Expression of Fos in rat brain in relation to sodium appetite: furosemide and cerebroventricular renin

Two experiments were performed to investigate the relationship between the expression of sodium appetite and the appearance of Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-IR) in the brain of rats. In the first experiment, rats were depleted of sodium by treatment with furosemide 24 h prior to sacrifice and without access to either food or sodium solution. Some rats had access to distilled water, and others had no fluids available during the 24 h. All of the furosemide-treated rats showed Fos-IR in both the subfornical organ (SFO) and around the organum vasculosum laminae terminalis (OVLT). Rats with access to distilled water during the depletion period showed no Fos-IR in the supraoptic (SON) or paraventricular hypothalamic nuclei (PVN) and, in parallel behavioral studies, comparably-treated rats consumed only 0.3 M NaCl solution at the end of the 24 h. In rats that had no fluids during the deprivation period, only about one half showed Fos-IR in SON and PVN and, in parallel behavioral studies, comparably treated rats consumed both water and 0.3 M NaCI solution at the end of 24 h. In a second experiment, cerebroventricular administration of renin stimulated short latency intake of 0.3 M NaCI and water. The relative intakes of water and NaCl were comparable at a low dose of renin, but intake of water exceeded that of NaCl after higher doses. Renin induced Fos-IR in SFO, MnPO, peri-OVLT region, SON and PVN. Both Fos-IR and fluid intake were antagonized by administration of losartan, an angiotensin 11 type 1 receptor antagonist. Thus, only the circumventricular organs of the lamina terminalis showed Fos-IR during each natriorexigenic regimen in these studies. These data support the view that Ang 11 of both central and peripheral origin activates the SFO and/or peri-OVLT region and contributes to sodium appetite.     

内毒素休克大鼠核因子κB活化规律及其在生物蝶呤诱生中的作用

目的观察内毒素休克大鼠血浆及主要脏器核因子(NF)κB活化规律及其对生物蝶呤(BH4)和一氧化氮(NO)表达水平的影响,探讨内毒素休克时NF-κB信号通路对BH4诱生NO的分子调控机制及其与多器官功能损害的关系。方法将47只大鼠按表格随机法分为正常组(8只)、内毒素／脂多糖(LPS)组(24只,每观察时相点8只,均同时注射LPS制成休克模型)和拮抗组[15只,每观察时相点5只,均同时注射LPS并以吡咯烷二硫代氨基甲酸盐(PDTC)拮抗]。休克及拮抗组于注射LPS后2、6、12 h观察,并与正常组同法处死,无菌留取大鼠血标本及肝、肺、肾组织,测定组织中NF-κB活性和三磷酸鸟苷环水解酶Ⅰ(GTP-CHⅠ)和诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)mRNA表达水平、血浆和组织中的BH4含量及NO水平、肝脏和肾脏功能指标、肺组织髓过氧化物酶活性。结果与正常组(例如肺组织中NF-κB活性为26±6)比较,LPS组大鼠组织中NF-κB迅速活化(P<0．01),并于注射后2 h达峰值(肺组织中为291±44);LPS组各组织中GTP-CHⅠ和iNOS mRNA表达、BH4和NO水平也较正常组明显升高(P<0．05或0．01),至伤后12 h仍持续较高水平。此外,该组相应器官功能均受到不同程度的损害。应用PDTC的拮抗组大鼠各组织中NF-κB活性均较LPS组有所降低,GTP-CHⅠ、iNOS mRNA表达及BH4、NO水平显著受抑,肝、肺、肾功能明显改善。结论内毒素休克时机体内NF-κB通路高度活化,并对BH4／NO系统具有明显调节效应;可通过下调BH4介导的iNOS的过度活化抑制NF-κB信号途径,从而减轻组织炎性反应,对机体脏器功能起到保护作用。     

Select types of supporting cell in the inner ear express aquaporin-4 water channel protein

Aquaporins (AQPs) confer a high water permeability on cell membranes and play important parts in secretory and absorptive epithelia in kidney and other organs. Here we investigate whether AQPs are expressed in the sensory epithelia of the inner ear, where a precise volume regulation is crucial. By use of specific antibodies it was found that the inner ear contains AQP1 and 4 while being devoid of detectable levels of AQP2, 3 or 5. Immunofluorescence and postembedding immunogold labelling revealed a strictly non-epithelial distribution of AQP1, confirming previous data. In contrast, AQP4 protein and mRNA (visualized by in situ hybridization) were concentrated in select types of supporting cell, including Hensen's cells and inner sulcus cells. Immunogold particles signalling AQP4 were confined to the basolateral plasma membrane of Hensen's cells and to the basal plasma membrane of Claudius cells and inner sulcus cells. AQP4 was also found in supporting cells of the vestibular end organs, but was absent from transitional epithelial cells and dark cells. Strong labelling for AQP4 and AQP4-mRNA was associated with the central part of the cochlear and vestibular nerves. Hair cells were consistently unlabelled. Our findings indicate that AQP4 may facilitate osmotically driven water fluxes in the sensory epithelia of the inner ear and thus contribute to the volume and ion homeostasis at these sites.     

