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Biomedical subjects

A Fournier

Publications and source records attributed to A Fournier.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Comparative characterization and autoradiographic distribution of neuropeptide Y receptor subtypes in the rat brain.

Some evidence has suggested the existence and differential distribution of neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptor subtypes in the mammalian brain (Dumont et al., 1990; Aicher et al., 1991). We now report on the extensive characterization and visualization of at least two classes of NPY receptor sites using a highly selective Y1 analog, [Leu31,Pro34]-NPY or [Pro34]-NPY, and a relatively specific Y2 competitor, NPY13-36. Autoradiographic studies using 125I-peptide YY (125I-PYY) clearly reveal that the Y1 receptor subtype is most abundant in various cortical areas, the dentate gyrus of the hippocampal formation, the claustrum, and the reuniens nucleus of the thalamus. In most other regions, 125I-PYY binding is potently inhibited by increasing concentrations of either NPY2-36 or NPY13-36, suggesting a Y2-like profile. Furthermore, binding assays using homogenates from discrete brain regions clearly demonstrate that various NPY fragments and analogs compete for 125I-PYY labeling with profiles indicative of heterogeneity of NPY receptor subtypes, even in the presence of a selective Y1 blocker. Thus, it is likely that, in addition to the Y1 receptor, which is particularly concentrated in cortical areas, the rat brain is enriched with a receptor class (Y2) that can exist under high- or low-affinity states or with additional receptor subtypes that are recognized by 125I-PYY. These findings cannot be explained by the existence of the very recently reported Y3 receptor subtype, since PYY does not possess significant affinity to this site (Grundemar et al., 1991). Further experiments are currently in progress to determine the nature and functional significance of each of these NPY/PYY receptor sites.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[Goodpasture's syndrome presenting as acute respiratory distress. Favorable evolution with corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide and plasmapheresis].

The authors report a case of a seventeen year old woman who was admitted to hospital for an extremely acute respiratory distress syndrome, which was revealed to be an exclusively pulmonary form of Goodpasture's syndrome. The positivity of the IgG immunofluorescence on open lung biopsy contrasted with the absence of circulating antibasement membrane antibody (ELISA). The combination of plasmapheresis, steroid therapy and cyclophosphamide enabled a rapidly favourable outcome and the patient could be weaned of the support therapy.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1993

Development of natriuretic peptide analogs selective for the atrial natriuretic factor-R1A receptor subtype.

A pharmacological characterization of subtypes of the atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) receptor ANF-R1, found in bovine adrenal cortex and rat papillary membrane preparations, has been carried out using various chimeric analogs based on rat ANF(99-126) [rANF(99-126)] and porcine brain natriuretic peptide 32 (pBNP32). Receptor binding and cGMP production assays in bovine adrenal cortex indicate that replacement of the amino-terminal segment of pBNP32 with that of rANF(99-126) enhances the affinity of the peptide for the ANF-R1A receptor subtype and its stimulation of associated guanylate cyclase activity. In rat kidney papillae, the substitution of amino- and/or carboxyl-terminal portions of pBNP32 with those of rANF(99-126) also results in a large increase in the affinity and agonistic potency for the ANF-R1A subtype but in only modest changes in those for the ANF-R1B receptor subtype. Interestingly, in this preparation the chimeric analogs could discriminate by their differential affinities and cGMP production potencies between the two receptor subtypes. In particular, pBNP1, obtained by combining the ring structure of pBNP32 with the amino- and carboxyl-terminal portions of rANF(99-126), is the most selective analog. pBNP1 displays higher affinity and agonistic potency for ANF-R1A receptor than for ANF-R1B receptor, with selectivity ratios between these two subtypes of 632- and 504-fold, respectively. Moreover, an excellent correlation is observed between the affinity of the peptides for the ANF-R1A receptor and their stimulation of particulate guanylate cyclase activity in bovine adrenal cortex (r = 0.99, p < 0.01) and rat papillary (r = 0.97, p < 0.01) membrane preparations. In addition, all the chimeric analogs in this study show affinities similar to those of rANF(99-126) and pBNP32 for the ANF-R2 receptor in NIH-3T3 membrane preparations. Importantly, the chimeric analogs pBNP1 and pBNP3, which contain the core of pBNP32 and the amino-terminal segment of rANF(99-126), display higher affinities for the ANF-R1A receptor type than for the ANF-R2 receptor type. These results indicate that the analogs combining the ring structure of pBNP32 with the amino- and/or carboxyl-terminal segments of rANF(99-126) are more selective for the ANF-R1A receptor subtype than are the natural peptides rANF(99-126) and pBNP32.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1993

