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Biomedical subjects

E Theodorsson

Publications and source records attributed to E Theodorsson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Electroconvulsive stimuli and brain peptides: effect of modification of seizure duration on neuropeptide Y, neurokinin A, substance P and neurotensin.

We studied the effects of modification of duration of seizures induced by electroconvulsive stimuli (ECS) on the changes in concentration of neuropeptide Y (NPY), neurokinin A (NKA), substance P (SP) and neurotensin (NT)-like immunoreactivity (-LI) in specific rat brain regions. Rats were divided into groups pretreated with saline, indomethacin, flurbiprofen or diazepam prior to either six sham ECSs or six ECSs. After sacrifice by focused microwave irradiation, brains were dissected into frontal cortex, occipital cortex, striatum, hippocampus, pituitary and hypothalamic sections. Peptides were extracted and measured in extract aliquots by specific radioimmunoassays. Repeated ECS increased NPY-LI and NKA-LI in the hippocampus and the occipital cortex. No effect on SP-LI or NT-LI was found. Indomethacin and flurbiprofen had no effect on the tonic seizure time following ECS, and they did not affect the ECS-induced alterations of the brain peptides. Diazepam pretreatment decreased the tonic seizure time following ECS in a dose-dependent manner. However, diazepam did not modify the ECS-induced increase in NPY-LI and NKA-LI concentrations. The results firmly establish that ECS leads to specific peptide increases in discrete rat brain regions and raise the possibility that such changes may not entirely be a consequence of seizures per se.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Capsaicin releases calcitonin gene-related peptide from the human iris and ciliary body in vitro.

Slices of human iris or ciliary body, obtained post-mortem (8-12 h after death, n = 5), were superfused in vitro with capsaicin (10 microM) and the immunoreactivity for substance P (SP-LI) or calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP-LI) was measured in the effluent. In the iris and in the ciliary body CGRP-LI was 3.71 +/- 0.74 pmol/g and 3.01 +/- 0.55 pmol/g and SP-LI was 6.68 +/- 0.75 pmol/g and 6.55 +/- 0.84 pmol/g, respectively. A first exposure to capsaicin increased the CGRP-LI outflow from the ciliary body (427 +/- 46 fmol/g/30 min), whereas a second challenge with the drug 30 min later, failed to significantly enhance the CGRP-LI outflow (21.8 +/- 15.6 fmol/g/30 min). Likewise, the capsaicin-evoked increase in CGRP-LI outflow from the iris slices (472 +/- 62 fmol/g/30 min) was no longer observed at the second drug administration (38.4 +/- 12.8 fmol/g/30 min). Capsaicin failed to increase the SP-LI outflow from either the iris or the ciliary body. Reverse phase HPLC analysis of CGRP-LI indicated that authentic CGRP was contained in the tissue and in the superfusate collected during exposure to capsaicin. The present results show that in the human iris and ciliary body, capsaicin releases CGRP possibly contained in terminals of sensory nerves.

Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide↗
PubMed1992

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) synthesis in lymphoblasts and increased plasma NPY in pediatric B-cell precursor leukemia.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a regulatory peptide in both the central and peripheral nervous systems, has recently been found in neuroendocrine tumors as well as in the bone marrow of rat and certain autoimmune mice, but not in human bone marrow. To investigate a possible role for NPY in the human hematopoietic system, we have prospectively studied NPY-like immunoreactivity in plasma (P-NPY-LI) and NPY mRNA in bone marrow from children with acute leukemia. Northern blot showed high levels of NPY mRNA in bone marrow and peripheral lymphoblasts from children with B-cell precursor leukemia. In situ hybridization showed NPY mRNA in malignant B-cell precursor lymphoblasts. No NPY mRNA was detected in the bone marrow of children with T-cell leukemia. P-NPY-LI was higher (P less than .001) in 51 children with leukemia (200:50 to 385 pmol/L, median:interquartile range) compared to 51 age-matched healthy controls (37:20 to 52 pmol/L). P-NPY-LI was higher (P less than .001) in those with favorable clinical risk classification. Elevated P-NPY-LI, compared with the upper age-adjusted reference limit, was only found in children with B-cell precursor leukemia (31 of 40), whereas all children with B-cell, T-cell, or myeloid leukemia (n = 11) had normal P-NPY-LI (P less than .001). During the 2- to 46-month follow-up, children with elevated P-NPY-LI had better (P less than .001) outcome compared to those with normal P-NPY-LI (79.4% v 34.6% probability for event-free survival).

