Stimulation of β-adrenoceptors inhibits store-operated channel currents via a cAMP-dependent protein kinase mechanism in rabbit portal vein myocytes

Previously we have described the properties of store-operated channel currents (SOCs) in freshly dispersed rabbit portal vein smooth muscle cells. In addition to Ca²⁺ store depletion these SOCs could also be activated by α-adrenoceptor stimulation and diacylglycerol (DAG) via a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent mechanism. In the present study we have investigated the effect of β-adrenoceptor stimulation on SOCs in rabbit portal vein myocytes. With whole-cell recording the selective β-adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline reduced the current evoked by cyclopiazonic acid (CPA, sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum ATPase inhibitor) by over 85%. With cell-attached patch recording, bath application of isoprenaline produced a pronounced inhibition of SOC activity evoked by either CPA or the acetoxymethyl ester form of BAPTA (BAPTA-AM). SOC activity evoked by CPA, the DAG analogue, 1-oleoyl-acetyl- sn -glycerol (OAG) or the phorbol ester, phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) was also markedly inhibited by the adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin, and the cell-permeable non-hydrolysable analogue of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), 8-Br-cAMP. With inside-out patches, bath application of PDBu evoked channel currents with similar properties to SOCs which were inhibited by over 90% by a catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PKA) and by 8-Br-cAMP. Moreover bath application of PKA inhibitors, H-89, KT5720 and an inhibitory peptide to quiescent cell-attached or inside-out patches, activated channel currents with similar properties to SOCs. These data suggest that in rabbit portal vein myocytes, stimulation of β-adrenoceptors inhibits SOC activity via a cAMP-dependent protein kinase signal transduction cascade. In addition it is concluded that constitutive PKA activity has a profound inhibitory effect on SOC activity in this vascular preparation.     

Testicular metastasis of primary cecal carcinoid tumor

Testicular carcinoids are rare and the majority are of primary testicular origin. Testicular carcinoids can also be secondary from extra-testicular primary tumors, but the incidence is even less common. The case described here is a patient who initially had an infiltrating cecal carcinoid with hepatic metastasis. Following surgery, he was managed with octreotide and had close monitoring of the levels of serum serotonin and its urinary metabolite. He experienced a fairly indolent clinical course and 5 years after excision of the primary cecal carcinoid, his hepatic lesion has virtually been unchanged. However, he developed a secondary testicular metastasis. He has otherwise remained well, without evidence of metastases elsewhere on imaging studies.     

Vaccinia virus expression and sequence of an avian influenza nucleoprotein gene: potential use in diagnosis

Summary The nucleoprotein (NP) gene from avian influenza strain A/Shearwater/Aust/1/72 (H6N5) was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in vaccinia virus for the production of potent sera in immunised rabbits. The NP gene is 1565 bp and shares >95% amino acid sequence identity with other NPs of the avian subtype. The recombinant NP expressed by vaccinia virus comigrated with endogenous A/Shearwater/Aust/1/72 NP by Western blot analysis. Polyclonal rabbit sera raised against recombinant NP was evaluated in an antigen capture ELISA system as a potential diagnostic tool for the detection of avian influenza. All type A strains, comprising several HA and NA subtypes, but not type B nor other avian viruses, were detected.     

凌晨3:00皮下注射短效胰岛素治疗2型糖尿病黎明现象

目的:观察应用凌晨3:00皮下注射短效胰岛素治疗2型糖尿病黎明现象的疗效。方法:对40例有黎明现象的2型糖尿病患者,使用短效胰岛素凌晨3:00注射4~6U。抽取肘静脉血测定空腹血糖(FPG)及早餐后2h血糖(2hPG),免疫比浊法测定糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c),比较治疗前后上述指标变化。结果:本组患者FPG从治疗前(9.5±1.6)mmol/L下降至(6.0±0.4)mmol/L,治疗2个月后仍保持为(5.6±0.4)mmol/L;2hPG从治疗前(13.8±0.8)mmol/L下降至(7.4±0.4)mmol/L,在治疗2个月后保持为(7.9±0.3)mmol/L;FPG和2hPG与治疗前比较,均具有显著性差异(P<0.01)。治疗2个月后,HbA1c从治疗前(8.3±0.6)%下降至(6.5±0.3)%,与治疗前比较,有显著性差异(P<0.01)。结论:短效胰岛素强化治疗黎明现象具有快速稳定的降血糖和降糖化血红蛋白作用。