Synaptic efficacy of inhibitory synapses in hypoglossal motoneurons after transection of the hypoglossal nerves

In cat hypoglossal motoneurons after axotomy the synaptic efficacy of inhibitory synapses made by the lingual nerve afferent fibers was studied. The amplitude of the short- and the long-lasting inhibitory postsynaptic potential produced in tongue protruder motoneurons 24 days after axotomy by stimulation of the lingual nerve was significantly reduced in size as compared with the control on the unoperated side. In most protruder motoneurons 40 days after axotomy a large excitatory postsynaptic potential and a spike was produced by stimulation of either the ipsilateral or the contralateral lingual nerve. We have demonstrated that the decline of synaptic efficacy of inhibitory synapses for the short-lasting inhibitory postsynaptic potential was more prominent than that for the long-lasting inhibitory potential in the motoneuron 24 days after axotomy. After the cut axons of protruder motoneurons were re-united to tongue muscles, we have demonstrated that the decline of synaptic efficacy of inhibitory synapses for the short-lasting inhibitory postsynaptic potential was less prominent than that in axotomized protruder motoneurons.     

The pharmacology of fever

The ability to minimise, if not prevent, large variations in deep body temperature that would otherwise result from some environmental conditions is a homeostatic function of unquestioned benefit that is demonstrated only by the more highly evolved animals. Nevertheless, body temperature is raised above normal values in many pathological conditions. This increase in temperature or fever is an active and co-ordinated response, which indicates the involvement of the CNS. Central injection and lesion studies have shown that the brain, in particular the PO/AH, is the site of action of fever-inducing agents, termed pyrogens. Electrophysiological data show that pyrogens modify the activity of central thermosensitive neurones as if to increase heat gain and decrease heat loss. The common response of fever to pyrogens of diverse origins is attributable to fever being mediated by an endogenous pyrogen released by phagocytic cells in the host. The mechanism by which central neuronal function is disturbed by pyrogens present in the periphery is not known. Tracer studies have yet to demonstrate the passage of a pyrogen across the blood-brain barrier. The possible involvement of several putative neuro- transmitters and modulators in fever has been reviewed here, but most compounds have not been studied sufficiently to allow firm conclusions to be drawn. Much of the data is limited to the effects of the putative mediators on normal thermoregulation but, even when the effect is hyperthermia, such observations do not necessarily indicate a role for the endogenous material in fever. Dose-response curves for agonists and the effects of antagonists are often undetermined. This shortfall in data is due to some extent to the nature of fever; a central response in vivo over several hours. Although fever may enhance other host reactions to combat infection and inflammation, neither this benefit nor the undesirability of antipyretic therapy has been demonstrated unequivocally in either homeothermic laboratory animals or humans. Consequently, antipyretic drugs continue to be used clinically to alleviate the fever, malaise and/or pain commonly associated with disease. The drugs in common usage are the nonsteroidal antipyretic analgesics, many of which also have an anti-flammatory effect. The primary mode of action of these drugs as antipyretics appears at present to be the inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase and a consequent reduction of prostanoid material in pyrogen-sensitive areas of the brain. PGEs in the PO/AH have received most study to date, but other mediators in other parts of the CNS, where the density of pyrogen receptors may be sparse, cannot be discounted and await further investigation.     

