Altered tachykinergic influence on gastric mechanical activity in mdx mice

This study investigated whether alterations in gastric activity in dystrophic mdx mouse can be attributed to dysfunctions of tachykinins. Endoluminal pressure was recorded and the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), NK1 and NK2 neurokinin receptors was investigated by immunohistochemistry. SR48968, NK2 receptor antagonist, but not SR140333, NK1 receptor antagonist, decreased the tone only in mdx gastric preparations. In the presence of N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), inhibitor of NOS, SR48968 reduced the tone also in normal stomach. [Sar(9), Met(O(2))(11)]-SP, agonist of NK1 receptors, caused tetrodotoxin-sensitive relaxations, antagonized by SR140333 or l-NAME, with no difference in the potency or efficacy between normal and mdx preparations. [beta-Ala(8)]-NKA(4-10), an NK2 receptor agonist, induced SR48968-sensitive contractions in both types of preparations, although the maximal response of mdx tissues was significantly lower than normal preparations. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated a consistent reduction of nNOS and NK2 receptor expression in mdx stomach smooth muscle cells and no change in nNOS and NK1 receptor expression in neurones. In conclusion, in mdx stomach the activation of NK2 receptors plays a role in the development of the tone, associated with a reduced NO production by muscular nNOS. The hypo-responsiveness to NK2 receptors could depend on the reduced expression of these receptors.     

杜仲对糖尿病大鼠扑捉行为和阴茎组织神经传导通路的影响

目的:探讨杜仲改善勃起功能的药效和病理学机制。方法:雄性糖尿病(DM)大鼠30只随机分为3组:A组(10只,DM大鼠赋形剂灌胃组)、B组(10只,DM大鼠西地那非灌胃组)、C组(10只,DM大鼠杜仲灌胃组)及10只正常对照组大鼠(赋形剂灌胃,D组);灌胃4周后观察4组大鼠扑捉行为,透射电镜检查阴茎组织有髓神经纤维超微特征;用免疫组化二步法显示阴茎组织中神经元型一氧化氮合酶(nNOS)的表达。结果:与A组比较,C组大鼠扑捉次数显著增多(P<0.05),阴茎组织中nNOS表达显著增强(P<0.001)。透射电镜显示:A组大鼠阴茎组织有髓神经纤维排布失序,部分变性、板层分离形成透明空泡或网络状,C组大鼠有髓神经纤维排列规整,板层结构清晰。结论:杜仲可通过减轻有髓神经的损伤、增强阴茎组织中nNOS表达改善ED。     

In vivo MRI of cancer cell fate at the single-cell level in a mouse model of breast cancer metastasis to the brain.

Metastasis (the spread of cancer from a primary tumor to secondary organs) is responsible for most cancer deaths. The ability to follow the fate of a population of tumor cells over time in an experimental animal would provide a powerful new way to monitor the metastatic process. Here we describe a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that permits the tracking of breast cancer cells in a mouse model of brain metastasis at the single-cell level. Cancer cells that were injected into the left ventricle of the mouse heart and then delivered to the brain were detectable on MR images. This allowed the visualization of the initial delivery and distribution of cells, as well as the growth of tumors from a subset of these cells within the whole intact brain volume. The ability to follow the metastatic process from the single-cell stage through metastatic growth, and to quantify and monitor the presence of solitary undivided cells will facilitate progress in understanding the mechanisms of brain metastasis and tumor dormancy, and the development of therapeutics to treat this disease.     

Exhaled nitric oxide in healthy children: Variability and a lack of correlation with atopy

Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical produced by several lung cells via the enzyme nitric oxide synthetase (NOS) and can be easily measured in exhaled air by chemiluminescence analysis. As the iso-enzyme iNOS may be induced by cytokines and endotoxin, NO is elevated in several chronic inflammatory airway diseases. Prior to using exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) as a non-invasive marker of airway inflammation in daily routine, the role of possibly influencing factors such as age, time of the day, smoking exposure and intra-individual variability have to be clarified. NO concentrations were measured in 107 healthy children aged 4–18 years at an expiratory flow of 184 ml/s. Spirometry and a skin-prick test were performed and a questionnaire on family history of atopy, personal symptoms of atopic disease and smoke exposure was completed. For intra-individual variability nitric oxide was measured in six children three times daily on 6 consecutive days. Median eNO concentration was 5.7 p.p.b., and increased significantly with age but did not vary with gender. No correlation was found between eNO and smoke exposure, positive skin-prick test, FEV ₁, MEF₂₅ and time of the day. There was no circadian rhythm found in the six children measured on 6 consecutive days, but the eNO showed an intra-individual coefficient of variation of 25.9%. With the help of a two-compartment model of the lung the alveolar NO concentration was estimated to be 4.1 p.p.b and was shown to be constant with age, whereas the airway part of NO steadily increased with age. When comparing eNO values with standardized measurement techniques, the age of the children and the large intra-subject coefficient of variation have to be taken into account, whereas in healthy children subject-specific factors such as atopic history, gender and skin test reactivity did not affect eNO measurement.     

原位杂交法检测卵巢上皮癌中诱导型一氧化氮合酶mRNA

目的 :研究卵巢上皮性癌诱导型一氧化氮合酶 (iNOS)的转录水平。方法 :原位杂交法检测 71例卵巢上皮性癌 ,13例卵巢良性肿瘤及 11例正常卵巢组织中iNOSmRNA表达水平。结果 :卵巢上皮性癌中iNOSmRNA高于正常卵巢组织和卵巢良性肿瘤 ,P<0 .0 5。但卵巢上皮性癌Ⅲ ,Ⅳ期与Ⅰ ,Ⅱ期比较无显著差异 ,P>0 .0 5。分化程度比较 ,中、低分化组明显高于高分化组 ,但中、低分化组织间差异无显著性。结论 :诱导型一氧化氮合酶转录水平的升高 ,是引起诱导型一氧化氮合酶水平升高的主要原因 ,在卵巢上皮性癌发生、发展中发挥一定作用     

Effects of Nephritis No.3 Recipe on Nitric Oxide,Nitric Oxide Synthase Secreted by Cultured Mesangial Cells in Rats and the Gene Expression of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase

Objective:To explore the effect of the Nephritis No.3(N-3)recipe on nitric oxide(NO),nitric oxide synthase(NOS)secreted by cultured mesangial cells(MC)and its gene expression of the in-ducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS).Methods:The drug(nephritis No.3)-containing serum was preparedwith serum pharmacological technique,and then was applied to react on mesangial cells cultured In fetalcalf serum(FCS)and cells cultured in FCS plus lipopolysaccharide.To observe the secretion of NO andNOS and the gene expression of iNOS by means of RT-PCR.Results:Under the two kinds of culture con-ditions,the content of NO and NOS in the groups with drug-containing serum were higher than thosewithout drug-containing serum(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the expression of iNOS mRNA was up-regula-ted too.Conclusion:The N-3 could significantly promote the secretion of NO and NOS and the mRNA ex-pression of iNOS in rats.     

急性胰腺炎大鼠血浆内皮素和一氧化氮水平变化及卡托普利的早期干预作用

目的 观察急性胰腺炎大鼠血浆内皮素、一氧化氮水平变化及血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂卡托普利对其的早期干预作用。方法 63只SD大鼠分对照组、急性胰腺炎组、卡托普利干预组3组进行不同处理。对照组仅作胃窦切开再缝合术；急性胰腺炎组用十二指肠闭襻法制作急性胰腺炎模型；卡托普利干预组在胰腺炎模型制备后立即腹腔注射卡托普利针(5mg／kg)，在病程不同时点测定血浆内皮素、一氧化氮水平，并观察胰腺组织病理学改变。结果 急性胰腺炎组随病变的进展，胰腺炎病理由水肿向出血坏死发展，而内皮素和一氧化氮从两者平行升高逐渐转向内皮素单一升高，致内皮素／一氧化氮比值上升；卡托普利干预组则胰腺炎病理改变减轻，胰腺组织病理学评分降低，且血浆内皮素水平低于急性胰腺炎组，而一氧化氮总体水平与急性胰腺炎组比较差别无显著性意义，内皮素／一氧化氮比值基本与对照组一致。结论 早期应用卡托普利可维持内皮素与一氧化氮平衡，对大鼠急性胰腺炎病变可能有保护作用。