Organization of catecholamine neurons projecting to the frontal cortex in the rat

The organization of the catecholamine innervation in the frontal lobe of the rat neocortex has been studied by means of the glyoxylic acid fluorescence method in combination with lesions and retrograde tracing of horseradish peroxidase. On the basis of fibre morphology and distribution of fibres and cell bodies of origin three dopaminergic terminal systems can be distinguished. The anteromedial system is formed by smooth axons originating in the medial part of the A10 cell group in the mesencephalon. The axons are distributed mainly in the pregenual part of the anteromedial cortex and the highest fibre density is found in the basal cortical layers. A much more sparse, caudal extension of this system is present in the supragenual part of the anteromedial cortex. The suprarhinal system forms the dorsal part of the dopaminergic innervation of the perirhinal cortex, surrounding the rhinal sulcus. It can be regarded as a direct lateral continuation of the anteromedial system, and can be followed from a coronal level just rostral to the nucleus accumbens to the level of the most rostral part of the caudate-puttamen. The axons are distributed mainly in the basal cortical layers and have their cell bodies of origin in the dorsolateral part of the A10 cell group. The supragenual system is formed by very fine, varicose axons distributed in a restricted area of the supragenual anteromedial cortex. The axons are localized in the superficial cortical layers (I–III) and the cell bodies of origin are distributed in the ventrolateral A10 and along the mediolateral extent of the substantia nigra (A9). Only one noradrenergic fibre system, originating in the locus coeruleus, was found. The locus coeruleus system projects to all parts of the frontal cortex. The medial cortex has the highest fibre density, the perirhinal somewhat lower, and the dorsal and lateral cortices are more sparsely innervated. In all cortical areas, the locus coeruleus innervation has the same general appearance with the highest fibre density in the molecular layer.     

PROPRANOLOL FOR MIGRAINE PROPHYLAXIS

SYNOPSIS
The preventive effect of propranolol on migraine attacks was compared to placebo in a double-blind cross-over trial. Thirty-two patients with serious and prolonged migraine participated in the 12-week study. The effect of propranolol was significantly better than that of placebo. The number of migraine attacks during the propranolol period was reduced in 22 patients (69%), and in 11 of these (34%) a reduction of more than 50% was seen. The intensity of headache was significantly reduced during the propranolol period. The intake of analgesics and preparations containing ergotamine was significantly reduced during the propranolol period also. No serious side effects were noted.     

Rye bran diet increases epithelial cell apoptosis and decreases epithelial cell volume in TRAMP (transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate) tumors

A rye bran diet has been suggested to retard prostate cancer growth and increase tumor cell apoptosis in animal models and in men with prostate cancer. Transgenic mice designed to develop prostate cancer (transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate, TRAMP) were therefore treated with a rye bran diet. TRAMP mice were fed a rye bran (n = 13) or a control diet (n = 15) from 4 to 24 wk of age. Tumor histology, cell proliferation, and apoptosis were accessed using stereological and immunohistochemical techniques. In the dorsolateral prostate lobe in TRAMP mice, epithelial cell apoptosis was increased by 31%, and the volume fraction of epithelial cells was reduced by 20% (P < 0.05) in the rye bran-treated group compared with the control diet group. There were, however, no significant changes detected in lobe weights or tumor grade. In conclusion, a rye bran diet increases epithelial apoptosis and reduces the epithelial cell fraction in TRAMP tumors.     

Autonomic vascular innervation and vasomotor reactivity in the choroid plexus.

The choroidal arterial supply was examined with regard to autonomic innervation and vasomotor receptors. The vessels received a well-developed network of adrenergic and cholinergic nerve fibers. A weak contractile effect was obtained in in vitro experiments by epinephrine, norepinephrine, phenylephrine, and isoproterenol in the given order of potency. This, together with the typical inhibition of the response by phentolamine, indicated the presence of contractile alpha-adrenergic receptors. Histamine, prostaglandin F_2α, and saturated potassium chloride all produced strong contractions of the arteries. Provided the chroidal arteries were contracted by prostaglandin F_2α and contractile effects of the agents tested were blocked by phenoxybenzamine, dilator responses could be recorded. The relative potency for sympathomimetic agents was isoproterenol > norepinephrine > epinephrine > terbutaline. The dilator effect was inhibited by propranolol which indicated the presence of dilator beta-adrenergic receptors. Relaxation was also obtained by adenosine and cyclic AMP.     

Dynamic radionuclide phlebography

Dynamic radionuclide phlebography was performed in 50 consecutive patients after total hip replacement to evaluate the diagnostic value of the method compared to contrast phlebography. The investigation was limited to the diagnosis of iliofemoral thrombi. A special injection technique was developed and flow curves, mean transit time and distribution of flow were recorded with a scintillation camera interfaced to a digital computer.Three principally different types of flow curves were observed. Mean transit time was significantly reduced in cases with extensive deep vein thrombosis. Calculation of mean transit time was of value in differentiating particle flow in the superficial veins from passage through the deep veins. Out of 15 legs with thrombi in the iliofemoral region, the distribution of flow was significantly changed in 12. Deep vein thrombosis in the lower leg did not influence mean transit time or distribution of flow in the iliofemoral region. Extensive collateral flow was rare. Ninety per cent of the thrombi were asymptomatic. The method compares favorably with the ¹²⁵I fibrinogen method and cuff impedance phlebography, in diagnosing iliofemoral thrombi after total hip replacement.This study was made possible by a grant from the Swedish Cancer Society, grant no. 448-B 71-01.Further support was given by Pharmacia AB     

Lipopolysaccharide induces both a primary and a secondary phase of sensitization in the developing rat brain

Data indicate that bacterial products in combination with other antenatal or postnatal exposures increase the risk of perinatal brain injury. We have previously shown that administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 4 h before hypoxia-ischemia (HI) increases brain injury in 7-d-old rats. The mechanisms behind such sensitization are unclear, but contrasts against a preconditioning effect of LPS given 1-3 d before ischemia in adult animals. To investigate how the effects of LPS depend on the time interval between administration and HI in the developing brain, we evaluated the effect of varying time interval (2-72 h) between LPS and HI, the duration of HI (20 or 50 min), and age of the rat pups (postnatal d 4 or 7). Outcome was assessed by brain injury scoring of specific regions. We found that LPS reduced brain injury (by 78%) when administered 24 h before 50 min of HI. However, when LPS was administered 6 h before either 20 or 50 min of HI, brain injury was increased by 2026% and 137%, respectively. Even LPS given 72 h before HI increased injury, both when LPS was administered at postnatal d 4 (by 446%) and 7 (by 77%). In conclusion, LPS enhanced vulnerability in the developing brain both in the acute (4-6 h) and the chronic (72 h) phase after administration, whereas an intermediate interval between LPS and HI had the opposite effect. The long-term sensitizing effect of LPS has not been previously described.