Dissociation of acetylcholine- and cyclic GMP-induced currents inXenopu oocytes

InXenopus follicular oocytes, activation of muscarinic receptors evokes a slow potassium current (H-response); a similar current is evoked by intracellular injection of cyclic guanosine 3,5-monophosphate, cGMP (Dascal et al. 1984). We have tested the hypothesis that cGMP may be the second messenger that mediates the opening of K channel by acetylcholine (ACh). ACh elevated the intracellular level of cGMP with a time course similar to that of the development of the muscarinic H-response; maximal increase in cGMP concentration above the control was about 0.2 pmole/oocyte. The amount of injected cGMP that produced a detectable K current (threshold dose) varied between 0.5 and 3 pmole/oocyte. At low doses of cGMP, the slope of log dose-log response curve was about 2.5, suggesting involvement of a biochemical process with a positive cooperativity of at least 3. Higher doses of cGMP evoked, in addition to the outward current, an irregular, rapidly developing, long-lasting inward current, that never reached amplitudes comparable to those of ACh-evoked Cl currents. The K current elicited by cGMP was insensitive to elevation or depletion of external Ca. It was potentiated by isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX). ACh strongly inhibited the cGMP-evoked K current when applied at the plateau of the latter. 4-Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) (1 M) rapidly and completely inhibited the cGMP response. It is concluded, that most of the results presented in this report contradict the hyothesis that cGMP is the intracellular mediator of ACh-induced changes in membrane conductance in the oocytes.Abbreviations ACh acetylcholine - cAMP cyclic adenosine 3,5-monophosphate - cGMP cyclic guanosine 3,5-monophosphate - EGTA ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid - Hepes N-2-hydroxyethyl-piperazinc-N-2-hydroxypropanesulphonic acid - IBMX 3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine - IP₃ inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate - PDBu 4-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate     

Kainic acid receptors and neurotoxicity in adult and immature rat cerebellar slices

The neurotoxic actions of kainate were examined in incubated slices of adult and immature rat cerebellum using light- and electron-microscopy. In the adult, Purkinje cells and inhibitory interneurones became selectively necrotic at concentrations between 5 micro M and 20 micro M. At 30 micro M, granule cells also became affected. In the immature cerebellum, at an age (8 days after birth) when the parallel fibres (thought to use glutamate as transmitter) are largely yet to be developed, selective toxicity was still evident but Purkinje cells and inhibitory interneurones were about 10-fold, and granule cells about 30-fold, less sensitive to kainate than in the adult. Kainate and other excitotoxins also increased cyclic GMP levels in cerebellar slices, apparently through the activation of excitatory amino acid receptors. In the adult tissue, the dose-cyclic GMP response curve to kainate was biphasic suggesting the presence of two components. The lower concentrations of kainate eliciting the first component mirrored those inducing selective necrosis of Purkinje cells and inhibitory interneurones while the second component correlated with necrosis of granule cells. Similar correlations applied to the immature cerebellum, but here kainate neurotoxicity appeared to be associated with the activation of receptor types different from those evident in the adult. It is suggested that kainate receptors, whose activation is associated with both neurotoxic damage and elevation of cyclic GMP levels, are located on all cell types in the adult cerebellum, with Purkinje cells and inhibitory interneurones displaying a higher sensitivity to kainate than granule cells. The lower sensitivity of immature cerebellum to the neurotoxic effect of kainate is probably due to lower levels of kainate receptors.     

Changes in cyclic nucleotides during the calcium paradox in the isolated rat heart

Reperfusion of hearts with a Ca²⁺-containing medium after a perfusion period in Ca²⁺-free medium results in irreversible cell damage (calcium paradox). In this investigation we have studied coronary flow and cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP levels after several periods of Ca²⁺-free perfusion in isolated rat hearts. We also investigated the effects of papaverine (Pap), noradrenaline (NA), acetylcholine (ACh) and absence of inorganic phosphate during Ca²⁺-free perfusion on coronary flow (CF) and cyclic nucleotide levels. Inability of the heart to recover contractile activity with development of contracture during the reperfusion period was accepted as indicative of the calcium paradox. Ca²⁺-free perfusion alone and NA and absence of inorganic phosphate during the Ca²⁺-free perfusion period increased CF, whereas Pap and ACh decreased it. However, only Ca²⁺-free perfusion and NA elevated cyclic AMP. On the other hand, Pap and ACh increased cyclic GMP (with a transient rise of cyclic AMP in Pap infusion), and absence of inorganic phosphate decreased both cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP. Pap, ACh and absence of phosphate prevented the calcium paradox. Our study suggests that increased cyclic AMP during the Ca²⁺-free perfusion may contribute, with the other factors, to the occurrence of the calcium paradox.     

