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Parasympathetic neurons in the cranial medial ventricular fat pad on the dog heart selectively decrease ventricular contractility.

We hypothesized that selective control of ventricular contractility might be mediated by postganglionic parasympathetic neurons in the cranial medial ventricular (CMV) ganglion plexus located in a fat pad at the base of the aorta. Sinus rate, atrioventricular (AV) conduction (ventricular rate during atrial pacing), and left ventricular contractile force (LV dP/dt during right ventricular pacing) were measured in eight chloralose-anesthetized dogs both before and during bilateral cervical vagus stimulation (20-30 V, 0.5 ms pulses, 15-20 Hz). Seven of these dogs were tested under beta-adrenergic blockade (propranolol, 0.8 mg kg(-1) i.v.). Control responses included sinus node bradycardia or arrest during spontaneous rhythm, high grade AV block or complete heart block, and a 30% decrease in contractility from 2118 +/- 186 to 1526 +/- 187 mm Hg s(-1) (P < 0.05). Next, the ganglionic blocker trimethaphan (0.3-1.0 ml of a 50 microg ml(-1) solution) was injected into the CMV fat pad. Then vagal stimulation was repeated, which now produced a relatively small 5% (N.S., P > 0.05) decrease in contractility but still elicited the same degree of sinus bradycardia and AV block (N = 8, P < 0.05). Five dogs were re-tested 3 h after trimethaphan fat pad injection, at which time blockade of vagally-induced negative inotropy was partially reversed, as vagal stimulation decreased LV dP/dt by 19%. The same dose of trimethaphan given either locally into other fat pads (PVFP or IVC-ILA) or systemically (i.v.) had no effect on vagally-induced negative inotropy. Thus, parasympathetic ganglia located in the CMV fat pad mediated a decrease in ventricular contractility during vagal stimulation. Blockade of the CMV fat pad had no effect on vagally-mediated slowing of sinus rate or AV conduction.

Adipose Tissue↗

Short exposure of maturing, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells to norepinephrine: impact on kinetics of cytokine production and Th development.

The information gathered by dendritic cells (DC) during the innate immune response to a pathogen is determinant for the type of adaptive response. Here we show that short-term (3 h) exposure of bone marrow-derived DC to norepinephrine (NE), at the beginning of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) stimulation hampers IL-12 production and increases IL-10 release. The NE effect was mediated by both beta- and alpha2-adrenergic receptors. The capacity of NE-exposed DC to produce IL-12 upon CD40 cross-linking as well as to stimulate allogeneic T-helper (Th) lymphocytes was reduced. Adoptive transfer of NE-exposed DC induced a Th2 slanted response in vivo. Thus, a brief NE exposure of antigen-stimulated DC seems to limit their Th1 polarizing properties. Noteworthy, the ganglionic blocker pentolinium administered in mice before skin sensitization with fluoroscein isothiocyanate (FITC) could increase the Th1-type response in the draining lymph nodes. Our results suggest that the extent of Th differentiation in the response to an antigen might be influenced by the local sympathetic nervous activity in the early phase of dendritic cell stimulation.

Animals↗

Limbic seizures induce neuropeptide and chromogranin mRNA expression in rat adrenal medulla.

Rats treated with kainic acid develop limbic seizures and have elevated levels of circulating catecholamines resulting from an extensive stimulation of the adrenal gland. We investigated the levels of several constituents of chromaffin granules in rat adrenal medulla after injection of kainic acid. This treatment increased mRNA steady-state levels of enkephalin, neuropeptide Y and chromogranin B 2-6-fold. Elevated levels of these constituents were found as early as 2 h after treatment and lasted up to 24 h. Chromogranin A and secretogranin II mRNA levels, on the other hand, remained unchanged. Adrenal catecholamine concentrations were reduced by 80%. Pre-treatment of rats with thiopental prior to kainic acid prevented seizures, the decline in catecholamines and the elevation of enkephalin and neuropeptide Y mRNAs but not that of chromogranin B. On the other hand, the peripherally acting ganglionic blocker chlorisondamine did not protect from the kainic acid-induced up-regulation of chromogranin B mRNA, suggesting that chromogranin B mRNA may be regulated by a direct effect of kainic acid on chromaffin cells. The pattern of changes in mRNA expression differed from that seen after insulin hypoglycemia or reserpine treatment. Thus, stimulation of the splanchnic innervation in vivo by various means leads to an individual and independent regulation of granule constituents by quite different mechanisms.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Central administration of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor causes pressor responses via the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin system in Wistar rats.

