Dopaminergic transmission in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus to produce acupuncture analgesia in correlation with the pituitary gland

Acupuncture analgesia (AA) caused by low frequency stimulation of the acupuncture point (AP) was abolished by hypophysectomy and adrenalectomy. Termination of the AA producing pathway from the AP to the pituitary gland was in the medial hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (M-HARN). The origin of the descending pain inhibitory system associated with AA was in the posterior HARN (P-HARN). AA in the hypophysectomized rats, and enhanced neuronal activity in the P-HARN that were abolished during acupuncture stimulation, were both restored by intraperitoneal microinjection of 0.5 mg/kg morphine or 0.1 micrograms beta-endorphin into the P-HARN during acupuncture stimulation. Of the analgesia produced by dopamine or beta-endorphin injected into the P-HARN, that caused by beta-endorphin disappeared after denervation of the M-HARN. The P-HARN neurons that responded to acupuncture stimulation also responded to iontophoretic dopamine, but not to iontophoretic morphine nor ultramicroinjected beta-endorphin. The transmission between the M-HARN and P-HARN may be dopaminergic, and beta-endorphin might presynaptically modulate this transmission. Reduction of sodium ions may have been the reason for abolition of AA after adrenalectomy.     

电刺激大鼠下丘脑弓状核对中脑导水管周围灰质单位放电的影响

用玻璃微电极引导大鼠中脑导水管周围灰质（ＰＡＧ）单位放电。发现：电刺激弓状核（ＡＲＣ）后，在所观察的６４个ＰＡＧ单位中，表现为抑制的有３７个单位，其余单位分别表现为先抑制后兴奋、兴奋和无变化。结果表明，大鼠ＡＲＣ对ＰＡＧ单位活动的调制作用以抑制米。     

大鼠下丘脑弓状核的形态计量研究

为了探讨急性癫痫弓状核形态改变与可复性，我们采用光、电镜技术和形态计量方法对下丘脑弓状核进行了形态定量研究。结果显示：弓状核切面面积为317500±6460um2，神经元胞体和胞核的等效直径分别为12.94±0.34um和8.54±0.43um，暗细胞内线粒体、粗面内质网、高尔基复合体、溶酶体、游离核相体和分泌颗粒的面积分数分别是5.87±1.98％、3.53±0.25％、0.81±0.49％、2.13±0.42％、10.53±0.46％和0.86±0.35％，其面数密度（单位面积为30um2）分别为15.68±1.14um-2、21.29±3.52um-2、10.20±0.42um-2、5.62±067um-2、101.35±7.55um-2和5.22±0.77um-2.本文还对弓状核的形态结构、神经元类型及其功能进行了讨论。     

Chronic Administration of Glucocorticoids Directly Upregulates Prepro-Neuropeptide Y and Y1-Receptor mRNA Levels in the Arcuate Nucleus of the Rat

The complete sequence of the cDNA encoding the neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y₁-receptor has recently been deduced from a rat brain library, and the presence of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) encoding Y₁-receptor protein has been demonstrated within the brain. Using quantitative in situ hybridization histochemistry, the content and distribution of Y₁receptor and preproNPY mRNAs have been investigated in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus of adrenalectomized rats receiving glucocorticoid replacement therapy for 12 days by means of either high doses of dexamethasone in their drinking water or by subcutaneous corticosterone pellets. Basal metabolic parameters such as weight gain or loss, blood glucose and plasma insulin were monitored: Dexamethasone treatment induced weight loss and a state of hyperinsulinemia with normoglycemia, while corticosterone treated animals displayed metabolic parameters identical to sham ADX animals. Within the arcuate nucleus of glucocorticoid treated animals, levels of Y₁receptor and preproNPY mRNAs were increased. In contrast, adrenalectomy itself had no effect upon Y₁-receptor mRNA levels or preproNPY mRNA levels in the arcuate nucleus. These studies demonstrate that glucocorticoids exert a stimulatory action on levels of Y₁-receptor mRNA and preproNPY mRNA levels in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus. This is the first evidence to suggest that the expression of a neuropeptide-receptor gene in the central nervous system may be directly sensitive to peripheral hormonal signals.     

