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Biomedical subjects

W Robberecht

Publications and source records attributed to W Robberecht.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Mibefradil (Ro 40-5967) blocks multiple types of voltage-gated calcium channels in cultured rat spinal motoneurones.

The actions of the novel calcium (Ca2+) channel antagonist mibefradil (Ro 40-5967), a selective T-type channel blocker in myocardium, were investigated in embryonic rat spinal motoneurones maintained in culture. Whole-cell currents were recorded with the patch-clamp technique. Motoneurones displayed transient, low-voltage-activated (LVA) and, more sustained, high-voltage-activated (HVA) Ca2+ currents. The LVA currents were small and preferentially blocked by amiloride and low doses of nickel. Most of the HVA Ca2+ current flowed through N-type Ca2+ channels, while L-, and P/Q-type channels represented a smaller fraction. Mibefradil caused a rapid and reversible dose-dependent block of inward Ca2+ channel currents. Inhibition was nearly complete at 10 microM, suggesting mibefradil blockade of all subclasses of Ca2+ channels. The IC50 was approximately 1.4 microM on currents measured at 0 mV, from a holding potential of -90 mV. Inhibition of LVA Ca2+ current occurred over the same contraction range. Slow tail currents induced by the dihydropyridine agonist Bay K 8644 were also blocked by mibefradil, although with a slightly lower potency (IC50 = 3.4 microM). These broad inhibitory effects of mibefradil on Ca2+ influx were also supported by the strong inhibition of depolarization-induced intracellular calcium transients, measured from Indo-1 loaded motoneurones imaged with confocal microscopy. We conclude that mibefradil has potent blocking effects on Ca2+ channels in mammalian motoneurones. We hypothesize that therapeutic and pharmacological effects of mibefradil may involve actions on Ca2+ channels other than type T.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Neurofibromatosis type I gene mutation in a patient with features of LEOPARD syndrome.

Multiple lentigines (LEOPARD) syndrome has been delineated as an autosomal dominant disorder with lentigines, cardiac abnormalities, variable mental retardation, and typical craniofacial features as the most characteristic findings. LEOPARD syndrome shows a great clinical overlap with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). In this report we describe a de novo missense mutation (M 1035R) in exon 18 of the NF1 gene in a young woman with a prior diagnosis of LEOPARD syndrome. We hypothesize that some patients now diagnosed with LEOPARD syndrome have in fact a mutation in the NF1 gene, whereas in other patients with LEOPARD syndrome, a different gene might be involved.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1996

Molecular genetic analysis of the 17p11.2 region in patients with hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP).

Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) is in most cases associated with an interstitial deletion of the same 1.5-Mb region at 17p11.2 that is duplicated in Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A (CMT1A) patients. Unequal crossing-over following misalignment at flanking repeat sequences (CMT1A-REP), either leads to tandem duplication in CMT1A patients or deletion in HNPP patients. With the use of polymorphic DNA markers located within the CMT1A/HNPP duplication/deletion region we detected the HNPP deletion in 16 unrelated HNPP patients, 11 of Belgian and 5 of French origin. In all cases, the 1.5-Mb size of the HNPP deletion was confirmed by EcoRI dosage analysis using a CMT1A-REP probe. In the 16 HNPP patients, the same 370/320-kb EagI deletion-junction fragments were detected with pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), while in CMT1A patients, a 150-kb EagI duplication-junction fragment was seen. Thus, PFGE analysis of EagI-digested DNA with a CMT1A-REP probe allows direct detection of the HNPP deletion or the CMT1A duplication for DNA diagnostic purposes.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMed1996

Pathological findings in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block.

We studied a 53-year-old woman with progressive weakness of the left arm, gradually spreading to the other limbs. Neurological examination revealed a motor neuron syndrome with paresis, fasciculations and atrophy. Electrophysiological studies showed multiple motor conduction blocks. The anti-GM1 IgM titer was elevated. The patient was thought to have a multifocal motor neuropathy. Despite intravenous cyclophosphamide treatment, however, she died with respiratory insufficiency. On postmortem examination, the brachial plexus showed patches of demyelination underlying different areas of motor conduction block. The spinal cord, however, revealed severe neuronal loss in the ventral horn and axonal loss in the corticospinal tract, indicative of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Demyelination of peripheral nerves could have been responsible for the other conduction blocks in this patient. The prominent degeneration of motor neurons, however, must also have played a role in the clinical picture. Some patients with the syndrome of a multifocal motor neuropathy may have MND rather than, or in addition to, a demyelinating peripheral motor neuropathy.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1996

Lymphocytic infundibulohypophysitis presenting in the postpartum period: case report.