Antigens, Differentiation↗
PubMed1992

Vascular control of the pig nasal mucosa: distribution and effect of somatostatin in relation to noradrenaline and neuropeptide Y.

By means of immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoassay (RIA), we have investigated the possible occurrence of somatostatin (SOM)-like immunoreactivity (-LI) in the autonomic innervation of the pig nasal mucosa. SOM-immunoreactive (-IR) fibres were present around nasal arteries, arterioles and venous sinusoids. Double-labelling experiments revealed that SOM-LI was co-localized with the noradrenaline (NA) markers tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase as well as with neuropeptide Y (NPY) in a subpopulation of neurons in the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion and in perivascular nerve terminals. Furthermore, SOM-LI was also present in perivascular fibres containing vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and NPY of presumably parasympathetic origin. The parasympathetic fibres that were associated with glands contained peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI), VIP and NPY but not SOM, suggesting that in the nasal mucosa SOM-IR is restricted to perivascular nerves. As revealed by RIA, the content of SOM-LI in biopsies of both nasal mucosa and superior cervical sympathetic ganglion was about 12 pmol/g and the reverse phase HPLC characterisation of SOM-LI shown two separate peaks for SOM-28 and SOM-14. In thiopentone anaesthetized pigs (n = 10), local intra-arterial (i.a.) infusion of SOM (1-14) induced dose-dependent, long lasting and parallel reduction of the nasal arterial blood flow, the volume of the nasal mucosa (reflecting capacitance vessel function) and decrease of the laser Doppler flowmeter signal (reflecting superficial nasal mucosal blood flow). These functional responses were not modified after pretreatment with the alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist phenoxybenzamine (1 mg kg-1 i.a.) whereas the effects of NA were almost abolished. SOM (6.10(-6) mol, i.a.) did not influence the nasal vascular responses to single impulse stimulation of the nasal sympathetic nerve supply providing no evidence for prejunctional activity in spite of clear-cut vascular effects. It is concluded that SOM-LI is co-localized with NA and NPY in sympathetic nerves and with VIP/NPY in parasympathetic perivascular nerves of the pig nasal mucosa. Since SOM evokes vasoconstriction via non-adrenergic mechanisms, this peptide should also be considered when discussing mediator candidates for the neural regulation of the nasal vascular bed.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

The contribution of epinephrine to experimentally induced urethral inflammation in the rat.

We have studied the effect of the adrenal medulla and epinephrine on experimentally induced urethral inflammation in the rat. Urethral inflammation was induced by inserting latex strips into the urethra. The effects of different experimental procedures were assessed by using a 4-graded inflammation scale based on histological findings. Adrenal medullectomy significantly reduced experimentally induced urethral inflammation. This effect was reversed if the rats were treated repeatedly with epinephrine or salbutamol. On the other hand high doses of epinephrine reduced the experimentally induced urethral inflammation.

Adrenal Medulla↗
PubMed1992

Presence of IGF-I in human midgut carcinoid tumours--an autocrine regulator of carcinoid tumour growth?

The presence of IGF-I and IGF-I receptors in human midgut carcinoid tumours has been investigated. Using immunocytochemistry, IGF-I-positive tumour cells were demonstrated in 11/11 tumour cases studied. Labelling of consecutive sections with antibodies against IGF-I and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)/cyclin demonstrated a co-distribution of the 2 antigens in carcinoid tumours. Extracts of tumour tissues were subjected to radioimmunoassay and shown to contain significant amounts of IGF-I. Reverse-phase HPLC of tumour extracts demonstrated a major IGF-I-immunoreactive component eluting in the position of rhIGF-I, but also 2 other more hydrophobic forms. Conditioned serum-free media from primary cultures of carcinoid tumors contained detectable amounts of IGF-I, indicating a spontaneous release of IGF-I from tumour cells into the culture medium. Levels of IGF-I in media were reduced (19%) after incubation of cultures with a somatostatin analogue for 4 days. IGF-I receptors were observed on tumour cells in 4/10 tumours by immunocytochemistry. Tumour cells with immunoreactive IGF-I receptors could be stimulated to enhanced growth, measured as an increase in DNA contents, by exogenous administration of IGF-I every 3-4 days for 2 weeks. The results show that cultured human midgut carcinoid tumours secrete IGF-I and that some of the tumours also have IGF-I receptors. We therefore suggest that IGF-I may act as an autocrine or paracrine regulator of carcinoid tumour-cell growth.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Cysteamine induced-duodenal ulcers are associated with a selective depletion in gastric and duodenal calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity in rats.