放射状角膜切开的实验病理与临床应用

以１４只兔及２只猴为动物模型，对放射状角膜切开术（ＲＫ）进行了２￣３个月观察，发现：ＲＫ切口内的上皮塞子持续２个月以上才逐渐消退。术后一个月内上皮下基底膜形成，后逐渐变薄，切口内的成纤维细胞分裂增殖较慢，开始走行与切口平行，１５天后可见横过切口，２月后实质表层成纤维细胞排列变得整齐，但深层仍较紊乱，胞核多深染。术中切穿角膜的实验兔，术后２个月病理切片可见：切口附近内皮细胞丢失，内弹力膜断裂，切口内     

Light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry of GRF-like immunoreactive neurons and terminals in the rat hypothalamic arcuate nuclues and median eminence

Growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) synthesizing neuronal perikarya and terminals were investigated by light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry using rat hypothalamus. Immunoreactive neuronal perikarya were located mainly in the ventrolateral part of the arcuate nucleus. They contained well developed cell organella such as mitochondria and rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum with some expansion. They also contained immunoreactive dense granules (80-120 nm in diameter). On the surface of the immunoreactive neuronal perikarya were frequently found non-immunoreactive axo-somatic synapses. Therefore, the GRF-like immunoreactive neurons were assumed to receive neuronal inputs from other neurons on their neuronal soma. In the external layer of the median eminence large numbers of immunoreactive terminals were distributed particularly around the capillaries of the portal vessel. Electron microscopic immunocytochemistry revealed large numbers of immunoreactive terminals containing immunoreactive dense granules, synaptic vesicles and mitochondria in the vicinity of the basement membrane of the pericapillary space of the portal vessel. Therefore, we concluded that GRF-like immunoreactive substances are released into the portal capillaries from the nerve terminals, which originate from the neuronal perikarya in the ventrolateral part of the arcuate nucleus, and act on growth hormone release in the anterior pituitary. We also suggest that GRF-like immunoreactive neurons have abundant terminal arborization in the external layer of the median eminence.     

肘管综合征的解剖和病因学探讨

[目的]探讨肘管综合征的解剖特点和发病原因。[方法]对65例肘管综合征患者的临床资料和术中所见,以及其中25例患者术前肌电图检查的结果进行综合研究分析。[结果]术中见60例患者存在肘管弓状韧带的肥厚增生,卡压磨损尺神经导致炎性病变;术前肌电图检查发现25例患者的尺神经传导速度均减慢,平均传导速度为27.97m/s;运动反应波幅降低,平均电压为1.95mv;潜伏期延长,平均时间为5.41ms;65例肘管综合征患者,继发于肘部创伤25例,慢性劳损15例,慢性骨关节炎14例,占位病变5例,先天异常有6例。[结论]肘部的创伤及慢性劳损可以导致肘管弓状韧带出现肥厚增生,引起尺神经卡压磨损,这是肘管综合征最常见的病因;其他病因还包括慢性骨关节炎,占位病变和先天异常;尺神经可被机械性卡压和磨损,出现慢性缺血缺氧,导致肘管综合征的发生;详细的体格检查和术前的肌电图检查是诊断肘管综合征的主要手段,在诊断时应注意该病与其他部位迟发性尺神经麻痹的鉴别。     

Down-Regulation of Estrogen Receptor Immunoreactivity by 17β-estradiol in the Guinea Pig Forebrain

