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The relationship between latex skin prick test responses and clinical allergic responses.

BACKGROUND: Allergic responses to latex have been reported more frequently in the past 5 years. Although commercial skin prick test solutions are available and can be used in the diagnosis of latex allergy in some countries, the characteristics of patients sensitized to latex relative to their skin test responses have not been reported. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to relate the clinical characteristics of patients with latex sensitivity to the size of their latex skin prick test response. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who were attending a hospital-based allergy and asthma clinic and who had positive skin test responses to a commercial latex skin test solution was undertaken. RESULTS: Of 47 patients who had skin test responses to latex, 36 had a mean wheal diameter at least 3 mm greater than the negative control (diluent). Sixty-eight percent were health care workers. There was a positive association between the size of skin test response and severity of latex-induced symptoms (p < 0.001). A history of banana sensitivity was also associated with larger skin test responses (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The size of the skin prick test response to latex solution that is commercially available in Canada reflects the severity of latex-induced clinical allergic responses.

Adult↗

Responses of central auditory neurons modeled with finite impulse response (FIR) neural networks.

To simulate central auditory responses to complex sounds, a computational model was implemented. It consists of a multi-scale classification process, and an artificial neural network composed of two modules of finite impulse response (FIR) neural networks connected to a maximum network. Electrical activities of single auditory neurons were recorded at the rat midbrain in response to a repetitive pseudo-random frequency modulated (FM) sound. The multi-scale classification process divides the training dataset into either strong or weak response using a multiple-scale Gaussian filter that based on response probability. Two modules of FIR neural network are then independently trained to model the two types of responses. This caters for the possible differences in neuronal circuitry and transmission delay. Their outputs are connected to a maximum network to generate the final output. After training, we use a different set of FM responses collected from the same neuron to test the performance of the model. Two criteria are adopted for assessment. One measures the matching of the modeled output to the actual output on a point-to-point basis. Another measures the matching of bulk responses between the two. Results show that the proposed model predicts the responses of central auditory neurons satisfactorily.

Action Potentials↗

Cellular immune response in Lyme disease: the response to mitogens, live Borrelia burgdorferi, NK cell function and lymphocyte subsets.

Although some manifestations of Lyme disease may be secondary to the presence of B. burgdorferi, the immune system appears to play a significant role in the clinical manifestations of the disease. The humoral response is well characterized, however the cellular response remains poorly defined. To further define cellular immunity in Lyme disease, the responses of lymphocytes from patients with active Lyme disease were assessed to Con a, PHA, PWM, tetanus toxoid, and whole live B. burgdorferi. In addition, the natural killer cell (NK) function of these patients was assayed. As compared to the controls the lymphocyte response to Con A was reduced and the response to PHA was increased. There was a significant proliferative response to B. burgdorferi in all patients with no response in the controls. The responses to PWM and tetanus toxoid were not different in the two groups. NK cell function in the patients with active disease was reduced as compared to the normal controls and patient's who were not clinically active. We conclude that there is a significant alteration in cellular immunity in active LD consistent with a defect in the induction of suppressor cells leading to a vigorous humoral response.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Enhanced CD8+ T cell immune response against a V3 loop multi-epitope polypeptide (TAB13) of HIV-1 Env after priming with purified fusion protein and booster with modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA-TAB) recombinant: a comparison of humoral and cellular immune responses with the vaccinia virus Western Reserve (WR) vector.

The humoral and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses have been shown to be determinant in the clearance of many viral infections and because of those characteristics, vaccine candidates against AIDS are designed to enhance both arms of the immune system. While a protocol of immunization able to confer protection in humans against HIV will have to await the results of current clinical trials, it remains important to identify protocols of immunization in animals that achieve significant levels of humoral and cellular immune responses to HIV. In this study we have carried out a comparative analysis of the immune responses elicited in mice immunized with recombinants based on the modified vaccinia virus Ankara strain (rMVA) versus the Western Reserve strain (WR) of vaccinia virus (rVV), both expressing a V3 loop multi-epitopic protein from eight different HIV isolates (TAB13). We found that during priming, rMVA elicited a two- to three-fold higher specific CD8+ T cell response than rVV. Similar enhancement was observed during priming with purified protein TAB13 followed by a booster with rMVA. The epitopes LR150, MN and IIIB, located at the ends and in the middle of the chimeric protein, were able to induce a specific CD8+ T cell response, both after priming or prime/booster with the recombinant viruses but not after prime/booster with TAB13. By examining the cytokine pattern, the immune response triggered by these vectors was of Th-1 type. Humoral immune responses were higher in animals immunized with TAB13/TAB13 or TAB13/rVV than in animals immunized with TAB13/rMVA. These findings demonstrate that during priming or in a prime/booster immunizations, rMVA is superior to rVV in the ability to enhance specific cellular responses to an HIV-1 protein, and that both humoral and cellular immune responses to theV3 loop epitope of HIV-1 Env can be obtained by priming with TAB13 followed by a booster with viral vectors.