We have measured the endogenous levels of gastric and duodenal calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-, neurokinin A (NKA)-, galanin-vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)- and neuropeptide Y (NPY)-like immunoreactivity (li) in relation to cysteamine-induced gastric lesions and duodenal ulcers in rats. CGRP-li but not NKA-, galanin-, VIP- or NPY-li was decreased in gastric and duodenal samples following a single ulcerogenic dose of cysteamine (900 mg/kg p.o.). Temporal relationships of this phenomenon showed that CGRP-li was selectively decreased (stomach 45%, duodenum 68% as compared to controls, respectively after 24 h) concomitantly to the formation of acute gastric lesions and duodenal ulcers. Animals bearing healed ulcers 12 days after cysteamine, had gastroduodenal CGRP-li similar to control values. Pretreatment with the selective sensory neurotoxin capsaicin decreased gastroduodenal CGRP-li but not NKA-, galanin-, VIP- or NPY-li, showing that CGRP might be considered a marker of the afferent innervation of the gastroduodenal tract. The residual gastroduodenal CGRP-li levels in capsaicin-pretreated animals were not decreased by cysteamine administration, indicating that the effect of cysteamine is restricted to a peptide pool of primary afferent origin. Duodenal CGRP-li is selectively decreased by the duodenal ulcerogen cysteamine during the acute phase of ulcers formation and might be among the local mediators which afford protection against the ulcerogenic stimuli.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Plasma concentrations of regulatory peptides in obesity following modified sham feeding (MSF) and a liquid test meal.

Plasma concentrations of regulatory peptides were monitored in groups of obese and normal-weight subjects following modified sham feeding and a liquid fatty meal. Following modified sham feeding a significant increase in immunoreactive cholecystokinin (CCK) in plasma was recorded in both groups. In the obese subjects, however, the concentrations following sham feeding were significantly lower than in normal-weight subjects, and the initial part of the response was negative. Basal and modified sham feeding stimulated immunoreactive pancreatic polypeptide (PP) concentrations in plasma did not differ between the groups. After the liquid fatty meal plasma CCK concentrations increased similarly in both groups. In contrast immunoreactive neurotensin and somatostatin concentrations following the meal were lower in the obese group, and a changed concentration-time pattern for somatostatin was observed in the obese group. Postprandial concentrations of PP and immunoreactive gastrin were not different in the groups. The results indicate that the plasma concentration patterns of CCK, somatostatin and NT are disarranged in obesity. The changes may promote rapid propulsion and absorption of ingested food, and facilitate deposition of fat in adipose tissue in obesity and thus may be of pathophysiological importance.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

NPY-like immunoreactivity in sensory nerve fibers in rat sciatic neuroma.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY)-like immunoreactivity was examined by fluorescence immunohistochemistry in rat sciatic neuromas, L5 dorsal root ganglias (DRGs) and L5 dorsal roots 1-3 weeks after chronic nerve injury. Anterograde tracing demonstrated that a large number of NPY-positive neuroma fibers were sensory. These fibers were mostly large diameter axons, in line with the finding that a majority of NPY-immunoreactive neurons in the DRG were medium- to large-sized neurons which showed immunoreactivity to the neurofilament antibody RT 97. In dorsal roots NPY immunoreactivity was strong after sciatic neuroma formation. Dorsal rhizotomy and ligation, on the other hand, did not induce NPY immunoreactivity at any of the sites examined.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Tachykinin antagonists inhibit nerve-mediated contractions in the circular muscle of the human ileum. Involvement of neurokinin-2 receptors.

