Localization of Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) in the Hypothalamus-Pituitary System in Rats: Light and Electron Microscopic Immunocytochemical Studies

The localization of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in the hypothalamus-pituitary system in rats was examined in light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry using a specific antiserum to synthetic PACAP 1–38 (R0831). In light microscopic study, intensely PACAP-immunostained perikarya were observed in the supraoptic and paraventricular magnocellular nucleus in the hypothalamus. In the median eminence, many immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed in the internal layer, but a few immunoreactive terminals were noticed in the external layer. In the pituitary gland, numerous immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed in the posterior lobe. In the intermediate lobe, moderately immunostained cells were observed, but in the anterior lobe no immunostained cells were noticed. In electron microscopic study, PACAP-immunoreactivity was examined by avidin-biotin peroxidase complex method. In the perikarya of the supraoptic and paraventricular magnocellular nucleus, DAB-reaction products were distributed diffusely in the cytoplasmic matrix, frequently attaching to the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. In the nerve terminals of the posterior lobe, reaction products were observed among the secretory granules, but sometimes upon them. In the cells of the intermediate lobe, reaction products were also distributed in the cytoplasmic matrix.     

Effects of chronic amitriptyline administration on saliva from the parotid and submandibular glands of the rat

The effect of prolonged treatment with amitriptyline on the secretory activity of rat salivary glands evoked by parasympathetic nerve stimulation and isoprenaline administration has been studied. Low doses of amitriptyline (10 mg/kg per day for 2 or 4 weeks), did not significantly affect salivary flow evoked by either parasympathetic nerve or isoprenaline stimulation. Higher doses of amitriptyline (50 mg/kg/day for 2 or 4 weeks) however, markedly decreased parasympathetic-evoked salivary secretion (flow and volume) from both parotid and submandibular glands, while isoprenaline-evoked secretions were unaffected. Sodium, potassium, and calcium concentrations of nerve-elicited or isoprenaline-evoked saliva were not significantly altered by amitriptyline treatment. Protein concentration and amylase activity of nerve-elicited parotid saliva were, however, greatly increased by chronic amitriptyline administration. Possible mechanisms for drug-induced increase in nerveelicited salivary protein concentration include changes in cholinergic receptor binding, release of neuropeptides and variations in phosphatidylinositol turnover, which need further study.     

Integration of new regulatory strategies into the network of an endocrine control system: limitation of androgen secretion by rat testis is achieved by substrate-dependent modulation of P450XVII enzyme concentration and catalytic efficiency.

In addition to the well-known control circuits involved in the regulation and adaptation of testicular androgen biosynthesis, it is proposed that two new control strategies are involved in the maintenance of steady-state testosterone secretion rates by testicular Leydig cells. Cytochrome P450XVII (steroid-17 alpha-monooxygenase/steroid-17,20-lyase), one key enzyme in steroid hormone biosynthesis, responds to external human choriogonadotropin stimulation with an oxygen-dependent and substrate flux-dependent inactivation and decomposition, and increased substrate availability decreases the efficiency of androgen formation in favour of abortive intermediate leakage. These results are discussed as a paradigm of substrate-dependent modulation of cytochrome P450 activities.     

A study of factors governing fluid filtration in the diabetic foot

Abstract. The effect of lowering the foot on the factors governing fluid filtration in the foot were studied in 12 male insulin-dependent diabetic subjects and 10 controls. Toe skin blood flow, measured by laser Doppler flowmetry, was significantly higher during dependency in the diabetic group. In the control subjects, the colloid osmotic pressure of venous blood sampled from the foot rose to 47·7 mmHg (range 45·1–53·8) after 50 min of foot dependency. In the diabetic group, colloid osmotic pressure failed to rise to the same extent (median 36·7 mmHg; range 28·6–43·0; P < 0·001). Capillary pressure, measured directly by the Landis microinjection technique, was significantly higher in the diabetic group (85·3±1·7 ( n = 6) vs. 92·2±4·6 cm H₂O ( n = 6); P < 0·007), as was foot swelling rate determined by mercury strain gauge plethysmography (0·069±0·022 vs. 0·099±0·025 ml min^-1 100ml^-1; P < 0·02). These results suggest an impairment of the oedema-preventing mechanisms in diabetic subjects which may contribute to the risks of ulceration in the diabetic foot.     

正常人及大鼠心脏内皮素转换酶的分布

目的:了解正常人和大鼠心脏各部分内皮素转换酶(Endothelin-conveerting en-zyme,ECE)的分布。方法:采用半定量RT-PCR法检测ECE mRNA表达,同时根据外源性的巨内皮素-1转变为内皮素-1的量判定ECE活性。结果:正常人心脏各部位心肌均存在ECE,ECEmRNA表达和活性的分布特点一致:心房显著高于心室,左、右心房间及左、右心室和室间隔间无显著性差异。大鼠的ECE mRNA表达和活性分布规律与人相似。结论:正常人和大鼠心脏各组分均存在ECE,且两者的分布规律相似。     

Studies of the effects of dietary zinc on the immune organs and cellular immunity in the rat

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实验动物大白鼠型流行性出血热流行病学和临床症状调查

本文对59名接触实验动物大白鼠引起23例流行性出血热(EHF)的流行病学和临床症状进行了调查,发病率为38.98%。发病的有副教授、讲师、助教、研究生等。发病多在春季,年龄组在21～40岁,男多于女。经间接免疫荧光技术检查,大白鼠肺EHFV抗原阳性率为32.69%。临床分型以中型为多,其次为重型和轻型。临床症状以发热、头痛、腰痛、全身痛、食欲不振、酒醉貌为主,没有死亡病例。血清间接免疫荧光抗体IgG在1:320～1:5 120之间的占91.30%。