氦氖激光对小鼠小脑信息传递物质一氧化氮及环磷酸鸟苷含量的影响

目的：研究低功率氦氖激光对小鼠小脑信息传递物质的影响。方法：采用雄性BALB／C小鼠,随机分为对照组,辐射后即刻组、1h组、2h组,注入氮氖合酶（NOS）抑制剂的辐射后即刻组、副射后1h组,用波长632．8nm、功率密度5mW/cm^2连续氦氖激光每天局部辐射1次,每次1h,连续5d。对照辐射功率密度为0。结果：辐射组分别于辐射后即刻、1h小脑组织中一氧化氮（NO）代谢产物亚硝酸根（NO2^-)及环磷酸鸟苷（cGMP)含量均升高（P＜0．01）,辐射2h二者均降至正常,此增高效应可同时被NOS抑制剂阻断。结论：低功率氦氖激光可使小鼠小脑NO代谢产物NO2^-及cGMP含量短暂性升高,在氦氖激光辐射产生的生物学效应中涉及NO／cGMP信息传递机制。     

冠脉循环中血小板活化状态对冠心病致病作用的研究

目的：探讨冠脉循环中血小板活化状态在冠心病（ＣＨＤ）发病学中的意义。方法：用放免等方法对受试冠状静脉窦（ＣＳ）及升主动脉（ＡＯ）血行血小板膜表面α－颗粒膜蛋白（α－ＧＭＰ－１４０）和循环内皮细胞（ＣＥＣ）等测定。结果：ＣＨＤ患冠脉循环中α－ＧＭＰ－１４０含量和ＣＥＣ浓度均明显升高（Ｐ〈０．０１）,以急心肌梗塞（ＡＭＩ）组为明显,冠脉狭窄愈严重,二升高愈明显,病灶多发比单发升高明显。结论：ＣＨＤ患冠脉循环中血小板高度激活,在ＣＨＤ的发生发展中有一定的意义。     

Involvement of cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinases in cyclic AMP-mediated vasorelaxation

1. The involvement of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) in the effects of cyclic AMP-elevating agents on vascular smooth muscle relaxation, cyclic nucleotide dependent-protein kinase activities and ATP-induced calcium signalling ([Ca²⁺]_i) was studied in rat aorta. Cyclic AMP-elevating agents used were a β-adrenoceptor agonist (isoprenaline), a phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3) inhibitor (SK&F 94120) and a PDE4 inhibitor (rolipram).
2. In rat intact aorta, the relaxant effect induced by isoprenaline (0.01–0.3 μM) was decreased by a specific inhibitor of PKA, H-89, whereas a specific inhibitor of PKG, Rp-8-Br-cyclic GMPS, was without effect. No significant difference in PKA and PKG activity ratios was detected in aortic rings when isoprenaline 10 μM was used. At the same concentration, isoprenaline did not modify ATP-induced changes in [Ca²⁺]_i in smooth muscle cells. Neither H-89 nor Rp-8-Br-cyclic GMPS modified this response. These findings suggest that PKA is only involved in the relaxant effect induced by low concentrations of isoprenaline (0.01–0.3 μM), whereas for higher concentrations, other mechanisms independent of PKA and PKG are involved.
3. The relaxant effects induced by SK&F 94120 and rolipram were inhibited by Rp-8-Br-cyclic GMPS with no significant effect of H-89. Neither SK&F 94120, nor rolipram at 30 μM significantly modified the activity ratios of PKA and PKG. Rolipram inhibited the ATP-induced transient increase in [Ca²⁺]_i. This decrease was abolished by Rp-8-Br-cyclic GMPS whereas H-89 had no significant effect. These results suggest that PKG is involved in the vascular effects induced by the inhibitors of PDE3 and PDE4. Moreover, since it was previously shown that PDE3 and PDE4 inhibitors only increased cyclic AMP levels with no change in cyclic GMP level, these data also suggest a cross-activation of PKG by cyclic AMP in rat aorta.
4. The combination of 5 μM SK&F 94120 with rolipram markedly potentiated the relaxant effect of rolipram. This relaxation was decreased by H-89 and not significantly modified by Rp-8-Br-cyclic GMPS. Moreover, the association of the two PDE inhibitors significantly increased the activity ratio of PKA without changing the PKG ratio. The present findings show that PKA rather than PKG is involved in this type of vasorelaxation. The differences in the participation of PKA vs PKG observed when inhibitors of PDE3 and PDE4 were used alone or together could be due to differences in the degree of accumulation of cyclic AMP, resulting in the activation of PKA or PKG which are differently localized in the cell.
5. These findings support a role for both PKA and PKG in cyclic AMP-mediated relaxation in rat aorta. Their involvement depends on the cellular pathway used to increase the cyclic AMP level.

