Metaphit, an acylating ligand for phencyclidine receptors: characterization of in vivo actions in the rat

Metaphit, which acylates phencyclidine (PCP) receptors in vitro, was shown to acylate PCP receptors and antagonize the behavioral and electrophysiological effects of PCP in vivo. Metaphit (2 mumol/rat) administered i.c.v. produced PCP-like stereotyped behavior and ataxia in 10 to 20% of rats. At a lower dose, Metaphit (1 mumol/rat) antagonized the ability of PCP to induce stereotyped behavior and ataxia for 3 and 4 days, respectively. The Metaphit-induced antagonism of PCP induction of stereotyped behavior and ataxia was dose-dependent and specific as Metaphit did not antagonize induction of stereotyped behavior by amphetamine. Further evidence for a specific PCP receptor mechanism was the finding that PCP pretreatment blocked the effects of subsequent Metaphit administration. Metaphit also antagonized PCP-induction of stereotyped behavior, but not ataxia, after i.v. administration. Doses of Metaphit that produced long-term antagonism of the behavioral effects of PCP also produced a significant decrease in the maximum binding, but not Kd, of the binding of the PCP analog, [3H]-1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine, in Metaphit-pretreated rats. The binding of [3H]etorphine and [3H]spiroperidol was not altered significantly by pretreating rats with Metaphit. (-)-Cyclazocine and (+)-SKF 10,047 induced stereotyped behavior and ataxia that was not antagonized by Metaphit-pretreatment. In electrophysiological experiments, Metaphit, like PCP, initially depressed the firing of caudate neurons as does PCP, but then irreversibly inhibited PCP-induced depression of caudate neurons. These results suggest that metaphit antagonized the effects of PCP by selectively acylating PCP receptors and that (-)-cyclazocine- and (+)-SKF 10,047-induced behavioral effects are not mediated primarily by PCP receptors.     

Electrophysiological evidence for presynaptic actions of phencyclidine on noradrenergic transmission in rat cerebellum

The actions of the psychotomimetic drug phencyclidine (PCP) were studied using Purkinje neurons in the cerebellum of urethane-anesthetized rats. PCP, applied by micropressure ejection through multibarreled micropipettes, depressed the spontaneous activity of these neurons as recorded by extracellular electrophysiological techniques. This depressant effect was blocked by neuroleptic drugs and lithium, both of which also block the depressant effects of norepinephrine, but not those of gamma-aminobutyric acid. PCP-elicited depressions could not be obtained in rats in which the cerebellar noradrenergic terminals had been lesioned selectively by pretreatment with the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine. However, PCP was still an effective depressant in animals after destruction of non-noradrenergic intrinsic excitatory and inhibitory interneurons which synapse on the Purkinje cell by neonatal X-irradiation. Further treatment of the X-irradiated animal with 6-hydroxy-dopamine resulted in Purkinje neurons which were not responsive to PCP. Administration of magnesium ions, which reduces the release of neurotransmitters from afferent terminals, also blocked the depressant effects of PCP. The results of this study suggest that PCP acts in the cerebellum by a presynaptic mechanism involving the release of norepinephrine from intact, functioning noradrenergic terminals.     

Interactions of metaphit with phencyclidine and sigma agonist actions in rat cerebellum: determination of specificity and selectivity

The interactions of phencyclidine (PCP) and related agonists with putative receptor blockers were studied on cerebellar Purkinje neurons using electrophysiological techniques. Depressions induced by PCP or dexoxadrol, a sigma receptor agonist, were markedly antagonized by the PCP receptor antagonist metaphit, which acylates PCP receptors via its isothiocyanate moiety. Conversely, the depressant effect of levoxadrol, the (-) isomer of dexoxadrol, was not affected by metaphit. Further evidence that metaphit's specific antagonism of dexoxadrol- and PCP-mediated depressions was derived from data showing that drugs which respectively acylate mu and delta opioid receptors, benzimidazole isothiocyanate and fentanyl isothiocyanate, do not antagonize the actions of either PCP or dexoxadrol. Moreover, tyramine, which like PCP acts as an indirect norepinephrine agonist, is not antagonized by metaphit. These observations support the concept that metaphit causes a pharmacologically specific and irreversible antagonism of the effects of both PCP and dexoxadrol in the cerebellum. Thus, the electrophysiological mechanisms of PCP actions are similar to those triggered by sigma opioid agonists in this brain area.     