Use of acetylsalicylic acid to improve patency of subclavian to pulmonary artery Gore-Tex shunts.

In order to assess the influence of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on function and patency of Gore-Tex shunts, angiographic features of 62 Gore-Tex shunts were assessed, 31 without and 31 with postoperative ASA. Groups were selected on the basis of similar angiographic follow-up duration. Mean follow-up was 709 days for the group without ASA and 739 days for the group with it. The average daily dose of ASA was 4.5 mg/kg/day started a mean of 6.7 days after surgery. Clinical characteristics were similar between the two groups except for age at surgery which was 581 days in the group without ASA (operated between 1983 and 1987) and 303 days in the group with (operated between 1987 and 1991), reflecting the fact that patients were operated upon earlier after 1987. Preoperative Gore-Tex diameter was similar between the two groups, but three patients in the group with ASA had a Gore-Tex shunt as small as 4 mm. At angiography, four conduits were diagnosed as nonpatient (two in each group), 20 had a localized stenosis (11 of 28 in the group without ASA and nine of 23 in the group with ASA). Patency index (angiographic Gore-Tex diameter/preoperative Gore-Tex diameter) was similar in the two groups: 68.5% in the group without ASA and 69.7% in the group with ASA. Pulmonary artery growth index was 57% in the group without ASA and 91% in the group with ASA. No risk factor for thrombosis or decreased patency was found.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aspirin↗
PubMed1992

Neuropeptide Y inhibits alpha-MSH release from rat hypothalamic slices through a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein.

The arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus contains various types of peptidergic neurons. In particular, two distinct populations of neurosecretory neurons containing neuropeptide Y (NPY)- and alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH)-like immunoreactivity have been identified in the arcuate nucleus. Double-labeling immunocytochemical data have recently shown that NPY-containing fibers make synaptic contacts with proopiomelanocortin (POMC) immunoreactive neurons. We have thus investigated the possible effect of NPY on the release of alpha-MSH from rat hypothalamic slices in vitro, using the perifusion technique. NPY significantly inhibited KCl-stimulated alpha-MSH release in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect of NPY was mimicked by the Y2 agonist, NPY-(13-36), while the Y1 agonist, [Leu31,Pro34]NPY, was devoid of effect. Pretreatment of hypothalamic slices with pertussis toxin (PTX) blocked the inhibitory effect of NPY, suggesting that the action of NPY on POMC neurons is mediated through a PTX-sensitive G protein. These results support the notion that NPY may play a physiological role in the regulation of alpha-MSH release from hypothalamic neurons.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Immunohistochemical distribution and biological activity of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in the central nervous system of the frog Rana ridibunda.