     

API0134对血小板α颗粒膜蛋白和血小板聚集的影响

２０例急性心肌梗死患者在溶栓后随机分为穿心莲有效成分（ＡＰＩ０１３４,ＡＰＩ）组与对照组,治疗１５ｄ,均同时给予阿司匹林等药物。检测溶栓前后血浆α颗粒膜蛋白（ＧＭＰ－１４０）浓度和ＡＤＰ诱导的血小板聚集反应。结果表明,ＡＰＩ组溶栓后７２ｈ血浆ＧＭＰ－１４０浓度轻度增加,对照组显著性增加（Ｐ＜０．０１）。ＡＰＩ组ＧＭＰ－１４０在溶栓后７２ｈ和１５ｄ均低于对照组,差异有显著意义（均为Ｐ＜０．０５）。ＡＰＩ组１ｍｉｎ和５ｍｉｎ血小板聚集率均低于对照组,差异均有显著意义（７２ｈ,Ｐ＜０．０５;１５ｄ,Ｐ＜０．０１）。研究表明,ＡＰＩ与阿司匹林联合应用可抑制溶栓后血小板的活化,优于阿司匹林单独应用,因此ＡＰＩ有可能用于临床预防溶栓后的再闭塞。     

Role of Ca2+-activated K+ channels in acetylcholine-induced dilatation of the basilar artery in vivo

1. We tested the hypothesis that activation of large conductance calcium-activated potassium channels is involved in dilator responses of the basilar artery to acetylcholine in vivo. Using a cranial window in anaesthetized rats, we examined responses of the basilar artery to acetylcholine.
2. Topical application of acetylcholine (10⁻⁶ and 10⁻⁵ M) increased diameter of the basilar artery from 238±7 μm to 268±7 and 288±7 μm, respectively (P<0.05 vs. baseline diameter). Iberiotoxin (10⁻⁸ M), an inhibitor of large conductance calcium-activated potassium channels, did not affect baseline diameter of the basilar artery. In the presence of 10⁻⁸ M iberiotoxin, 10⁻⁶ and 10⁻⁵ M acetylcholine increased diameter of the basilar artery from 239±7 μm to 246±7 and 261±7 μm, respectively. Thus, iberiotoxin attenuated acetylcholine-induced dilatation of the basilar artery (P<0.05).
3. Sodium nitroprusside (10⁻⁷ and 10⁻⁶ M) increased diameter of the basilar artery from 242±9 μm to 310±12 and 374±13 μm, respectively (P<0.05 vs. baseline diameter). In the presence of iberiotoxin (10⁻⁸ M), sodium nitroprusside (10⁻⁷ and 10⁻⁶ M) increased diameter of the basilar artery from 243±6 μm to 259±9 and 311±12 μm, respectively. Thus, iberiotoxin attenuated dilator responses of the basilar artery to sodium nitroprusside (P<0.05).
4. Iberiotoxin partly inhibited dilator responses of the basilar artery to forskolin, a direct activator of adenylate cyclase, but did not affect vasodilatation produced by levcromakalim, a potassium channel opener.
5. These results suggest that dilator responses of the basilar artery to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside are mediated, in part, by activation of large conductance calcium-activated potassium channels. Because both acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside have been shown to activate guanylate cyclase via nitric oxide, activation of large conductance calcium-activated potassium channels may be one of the major mechanisms by which cyclic GMP causes dilatation of the basilar artery in vivo.