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Biomedical subjects

J C Gilbert

Publications and source records attributed to J C Gilbert.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Effects of physostigmine and electrical stimulation on the acetylcholine content of the guinea-pig ileum.

Incubation with physostigmine (7.7 muM) caused an approximately 2 fold increase in the acetylcholine content of the myenteric plexus--longitudinal muscle preparation of the guinea-pig ileum. This effect was due mainly to an increase in 'free' acetylcholine, which was directly assayable in either the homogenate after removal of cell debris or the supernatant fraction (100,000 g for 60 min) after subcellular fractionation. Acetylcholine output during stimulation at 0.017, 0.1 or 1 Hz was maintained for 60 min at a rate 2--4 times greater than the non-stimulated output; there was no change in content. At 10 HZ, output was high at the start of stimulation and then decreased continuously; there was a proportionate loss of mainly 'free' acetylcholine from the tissue. Mn2+, hexamethonium, morphine and noradrenaline, which depressed acetylcholine output during stimulation at 0.1 HZ, had no effect on the acetylcholine content nor did they affect the increase in acetylcholine content during incubation with physostigmine.

Acetylcholine↗

In vivo cytogenetic activity of sulphonylurea drugs in man.

A cytogenetic investigation of diabetic patients undergoing treatment with sulphonylurea drugs, particularly chlorpropamide, shows that significantly more chromatid aberrations and chromosome exchange aberrations are present in the lymphocytes of these patients compared with controls. This is taken as evidence of possible mutagenic activity by these drugs, although the possibility cannot be ruled out that the diabetic state itself is a contributory factor.

Adult↗

Effects of anticonvulsant and convulsant drugs on the ATPase activities of synaptosomes and their components.

1. The effects of anticonvulsants, and other drugs on the Na+, K+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) (ouabain-sensitive) and Mg++-ATPase activities of synaptosomes and their components have been determined. 2. The Mg++-ATPase activity of synaptosomes was not affected by the drugs but the Na+, K+-ATPase activity was inhibited by phenytoin (diphenylhydantoin), ethosuximide and diazepam. 3. Fractions containing mainly membranes, mitochondria or synaptic vesicles, were prepared from synaptosomes by osmotic shock and subsequent density gradient centrifugation. Inhibition of Na+, K+-ATPase activity by phenytoin, ethosuximide and diazepam was apparent only in the membrane fraction. 4. The fraction containing synaptic vesicles exhibited pronounced Md++-ATPase but no Na+, K+-ATPase activity. In contrast to the enzymes of the membranes and mitochondria, the Mg++-ATPase of the vesicles was inhibited by diazepam and all of the anticonvulsants tested.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase in canine renal artery.

To characterize further a putative dopamine receptor in the renal artery, the effects of dopamine on canine renal artery adenylate cyclase activity were studied. Since the femoral artery is thought to be devoid of a similar dopamine receptor, the effects of dopamine on the adenylate cyclase activity of the canine femoral artery were also studied. In tissues from dogs with or without phenoxybenzamine pretreatment, renal artery adenylate cyclase was maximally stimulated by 4 muM dopamine, compared to 20 muM required for the femoral artery enzyme. The concentrations of isoprenaline required to maximally stimulate renal and femoral artery adenylate cyclase were 0-04 and 0-2 muM, respectively. In tissue from the phenoxybenzamine-pretreated dog, the sitmulatroy effect of dopamine on the renal artery enzyme was selectively blocked by 0-01 muM haloperidol, but not by 0-2 muM propranolol. In the femoral artery, however, the dopamine stimulation was blocked by both antagonists. Stimulation by isoprenaline of renal and femoral artery adenylate cyclase was blocked by propranolol. These data suggest the concept that dopamine interacts with a specific artery receptor apparently different from alpha-and beta-adrenoceptors.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗

Characterization by cyproheptadine of the dopamine-induced contraction in canine isolated arteries.

Spirally cut strips of isolated canine femoral and carotid arteries were used to characterize the vasoconstrictor effect of dopamine. A serotonin antagonist, cyproheptadine, 10- minus 7, 3 X 10- minus 7 and 10-minus 6 M, inhibited dopamine (pA2 = 7.46 plus or minus 0.11), tryptamine (pA2 = 7.38 plus or minus 0.09) and serotonin-induced contractions (pA2 = 7.59 plus or minus 0.09). Cyproheptadine shifted the threshold concentration of dopamine 2 log units to the right without altering norepinephrine response. In protection experiments, preincubation with serotonin (10-minus 5 M) for 10 minutes protected serotonin and tryptamine receptors from cyproheptadine (3 X 10-minus 7 M) and phenoxybenzamine (10-minus 6 M) blockade. Serotonin cross-protected dopamine receptors also. Reciprocally dopamine (10-minus 4 M) protected its own receptors as well as those for serotonin and tryptamine. Norepinephrine did not afford any protection of dopamine, serotonin or tryptamine receptors but did protect its own receptors from phenoxybenzamine blockade. The attempt to characterize the receptor subserving dopamine-induced contraction failed to confirm a relationship between dopamine and alpha adrenoceptors. Since dopamine, tryptamine and serotonin, unlike norepinephrine, were sensitive to cyproheptadine blockade, dopamine-induced contraction appeared to be mediated by a receptor closely related to serotonin receptors. Therefore, alpha adrenoceptors may not be exclusively involved in the vasoconstriction evoked by dopamine on canine vasculature.

Animals↗