治疗组 ET- 1明显低于模型组 ( P<0 .0 5 ) ,头皮针组明显低于电针组 ( P<0 .0 5 )。结论 :头皮针可在脑缺血早期就明显降低血浆 ET- 1含量 ,这可能是头皮针减轻脑缺血损伤并促进肢体功能恢复的机制之一。