BACKGROUND: Lymphocytic adenohypophysitis is a well-known autoimmune disorder affecting the anterior pituitary gland. Posterior pituitary gland function can be impaired by a similar autoimmune disorder called lymphocytic infundibulohypophysitis. Only very few cases have been reported. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We present a patient with central diabetes insipidus in the postpartum period. On radiologic and endocrine evidence lymphocytic involvement of the pituitary stalk and infundibulum was suspected. INTERVENTION: A diagnostic pterional craniotomy was performed. The diagnosis of lymphocytic infundibulohypophysitis was confirmed by biopsy. CONCLUSION: We present a case of lymphocytic infundibulohypophysitis. In view of its autoimmune pathophysiology the occurrence of this disorder in the postpartum period is not surprising, even though it has not been reported before. This rare disorder should be distinguished from the more common lymphocytic adenohypophysitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

D90A heterozygosity in the SOD1 gene is associated with familial and apparently sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

All mutations in the SOD1 gene associated with familial ALS behave as dominant traits. One mutation, however, giving rise to an aspartic acid to alanine substitution in codon 90 (D90A), was reported only to induce motor neuron disease in homozygous individuals in the Scandinavian population. We describe two families with ALS and one apparently sporadic ALS patient who are heterozygous for the D90A mutation. One patient had the unusual phenotype of focal nonprogressing motor neuron disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Neurocysticercosis: a poorly understood disease.

A 22-year-old male patient of Indian origin presented with generalized seizures. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed two cystic lesions. Extensive screening only revealed positive skin tests for tuberculosis. Immunoassays for cysticerosis were negative in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Biopsy of the temporal lesion revealed a cysticercus. Although neurocysticercosis is a common cause of seizures in patients from countries where cysticercosis is endemic, the diagnosis can be difficult in a patient with evidence of multiple infections or in whom serological evidence is lacking, as is illustrated by the present case. Furthermore, because the pathogenic factors determining the activity of the disease are poorly understood, its management represents a similar problem as it depends upon the activity of the disease as estimated by clinical, radiological and laboratory tests. The present case report illustrates these difficulties.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Deletion in the CMT1A locus on chromosome 17p11.2 in hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies.

Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (NHPP) is an autosomal dominant disease of peripheral nerves, characterized by recurrent focal neuropathies often with an underlying asymptomatic polyneuropathy. We report the clinical, electrophysiological, and histopathological findings in three families with HNPP and confirm the presence of a deletion on chromosome 17p11.2, including all the markers known to be duplicated in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A. This deletion appears to be the underlying molecular deficit in this disease and provides additional evidence for the importance of this locus for peripheral nerve function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activity in familial and sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative motor neuron disease that is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait in approximately 10% of cases. Recently we and others identified several single-base mutations in the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) gene in patients with familial ALS (FALS). Using single-strand conformational polymorphism, we studied the C to G mutation in exon 2 of the SOD1 gene (resulting in a leucine to valine substitution in position 38) in affected and unaffected members of a large Belgian family with FALS. We measured the SOD1 activity in red blood cell lysates in 14 members of this family, including the only surviving clinically affected patient. SOD1 activity of the family members carrying the mutation was less than half that of members without the mutation. In addition, in 11 patients with sporadic ALS and 11 age- and sex-matched controls, red blood cell SOD1 activity was normal. These studies indicate that SOD1 activity is reduced in these FALS patients but not in sporadic ALS patients. Moreover, this SOD1 enzyme abnormality is detectable years before onset of clinical ALS in carriers of this FALS mutation.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

MRI of herpes simplex encephalitis.

The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in eight patients with herpes simplex meningoencephalitis were reviewed: 14 examinations were analysed. The most striking finding was high signal intensity in the temporal lobe(s) with the typical configuration known from CT. Meningeal enhancement after Gd-DTPA administration was clearly seen in four patients. Haemorrhagic changes are much better seen on MRI than on CT. When adequate motion control can be achieved, MRI becomes the examination of choice in the diagnosis and follow-up of herpes simplex encephalitis. Localized 1H MR spectroscopy also proved promising in the study of neuronal loss.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Purulent meningitis due to aspergillosis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

We report a 39-year-old female patient with systemic lupus erythematosus under immunosuppressive therapy who developed persistent neutrophilic meningitis, for which no infectious agent could be identified. Intensifying the immunosuppressive therapy induced a short amelioration of the clinical picture. At autopsy, basal meningitis was found to be due to Aspergillus sp.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Stimulation of prolactin secretion from rat pituitary by luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone: evidence against mediation by angiotensin II acting through a (Sar1-Ala8)-angiotensin II-sensitive receptor.