AIDS Vaccines↗

Circulating antibody secreting cell response to parenteral pneumococcal vaccines as an indicator of a salivary IgA antibody response.

This study assessed the mucosal immune response in healthy adult volunteers immunized parenterally with either pneumococcal polysaccharide (N = 8) or pneumococcal polysaccharide-protein conjugate (N = 10) vaccine with an aim to evaluate the relevance of antibody secreting cell (ASC) response after parenteral vaccination. An ASC response to the four types of capsular polysaccharide tested was observed in all vaccinees 7-9 days after immunization. IgA was the predominant class in the ASC response, and IgG the next common, with very few IgM ASCs. The IgA/IgG ratio in the ASC response was higher after immunization with the polysaccharide than the conjugate vaccine. Antibodies of the IgA class were frequently seen in the saliva already before immunization; especially to serotypes 14 and 19F. A twofold increase of the type specific secretory IgA antibodies in saliva was found in eight of the 16 instances in which the specific IgA ASC response was > 100 ASC per 10(6) cells and in only one of the 52 instances with fewer ASCs. We conclude that the ASC response in the peripheral blood is a useful parameter of the antibody response to pneumococcal vaccines and a good indicator of a secretory IgA response in the saliva.

Adult↗

Altered cutaneous microvascular responses to reactive hyperaemia in coronary artery disease: a comparative study with conduit vessel responses.

Cutaneous microvascular responses to physiological stimuli are currently being investigated as indices of vascular function and to monitor responses to therapy. We attempted to systematically assess various microvascular cutaneous flow indices in response to reactive hyperaemia in control subjects and in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), and to correlate these with brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Groups of 24 healthy controls and 24 subjects with CAD underwent sequential brachial FMD determination in the dominant arm, and laser Doppler imaging to assess skin blood flow in the contralateral arm in response to reactive hyperaemia induced by cuff inflation and release. Laser Doppler values were expressed as: (a) AUC(5 min) (area under the curve over 5 min of release), (b) time to peak response, (c) % reactive hyperaemia, and (d) peak perfusion ratio. As expected, FMD was attenuated in CAD patients compared with controls (1.85+/-4.29% compared with 4.30+/-4.00%; P=0.05). Percentage reactive hyperaemia (CAD, 294+/-290%; controls, 501+/-344%; P=0.04) and the time to peak response as measured by laser Doppler imaging (CAD, 16.84+/-9.61 s; controls, 9.13+/-4.43 s; P=0.001) were significantly different between the CAD and control groups, while AUC(5 min) and the peak perfusion ratio did not show significant differences. Receiver operator curves for sensitivity/specificity analysis suggested that the time to peak response derived by laser Doppler imaging was superior to FMD for the diagnosis of CAD, with an overall specificity of 91.3% (positive predictive value of 89.4%) and a sensitivity of 73.7% (negative predictive value of 77.6%). In conclusion, laser Doppler-derived indices of microvascular flow do not correlate with conduit vessel responses. However, a time to peak response of >10 s as measured by laser Doppler imaging offers superior specificity for the diagnosis of CAD compared with brachial FMD.

Adult↗

The relative involvement of Th1 and Th2 associated immune responses in the expulsion of a primary infection of Heligmosomoides polygyrus in mice of differing response phenotype.

T helper cell (Th1 and Th2) associated responses were examined following a primary infection with the gastrointestinal nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus in five inbred strains of mice with different resistance phenotypes. Levels of (i) mast cell protease, (ii) specific IgE, (iii) nitric oxide and (iv) specific IgG2a, as markers of Th2 and Th1 associated responses, respectively, were determined in sera and intestinal fluids and correlated with worm burdens. The "fast" responder (resistant) strains SWR and SJL produced strong Th2 and Th1 associated responses respectively in a mutually exclusive fashion. The F1 hybrid (SWRxSJL) F1, showed rapid expulsion of the parasite and expressed both intense Th1 and Th2 responses, suggesting synergism between Th1 and Th2 activity in these mice. The results indicate that both Th2 and Th1 responses operate in mice following a primary infection with H. polygyrus and that each Th response may be involved to a greater or lesser degree within certain strains. Resistance to H. polygyrus was found to correlate only to the intensity of either the gut-associated mastocytosis or nitric oxide production in these strains but not to either specific IgE or IgG2a titres. Chronic infections in the "slow" response phenotype mouse strains CBA and C57BL/10, were associated with both poor Th2 and poor Th1-associated responses attributed to a general parasite-mediated immunosuppression of the host immune response to infection.