The effects of some newly developed tachykinin antagonists that are selective for the neurokinin (NK)-1 (L 668,169) or the NK-2 (MEN 10,207, L 659,877 and R 396) tachykinin receptor on the cholinergic and noncholinergic contraction and on the nonadrenergic noncholinergic relaxation produced by electrical field stimulation (50 Hz) were investigated in mucosa-free circular strips of the human ileum. The strips were contracted by substance P and neurokinin A as well as by selective NK-2-receptor ligands, [beta Ala8]neurokinin A(4-10), and MDL 28,564, the latter peptide being capable of discriminating between NK-2-receptor subtypes. The selectivity of the antagonists for NK-1 or NK-2 receptors was confirmed in pharmacological experiments using substance P, neurokinin A, and [beta Ala8]neurokinin A(4-10) as stimulants. Among the NK-2-selective antagonists, MEN 10,207 displayed the highest affinity, followed by L 659,877 and R 396. The antagonists MEN 10,207 and L 659,877 inhibited the noncholinergic contraction to electrical stimulation in a concentration-dependent manner; L 668,169 and R 396 were poorly effective. Thus the potency of antagonists toward the noncholinergic response closely paralleled their rank order of potency at NK-2 receptors. The cholinergic contraction and nonadrenergic noncholinergic relaxation were not inhibited by the antagonists. Both substance P- and neurokinin A-like immunoreactivities were detected in extracts of the human ileum, and the identity of the corresponding peptides was confirmed by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. It was concluded that in addition to NK-1 receptors, the circular muscle of the human ileum also contains NK-2 receptors. Activation of the latter is chiefly responsible for the noncholinergic contraction to nerve stimulation.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Brain neuropeptides: changes by treatment with the convulsants pentylenetetrazole and bicuculline.

1. The effects of chemically induced convulsions, clinically similar to those elicited by electroconvulsive treatment (ECT), on brain regional distribution of neuropeptide Y-, neurokinin A-, substance P- and neurotensin-like immunoreactivities were studied in the rat. 2. Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and bicuculline (BIC) were used to induce grand mal seizures. Rats were divided into three groups receiving one of the following treatments: Saline, PTZ (45 mg/kg) or BIC (1.5 mg/kg). 3. After sacrifice by focused microwave irradiation, brains were dissected, peptides extracted and measured by specific radioimmunoassays. 4. Repeated grand mal convulsions induced by PTZ, in similarity to ECT, markedly increased NPY-LI concentrations in frontal cortex and hippocampus. In contrast to ECT, no changes in NKA- or SP-LI levels were seen. NT-LI was lowered in striatum. 5. Bicuculline effects were more circumscribed: some animals developed grand mal and died while convulsing (peptides not measured), others did not develop generalized seizures and were sacrificed after the fourth treatment. 6. The results demonstrate a similar effect of PTZ and ECT on regional NPY-LI concentrations and raise the possibility that grand mal, regardless of etiology, is necessary for effects on peptides.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Tachykinins and calcitonin gene-related peptide as co-transmitters in local motor responses produced by sensory nerve activation in the guinea-pig isolated renal pelvis.

Electrical field stimulation of circular muscle strips from the guinea-pig isolated renal pelvis produces a frequency-dependent positive inotropic effect of the spontaneous contractions which is unaffected by atropine and guanethidine and abolished by tetrodotoxin or in vitro capsaicin desensitization. Omega conotoxin fraction GVIA markedly inhibited the response to low frequencies of stimulation but had only a partial or minor inhibitory effect at higher frequencies. Tachykinins produce a concentration-dependent positive inotropic effect, neurokinin A being more potent than substance P. On the other hand, rat alpha calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibited spontaneous contractions of the renal pelvis. MEN 10,376 a neurokinin A (4-10) analog, antagonized the positive inotropism produced by neurokinin A, without affecting the response to KCl, and suppressed the positive inotropic response produced by electrical field stimulation. In the presence of MEN 10,376, a negative inotropic response was produced by electrical field stimulation which was antagonized by the C-terminal fragment (8-37) of human alpha calcitonin gene-related peptide (hCGRP). hCGRP (8-37) antagonized the negative inotropic effect of exogenously administered CGRP without affecting inhibition by isoprenaline. Application of capsaicin (10 microM) produced a marked increase in the outflow of substance P-, neurokinin A- and CGRP-like immunoreactivities from the superfused guinea-pig renal pelvis. Substance P-, neurokinin A- and CGRP-like immunoreactivities were also detected in tissue extracts of the renal pelvis by radioimmunoassay. These experiments indicate that peptide release from peripheral endings of capsaicin-sensitive primary afferents represents the major type of nerve-mediated response affecting motility of the guinea-pig isolated renal pelvis. Tachykinins and CGRP act as physiological antagonists and the excitatory action of tachykinins prevails over the inhibitory action of CGRP. Local modulation of renal pelvis motility by sensory nerves could facilitate removal of irritants present in the urine, protecting the kidney during obstruction and ureteral antiperistalsis.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone increases serum levels of growth hormone-releasing hormone and growth hormone in patients with acromegaly.