In aggregate cell cultures of 15- to 20-day-old rat pituitary maintained in serum-free medium, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) (10 nM) stimulated prolactin (PRL) release, confirming our previous results and those of others with serum-supplemented medium. Since angiotensin II (AII) stimulates PRL release and a renin-angiotensin system is expressed in gonadotrophs, LHRH stimulation of PRL release might be mediated by AII. To evaluate this hypothesis, the influence of (Sar1,Ala8)AII and (Sar1,Ile8)AII two peptide AII receptor antagonists, of DUP753, a nonpeptide and stable AII receptor antagonist, of a converting enzyme inhibitor, and of angiotensinogen on LHRH-induced PRL release was tested in various in vitro conditions of 15- to 20-day-old female rat pituitary. In aggregates maintained in serum-free medium with or without dexamethasone (DEX) and triiodothyronine (T3), or maintained in serum-supplemented medium, the effect of LHRH on PRL release was not affected by (Sar1Ala8)AII (0.1 microM), (Sar1,Ile8)AII (10 microM) or DUP753 (10 microM). Only a high dose (10 microM) of (Sar1,Ala8)AII attenuated the LHRH-induced PRL release. The latter attenuation was seen only with aggregates cultured in the DEX/T3 medium and not with aggregates cultured in the presence of serum. A dose of 1 or 10 nM (Sar1,Ala8)AII also failed to block the effect of LHRH used at 1 nM. In contrast, (Sar1,Ala8)AII dose dependently as well as DUP753 (10 microM) abolished the AII-induced PRL release. (Sar1,Ala8)AII also failed to affect the LHRH-induced PRL release in pituitary cell aggregates from 6-week-old male rats. However, in aggregates from both immature and 6-week-old rats, (Sar1,Ala8)AII provoked a small and statistically significant attenuation of the LHRH-induced PRL release when a 100 nM dose of LHRH was used. In freshly isolated hemipituitaries from 5-day-old rats, (Sar1,Ala8)AII (1 or 10 microM) did not affect the LHRH- (10 nM) induced PRL release. In single cells obtained by redispersion of aggregates and mounted in a Biogel P2 column, LHRH still stimulated PRL release. Again this effect could not be blocked by DUP753. Treatment of aggregate cell cultures with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril or with angiotensinogen did not alter the LHRH-induced PRL release. It is concluded that AII is not the paracrine factor mediating the effect of LHRH at low nanomolar doses on PRL release, at least not through the classical AII receptor. The involvement of AII acting on a non-(Sar1,Ala8)AII-sensitive receptor cannot be excluded and warrants further investigation.

1-Sarcosine-8-Isoleucine Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1992

Angiotensin II is retained in gonadotrophs of pituitary cell aggregates cultured in serum-free medium but does not mimic the effects of exogenous angiotensins and luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone on growth hormone release.

Angiotensin II (AII)-like immunoreactivity (LIR) was detected by immunostaining in 7.5 +/- 1.1% of cells obtained by redispersion of pituitary cell aggregates from 15- to 20-day-old female rats, cultured for 5-7 days in serum-free medium supplemented with thyroid hormone and dexamethasone. Also, renin-LIR was retained in these cultures. As shown by double immunostaining of paraffin-embedded sections of the aggregates, this AII-LIR was localized only in gonadotrophs. AII-LIR was detected at least up to 5 weeks in culture. On reversed-phase, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), this AII-LIR co-migrated with authentic AII. In perifused aggregate cell cultures of 15- to 20-day-old female rat pituitary maintained in serum-free medium supplemented with dexamethasone (DEX) and triiodothyronine (T3), AII stimulated GH release. AI and AIII had a similar effect. To evaluate the possible involvement of endogenous AII in the local regulation of GH release, gonadotrophs were stimulated with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH). LHRH displayed a transient inhibitory effect on GH release, which was followed by a rebound of GH release after withdrawal of the peptide. Treatment of aggregates with pertussis toxin reversed this inhibitory effect into a significant stimulation of GH release. In aggregates cultured in serum-supplemented medium, LHRH provoked a significant stimulation of GH release which was still followed by a post-stimulus rebound release. In hemipituitaries from 5-day-old rats, a significant stimulatory effect of LHRH on GH release was found without rebound secretion. To evaluate the possible involvement of endogenous AII in the effects of LHRH on GH release, the influence of (Sar1,Ala8)AII, a peptide AII receptor antagonist, and of DUP753, a non-peptide AII receptor blocker was tested in various in vitro conditions. The effect of LHRH on GH release in aggregates cultured either in serum-free medium supplemented with DEX and T3 or in serum-supplemented medium was not affected by (Sar1,Ala8)AII, not even after enhancing the LHRH-induced GH release by treatment of the aggregates with pertussis toxin. A hundred times lower concentration of (Sar1,Ala8)AII, however, abolished the AII-induced changes in GH release. Also DUP753 (10 microM) failed to block LHRH-induced GH release in aggregates. (Sar1,Ala8)AII also failed to block the effect of LHRH on GH release from hemipituitaries. It is concluded that LHRH has inhibitory and stimulatory effects on GH release in cultured pituitary cell aggregates.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Angiotensin II↗