Cognitive effects of nicotine in humans: an fMRI study

To elucidate the neural correlates of cognitive effects of nicotine, we examined behavioral performance and blood oxygenation level-dependent regional brain activity, using functional magnetic resonance imaging, during a parametric "n-back" task in healthy nonsmoking males after the administration of nicotine (12 microg/kg body weight) or saline. Nicotine, compared to placebo, improved accuracy (P = 0.008) in all active conditions (2%-11%), and had a load-specific effect on latency (P = 0.004; 43.78% decrease at the highest memory load). Within a network of parietal and frontal areas activated by the task (P < 0.05, corrected at the voxel level), nicotine produced an increased response (P < 0.05; uncorrected within the regions of interest) in the anterior cingulate, superior frontal cortex, and superior parietal cortex. It also produced an increased response in the midbrain tectum in all active conditions and in the parahippocampal gyrus, cerebellum, and medial occipital lobe during rest (P = 0.05; uncorrected). The present observations point to altered neuronal activity in a distributed neural network associated with on-line task monitoring and attention and arousal systems as underlying nicotine-related enhancement of attention and working memory in human subjects.     

In vivo electrochemical demonstration of the presynaptic actions of phencyclidine in rat caudate nucleus

In vivo electrochemical recordings, coupled with local application of drugs from micropipettes, were used to determine the presynaptic effects of phencyclidine (PCP) on dopamine-containing nerve terminals in the intact rat striatum. Local application of PCP did not elicit an observable increase in extracellular levels of the monoamine neurotransmitters. However, pretreatment with PCP significantly potentiated the potassium-evoked release of monoamines. Nomifensine, a potent catecholamine reuptake blocker, produced effects that were analogous with PCP. Local pretreatment with PCP was also found to potentiate the electrochemical signal detected after pressure ejection of dopamine directly into the caudate nucleus. Finally, electrophysiological studies showed that locally applied PCP and nomifensine solutions had similar potencies in depressing the spontaneous firing of striatal neurons. Taken together, these data suggest that the major presynaptic action of PCP in the rat caudate nucleus is inhibition of the reuptake, and not alteration of release, of the monoamine neurotransmitters.     

小脑血管母细胞瘤11例免疫组化及超微结构的研究

目的探讨小脑血管母细胞瘤的临床病理特征及间质细胞的起源，以提供病理诊断和鉴别诊断依据。方法对11例小脑血管母细胞瘤进行组织形态观察及NSE、lysozyme、AAT、AACT、GFAP、S-100、desmin、EMA、CD34、CK免疫组化标记，对其中1例做了电镜观察。结果11例中发生于左小脑半球3例，右小脑半球6例，小脑蚓部2例；表现为高颅压者9例，共济失调者6例；两者同时存在者6例。肿瘤间质细胞NSE、lysozyme、AAT、AACT、GFAP、S-100、desmin全部或部分( )；而EMA、CD34、CK(-)。电镜未见特异性改变。结论血管母细胞瘤是一种好发于成人小脑部位的良性肿瘤，肿瘤的间质细胞有神经内分泌分化能力，可能为神经内分泌来源的肿瘤。     

Meralgia paresthetica: electrophysiologic study.

Conduction velocity of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve was studied orthodromically. The mean value in 20 control subjects was 57.51 +/- 8.61 (SD) m/sec. In 9 patients with meralgia paresthetica, the sensory nerve condition in the symptomatic nerves was definitely abnormal: nerve potential was absent in 6 and condition velocity was slow in 3. In 1 patient, a possible asymptomatic entrapment neuropathy was suggested by this test. Conduction velocity of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve can be used as an objective diagnostic aid in meralgia paresthetica.     

Unaltered peripheral excitatory actions of nociceptin contrast with enhanced spinal inhibitory effects after carrageenan inflammation: an electrophysiological study in the rat

Nociceptin (orphanin FQ) is the endogenous agonist of the opioid receptor-like (ORL-1) receptor. The actions of this peptide have been studied extensively at a number of sites with diverse actions being reported. Here, in a rat model of peripheral inflammation, we examine the effects of nociceptin on the responses of dorsal horn neurones when applied directly to the spinal cord and, in separate studies, into the peripheral receptive fields in the hindpaw of the halothane anaesthetized rat. As changes in the receptor density and expression of the message for nociceptin have been reported after inflammation we have compared these actions to previously reported effects in normal animals. The dose-dependent inhibitory actions of nociceptin on C-fibre evoked responses and input (measures of presumed pre-synaptic excitability) are increased 3-4 h after inflammation whereas its inhibitory effects on post-synaptic mechanisms (wind-up) remain unchanged. These inhibitory effects were partly reversible by high doses of naloxone. This increased potency of nociceptin after inflammation is consistent with an increased receptor density in the superficial spinal cord. In contrast, the peripheral administration of nociceptin produced dose-dependent excitations of dorsal horn neurones and a degree of sensitization to mechanical stimuli. This peripheral action was unchanged after inflammation. These diverse site-dependent actions of nociceptin further emphasize the complexities of this novel opioid system.     

