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Biomedical subjects

A Meli

Publications and source records attributed to A Meli.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Importance of D-2 mechanisms in the reversal of reserpine hypothermia in the mouse.

The D-2 agonist LY 171555 (0.05, 0.1, 0.2 mg kg-1 s.c.) but not the D-1 agonist SK&F 38393 (5, 10, 20 mg kg-1 s.c.) reduced reserpine-induced hypothermia (RIH) in mice. This effect was antagonized by the D-2 antagonist (-)-sulpiride (50 mg kg-1 i.p.) but not by the D-1 antagonist SCH 23390 (0.1 mg kg-1 s.c.). SK&F 38393 (20 and 1 mg kg-1 s.c.) did not alter the effect of LY 171555 (0.1 and 0.2 mg kg-1) on RIH, but administration of both LY 171555 (0.2 mg kg-1 s.c.) and SK&F 38393 (1 mg kg-1 s.c.) antagonized the reserpine-induced sedation.

2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-ben↗
PubMed1988

GABAA receptor sites modulating catecholamine secretion in the rat adrenal gland: evidence from 3H-muscimol autoradiography and in vivo functional studies.

The occurrence and distribution of specific 3H-muscimol binding sites, most probably identical with A type gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, were studied in sections of the rat adrenal gland by light microscope autoradiography. Specific binding was found primarily in the adrenal medulla, in association with chromaffin cells. A limited number of binding sites was also observed within the adrenal cortex. In urethane-anaesthetized hexamethonium-pretreated rats, intravenous GABA produced a set of 'excitatory' cardiovascular effects (increase in heart rate, force of contraction and blood pressure) which were mimicked by intravenous muscimol but not by intravenous baclofen, and were antagonized by pretreatment with bicuculline. The cardiovascular excitatory effects of intravenous GABA were unaffected by reserpine pretreatment, markedly reduced by administration of phentolamine plus propranolol, and almost completely abolished by adrenalectomy. Our findings indicate the presence of GABA receptor sites on adrenal chromaffin cells, whose excitation can produce changes in cardiovascular function.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1988

Cholecystokinin-8 protects gastric mucosa against ethanol-induced lesions in rats.

Subcutaneous administration of cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8, 10-100 micrograms/kg) reduces in a dose-dependent manner gastric lesions induced by 96% ethanol in rats, and CCK-4, CCK-7, and the CCK-8 nonsulfated form (all up to 100 micrograms/kg sc) were inactive. The presence of the entire molecule and sulfation of the tyrosine in position 2 are necessary for the mucosal protective properties of CCK-8 against 96% ethanol-induced gastric lesions. These effects are probably at least in part, due to a sulfhydryl-sensitive process.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Neurokinins induce a relaxation of the rat duodenum "in vivo" by activating postganglionic sympathetic elements in prevertebral ganglia: involvement of an NK-2 type of neurokinin receptor.

In the small intestine of urethane-anesthetized rats, i.v. neurokinins (NKs) (0.043-14 nmol/kg) produce three distinct motor effects, e.g.: 1) a transient relaxation followed by 2) a phasic contraction and 3) a tonic contraction. The aim of this study was to characterize the nature of the receptor determining the transient relaxation and mechanisms involved. The transient relaxation was more evident in the distal than in the proximal duodenum or in the jejunum. The rank order of potency of NKs in producing relaxation was NKA greater than substance P greater than NKB. The heptapeptide NKA(4-10) was as potent as the decapeptide NKA in determining relaxation but less potent than NKA in producing phasic or tonic contraction. NKA (0.43 nmol/kg i.v.)-induced relaxation and tonic contraction were unaffected by [D-Pro2, D-Trp7.g]substance P, a compound which, in this tissue, acts as a NK-1 receptor antagonist. NKA (0.43 nmol/kg i.v.)-induced relaxation of the distal duodenum was unaffected by atropine, hexamethonium or adrenalectomy, reduced by phentolamine plus propranolol and abolished by guanethidine or acute (15 min before) removal of the celiac ganglion complex. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that activation of a NK-2 receptor located on postganglionic sympathetic neurons in the prevertebral ganglia produces the intestinal relaxation in response to i.v. NKs.

Adrenalectomy↗
PubMed1988

Further studies on the pharmacodynamic properties and organ selectivity of octylonium bromide.

