The effect of the neurokinin antagonist FK-224 on the cough response to inhaled capsaicin in a new model of guinea-pig eosinophilic bronchitis induced by intranasal polymyxin B

Eosinophilic bronchitis without asthma can cause a persistent non-productive cough which is resistant to bronchodilator therapy. To understand the mechanism of the cough in this disorder, an animal model of eosinophilic bronchitis was developed. Guinea-pigs were treated with transnasal administration of polymyxin B or saline twice a week for 3 weeks. The number of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid increased in polymyxin B-treated animals when compared with those treated with saline. In addition, histological examination showed that the number of eosinophils infiltrated into the tracheal epithelium increased; injury to the tracheal epithelium was greater in polymyxin B-treated animals. The numbers of coughs induced by saline and each concentration of capsaicin (10^–18, 10^–16, 10^–14M) were greater in the polymyxin B-treated animals. FK-224 (a neurokinin receptor antagonist) decreased the heightened cough reflex in this animal model of eosinophilic bronchitis. These findings suggest that neuropeptides, and particularly neurokinins, are involved in the heightened cough receptor sensitivity in eosinophilic bronchitis without asthma. This has implications for better understanding of this disorder and its treatment.     

Influence of picrotoxin and strychnine on the spectral sensitivity of the turtle ERG b- and d-waves: II. Light adaptation

The aim of the present work was to investigate the role of GABA and glycine, the two main inhibitory neurotransmitters in the retina, in the spectral sensitivity coding under conditions of light adaptation. To study this question, spectral sensitivity curves, based on the turtle ERG responses to stimuli of different wavelengths, were constructed. The spectral sensitivity curves, obtained before and during treatment with picrotoxin (PT), a GABA_A antagonist, or with strychnine (ST), a glycine antagonist, were compared. Both PT and ST increased the b- and d-wave absolute sensitivity in a wavelength-dependent manner. PT significantly changed the shape of the b- and d-wave spectral sensitivity curves and the latter lost their peaks. It is concluded that, under conditions of light adaptation, GABA and glycine took part in the formation of the b- and d-wave spectral sensitivity curves, that both of them exerted an effect on the gain and that, furthermore, GABA had a well pronounced effect on the tuning of the spectral sensitivity curves.     

缬沙坦与吲达帕胺联合用药对原发性高血压患者动态血压及胰岛素敏感性的影响

目的：探讨缬沙坦与吲达帕胺联合应用对原发性高血压（EH）患者动态血压及胰岛素敏感性的影响。方法：对65例EH患者于治疗前和治疗24周后分别进行动态血压监测（ABPM）和胰岛素敏感性测定。结果：治疗后24h平均pSB、pDB，血压负荷较治疗前均显著降低（P＜0．01）。治疗后血压昼夜节律消失者8例，较治疗前42例显著减少（P＜0．01）。治疗后各时点胰岛素与血糖比值（I／G）均明显下降（P＜0．01），治疗后胰岛素敏感指数（ISD）显著增高（P＜0．01）；治疗后葡萄糖 耐量试验120min和180min两个时点C／I比值比治疗前显著增高（P＜0．01－0．05）。结论：缬沙坦与吲达帕胺联合应用可显著降低EH患者动态血压水平和血压负荷，改善血压昼夜节律，显著改善胰岛素敏感性。     

No correlation between number of MRI-evident lesions in cerebrum and the soleus stretch reflex in multiple sclerosis patients

The aim of the study was to investigate if the stretch reflex of the soleus muscle was useful in quantifying upper motor neuron lesions. The soleus stretch reflex was recorded in 10 healthy subjects and 20 patients with active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and correlated to the number of MRI lesions in cerebrum and clinical scores (expanded disability status scale and regional functional scoring system). The short latency stretch reflex was elicited by rotating the left ankle joint 4 degrees with a rise time in the interval of 40-640 ms. The amplitude of the stretch was larger in multiple sclerosis patients being 88.5 microV in patients and 12.8 microV in controls, P = 0.007. The sensitivity of the stretch reflex expressed as the slope of the best linear fit was increased in MS patients to 2.6 microVs/degree compared with 0.6 microVs/degree (0.1-2.2) in controls, P = 0.009. There was no correlation between amplitude of the stretch reflex and number of MRI lesions (r = -0.03). In conclusion, the soleus stretch reflex might be useful to quantify spasticity but is not useful in detecting dysfunction of upper motor neurons in MS.     