The central roles of nitric oxide (NO) in regulations of the blood pressure and heart rate were examined in anesthetized rats. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) caused dose-dependent increase in the blood pressure and heart rate. The pressor response of the blood pressure to L-NAME (2 micromol, i.c.v.) was reduced by L-arginine (5 micromol, i.c.v). Pretreatment with a ganglionic blocker, pentolinium (10 mg/kg, i.v.), significantly inhibited both pressor responses induced by L-NAME (2 micromol, i.c.v). The later pressor response of the blood pressure to L-NAME was also inhibited by the angiotensin II AT-1 blocker losartan (10 mg/kg, i.v). These results suggest that the response of the blood pressure to L-NAME is mediated by both the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin system.

Animals↗

Roles of nitric oxide in the spinal cord in cardiovascular regulation in rats.

The roles of nitric oxide (NO) in the spinal cord in regulation of blood pressure were examined in anesthetized rats. Intrathecal (i.t.) injection of an inhibitor of NO synthase (NOS), N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME), caused marked dose-dependent increase in the blood pressure. The pressor response to L-NAME was attenuated by pretreatment with L-arginine (10 micromol, i.t.). Pretreatment with the ganglionic blocker pentolinium (10 mg/kg, i.v.) and alpha1- and beta-adrenoceptor antagonists significantly inhibited the pressor response induced by L-NAME. The pressor responses to L-NAME was blocked by pretreatment with the selective N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (AP-5) (50 nmol, i.t.), but not by pretreatment with a non-NMDA receptor antagonist, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX). In addition, the pressor response to L-NAME was reduced by spinal cord transection. These results suggest that L-NAME causes activation of the sympathetic nervous system by reduction of NO in the spinal cord, and that this reduction of NO by L-NAME may activate glutamatergic neurons in the medulla oblongata.

Animals↗

Hypertension in orthostatic hypotension and autonomic dysfunction.

Disabling orthostatic hypotension dominates the clinical picture of autonomic failure. Nonetheless, severe supine hypertension is observed in about 50% of patients. In patients with multiple system atrophy (Shy-Drager syndrome), supine hypertension is explained by residual sympathetic tone because it can be eliminated with the ganglionic blocker trimethaphan. The cause of hypertension in patients with pure autonomic failure is not known and its understanding may be relevant to essential hypertension. Supine hypertension complicates the treatment of these patients but can be managed by overnight administration of antihypertensive medications.

Humans↗

Acute effects of aflatoxins on guinea pig isolated ileum.

Previous studies on the aflatoxins have focused mainly on their chronic toxic effects. In this study we investigated the acute gastrointestinal effects of four common aflatoxins on isolated guinea pig ileum. AFB(1) (EC(50) 4.6+/-0.4 microM) and AFB(2) (EC(50)17+/-4.4 microM) contracted isolated guinea pig ileum in a dose-dependent manner, whereas AFG(1) and AFG(2) evoked no contractions. Atropine (5.9 nM 11.8 and 23.6 nM) antagonized AFB(1)-induced contractions in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with the nicotinic ganglionic blocker, hexamethonium (up to 55 microM), left AFB(1)-induced contractions unchanged. In contrast, tetrodotoxin (0.3 microM), blocked AFB(1) contractile activity. The two inhibitors of ACh release, morphine (0.3 microM) and clonidine (0.4 microM), antagonized EC(50) AFB(1)-induced contractions, and apamin, a drug that increases neuronal excitability, facilitated the EC(50) AFB(1)-induced contractile effect. The choline uptake blocker, hemicholinium (17.4 microM) markedly reduced AFB(1)-induced contractions. These results suggest that aflatoxins induce their contractile effect indirectly through the cholinergic system by stimulating acetylcholine release from the postganglionic parasympathetic nerve endings. The acute actions of aflatoxins on isolated guinea pig ileum could explain their acute gastrointestinal effects in humans and animals.

