THE ROLE OF P_1-PURINERGIC RECEPTORS IN THE SPINAL MECHANISMS OF ACUPUNCTURE ANALGESIA

It has been extensively proved that electro-acupuncture elicit analgesia in bothextensive areas and local region via supraspinal structures and spinal cord.The present investigationwas to study the role of P_1-purinergic receptors in the spinal mechanisms of weak electroacupuncture-induced analgesia.Leg withdrawal latency(LWL)to noxious radiant heat focused on the ankle regionwas used to assess the effects of acupuncture and that of P_1-purinergic(adenosine)receptor antago-nists,theophylline and caffeine on the electro-acupuncture(EA)analgesia.EA prolonged the LWLby 16.7%±20.3%,with an after-effect lasting about 15 min.Both theophylline and caffeineblocked the EA-induced prolongation of LWL in a dose-dependent manner at the doses of 1.6-16 mg/kg.These results suggest that P_1-purinegic receptor is involved in the spinal mechanisms of weak EAproduced analgesia in the rat.     

Interactions of LDL and modified LDL with mesangial cells and matrix.

Hyperlipidemia may play a role in the progression of diabetic and other renal diseases. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) and other proteins including extracellular matrix components undergo nonenzymatic glycation in vivo. We examined the effects of glycation of LDL as occurs in diabetes (4 to 8%) on binding and uptake by mesangial cells and their proliferation. The glycation of LDL (g-LDL) significantly decreased its binding and uptake by mesangial cells by 15 to 20%, indicating that glycated LDL binds to the LDL receptor, but with lower affinity than LDL. Both LDL and g-LDL modestly stimulated [3H] thymidine incorporation into mesangial cells at 5 to 10 micrograms/ml. Native, oxidized (Ox-LDL) and glycated LDL all bound to the extracellular matrix generated by rat mesangial cells in culture. The binding of LDL, Ox-LDL and g-LDL to mesangial matrix was two to four times higher than to mesangial cells. Binding of LDL and g-LDL was significantly higher to glycolaldehyde modified matrix, which serves as an in vitro model for nonenzymatic glycation end-product cross-linking of matrix which occurs in long-standing diabetes. Based on these findings, we propose that glycation of LDL decreases its binding and uptake by the LDL receptor of mesangial cells and may slow its catabolism. Furthermore, LDL bound to extracellular mesangial matrix can undergo oxidation and generate cytotoxic LDL components. This process may be further enhanced by advanced glycation of the mesangial matrix in diabetes, contributing to glomerular pathology.     

RETINOBLASTOMALACTIC DEHYDROGENASE OF AQUEOUS HUMOUR AND ITS ISOENZYMES

Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in aqueoushumour and serum was measured of 24 patients withretinoblastoma, senile cataract, glaucoma, and cho-roid melanoma in addition to LDH isoenzyme fractions. The results were compared with those of the20 normal children. The ratio of aqueous humourLDH to serum LDH was 4.32+2.80, and that ofisoenzymes LDH4 to LDHl was greater than l. Theresults of our study suggested that the total LDHactivity and isoenzyme fractions in the aqueoushumour is of value in the diagnosis of retinobla&toma.     

Energy metabolism, pH changes, and lactate production in RIF-1 tumors following intratumoral injection of glucose.

The metabolic consequences of increased glucose availability were examined in subcutaneous RIF-1 tumors in vivo, using 13C and 31P NMR spectroscopy. Significant increases in the levels of nucleotide triphosphates and phosphocreatine relative to low energy phosphates and in tumor pH were observed within 30 min following injection of 1 g/kg of glucose directly into the tumor. These changes did not occur following an equivalent intratumoral dose of the non-metabolizable sugar alcohol, mannitol. When [1-13C]-glucose was administered, [3-13C]-lactate and [3-13C]-alanine were the only labeled metabolites detected in the in vivo 13C NMR spectra during the period of bioenergetic improvement. Biochemical analysis revealed a substantial increase in tumor and plasma glucose concentration, but no increase in either tumor or plasma lactate, consistent with the absence of acidosis. Evaluation of the distribution of glucose in the tumor by quantitative autoradiography of [1-14C]-2-deoxyglucose administered with the glucose indicated that, on average, 7 mM of the added glucose distributed over the entire tumor within 10 min. The significant improvement in overall metabolic status of the tumors following glucose administration is attributed to the existence of substrate limited regions within the tumor.     

