一氧化氮含量在急性脑梗死不同时期变化的临床意义

目的和方法为探讨急性脑梗死不同时期一氧化氮（NO）含量变化的临床意义，送检42例急性脑梗死患者不同时期的血清，采用Green改良法检测NO和以邻苯三酚自氧化法检测超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）含量，并配有30例正常对照。结果结果表明：脑梗死早期NO、SOD含量显著降低；急性期NO含量增高，并超过正常对照，而SOD含量进一步下降；脑梗死稳定期后，NO含量有所下降，接近正常水平，SOD含量增高，但仍低于正常。结论据上述结果提示，NO在急性脑梗死不同时期具有细胞毒性和组织保护双重作用，为临床寻求一种急性脑梗死的可能有效治疗方法提供了理论依据。     

ROLE OF NITRIC OXIDE IN THE CONTROL OF THE RENAL MEDULLARY CIRCULATION

1. Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated as an important controller in the short- and long-term regulation of arterial pressure. Studies performed in our laboratory have demonstrated that chronic intravenous administration of the NO synthase inhibitor N^G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) selectively decreases renal medullary blood flow, causes sodium and water retention and leads to hypertension. 2. To determine the importance of the renal medullary effects in this model of hypertension, further studies were conducted to examine the influence of selective stimulation or inhibition of renal medullary NO on whole kidney function and cardiovascular homeostasis. With the use of a unique catheter to directly infuse into the renal medullary interstitial space, stimulation (bradykinin or acetylcholine) or inhibition (L-NAME) of renal medullary NO selectively increased or decreased renal medullary blood flow. 3. The changes in medullary flow in these experiments were associated with parallel changes in sodium and water excretion independent of alterations in renal cortical blood flow or glomerular filtration rate. 4. Studies were then undertaken to examine the long-term effects of selective NO inhibition in the renal medulla on cardiovascular homeostasis. Chronic infusion of L-NAME directly into the renal medullary interstitial space of uninephrectomized Sprague-Dawley rats led to a selective decrease in renal medullary blood flow that was sustained throughout the 5 day L-NAME infusion period. The decrease in medullary blood flow was associated with retention of sodium and the development of hypertension and the effects were reversible. 5. The data reviewed indicate that NO in the renal medulla has a powerful influence on fluid and electrolyte homeostasis and the control of blood pressure.     

Evidence for nitric oxide participation in down-regulation of CYP2B1/2 gene expression at the pretranslational level

Septic or inflammatory stimuli suppress drug metabolism by cytochrome P-450 in the liver, presumably at the pretranslational level. We have shown previously that nitric oxide is responsible at least in part for the inhibition by bacterial lipopolysaccharide of phenobarbital-induced CYP2B1/2 activity in vivo. This was attributed to the interaction of nitric oxide with heme in the active-center of cytochrome P450, leading to enzyme inactivation. Here, we report of nitric oxide with heme in the active-center of cytochrome P450, leading to enzyme inactivation. Here, we report that endogeneous nitric oxide also contributes to LPS-induced suppression of CYP2B1/2 in vivo by down-regulating the expression of CYP2B1/2 protein and mRNA.     

Synthesis and Evaluation of Azole-Substituted Tetrahydronaphthalenes as Inhibitors of P450 arom,P450 17, and P450 TxA2

In search of potential drugs for the treatment of estrogen- and androgen-dependent cancer as well as the prophylaxis of metastases, tetralones, tetralins, and dihydronaphthalenes bearing a OCH₃ substituent at the benzene nucleus and an imidazol-4-yl, imidazol-1-yl, or 1,2,4-triazol-1-yl substituent in 2-position were synthesized with and without C₁-spacer between the rings (compounds 2 – 26 ). The compounds were tested in vitro for inhibition of the three target enzymes P450 arom (human placental microsomes), P450 17 (rat testicular microsomes), and P450 TxA₂ (citrated human whole blood). To examine selectivity, some compounds were further tested in vitro for inhibition of P450 18 (bovine adrenal mitochondria), P450 see (bovine adrenal mitochondria) and corticoid formation (aldosterone, corticosterone; ACTH stimulated rat adrenal tissue). In vivo, selected compounds were examined in Sprague Dawley rats regarding P450 TxA₂ inhibition, reduction of plasma testosterone concentration, antiuterotrophic activity (inhibition of the uterotrophic activity of androstenedione), reduction of plasma estradiol concentration (pregnant mares' serum gonadotropin-primed rats), and mammary tumor inhibiting activity (dimethylbenzanthracene-induced tumor; pre- and postmenopausal model). In the series of imidazol-4-yl compounds, which represent a novelty in the field of azole inhibitors of steroidogenic P450 enzymes, strong inhibitors of P450 arom and/or P450 17 were found: 7-OCH₃-2-(imidazol-4-ylmethylene)-1-tetralone ( 4 ) and 7-OCH₃-2-(imidazol-4-ylmethyl)-tetralin ( 12 ) are among the most potent inhibitors of P450 arom in vitro known so far. Compound 4 is a selective inhibitor, whereas 12 shows in addition strong inhibition of P450 17. In contrast to 12 , the 6-OCH₃ derivative (compound 11 ) is a selective inhibitor of P450 17, being 50 times more potent than ketoconazole. Some imidazol-1-yl compounds show a marked inhibition of P450 TxA₂: 2-(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1-tetralone ( 13 ) is a selective inhibitor of P450 TxA₂, whereas 7-OCH₃-2-(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-tetralin ( 17 ) as well as 2-(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-tetralin ( 16 ) and 7-OCH₃-2-imidazol-1-yl-3,4-dihydronaphthalene ( 25 ) additionally show strong inhibition of P450 arom and P450 17. Regarding the other steroidogenic P450 enzymes as well as corticosterone formation, the compounds show only little inhibitory activity. Aldosterone formation, however, is inhibited at low concentrations. Nevertheless, 4 and 12 are more selective, i.e. inhibit aldosterone synthesis less than the well known inhibitor of P450 arom fadrozole. The compounds show activity in the aforementioned in vivo tests.     