At concentrations ranging from 8.5 to 30 microM, octylonium bromide (OB) did not affect sodium channel availability measured as maximal rate of depolarization (Vmax) of cardiac action potential. On the other hand, at equieffective spasmolytic concentrations (1.1 mM), procaine markedly inhibited Vmax as well as other electrophysiological parameters. These experiments indicate that at fully effective spasmolytic concentrations OB is devoid of local anaesthetic properties. In concentrations up to 10 microM OB did not affect phosphodiesterase activity in crude homogenates of rat colon which were inhibited by both papaverine (EC50 = 0.7 mM) and theophylline (EC50 = 3.5 mM). OB was more effective in antagonizing spasmogen-induced contractions on colonic as compared to tracheal preparations. Inhibition of Neurohormone-induced calcium ion mobilization from cellular and extracellular pools remains the mechanism of action which best explains the spasmolytic effects of OB on intestinal smooth muscle.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1988

Further studies on the role of the adrenals in the capsaicin-sensitive "gastric defence mechanism".

Adrenalectomy enhances the degree of gastric ulcers induced in rats by indomethacin or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), but not that induced by 96% ethanol. Systemic capsaicin pretreatment, which selectively induces degeneration of primary sensory neurons, produces aggravation of gastric ulcers induced by ASA, indomethacin or 96% ethanol in sham-operated animals but not in adrenalectomized rats. These findings provide evidence for the involvement of adrenal glands in the capsaicin-sensitive "gastric defence mechanism" regardless of the ulcerogenic stimulus used.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1987

Involvement of a peripheral site of action in the early phase of neuropeptide depletion following capsaicin desensitization.

Levels of substance P-like immunoreactivity (SP-LI) of the rat urinary bladder were unaffected up to 1 h from exposure to capsaicin (1 microM) in vitro. A longer (3-6 h) exposure to capsaicin decreased SP-LI by about 40-60% as compared to 10-20% of controls. An analysis of the time course of bladder SP-LI changes following s.c. capsaicin (50 mg/kg) or extrinsic bladder denervation (pelvic ganglionectomy) indicated that at 3 h from capsaicin administration bladder SP-LI was reduced at an extent similar to that observed following in vitro exposure to the drug. These findings provide evidence that the early phase of tissue depletion of sensory neuropeptides following systemic capsaicin desensitization may involve a peripheral site of action.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Evidence that muscimol acts in the forced swimming test by activating the rat dopaminergic system.

Muscimol as well as catecholaminergic drugs reduce immobility time in the forced swimming test. In view of the fact that GABAergic drugs may facilitate some brain catecholaminergic functions, we investigated as to whether or not muscimol would reduce immobility time through activation of catecholaminergic mechanisms. The effect of muscimol (2 mg/Kg i.p.) on reduction of immobility time was prevented by intraperitoneal alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine (250 mg/Kg i.p.), which reduces brain catecholamine content, haloperidol (0.5 mg/Kg) and sulpiride (100 and 50 mg/Kg), antidopaminergic drugs, and meta-chlorphenyl-piperazine (0.6 and 1.25 mg/Kg), a serotonergic agonist, but not by clonidine (0.1 mg/Kg), an alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist, d, 1-propranolol (5 mg/Kg), an antagonist of beta-adrenergic receptors, or subcutaneous prazosin (3 mg/Kg), an alpha1-adrenolytic drug. Our findings indicate that a) muscimol reduces immobility time by stimulating dopaminergic neurons and b) activation of the serotonergic system antagonizes muscimol effect.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Visceromotor responses to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the rat lower urinary tract: evidence for a transmitter role in the capsaicin-sensitive nerves of the ureter.

Either intra-arterial or topical administration of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) had little effect on motility of the urinary bladder in urethane-anaesthetized rats. Only a high concentration (50 microM) of topical CGRP activated the micturition reflex and potentiated the response to exogenous substance P (SP). In the isolated rat bladder CGRP had inconsistent effects on spontaneous or field-stimulated contractions. CGRP neither produced any significant plasma extravasation (Evans blue leakage) in the rat lower urinary tract, nor potentiated the response to exogenous SP. CGRP inhibited motility in the rat isolated proximal urethra and ureters and counteracted the contractile response to neurokinins. An inhibitory effect of capsaicin on stimulated motility of the urethra was observed in all preparations and a small contractile response was evident in about 40% of cases. Lack of desensitization to the action of CGRP prevented the study of its interaction with capsaicin. The inhibitory effect of CGRP in the ureter exhibited a specific desensitization: if the preparations were pre-exposed to exogenous CGRP, the inhibition of motility produced by antidromic activation of the capsaicin-sensitive nerve terminals (field stimulation) as well as the response to capsaicin (1 microM) was prevented but the inhibitory response to isoprenaline was unaffected. These findings indicate that CGRP is able to influence markedly the motility of the rat lower urinary tract, but exhibits marked regional differences in its action. Endogenous CGRP could be the inhibitory transmitter which, when released from capsaicin-sensitive fibers, participate in the control of ureteral motility.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Galanin: a potent modulator of excitatory neurotransmission in the human urinary bladder.