Aflatoxins↗

Blood pressure, heart rate, and behavioral responses to psychological "novelty" stress in freely moving rats.

We developed a new model of psychological "open-field" stress in freely moving rats. Blood pressure and heart rate of the rats were measured by radiotelemetry and behavior analyzed by video tracking software. Open-field exposure induced marked increases in blood pressure and heart rate. Repeated daily exposure induced pressor responses that were slightly higher on Day 4 when compared to Day 1. Pretreatment with the beta1-adrenoceptor antagonist atenolol inhibited the tachycardia whereas the ganglion blocker pentolinium inhibited the pressor response, indicating involvement of the sympathetic nervous system. Pretreatment with diazepam prevented the novelty stress-induced pressor response and reduced the tachycardia. These results show that the psychological stress of exposing rats to an open field induces marked cardiovascular effects that are mediated by sympathetic hyperactivity. This model is unique in that it focuses on psychological stress and allows concomitant measurement of blood pressure, heart rate, and behavior in freely moving rats.

Animals↗

Study of the interaction of chlorisondamine and chlorisondamine analogues with an epitope of the alpha-2 neuronal acetylcholine nicotinic receptor subunit.

Chlorisondamine (CHL), a neuronal nicotinic ganglionic blocker, when injected in the cerebral ventricle of rats chronically blocks the increase in locomotion and rearing by subcutaneous nicotine injection. The blocking of the ion channel(s) prevents nicotine from exerting its rewarding effects on the CNS. When administered intraperitoneally, a dose 400-500 times the intracerebroventricular one is needed to cross the blood-brain barrier and to generate the same level of nicotine antagonism, resulting in severe side-effects, thus making it unlikely to be used as a therapeutical compound. Three CHL analogues, 2-(indolin-1-yl)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium iodide, 2-(1,3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)- N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium iodide, and 2-(1H-indole-3-carboxamido)- N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium iodide, were synthesized in the hope of circumventing the parent compound's shortcomings. They all share a modified indole ring, lack the four chlorines CHL carries, and have one tertiary amine and one quaternary amine. The CHL analogues form noncovalent complexes with an epitope of the alpha-2 nicotinic receptor subunit, GEREE(p)TEEEEEEEDEN, previously proposed as the possible site of CHL interaction. Complexes were analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry for comparison with CHL. Overall, all three analogues showed better affinity than CHL for complex formation with both the nonphosphorylated and phosphorylated epitopes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Contraction and relaxation indices in the study of neural inotropic and loositropic influences on the heart.

The possibility of using contraction and relaxation indices for evaluation of inotropic and loositropic influences on the heart was studied in experiments on cats. Increased pre- and afterload were used as the stimuli, which are simultaneously loading and reflexogenic. Under conditions of preserved innervation both stimuli elevated the indices selected according to the highest sensitivity/specificity ratio. Ganglionic blocker arfonad potentiated the effects of these stimuli. This attests to a considerable contribution of the myogenic component to the changes in the studied indices in response to increased pre- and afterload and to the existence of negative inotropic and loositropic influences on the heart under conditions of preserved innervation. These conclusions were supported when more specific indices were used: in most cases they decreased during load tests. Thus, when the contraction and relaxation indices are used for evaluation inotropic and loositropic influences on the heart, it seems reasonable either to compare heart responses under conditions of preserved or blocked innervation, or to apply more specific indices. Analysis of changes in most widely used indices (dP/dt)max and t showed that t reliably reflects neural loositropic influences, while the use of (dP/dt)max without proper control can be erroneous.