Animals↗

Representing response position relative to display location: influence on orthogonal stimulus-response compatibility.

Two types of stimulus-response compatibility (SRC) effect occur with orthogonal stimulus and response sets, an overall up-right/down-left advantage and mapping preferences that vary with response position. Researchers agree that the former type is due to asymmetric coding of the stimulus and response alternatives, but disagree as to whether the latter type requires a different explanation in terms of the properties of the motor system. This issue is examined in three experiments. The location of the stimulus set influenced orthogonal SRC when it varied along the same dimension as the responses (Experiments 1 and 2), with the pattern predicted by the hypothesis that the stimulus set provides a referent relative to which response position is coded. The effect of stimulus-set location on orthogonal SRC was independent of the stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) for a marker that indicated stimulus-set side and the imperative stimulus. In contrast, a spatial correspondence effect for the irrelevant stimulus-set location and response was a decreasing function of SOA. Experiment 3 showed that the orthogonal SRC effect was determined by response position relative to the stimulus-set location and not the body midline. The results support the view that both types of orthogonal SRC effects are due to asymmetric coding of the stimuli and responses.

Humans↗

Immune responses in vitro. IV. Suppression of primary M, G, and A plaque-forming cell responses in mouse spleen cell cultures by class-specific antibody to mouse immunoglobulins.

The suppressive effects of monospecific goat anti-mouse globulins on primary immunoglobulin class-specific plaque-forming cell responses in mouse spleen cell cultures were investigated. Anti-micro suppressed responses in all immunoglobulin classes, whereas anti-gamma(1) and anti-gamma(2) suppressed the gamma(1) and gamma(2) responses but not gammaM or gammaA responses, and anti-gammaA suppressed only gammaA responses. The mechanism of action of the anti-micro was studied in detail because of its suppression of responses in all immunoglobulin classes. The anti-micro was specific for micro-chain determinants; its activity was dose dependent, but was not mediated by killing cells with surface micro-chain determinants. Free gammaM but not gammaG myeloma proteins in solution effectively competed with micro-bearing cells for the anti-micro. An excess of anti-micro was necessary in the cultures for 48 hr to insure complete suppression of 5-day responses. However, after removal of excess anti-micro at 48 hr, responses could be stimulated by newly added antigen in cultures where incubation was prolonged to 7 days. Anti-micro was most effective when added at the initiation of cultures and had no suppressive effect when added at 48 hr. Excess antigen did not effectively compete with anti-micro for antigen receptors. Precursors of antibody-forming cells were shown to be the cell population where the suppressive activity of anti-micro was mediated. The experiments suggest that anti-micro combines with micro-chain determinants in antigen-specific receptors on the surfaces of antibody-forming cell precursors, prevents effective stimulation by antigen and subsequent antibody production. To explain suppression of responses in all Ig classes by anti-micro, several models were proposed. It is not possible to determine from the data whether stimulation of precursor cells with gammaG or gammaA receptors requires concommitant stimulation of separate cells with only gammaM receptors, or whether cells bearing gammaM receptors are precommitted to or differentiate into cells capable of synthesis of other Ig classes, or whether receptors of gammaM and another Ig class are present on some virgin precursors or the second Ig receptor appears after antigenic stimulation.

Animals↗

Hapten-specific T cell responses to 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl acetyl. VI. Evidence for different T cell receptors in cells that mediate H-21-restricted and H-2D-restricted cutaneous sensitivity responses.

We have previously shown that cross-reactive sensitivity (CS) responses induced by 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl acetyl-O-succinimide (NP-O-Su) and elicited by its 5-iodo analogue, 4-hydroxy-5-iodo-3-nitrophenyl acetyl-O-succinimide were observed in strains of mice possessing the Igh-1b allotype, but not in strains bearing allotypes Igh-1c or Igh-1j. These CS responses are mediated by T cells and can be transferred to naive recipients that are homologous at either the H-2K, H-2I, or H-2D regions of the major histocompatibility complex. We now extend our analysis of cross-reactive 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl-acetyl (NP)-induced CS responses to inbred strains of mice expressing additional Igh-1 allotypes. In contrast to NP-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity responses, which only display 4-hydroxy-5-iodo-3-nitrophenyl acetyl (NIP) cross-reactivity in Igh-1b-bearing mice, cross-reactive CS responses can also be elicited in NP-primed mice carrying the Igh-1d, Igh-1e, or Igh-1f allotypes. Moreover, cross-reactive NP-induced CS responses could be transferred by NP-O-Su-primed lymph node cells from the AKR (Igh-1d) strain, into naive recipients homologous at the H-2D region, but only non-cross-reactive NP responses could be transferred into strains homologous at the H-2I region. Furthermore, the lack of cross-reactivity in the Igh-1j-bearing C3H strain was not the result of an inability of these mice to recognize NP in association with H-2K/D products, because NP-O-Su-primed cells from C3H donors transferred NP-specific CS responses into both H-2D and H02I homologous recipients. The results are discussed with respect to the nature of the T cell receptors that control NP responses.