虹膜夹型有晶状体眼人工晶状体植入术对高度近视眼对比敏感度的影响

目的 研究虹膜夹型有晶状体眼人工晶状体（iris-claw phakic intraocular lens，ICPIOL）植人术后对比敏感度（contrastsensitivity，CS）的变化。方法 2005年5月至12月于温州医学院附属眼视光医院和中山大学中山眼科中心接受ICPIOL（Verisyse，美国AMO公司）植入术的高度近视眼患者12例（23只眼），分别在术前、术后1、3、6个月采用CS测试灯箱（CSV-1000型，美国Vector Vision公司）检查暗视状态下无／有眩光时的对比敏感度函数（contrast sensitivity function，CSF）。结果 术后1、3、6个月等效球镜度数分别为（-0．60±0．77）D，（-0．48±0．77）D，（-0．34±0．53）D，与术前（-15．53D±3．65D）差异均有显著统计学意义（P均〈0．001），最佳矫正视力（IogMAR）分别为0．064-0．12，0．02±0．09，-0．003±0．08，与术前（0．21±0．12）差异均有显著统计学意义（P均〈0．001）。术后各空间频率的CS与术前比较有增高趋势。术后3个月6、12、18周／度的CS在无眩光时和有眩光时均明显提高（P均〈0．01），开始接近正常范围。术后3、6个月在各空间频率上CS差异均无统计学意义（P均〉0．05）。结论 ICPIOL植入术矫治高度近视眼可以使CSF恢复到接近正常范围，显著改善视功能，是一种适用于高度乃至超高度近视眼的可供选择的屈光手术。     

蝎毒素Ⅳ的中枢镇痛作用

从东亚钳蝎粗毒中分离纯化出蝎毒素Ⅳ，经套管注入侧脑室，用辐射热测痛和屈肌反射检测两种方法，观察蝎毒素Ⅳ的中枢镇痛作用，结果蝎毒索Ⅳ可以明显延长大鼠缩腿潜伏期，并可显著抑制Ｃ纤维诱发的屈肌反射。提示蝎毒素Ⅳ具有显著的中枢镇痛作用。     

Effects of ethmoidal nerve stimulation on respiration-related neurones in the dorsal medulla of the cat

Stimulation of the nasal mucosa produces a number of respiratory reflexes the afferent limb of which is provided by the ethmoidal nerve, a branch of the trigeminal nerve. In the cat this nerve terminates within the trigeminal nucleus. It has no direct projection to brainstem respiratory centres. This study examines the response of respiratory-related neurones in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) to ethmoidal stimulation. It demonstrates that these neurones show both excitatory and inhibitory responses to ethmoidal stimulation. Thus, the NTS appears to be involved in respiratory reflexes initiated by stimulation of the nasal mucosa.     

Serotonergic modulation of spinal ascending activity and sacral reflex activity evoked by pelvic nerve stimulation in cats

Serotonin (5-HT) may be inhibitory to micturition at a spinal level. A potential mechanism of action for serotonergic inhibition of bladder function is a depression of the ascending limb of the supraspinal reflex mediating micturition. Ascending activity evoked by pelvic nerve stimulation was recorded in the thoracic spinal cord of anesthetized cats. For comparison, spinal reflex activity evoked by pelvic nerve stimulation was recorded on the pudendal nerve. The effects of intrathecal administration of serotonergic agents were examined to determine whether spinal and supraspinal responses to bladder afferent activation were modulated by 5-HT. Methysergide (60 nmol), a non-selective serotonergic antagonist, increased ascending activity by 61±7% and depressed spinal reflex activity by 38±6%. Zatosetron (10 nmol), a 5-HT₃ antagonist had a similar effect on both activities (increased by 93±24% and decreased by 77±7%, respectively). The effect on ascending activity of blocking 5-HT₃ receptors was also confirmed with ICS 205930 and MDL 72222. 2-Methyl-5-HT (800 nmol), a 5-HT₃ agonist, depressed ascending activity to 46±9% of control, but enhanced spinal reflex activity by 73±92%. These results demonstrate that stimulation of 5-HT₃ and methysergide-sensitive 5-HT receptors can inhibit ascending activity and facilitate spinal reflex activity elicited by activation of bladder afferents. It is suggested that descending serotonergic pathways may participate in the spinal coordination of urinary continence.