Galanin (GAL) produced a concentration (0.3-100 nM)-related inhibition of the atropine-sensitive component of the contractions induced by field stimulation of detrusor strips from the dome of the human urinary bladder. GAL had an ED50 of 2 nM for the inhibition. The effect of GAL was prevented by atropine (1 microM) and was not seen when the strips were stimulated with a cholinomimetic or KCl. These data suggest a possible neuromodulator role of GAL in the human urinary bladder.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Exposure to calcium-free medium protects sensory fibers by capsaicin desensitization.

Capsaicin (1 microM) produces a tetrodotoxin-resistant contraction of the rat isolated urinary bladder ascribable to neuropeptide release from sensory nerves. A second application of capsaicin (1-10 microM) up to 5 h from the first one was ineffective, indicating complete desensitization. However, if the first exposure to capsaicin was made after a prolonged incubation in a Ca-free medium containing EDTA (0.1 mM), a second application of capsaicin (1 microM) was still able to induce a contraction, thus indicating protection from desensitization.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Immunoblockade of response to capsaicin in the rat vas deferens: evidence for the involvement of endogenous calcitonin gene-related peptide.

In the rat isolated vas deferens, capsaicin induced a transitory inhibition of the nerve-mediated contractions. This effect was not observed in preparations excised from capsaicin-pretreated rats nor following a first exposure to a high concentration of capsaicin in vitro. Exogenous calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) induced a concentration-related inhibition of the nerve-mediated contractions. A highly avid and specific anti-CGRP serum raised in rabbits against conjugated synthetic rat CGRP inhibited selectively the capsaicin effect. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that, in this preparation, the specific visceromotor response to capsaicin is brought about by the release of endogenous CGRP from sensory nerves.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

The contribution of capsaicin-sensitive innervation to activation of the spinal vesico-vesical reflex in rats: relationship between substance P levels in the urinary bladder and the sensory-efferent function of capsaicin-sensitive sensory neurons.

In acute spinal rats (C2-C3) the transvesical infusion of saline activates a vesico-vesical excitatory reflex (Brain Res., 380 (1986) 83-93). In bladders containing a subthreshold amount of fluid the topical application of capsaicin on the outer surface of the bladder dome activated this spinal reflex and also produced a transient rise in blood pressure and heart rate. The effects of systemic capsaicin desensitization (50 mg/kg s.c. 5 min, 60 days before) on the sensory (activation of the spinal vesico-vesical reflex) and 'efferent' (tetrodotoxin-insensitive capsaicin-induced contraction) functions mediated by the capsaicin-sensitive sensory fibers were correlated to changes in substance P-like immunoreactivity (SP-LI) content of the urinary bladder in adult rats. Blockade of both sensory and efferent functions was observed at a time (60 min from capsaicin administration) when the SP-LI content of the urinary bladder was unaffected. Four days after capsaicin desensitization the SP-LI levels of the bladder are almost depleted indicating that the neuropeptide(s) are entirely stored in sensory structures. At this time the sensory-efferent functions mediated by these fibers are still blocked. At 15-60 days from systemic capsaicin desensitization there was a progressive, time-related recovery of SP-LI levels in the bladder as well as of the sensory-efferent functions. These findings indicate a role of the capsaicin-sensitive innervation of the urinary bladder in activating the spinal vesico-vesical reflex. The present findings suggest that measurement of SP-LI levels in the rat bladder may be a useful biochemical index for monitoring the function(s) of the capsaicin-sensitive, peptidergic sensory neurons.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

The correlation between sensory-efferent functions mediated by the capsaicin-sensitive neurons and substance P content of the rat urinary bladder.

The substance P-like immunoreactivity (SP-LI) of the urinary bladder of adult rats was depleted by capsaicin desensitization (50 mg/kg, s.c., 4 days before) or extrinsic denervation (pelvic ganglionectomy) thus indicating its neurogenic sensory origin. SP-LI levels were inversely proportional to the volume threshold for micturition but not to the amplitude of micturition contraction. Moreover SP-LI levels were directly related to the amplitude of the capsaicin- but not field stimulation-induced contraction of the rat isolated bladder. These findings indicate that the SP-LI level of the rat bladder is a useful index for monitoring the dual sensory-efferent functions of the capsaicin-sensitive innervation of this organ.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Further studies on the mechanisms of the tachykinin-induced activation of micturition reflex in rats: evidence for the involvement of the capsaicin-sensitive bladder mechanoreceptors.