The primary structure of frog pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) has recently been determined and the results show that the sequence of PACAP has been highly conserved during evolution. In particular, the structure of the 1-27 fragment of PACAP is identical in frog and mammals. Using an antiserum raised against PACAP27, we have investigated the distribution of PACAP-containing neurons in the central nervous system of the frog Rana ridibunda by the immunofluorescence technique. The main populations of immunoreactive perikarya were located in the medial and ventral diencephalon, i.e., the preoptic nucleus, the ventral and dorsal infundibular nuclei, the nucleus posterocentralis thalami, and the ventral and ventrolateral areas of the thalamus. In the telencephalon, sparse cell bodies were found in the nucleus accumbens septi, the amygdala, the pallial commissure, and the bed nucleus of the pallial commissure. In the hindbrain, the torus semicircularis, the nucleus profundus and the nucleus anteroventralis tegmenti of the mesencephalon also contained populations of PACAP-immunoreactive perikarya. Beaded nerve fibers were observed throughout the brain. Occasionally they formed bundles, e.g., from the ventral infundibulum to the external vascular layer of the median eminence, from the central thalamus to the optic tectum, and rostrocaudally, from the nucleus accumbens septi to the nucleus entopeduncularis. Other areas, such as the interpeduncular nucleus, the nucleus isthmi and the roots of cranial nerves V and VIII in the medulla oblongata, were also densely innervated. The adenylate cyclase-stimulating activity of PACAP was tested by using a static incubation technique for hypothalamic slices.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Structure-activity relationship of analogues of endothelin-1: dissociation of hypotensive and pressor actions.

The structural requirements of endothelin-1 to evoke depressor and pressor responses were studied in conscious rats. Formylation of the C-terminal Trp eliminated the depressor but not the pressor activity of endothelin-1. Oxidation of Met7 in this analogue restored the hypotensive activity. Destruction of the Cys1-Cys15 disulphide bridge led to a weak agonist with both depressor and pressor activities. Formylation of Trp21 in this analogue resulted in a complete loss of biological activity. These results indicate that Met7 and the indole moiety of Trp21 are important for the expression of the depressor activity of endothelin-1 whereas the intramolecular loop structure is less important. The results also provide further evidence that the depressor and pressor effects of endothelin-1 are mediated through different receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Plasma beta chorionic gonadotropin between 14 and 20 weeks of amenorrhea: a sign of pregnancy-related hypertension].

A defect of placenta maturation has been described in hypertension of pregnancy. Plasma beta chorionic gonadotropins (beta HCG) of placental origin rise at the onset of pregnancy and reach a peak between 9 and 10 weeks of amenorrhoea. As we were making systematic assays between 14 and 20 weeks in a trisomy detection programme, we looked for differences in plasma beta HCG levels between women with pregnancy-induced arterial hypertension and pregnant women with normal blood pressure. We also studied the predictive value of such assays. Pregnancy-induced hypertension was found in 6 women in a population of 89 nulliparas and in 12 women in a population of 163 multiparas. beta HCG levels were significantly higher in women who later developed hypertension among both nulliparas (52,833 +/- 19,538 IU vs 24,499 +/- 16,485 IU) and multiparas (50,558 +/- 23,597 IU vs 20,911 +/- 11,677 IU). In nulliparas, taking 43,000 IU as threshold of pathology we found that the predictive value of beta HCG was higher than that of other tests which had gone through controlled studies (sensitivity 67 percent, specificity 91.6 percent, positive predictive value 36 percent, negative predictive value 97.4 percent, relative risk 5.4). In multiparas, taking 38,000 as threshold and combining this marker with obstetrical history it was possible to predict the occurrence of hypertension more precisely than with other markers which had gone through controlled studies (sensitivity 66.7 percent, specificity 98 percent, positive predictive value 61.4 percent, negative predictive value 97.3 percent, relative risk 8.4).

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Endothelin-1 enhances vascular permeability in the rat heart through the ETA receptor.

Intravenous injection of endothelin-1 (ET-1, 0.1 and 1 nmol/kg) resulted in a dose-dependent increase in vascular permeability in the coronary circulation of conscious rats. The increase was almost completely abolished by the selective ETA receptor antagonist, BQ-123 (1 mg/kg). The ET-1 analogue, [Trp(For)21]ET-1, which is devoid of the depressor but not the pressor activity, evoked changes in protein extravasation similar to those with ET-1. These data indicate that the permeability effect of ET-1 is mediated through the ETA receptor.

Animals↗