Are common mutations of cystathionine β-synthase involved in the aetiology of neural tube defects?

Mildly elevated maternal plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels (hyperhomocysteinemia) have recently been observed in some neural tube defect (NTD) pregnancies. Plasma levels of Hcy are governed by both genetic and nutritional factors and the aetiology of NTDs is also known to have both genetic and nutritional components. We therefore examined the frequency of relatively common mutations in the enzyme cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), which is one of the main enzymes that controls Hcy levels, in the NTD population. Neither the severely dysfunctional G307S CBS allele nor the recently reported 68 bp insertion/I278T CBS allele was observed at increased frequency in the cases relative to controls. We therefore conclude that loss of function CBS alleles do not account for a significant proportion of NTDs in Ireland.     

Ultrastructural distribution of NADPH-diaphorase in the normal hippocampus and after long-term potentiation

Summary The distribution of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was investigated at the ultrastructural level in synaptic structures of the hippocampal formation in relation to long-term potentiation (LTP), based on the histochemical NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) staining with the tetrazolium salt BSPT. BSPT-formazan, the osmiophilic reaction product, was found to be selectively distributed and predominantly attached to membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum. In synaptic regions mainly the presynaptic sides showed labeling. Although several groups have demonstrated a principal involvement of NO in the LTP-mechanism, we found only a low, statistically insignificant increase in NADPH-d stained presynaptic areas of the dentate gyrus, where LTP was evoked. Postsynaptic elements also did not show any noticeable differences. Based on the present results, the predominantly presynaptic localization of NOS should be preferably considered in models describing a functional role of NO in LTP formation, despite the fact that we failed to reveal any indications for an LTP-related change in synaptically located NADPH-d.     

人参总皂甙对不完全性脑缺血后海马CA1区NOS阳性神经元表达的影响

目的探讨人参总皂甙(GS)对不完全性脑缺血及再灌注不同时间后海马CA1区一氧化氮合酶(NOS)的影响及对神经元的保护作用.方法用双侧颈总动脉夹闭加放血的方法制成大鼠不完性脑缺血及再灌注模型,以还原烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸脱氢酶(NADPH-d)组织化学方法观察缺血及再灌注后海马CA1区NOS阳性神经元变化及GS对其的影响.结果单纯缺血组海马CA1区在缺血30min时NOS阳性细胞数最高(44.5±7.42),为假手术组2倍,再灌注2h、12h、24h、3d后逐渐下降,5d时恢复正常水平(21.12±3.50),缺血再灌注3d、5d时出现神经细胞损伤.GS能抑制缺血30min及再灌注各时程中NOS阳性神经元数量变化,并能预防缺血再灌注后迟发的神经元损害.结论GS对大鼠不完全性脑缺血及再灌注不同时程后海马CA1区NOS的异常表达有抑制作用,对神经元的保护作用.     

NO在体外循环中脑损伤作用机制的研究进展

一氧化氮及一氧化氮合酶在体外循环导致的脑损伤中具有重要作用,它可以通过扩张血管/抑制血小板聚集与黏附/减少细胞凋亡等对脑组织产生保护作用。一氧化氮的临床应用仍需对其作用机制作进一步深入研究。     

异丙酚对慢性神经痛大鼠脊髓诱导型一氧化氮合酶表达的影响

目的 研究不同剂量异丙酚对慢性神经痛大鼠触诱发痛痛阈及其脊髓组织诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)mRNA的影响。方法 Wistar大鼠40只,随机分为四组,Ⅰ组为空白对照;Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组结扎左侧坐骨神经。术后第7天,Ⅰ、Ⅱ组腹腔注射生理盐水50 ml·kg-1,Ⅲ、Ⅳ组腹腔注射异丙酚50 ml·kg-1或75ml·kg-1,每天一次共6 d。在术后第6、10和12天,使用Von Frey法分别测定各组大鼠触诱发痛痛阈,比较不同剂量的异丙酚对大鼠痛阈的影响。术后第12天取L4-5和L5-6节段脊神经节和脊髓组织,采用半定量RT-PCR法,对各组大鼠脊髓组织iNOS mRNA表达进行检测。结果 术后第10和12天,Ⅲ、Ⅳ组大鼠双侧的痛阈值高于Ⅱ组(P<0.05);术后第12天,Ⅲ、Ⅳ组大鼠脊髓组织iNOS mRNA表达低于Ⅱ组(P<0.05)。结论 异丙酚通过抑制脊髓组织iNOS mRNA转录,降低其表达,而起到一定的抗伤害作用。