The relative ability of substance P, neurokinin A, neurokinin B and kassinin to activate the micturition reflex was investigated in urethane-anaesthetized rats. When administered topically neurokinin A, neurokinin B and kassinin were 14, 36 and 280 times, respectively, more potent than substance P to activate micturition. On the other hand substance P, neurokinin A and kassinin were practically equipotent (and neurokinin B was about 3-4 times less potent than substance P) to stimulate the contraction of the rat isolated bladder and to potentiate the contractions induced by electrical field stimulation. This indicates that neither a direct action on muscle cells nor a potentiating effect on efferent neurotransmission can account for the rank order of potency of tachykinins for activation of the micturition reflex. The ability of topical tachykinins to activate the micturition reflex was largely impaired in 2 months old rats pretreated with capsaicin (50 mg/kg s.c.) on their second day of life, indicating that integrity of the capsaicin-sensitive bladder mechanoreceptors is essential for the production of this effect. These findings indicate that an NK-B receptor, possibly located on sensory nerves in the bladder wall, participates in the tachykinin-induced activation of reflex micturition.

Aging↗
PubMed1987

The effects of baclofen on spinal and supraspinal micturition reflexes in rats.

1. The effect of (+/-)-baclofen on micturition reflexes was investigated in urethane-anaesthetized rats. A 'low' dose of (+/-)-baclofen (0.5 mg/kg i.v.) barely affected the early phase of the transurethral cystometrogram (CMG) which involves activation of a spinal vesico-vesical excitatory reflex. 2. At a higher dose (2.5 mg/kg i.v.) (+/-)-baclofen suppressed both the spinal and supraspinal components of the bladder response to transurethral saline filling. 3. When the bladder was filled by the transvesical route a series of regular voiding cycles was obtained which are due to activation of a supraspinal vesico-vesical excitatory reflex. In this model, voiding efficiency of the rat bladder was markedly reduced even after a low dose of (+/-)-baclofen (0.5 mg/kg) and almost suppressed at 2.5 mg/kg. 4. (+/)-Baclofen reduction of voiding efficiency was mainly ascribable to an inhibitory effect on the expulsive phase of the voiding cycle which, in rats, depends critically upon the activation of a reflex which induces a twitch-like contraction of urethral/periurethral skeletal muscles. 5. (+/-)-Baclofen produced a small inhibition of the pinching-induced somatovesical excitatory reflex. (+/-)-Baclofen (2.5 mg/kg i.v.) produced also a marked but transient inhibition of bladder contractions induced by preganglionic nerve stimulation. However the time course of this effect was markedly shorter as compared to the long lasting suppression of voiding cycle observed with this same dose of the drug.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Regional differences in the effects of capsaicin and tachykinins on motor activity and vascular permeability of the rat lower urinary tract.

The effects of capsaicin, substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA) on motor activity and vascular permeability was investigated in the rat lower urinary tract (bladder dome and neck, proximal urethra and ureters). Capsaicin produced contractions of the rat bladder dome and neck and of the proximal urethra in vitro, which were unaffected by tetrodotoxin and abolished by ganglionectomy. SP and NKA were almost equipotent in producing a contraction of the rat isolated bladder dome or neck and urethra. However, the maximal response to NKA was about twice that of SP on the urethra and bladder neck. Capsaicin did not affect motility of the unstimulated rat isolated ureter, while NKA or SP activated rhythmic contractions, NKA being about 850 times more potent than SP. Either capsaicin or field stimulation produced a transient inhibition of the NKA-activated rhythmic contractions of the rat isolated ureter which was prevented by capsaicin-desensitization. The capsaicin-(1 microM) or field stimulation-induced inhibition of NKA-activated rhythmic contractions of the rat isolated ureter were unaffected by removal of pelvic ganglia but abolished by cold storage (72 h at 4 degrees C). Intravenous capsaicin induced an inflammatory response (Evans blue leakage) in the bladder, proximal urethra and ureters in vivo. Plasma extravasation was greater in the ureters, urethra and bladder neck than in the dome. SP, NKA and histamine produced a dose-dependent dye leakage in all segments of the rat urinary tract, the response being slightly greater in the bladder neck than in the dome. The capsaicin-induced inflammatory response was abolished by systemic capsaicin-desensitization and reduced, to a variable extent, by pelvic ganglionectomy, in the various tissues examined. Topical application of tetrodotoxin on the bladder dome failed to affect the capsaicin-induced plasma extravasation in the urinary bladder. These findings indicate that chemoceptive, capsaicin-sensitive nerves are present throughout the whole rat lower urinary tract and their activation determines a variety of visceromotor responses and an increase of vascular permeability. In various instances the response to capsaicin may be explained by the action of tachykinins but some effects may involve other sensory neuropeptides.

Animals↗