Antinociception after nicotine administration into the mesopontine tegmentum of rats: evidence for muscarinic actions

The ability of nicotine to induce antinociception after subcortical administration was investigated in the rat. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted unilaterally with guide cannulas aimed at the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus of the mesopontine tegmentum. After 1 week, nicotine was injected in 0.5 microliter of 0.2 M pH 7.4 phosphate buffer. Antinociception was assessed using the 52 degrees C hot-plate test and the tail-flick method; for the most part, the results in the hot-plate test parallelled those in the tail-flick test. Nicotine inhibited nociceptive responses at a median effective antinociceptive dose (A5O) of 1.6 nmol in the hot-plate test and 3.4 nmol in the tail-flick test. Mecamylamine, 0.8 nmol coadministered with nicotine, antagonized nicotine antinociception as evidenced by 5- to 8-fold increases in the nicotine A5O. Nicotine antinociception was also antagonized by coadministrations of either 0.8 nmol of (-)-scopolamine or 0.4 nmol of the M1 antagonist pirenzepine by over 12-fold in the hot-plate test and 5-fold in the tail-flick test. The M2 antagonist methoctramine had antinociceptive effects of its own when injected into the mesopontine tegmentum at a dose of 0.1 nmol; when coinjected with nicotine, the effects of the methoctramine-nicotine combination appeared to be additive. One hour preinjection into the mesopontine tegmentum with 13.5 nmol of (-)-vesamicol, an agent which interferes with acetylcholine storage and/or release, markedly inhibited nicotine antinociception; only a 24% antinociceptive response could be elicited by nicotine in the hot-plate test whereas the nicotine A5O was increased 3-fold in the tail-flick test. Pretreatment with the inactive isomer (+)-vesamicol had no effect. In other experiments, mesopontine tegmental injection of (+)-cis-dioxolane, a high affinity muscarinic cholinergic agonist, elicited strong antinociceptive responses which were potently antagonized by coadministration with 0.5 nmol of pirenzepine but not by 0.8 nmol of mecamylamine. The data indicate that nicotine-induced antinociception may depend upon intact neurotransmission at M1 sites in addition to nicotinic sites within the mesopontine tegmentum.     

The glucoregulatory and antilipolytic actions of insulin in abdominal obesity with normal or impaired glucose tolerance: an in vivo and in vitro study

To evaluate the effects of obesity and impaired glucose tolerance on insulin sensitivity, we performed a euglycaemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp at about 350 pmol l-1, combined with 3H-glucose infusion, in 14 obese patients, BMI 36.5 +/- 1.2 and in 12 matched controls, BMI 23.9 +/- 0.4. Six obese patients had normal glucose tolerance (oNGT), and eight had impaired glucose tolerance (oIGT). The ability of insulin to inhibit lipolysis in isolated adipocytes was also studied. Insulin-mediated glucose utilization was more severely impaired in oIGT than in oNGT with respect to the controls (621 +/- 51 vs. 897 +/- 83 vs. 1298 +/- 55 mumol m-2 min-1, P < 0.001). Plasma glycerol was higher in oIGT than in oNGT and in the controls, both fasting (238 +/- 12 vs. 179 +/- 14 vs. 112 +/- 8 mumol l-1, P < 0.001) and during the clamp (175 +/- 21 vs. 120 +/- 12 vs. 36 +/- 6 mumol l-1, P < 0.001). The correlation between glucose utilization and the percent reduction of plasma glycerol during the clamp was significant in the study group as a whole (r = 0.809, P = 0.0001), and in each of the groups separately (oIGT: r = 0.929, P = 0.002; oNGT: r = 0.943, P = 0.036; controls: r = 0.902, P = 0.0001). Inhibition by insulin of noradrenaline-stimulated lipolysis in isolated adipocytes was more severely impaired in oIGT than in oNGT compared with the controls (P < 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Glomerular actions of endothelin in vivo.