The effect of intravenous injection of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on the plasma concentrations of growth hormone (GH) and growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) was studied in seven patients with acromegaly and in five control subjects. TRH had no effect on plasma GH or GHRH in the five control subjects. A 'paradoxical' increase in plasma GH in response to TRH was observed in four of the seven patients with acromegaly. In these four patients plasma GHRH also increased in response to TRH. No TRH-induced increase in GHRH levels was observed in the other three patients with acromegaly who did not display an increase in GH in response to TRH. The present results imply that GHRH may be involved in the plasma GH response to TRH in patients with acromegaly.

Acromegaly↗
PubMed1992

The role of sensory nerves in catheter-induced urethral inflammation.

We have studied the contribution of the nervous system on experimentally induced urethral inflammation in the rat. Urethral inflammation was produced by inserting latex strips into the urethra. The effects of different experimental procedures were assessed by using a 4-grade inflammation scale based on histological findings. Attenuation of urethral inflammation was produced by administration of capsaicin at birth. A more complete attenuation was produced by infusion of capsaicin prior to application of the latex strip. These data taken together indicate that sensory innervation of the urethral mucosa is involved in the inflammatory reaction and that infusion of the urethra with capsaicin may be tried to prevent catheter-induced urethral inflammation.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Role of the autonomic nervous system in catheter-induced urethral inflammation.

We have studied role of the autonomic nervous system on experimentally induced urethral inflammation in the rat. Urethral inflammation was produced by inserting latex strips into the urethra. The effects of different experimental procedures were assessed by using a 4-grade inflammation scale based on histological findings. Rats pretreated with the nonspecific catecholamine depletors reserpine or quanethidine had a significantly less severe urethral inflammation than vehicle-treated controls. The severity of urethral inflammation was increased in spontaneous hypertensive rats, which have an increased sympathetic tone as compared to the normotensive rats. Propranolol, a nonselective beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist reduced and butoxamine, a beta 2-antagonist, significantly reduced the urethral inflammation. Neither phenoxybenzamine (nonselective) nor prazosin (alpha 1) or yohimbine (alpha 2), alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonists, affected the degree of urethral inflammation. These data taken together indicate that the autonomic innervation of the urethral mucosa is critically involved in the inflammatory reaction and that the use of beta 2-antagonist may be a treatment alternative in the future for the treatment of catheter-induced inflammation.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Clinical and genetic features of adrenocortical lesions in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1.

In multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1), benign enlargement of the adrenal cortex has been found in about one third of necropsy cases. To elucidate the clinical and genetic characteristics of the MEN-1 adrenal lesion, we have investigated 33 MEN-1 patients. Twelve individuals (37%) demonstrated adrenal enlargement, which was bilateral in 7 of them. Histopathology revealed diffuse and nodular cortical hyperplasia, adenomas, and a single case of adrenocortical carcinoma. The apparently benign adrenal enlargements were not associated with presently ascertainable biochemical disturbances in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis, and they were without radiological signs of progression during follow-up. The individual developing unilateral adrenocortical carcinoma showed rapid adrenal expansion, feminization, and an abnormal urinary steroid profile after 4 yr of observation for bilateral minor adrenal enlargements. Pancreatic endocrine tumors were significantly overrepresented and present in all MEN-1 individuals with adrenal involvement. In agreement with findings in sporadic cases, the MEN-1 adrenocortical carcinoma genome showed loss of constitutional heterozygosity for alleles at 17p, 13q, 11p, and 11q. The benign adrenal lesions retained heterozygosity for the MEN-1 locus at chromosome 11 q 13. Despite its prevalence and malignant potential, the pituitary-independent adrenocortical proliferation does not appear to be a primary lesion in MEN-1, but might represent a secondary phenomenon, perhaps related to the pancreatic endocrine tumor.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1991

Potent anti-inflammatory action of calcitonin gene-related peptide.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), but not substance P (SP), was found to inhibit edema-promoting actions of inflammatory mediators (histamine, leukotrine B4, 5-hydroxytryptamine) in vivo in the hamster cheek pouch, human skin, and rat paw. The effect of CGRP was present in the low nanomolar dose range, and it was mimicked by activation of sensory nerves with capsaicin which caused release of endogenous CGRP-like immunoreactivity (IR). The findings provide new information on the potential impact of sensory nerve activation during inflammatory processes by indicating that sensory nerves may play an anti-inflammatory role.

Adult↗