Contractile and endothelium-dependent dilatory responses of cerebral arteries at various extracellular magnesium concentrations

To clarify the effect of extracellular magnesium (Mg2+) on the vascular reactivity of feline isolated middle cerebral arteries, the effects of slight alterations in the Mg2+ concentration on the contractile and endothelium-dependent dilatory responses were investigated in vitro. The contractions, induced by 10(-8)-10(-5) M norepinephrine, were significantly potentiated at low Mg2+ (0.8 mM v. the normal, 1.2 mM). High (1.6 and 2.0 mM) Mg2+ exhibited an inhibitory effect on the contractile responses. No significant changes, however, in the EC50 values for norepinephrine were found. The endothelium-dependent relaxations induced by 10(-8)-10(-5) M acetylcholine were inhibited by high (1.6 and 2.0 mM) Mg2+. Lowering of the Mg2+ concentration to 0.8 mM or total withdrawal of this ion from the medium failed to alter the dilatory potency of acetylcholine. The changes in the dilatory responses also shifted the EC50 values for acetylcholine to the right. The present results show that the contractile responses of the cerebral arteries are extremely susceptible to the changes of Mg2+ concentrations. In response to contractile and endothelium-dependent dilatory agonists, Mg2+ probably affects both the calcium influx into the endothelial and smooth muscle cells as well as the binding of acetylcholine to its endothelial receptor. Since Mg2+ deficiency might facilitate the contractile but not the endothelium-dependent relaxant responses, the present study supports a role for Mg2+ deficiency in the development of the cerebral vasospasm.     

Distribution and function of cholinergic receptors in the sheep detrusor muscle

The distribution of cholinergic nerve fibres, as well as the characterization of the muscarinic receptors responsible for the contraction, were determined in the detrusor smooth muscle of the sheep. The results obtained demonstrated a rich presence of acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-positive fibres distributed throughout the bladder body forming dense neuromuscular, subepithelial and perivascular plexuses. Furthermore, intramural ganglia containing AChE-positive cell bodies were identified. However, acetylcholine and carbachol induced a dose-dependent contraction of detrusor smooth muscle. The effect observed with carbachol was competitively antagonized by atropine (pA2: 8.94), pirenzepine (pA2: 7.38), AF-DX 116 (pA2: 7.35), 4-DAMP (pA2: 9.26) and hexahydroxiladifenidol (HHSiD) (pA2: 8.49). The pA2 value for pirenzepine is intermediate between M1- and M2-receptors which suggests that this antagonist does not act on M1- or M2-receptors, but that it does on M3-receptors. The pA2 value for AF-DX 116 is consistent with the presence of M2-receptors in this tissue. Moreover, the pA2 values obtained for both 4-DAMP and HHSiD are in agreement with the presence of M3-receptors, due to the lack of effect of pirenzepine on M1-muscarinic receptors. These results indicate the existence of a rich parasympathetic innervation in the sheep detrusor muscle and suggest that its contraction could be mediated by the stimulation of muscarinic receptors belonging to both M3- and M2-subtypes.     

Skeletal muscle characteristics of sprint cyclists and nonathletes

Muscle fiber distribution and muscle enzyme activity (m. vastus lat.) were investigated in 10 elite sprint cyclists and 12 nonathletes. The ratio of fast to slow muscle fibers was 2:3 in cyclists and 3:2 in nonathletes. The mean diameter of each muscle fiber type was significantly higher in the athletes. The mean enzyme activity values in mu kat X g-1 w.w. for cyclists and nonathletes, respectively, were as follows: triosephosphate dehydrogenase (TPDH), 6.2 and 3.78; lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), 4.4 and 4.59; citrate synthase (CS), 0.154 and 0.13; hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HAD), 0.041 and 0.07. The mean difference between groups in TPDH and in (TPDH + LDH)/(CS + HAD) ratio were statistically significant. Maximum voluntary isometric strength (knee extension) was about 17% greater in cyclists than the mean value for Czechoslovakian men of the same age. A strong positive correlation (r = 0.72) between the percent of fast glycolytic fibers (type II B) and isometric strength was observed in the cyclists. Furthermore, mean weight-compensated maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max, ml X kg-1 X min-1) for all subjects (n = 22) was significantly related to percent of slow oxidative fibers (type I) (r = 0.75) and to the mean diameter of type II B (r = 0.58), fast oxidative-glycolytic fibers (type II A) (r = 0.68) and type I fibers (r = 0.59).     

Work capacity evaluation in patients after surgery for detached retina

The authors investigated the enlistment into work in patients after operation of detached retina at the Ophthalmological Clinic in Brno in 1985. From the results of the work it is apparent that the risk of relapse in conjunction with unsuitable work after operation is practically nil. Socio-economic aspects of patients who before operation suffered from some predisposing eye disease are more affected. The authors recommend systematic screening and dispensary care, in particular during the period when these people decide on their future occupation, i. e. already in primary school.     

The cholinergic innervation of the rat fascia dentata: identification of target structures on granule cells by combining choline acetyltransferase immunocytochemistry and Golgi impregnation

A monoclonal antibody against choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), the acetylcholine-synthesizing enzyme, was used to study cholinergic synapses on identified (Golgi stained) granule cells in the rat fascia dentata. Choline acetyltransferase immunocytochemistry was applied to 40-microns Vibratome sections cut perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hippocampus. Light microscopy revealed fine varicose ChAT-immunoreactive axons in all layers of the fascia dentata, i.e., in the stratum moleculare, the stratum granulosum, and the subgranular polymorph zone. Most fibers were observed in the vicinity of granule cell bodies where they ran mainly parallel to the granular layer. Next, the immunostained Vibratome sections were sandwiched between small pieces of Parafilm and piled to form a block that was covered with agar and Golgi stained. After that, the sections were separated by cutting away the agar and removing the Parafilm. Sections containing well-impregnated granule cells were gold-toned (Fairén et al., '77), embedded in Araldite, and subjected to ultrathin sectioning for electron microscopy. A total of 14 gold-toned granule cells were examined in the electron microscope for synaptic contacts with cholinergic afferents. Choline acetyltransferase-immunoreactive axon terminals were observed that established symmetric synaptic contacts with the cell bodies and dendritic shafts of the gold-toned identified granule cells. Two types of contact were observed on spines arising from gold-toned granule cell dendrites. Immunoreactive terminals established asymmetric synaptic contacts with the head of small spines and symmetric contacts with the stalk of large, complex spines. The boutons forming asymmetric synaptic contacts with the cup-shaped spine head of the complex spines were not found to be immunoreactive. Our results demonstrate that cholinergic fibers to the rat fascia dentata establish characteristic types of synaptic contact with different postsynaptic elements of granule cells, suggesting a complex function of this afferent system.     

Smoking and Sleep Disorders

Snoring and sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) are two disorders of considerable relevance due to their high prevalence in the general population and their notable morbidity and mortality, particularly in association with their harmful effects on the cardiovascular system. As well as sex, age, weight, craniofacial malformations, alcohol consumption, and use of hypnotic drugs, it has been suggested that smoking may be a risk factor for developing sleep-disordered breathing. While there is solid evidence for the independent association between snoring and smoking in both children and adults, it is still unclear whether smoking constitutes an independent risk factor for developing SAHS, despite the many studies carried out to assess this link. This is probably because the association, if it exists, is very weak.