In Munich-Wistar rats, a micropipette was inserted into a first-order branch of the left main renal artery and continuously infused with human/porcine endothelin (0.4 ng/min). Micropuncture measurements revealed substantial differences within the cortical microcirculation of the same left kidney: SNGFR was some 35% lower in glomeruli exposed to endothelin compared with non-endothelin-perfused glomeruli (P less than 0.005). Similarly, glomerular plasma flow rate was some 38% lower in the endothelin-exposed glomeruli (P less than 0.001). The hypoperfusion and hypofiltration in the endothelin-exposed glomeruli reflected an increase in resistances in the afferent and efferent arterioles. There was no difference in the value of the glomerular capillary ultrafiltration coefficient between the two populations of glomeruli. We also studied kidneys that underwent 25 min of renal artery clamping 48 h before study. Antiendothelin antibody infused into one of the branches of the main renal artery ameliorated the vasoconstriction characteristic of postischemic nephrons: within the cortical microcirculation, the SNGFR in glomeruli exposed to antiendothelin antibody was 27.0 +/- 3.1 nl/min as compared with 17.4 +/- 1.7 measured in glomeruli not perfused with the antibody (P less than 0.001). Similarly, glomerular plasma flow rate was higher in the glomeruli exposed to antiendothelin antibody (128.7 +/- 14.4 nl/min vs. 66.6 +/- 5.6, P less than 0.005). Resistances in both the afferent and efferent arterioles were substantially lower in the antibody-exposed glomeruli. It is, therefore, suggested that endothelin, presumably released from damaged endothelium, may play an important intermediary role in the hypoperfusion and hypofiltration observed in postischemic kidneys.     

Mechanical properties of the human uterine cervix: an in vivo study

Experimental results of in vivo measurements to characterize the mechanical behaviour of human uterine cervices are documented. Aspiration experiments were performed on eight uteri in vivo, before vaginal/abdominal hysterectomy, and four uteri were also tested ex vivo, approximately 1.5h after extraction. The reproducibility of the mechanical data from the in vivo aspiration experiments has been analysed. For an introduced "stiffness parameter" the organ specific SD is 22%, so that the proposed experimental procedure allows detections of 30% changes with respect to a reference value of the stiffness parameter. A comparison of in vivo and ex vivo data from the same organ has shown that: (i) the ex vivo mechanical response of the uterine cervix tissue does not differ considerably from that observed in vivo; (ii) some differences can be identified in tissue pre-conditioning with ex vivo showing a stronger history dependence with respect to in vivo; (iii) the differences in the time dependence of the mechanical response are not significant and might be masked by the variability of the measured data. This study represents a first step of a clinical application aiming at analysing the mechanical response of normal cervical tissue at different gestational ages, and identifying the mechanical properties that characterize pathologic conditions such as cervical insufficiency leading to preterm delivery.     

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone: neurogenesis of actions in the pentobarbital narcotized rat

Possible neuroanatomical substrates mediating some of the effects seen with thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in the pentobarbital (PB) narcotized rat were examined. This was accomplished by microinjecting picomole concentrations of TRH into 20 different brain sites. The behavioural effects examined were the capacity of TRH to antagonize PB-induced narcosis and hypothermia as well as TRH-induced shaking behavior. Microinjection of TRH into the septum was found to be significantly more effective in the reversal of PB narcosis than any other site examined. In contrast, the temperature and shaking response were evoked with approximately equal efficacy by TRH microinjection into a number of brain sites; including the preoptic/anterior hypothalamus, medial thalamus, thalamic, periventricular gray, interpeduncular nucleus and locus ceruleus. These results demonstrate the septal region to be the site of action for TRH reversal of PB narcosis and suggest the involvement of the septohippocampal system. In addition, they indicate that the neurogenesis of the shaking response is similar to that of the temperature response and that this differs from the neurogenesis of the analeptic response.     

Inferring false beliefs from the actions of oneself and others: an fMRI study

The ability to make judgments about mental states is critical to social interactions. Simulation theory suggests that the observer covertly mimics the activity of the observed person, leading to shared states of mind between the observer and the person observed. We tested this hypothesis by investigating the neural networks activated while subjects watched videos of themselves and of others lifting a box, and judged the beliefs of the actors about the weight of the box. A parietal premotor circuit was recruited during action perception, and the activity started earlier when making judgments about one's own actions as opposed to those of others. This earlier activity in action-related structures can be explained by simulation theory on the basis that when one observes one's own actions, there is a closer match between the simulated and perceived action than there is when one observes the actions of others. When the observers judged the actions to reflect a false belief, there was activation in the superior temporal sulcus, orbitofrontal, paracingulate cortex and cerebellum. We suggest that this reflects a mismatch between the perceived action and the predicted action's outcomes derived from simulation.     