Effects of sodium nitroprusside (MR7S1) and nitroglycerin on the systemic,renal, cerebral,and coronary circulation of dogs anesthetized with enflurane

Summary In beagle dogs anesthetized with enfluranenitrous oxide, effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP; MR7S1) and nitroglycerin (NTG) on hemodynamics and main organ circulation were studied to evaluate their effectiveness and safety as hypotensive agents during anesthesia. SNP (MR7S1) infusion (1–10 g/kg/min) decreased arterial blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner. The hypotension was stable during the infusion. After discontinuation of infusion, the blood pressure rapidly returned to the initial level. The hypotension was associated with decreases in cardiac output and total peripheral resistance. NTG infusion (3–10 g/kg/min) decreased arterial blood pressure, too, but the hypotension was less marked and not dose dependent, and the recovery was slower. Neither drug changed the heart rate. Infusion of SNP (MR7S1) and NTG did not change the hypotension induced by the injection of adenosine, SNP, and NTG. Furthermore, cerebral blood flow, cerebral oxygen consumption, and renal blood flow were unchanged during the hypotension produced by either drug. Coronary blood flow was decreased, but this was due to decreases in cardiac oxygen consumption. In conclusion, SNP (MR7S1) is superior to NTG as a hypotensive agent during anesthesia in efficacy, clear dose dependency, and rapid recovery. The hypotension induced by NTG as well as SNP (MR7S1) seems to have no undesirable effects on the circulation of important organs.     

Binding of botulinum neurotoxin to pure cholinergic nerve terminals isolated from the electric organ of Torpedo

Summary Torpedo electric organ has been used to study the binding of botulinum neurotoxin type A to pure cholinergic synaptosomes and presynaptic plasma membrane.¹²⁵I-labeled botulinum neurotoxin type A exhibits specific binding to cholinergic fractions. Two binding sites have been determined according to data analysis: a high affinity binding site (synaptosomes: K_d=0.11±0.03 nM, B_max=50±10 fmol · mg prot^–1; presynaptic plasma membrane: K_d=0.2±0.05 nM, B_max=150±15 fmol · mg prot^–1) and a low affinity binding site (synaptosomes: K_d 26 nM, B_max 7.5 pmol · mg prot^–1; presynaptic plasma membrane: K_d 30 nM, B_max 52 pmol · mg prot^–1). The binding of¹²⁵I-botulinum neurotoxin type A is decreased by previous treatment of synaptosomes by neuraminidase and trypsin, and by a preincubation with bovine brain gangliosides or antiserum raised against Torpedo presynaptic plasma membrane. When presynaptic plasma membranes are blotted to nitrocellulose sheet, either¹²⁵I-botulinum neurotoxin or botulinum toxin-gold complexes bind to a M_r 140,000 protein. Botulinum toxin-gold complexes have also been used to study the toxin internalization process into Torpedo synaptosomes. The images fit the three step sequence model in the pathway of botulinum neurotoxin poisoning.     

A simple organ culture method for differentiation of melanocytes in mouse embryonic skin using “origami” membrane filter

Summary A simple organ culture method for culturing embryonic skin was developed. A piece of skin with a part of the neural tube from mouse embryo (11 to 12 d) was placed on a 25 mm d membrane filter. The filter was folded to wrap the explant and inserted into glass tubing. The explant and filter in the glass tubing were placed in a rotating tissue culture tube containing 5 ml culture medium (Ham's F12 supplemented with 15 to 20% fetal bovine serum) and filled with a mixture of 95% air:5% CO₂. In explants cultured for 6 d fully differentiated melanocytes were observed in the epidermis.     

产科多器官功能障碍综合征临床分析

目的探讨产科多器功能障碍综合征（MODS）的诱因、临床诊断及处理。方法对16例MODS的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果导致MODS的主要因素为妊娠期高血压疾病及产后出血,器官功能障碍以肾功能衰竭为最多见。结论及时处理MODS的诱发因素,积极治疗妊娠期高血压疾病及产后出血,早期诊断及治疗肾功能衰竭及凝血功能障碍,是减少产科MODS患者死亡的关键。     

耳蜗的扫描电镜观察

为研究柯替氏器的超微结构,用豚鼠、猫及4个月胎儿的耳蜗,在扫描电镜下观察。柯替氏器呈螺旋梯状,围绕在蜗轴周围。蜗尖部的柯替氏器较宽,蜗底部的较窄,其上方的前庭膜由单层扁平上皮组成,上皮表面有微绒毛。紧贴表面的盖膜由原纤维组成。大多数原纤维平行排列,表面与边缘的原纤维多交织成网。柯替氏器中有3排外毛细胞与1排内毛细胞,二者之间有柱细胞头板,外毛细胞上的听毛排列成W形,内毛细胞上的听毛排列成弧形。此外,所有细胞表面均有微绒毛。在轻度噪音刺激后,听毛减少并紊乱,微绒毛也减少或消失。 4月胎儿的柯替氏器有3～4排外毛细胞,其表面为绒球状听毛,后来发育为W形排列。内毛细胞为1排,表面为束状的原始听毛,后变为弧形排列。本文还观察到断裂的柯替氏器中,暴露出外毛细胞的柱状胞体及底部的杯状支持结构。外毛细胞由外指细胞所肩托。外指细胞的指突与外毛细胞均倾斜排列,交错成一定角度。当暴露出外柱细胞时,其胞体上细下粗,表面有传入神经纤维。当外毛细胞、外柱细胞等掀向上方后,可见隧道中纵行的神经纤维束及其分支,即螺旋隧道束与放线隧道纤维,它们系橄榄耳蜗束的传出纤维。