Differential effects of octreotide on motor responses to nicotine in rats.

We tested the hypothesis that brain somatostatin levels modify two motor behaviors evoked by ICV infusions of nicotine. Unrestrained, awake rats were given fixed-concentration infusions of nicotine until the prostration/immobility (PI) syndrome and convulsions were produced. Infusion duration ranged from 0.9 to 1.2 min for the PI syndrome and 2.5 to 4.9 min for the convulsions. Octreotide, a stable somatostatin analog (4.5 micrograms, ICV), significantly raised the threshold for nicotine convulsions 1.0 and 5.5 h after pretreatment but not at 24 or 48 h. Cysteamine, a somatostatin releaser and depletor (0.35-0.75 mg/rat, ICV), also caused a dose-dependent increase in seizure threshold. Similarities in the response to octreotide and cysteamine suggest that depression of nicotine convulsions by cysteamine may be mediated by release of endogenous somatostatin. Neither octreotide nor cysteamine altered the threshold for the PI syndrome. These results support the view that one motor behavior evoked by nicotine is subject to control by somatostatin whereas another is not.     

小剂量生长抑素激动剂SMS201—995对正常成人胆囊收缩...

Recently, a long-acting, somatostatin analogue, SMS201-995(SMS), has been developed and extensively investigated. It has been proved to be remarkably effective in treating many diseases, including active acromegaly. We observed the effect of SMS on gallbladder contractility in normal adults using the fatty meal test. Our results show that gallbladder contractility was inhibited significantly for 6 hours after the subcutaneous injection of SMS in dosages of 50, 25, 12.5, and 5 micrograms. We conclude that it is not practical to avoid gallbladder disfunction during long-term SMS treatment by decreasing the dosages of SMS.     

Radionuclide 13m in scanning pelvic congestion syndrome after tubal ligation]

Here are reported 83 cases with pelvic congestion syndrome after tubal ligation. Radionuclide 113m in blood-pool scanning was found to be a valuable method in detecting this syndrome in 72 cases who were proved by operation with a correct diagnosis rate of 98.6%. The mild cases received non-operative treatment. The relationship between the modalities of tubal ligation and this syndrome was discussed and preventive measures suggested.     

深低温储皮后其抗原性改变的免疫学研究

以人皮和豚鼠皮新鲜及－１９６℃冷冻皮片匀浆做为抗原，研制出兔抗人和豚鼠的新鲜及－１９６℃冷冻皮片匀浆的可溶性蛋白高效价的免疫血清，并通过免疫电泳、火箭免疫电泳、免疫火箭扩散电泳及单相免疫扩散电泳等不同免疫学电泳的检测，分别对新鲜皮片及－１９６℃冷冻皮片抗原性改变的这一现象进行探讨与研究。结果表明：人皮、豚鼠皮其新鲜皮片的抗原成份、抗原决定簇及抗原量均显著高于相应的－１９６℃冷冻组皮片，因而证实了通过深低温冷冻的皮片其抗原性低于新鲜皮片的论断。     

Characterization of a YAC containing part or all of the Norrie disease locus

It has been shown from pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE)that the monoamine oxidase genes A and B (MAOA & MAOB) andDXS7 loci are physically very close. We have therefore extendedstudies on their relationship through the characterisation ofa 650 kb YAC isolated using L1.28 (recognising the DXS7 locus)as a probe. Restriction mapping of the YAC indicates that itcontains both MAOA and MAOB genes in addition to the DXS7 locus.The map derived from the YL1.28-YAC is compatible both withthe map from an independently derived YAC carrying MAOA andB genes and with the long range genomic map for the region.A series of subclones prepared from a 'phage library (lambdaDASH II) of the YAC have been characterised and have been employedto determine the end point of the deletion of a Norrie disease(NDP) patient who has been shown to lack both DXS7 and MAO codingsequences. The pattern of retention of subclones in the deletionpatient place the end point of the deletion within 30–130kb of the proximal end of the YAC. By combining the data withestablished recombination analysis, we provide evidence thatall or part of the NDP lies in the interval of approximately250kb within the YAC.