Pharmacoresistance of Plasmodium falciparum in Rwanda: an in vivo study

During the period of June to October 1985, a study in vivo was made on 162 patients suffering from malaria by P. falciparum, in order to evaluate the sensitivity of the parasite to the drugs: Chloroquine, Amodiaquine and Pyrimethamine-Sulfadoxine (Fansidar). As an alternative treatment, in the resistant cases, Quinine with Fansidar or Quinine with Tetracycline was given. The following cases of resistance were found: 17 cases to Chloroquine (5-RI, 9-RII, 3-RIII), 7 cases to Amodiaquine (5-RI, 2-RII) and 2 cases to Fansidar (1-RI, 1-RII). It is recommended that the epidemiologic studies of the resistance by P. falciparum to the anti-malarials be increased, following up the evolution of its scope, and the organization of a program to fight against malaria. Also the use of Fansidar is recommended as the principal medicine against P. falciparum in malaria without complications, in the zones where there is strong resistance to the 4-amino-quinoleines. In case of multi-resistance in malaria by P. falciparum, the use of Quinine is recommended. At a prophylactic level we do not advise the use of Chloroquine as the only medicine, nor the use of Fansidar because of its potential toxic effects.     

Cardiac electrophysiologic actions of SCH 19927 (Dilevalol), the R,R-isomer of labetalol

The cardiac electrophysiologic, hypotensive and antiadrenergic actions of SCH 19927, the R,R-isomer of labetalol, were evaluated in urethane-anesthetized dogs. The cumulative administration of 0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg i.v. decreased mean arterial pressure by 18 to 26 mm Hg from a pretreatment value of 106 +/- 6 mm Hg and slightly enhanced atrioventricular nodal conduction. After 3.0 mg/kg of SCH 19927, sinoatrial (SA) conduction times were decreased, whereas intraventricular conduction was depressed slightly. SCH 19927, 10.0 mg/kg, reduced mean arterial pressure by 39 mm Hg and enhanced SA nodal conduction and recovery after overdrive pacing (decreased SA conduction time and corrected sinus node recovery times), whereas intraventricular conduction times and the rate-corrected QTc interval were prolonged. Sinus heart rate, atrial, ventricular and atrioventricular nodal functional and effective refractory periods were unaltered by SCH 19927, 0.3 to 10.0 mg/kg. The administration of SCH 19927 produced significant beta adrenergic receptor blockade, as determined by inhibition of the positive chronotropic and peripheral vasodilatory response to isoproterenol, but did not alter the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor-mediated vasopressor response to phenylephrine. The results indicate that SCH 19927, in beta adrenergic receptor blocking and hypotensive dosages, does not depress SA nodal or atrioventricular nodal function, thus suggesting an electrophysiologic spectrum of activity different from that of other beta adrenergic receptor antagonists.     

The effect of cyclic compression on the mechanical properties of the inter-vertebral disc: an in vivo study in a rat tail model

OBJECTIVE: To assess the changes in the mechanical properties of inter-vertebral discs in vivo following static and cyclic compressive loading of different frequencies. DESIGN: An in vivo biomechanical study using a rat-tail model of the inter-vertebral disc.Background. Mechanical loading has been suggested as playing a major role in the etiology of disc degeneration, but the relationship is still not fully understood. METHODS: Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were subject to daily compressive stress via pins inserted in the 6th and 7th caudal vertebrae over a two-week loading period. Animals were randomly divided into a sham group (pin insertion, no loading), a static loading group, or cyclic loading groups of 0.5, 1.5, or 2.5 Hz. Loading was applied for 1 h each day from the 3rd to 17th day following pin insertion, and the angular compliance, angular laxity, and inter-pin distance were measured in vivo at days 0, 3, 10 and 17. RESULTS: Changes in the inter-vertebral disc height depended on the frequency of loading, with the decrease in disc height in the static compression group significantly greater than that in all other groups, whereas the decrease in the 1.5 Hz cyclic compression group was significantly smaller than that in all other compression groups. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in disc properties depend on both the total load exposure and the frequency of loading. Cyclic loading in general produced less marked changes than static loading, but loading at particular frequencies may result in more severe changes. RELEVANCE: Previous studies have shown the in vivo changes in the mechanical properties of inter-vertebral discs to depend on the magnitude and duration of loading. In this study, a frequency dependent response to cyclic loading is also demonstrated.