Animals↗

Comparison of different cardiac relaxation indices.

Sensitivity (response to epinephrine infusion) and specificity (response to changes in pre- and afterload) of some cardiac relaxation indices were compared in acute experiments on cats treated with ganglionic blocker arfonad. Some new indices proposed by us provide better characteristics than widely used relaxation time constant (t) and maximum first derivative of the left ventricular pressure (-dP/dt)max.

Animals↗

Whether independent regulation of myocardial contractility and diastolic relaxation rate is possible?

In acute experiments on cats neural inotropic and lusitropic reactions of the heart to enhancement of pre- and afterload were assessed by changes in contractility and relaxation indices, which were preliminary chosen for their maximum specificity and sensitivity. The control cardiac responses to increased pre- and afterload were measured after treatment with ganglionic blocker arfonad. The myogenic component of these responses assessed under the action of arfonad was highly pronounced, therefore the neural inotropic and lusitropic reactions were measured as the difference between load-induced changes of indices in experiments with and without arfonad. Increased preload produced similar negative inotropic and lusitropic effects, while increased afterload produced a more pronounced negative inotropic effect, which indicated independent regulation of contractility and diastolic relaxation of the heart.

Animals↗

Impact of nicotine withdrawal on novelty reward and related behaviors.

The authors tested the decreased reward function hypothesis of nicotine withdrawal using a novel-object place conditioning task. A conditioned place preference was evident in controls and in rats that had experienced 4 nicotine withdrawal days, but not in rats that had experienced 1-3 withdrawal days. This implies that the rewarding properties of interacting with novel objects were not readily associated with the environment in which they were paired. Follow-up experiments eliminated other explanations based on withdrawal-induced failures to process object or environment information. Also, expression of conditioning was not affected, indicating that withdrawal likely altered acquisition. Further investigation into the neurochemical and behavioral changes that accompany nicotine withdrawal will lead to a better understanding of the withdrawal syndrome.

Animals↗

Modulation of stress-induced ACTH release by corticotropin-releasing factor, catecholamines and vasopressin.

The stress-induced release of ACTH is believed to involve the activation of several humoral and neural pathways, including corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), catecholamines and vasopressin. The essential role of CRF was supported by our observation that immunoneutralization of this releasing factor significantly lowers plasma ACTH levels of ether-stressed rats. However, the presence of a small but measurable residual ACTH secretion suggested the possible involvement of factors other than CRF in the stress response. We report here that pretreatment with a vasopressin antagonist decreases the plasma ACTH levels of ether-stressed rats in later (10-20 min), but not earlier (0-10 min), phases of ether stress. The ganglionic blocker chlorisondamine, inhibits ACTH release during both phases of the response to ether by 40-60% when used alone, and by 100% when administered with anti-CRF antibody. These results support a role of CRF, catecholamines and vasopressin in mediating ACTH release by ether stress.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Antagonist activities of mecamylamine and nicotine show reciprocal dependence on beta subunit sequence in the second transmembrane domain.

We show that a portion of the TM2 domain regulates the sensitivity of beta subunit-containing rat neuronal nicotinic AChR to the ganglionic blocker mecamylamine, such that the substitution of 4 amino acids of the muscle beta subunit sequence into the neuronal beta4 sequence decreases the potency of mecamylamine by a factor of 200 and eliminates any long-term effects of this drug on receptor function. The same exchange of sequence that decreases inhibition by mecamylamine produces a comparable potentiation of long-term inhibition by nicotine. Inhibition by mecamylamine is voltage-dependent, suggesting a direct interaction of mecamylamine with sequence elements within the membrane field. We have previously shown that sensitivity to TMP (tetramethylpiperidine) inhibitors is controlled by the same sequence elements that determine mecamylamine sensitivity. However, inhibition by bis-TMP compounds is independent of voltage. Our experiments did not show any influence of voltage on the inhibition of chimeric receptors by nicotine, suggesting that the inhibitory effects of nicotine are mediated by binding to a site outside the membrane's electric field. An analysis of point mutations indicates that the residues at the 6' position within the beta subunit TM2 domain may be important for determining the effects of both mecamylamine and nicotine in a reciprocal manner. Single mutations at the 10' position are not sufficient to produce effects, but 6' 10' double mutants show more effect than do the 6' single mutants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Sympatholytic therapy in primary hypertension: a user friendly role for the future.