Low amplitude pulses of estradiol-17β (E₂-17β) are more effective than large single bolus injections or constant exposure to E₂-17β in inducing progesterone-facilitated sex behavior in female rats and guinea pigs. The present study examined whether the increased responsiveness to E₂-17β is due to an increase in the number of estrogen receptors in the estrogen receptor rich areas of the hypothalamus and amygdala. Initial studies examined the rapid effects (20 min) of a high dose of E₂-17β (50 μg) on estrogen receptor immunostaining using either the H222 antibody or the ER 21 antiserum. ER 21 immunostaining was not affected by the E₂-17β treatment suggesting that it binds to both occupied and unoccupied estrogen receptors. Therefore the ER 21 antiserum was used to characterize the regulation of estrogen receptor immunoreactivity (ER-IR) by E₂-17β. ER-IR was examined for 48 h and serum E₂-17β for 24 h following a 2 μg s.c. injection of E₂-17β (a dose similar to that used in multiple pulse paradigms). Serum E₂-17β peaked 15 to 30 min following the injection and returned to baseline values by 1 h. In all but one area maximal suppression of ER-IR occurred at 12 h. In summary, 1) decreases in estrogen receptor immunoreactivity following E₂-17β are consistent with studies in which estrogen receptors were assayed by binding assays and estrogen receptor mRNA was determined by in situ hybridization; 2) the ER 21 antiserum is able to detect both occupied and unoccupied estrogen receptors and 3) H222 immunoreactivity is influenced by the presence of E₂-17β, so that the level of H222-IR is a reflection of ligand/receptor binding dynamics. The data suggest that up-regulation of estrogen receptors does not account for the increase in behavioral sensitivity which is observed following multiple pulses of E₂-17β.     

Anorexia Induced by the Parasitic Nematode, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis: Effects on NPY and CRF Gene Expression in the Rat Hypothalamus

Infections of the gastrointestinal nematode, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, in the laboratory rat result in a characteristic biphasic anorexia which is followed by hyperphagia once the worm burden has been cleared. Despite the importance of parasite-induced anorexia, relatively little is known of the underlying mechanisms. We have investigated the involvement of the central appetite drive in this anorexia by studying the gene expression of two neuropeptides with opposing actions on energy balance, NPY and CRF. Gene expression was assessed by in situ hybridization at 2, 8 and 16 days post-infection (p.i.) in infected rats, in uninfected controls, and in a group with food intake restricted to match that taken voluntarily by the parasitized animals. The sampling intervals corresponded to each of the two phases of maximum anorexia and the period of compensatory hyperphagia. Surprisingly, we found that increases in NPY gene expression in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) accompany anorexia in rats infected with N. brasiliensis; there was a significant relationship between degree of anorexia and induction of NPY mRNA after 8 days of infection. Furthermore, ARC NPY mRNA levels in parasitized animals were similar to those in pair-fed individuals with food intake restricted to match the infected rats. The number of larvae used to establish the infection affected both the degree of anorexia and the level of NPY mRNA at 8 days p.i. in a dose-dependent manner. NPY gene expression remained elevated in infected rats during at least the initial stages of compensatory hyperphagia. This suggests that animals detect a state of energy deficit during the early stages of the infection, yet do not feed, but become hyperphagic coincident with worm loss. The failure of anorectic parasitized animals to feed in response to activation of the NPYergic system makes this a novel system in which to study the regulation of hypothalamic NPY by physiological challenge. There were no significant differences in CRF gene expression between the groups at any of the sampling intervals.     

大白鼠下丘脑促肾上腺皮质激素(ACTH)样免疫反应神经元的分布及功能意义

本文应用免疫细胞化学技术观察大白鼠下丘脑促肾上腺皮质激素样神经元胞体,纤维及串珠样膨体的分布。胞体位于弓状核、下丘脑前核的腹侧、视上背侧连合、室周层的腹侧区及乳头体核腹侧。纤维及串珠样膨体广泛地分布于下丘脑,串珠样膨体在室旁核和室周层密集。串珠样膨体贴室管膜分布,伸至室管膜下神经毯,有的穿行室管膜上皮细胞之间并多与室管膜上皮细胞接触或穿过室管膜上皮细胞之间至第三脑室腔。在第三脑室侧壁的室管膜上皮细胞之间偶见促肾上腺皮质激素反应细胞。室旁核区促肾上腺皮质激素免疫反应串珠样膨体可能作用于催产素和后叶加压素神经元,控制催产素和后叶加压素的分泌和释放。室周层的串珠样膨体直接与脑脊液接触可认为是促肾上腺皮质激素神经元释放分泌产物的另一途径。