Effective therapy (Rx) in primary hypertension (PH) for 50 years, has featured sympathetic nervous system (SNS) mechanisms. Ganglionic blockers and reserpine were pre-eminent in the 1940s (mydriasis, ileus, impotence, peptic ulcer). Guanethidine, and in the 1960s clonidine and methyldopa, were step II agents to thiazide Rx in the 1950s. Reserpine depletes brain (depression) and peripheral (PPH) noradrenaline (NA) storage sites, guanethidine depleted NA storage via blockade of reuptake. Venomotor sympathoplegia resulted in postural hypertension. An analogue, metaiodobenzyguandine is used in diagnosis and Rx of pheochromocytoma. Clonidine lowers both central and PPH neuronal NA release via both stimulation of alpha agonist adrenoreceptors (sedation) and specific imadazoline binding sites (IBS). Methyldopa lowers pressure via PPH induced NA release (retrograde ejaculation) and via alphamethyl NA on central alpha-2 receptors (depression). The alpha-2 and alpha-2 receptor antagonists (alphaRA) cause reflex tachycardia and first-dose hypotension. Recently a two-fold incidence of congestive heart failure after alphaRA in treated primary hypertensives question their role in PH. The beta RA, with or absent alphaRA, remain premier since the 1970s due to mortality benefit in systolic dysfunction and post myocardial infarction, certifying the role of the SNS in the pathogenesis and sequelae and Rx of PH. The future includes beta RA, specific IBS agents, angiotensin (AII) RA with avid presynaptic AII affinity and vasopeptidase inhibitiors that raise peptides and suppress SNS.

Antihypertensive Agents↗

Contribution of vascular nitric oxide to basal blood pressure in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats.

1. The aim of this study was to clarify the extent to which vascular nitric oxide contributes to basal blood pressure in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats. 2. The contribution of vascular nitric oxide to maintenance of blood pressure was estimated by measuring the pressor response to an intravenous injection of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N omega-L-arginine methyl ester, given after serial injections of captopril, vasopressin V1-receptor antagonist (V1-antagonist) and ganglion blocker (pentolinium) in conscious spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar Kyoto rats aged 20-28 weeks. To estimate the 'amplifier property' of hypertrophied vasculature in spontaneously hypertensive rats, which is known to modulate pressor responses, the lower blood pressure plateau after serial injections of captopril, V1-antagonist and pentolinium and the maximum blood pressure elicited by subsequent injection of increasing doses of phenylephrine were also measured. 3. The serial injections of captopril, V1-antagonist and pentolinium decreased mean arterial pressure from 164 +/- 9 mmHg to 67 +/- 2 mmHg and from 117 +/- 2 mmHg to 49 +/- 1 mmHg in spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar Kyoto rats respectively. The subsequent injection of N omega-L-arginine methyl ester restored mean arterial pressure almost to its control levels in both spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar Kyoto rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

The treatment of hypertension.

1. A 'retrospective' of the development of the drug treatment of hypertension is presented from the early days of ganglion blockers to the present time together with a review of the evidence of benefit from treatment. 2. Current issues and debates are summarised including shortfalls in the control of hypertension in populations, difficulties surrounding the measurement of blood pressure, disagreement on the levels of blood pressure to treat, the goal blood pressures to aim at, issues surrounding lifestyle measures such as the low salt diet and low intensity exercise, and treatment with diuretics and with calcium antagonists. 3. A 'perspective' is presented on some avenues for progress in the years ahead. These will include the identification of genetic markers to determine the hypertensive individuals with the greatest risk of death and of cardiovascular complications.

Antihypertensive Agents↗