Animals↗

Specific cerebral networks for maintenance and response organization within working memory as evidenced by the 'double delay/double response' paradigm.

Most of the working memory (WM) tasks used in functional imaging studies are based on the principle of the delayed response in which both the storage and the response organization are present during the delay period. It is therefore difficult to isolate activation specific to the storage function from that specific to the organization of the response. To determine the specific neural networks associated with these two WM operations, we performed a functional MRI study in healthy subjects using a new paradigm, 'the double delay/double response' tasks. This paradigm isolates maintenance from response organization by dividing the delay into two separate parts, the first being dedicated to memory, while the second includes response organization. Activation within the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) followed a relative hemispheric dissociation: activation related to maintenance was predominant in the right DLPFC but was only detected when the load exceeded three items. Activation related to response organization was predominant in the left DLPFC, regardless of whether this response was based on information held in WM ('memory guided') or was independent of WM ('visually-guided'). These results suggest that activation of the DLPFC, should be interpreted in terms of executive processing for both maintenance and response organization.

Adult↗

Host immune responses after administration of inactivated Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus vaccines. II. Kinetics of neutralizing antibody responses in donors and adoptively immunized recipients.

Lymphoid cell responses to immunization with various formalin-inactivated Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) virus vaccines were monitored in mice by assessment of the development of both the neutralizing antibody response in sera of spleen cell donors and the adoptive neutralizing antibody response induced by spleen cell transfer in recipients. Donors immunized intraperitoneally with formalin-inactivated VEE vaccine (a single dose or a dose on three consecutive days) developed early serum neutralizing antibody responses (larger than or equal to 1:88-1:100) by seven days after immunization. Recipients of spleen cells from such mice were, however, incapable of eliciting a neutralizing antibody response (less than or equal to 1:10). Only spleen cells from donors immunized with inactivated VEE vaccine plus adjuvants (particularly complete Freund's adjuvant and Bordetella pertussis) were consistently capable of producing early, high-titer serum neutralizing antibody responses in adoptively immunized recipients (larger than or equal to 1:50-1:120 on day 4). The magnitude of neutralizing antibody responses of donors to inactivated VEE vaccines did not serve as a useful indicator of whether spleen cells from such mice could adoptively induce antibody responses in recipients. Finally, treatment of immune spleen cells with rabbit antiserum to mouse thymocytes, but not with rabbit antiserum to mouse gamma-globulin or normal rabbit serum, abolished the capacity of such cells to transfer an antibody response adoptively.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Genetic and phenotypic correlations between feather pecking behavior, stress response, immune response, and egg quality traits in laying hens.

The objective of the current study was to estimate genetic and phenotypic correlations among feather pecking (FP) behavior and stress response, immune response, and egg quality parameters. These traits have been measured in an F2 cross, coming from a cross between a high and a low FP line of laying hens. Heritabilities (h2) of stress response (32 wk), primary immune response to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) (36 wk) and Mycobacterium butyricum (39 wk), and egg quality parameters (35, 44, and 50 wk of age) were calculated. The h2 was 0.05 +/- 0.05 (SE) for stress response, 0.15 +/- 0.07 for antibody response to KLH, and 0.08 +/- 0.06 for antibody response to M. butyricum. The h2 for egg quality traits were in the range of 0.12 to 0.30. Significant phenotypic correlations were found between gentle FP in adult hens and stress response, egg weight at 44 and 50 wk, and egg deformation at 50 wk. Significant additive genetic correlations were found between severe FP in adult hens and antibody response to KLH (0.79 +/- 0.35), and between ground pecking in adult hens and egg deformation at 50 wk (0.63 +/- 0.26), and between ground pecking and eggshell strength at 35, 44, and 50 wk of age (-0.86 +/- 0.29, -0.81 +/- 0.20, -0.76 +/- 0.24, respectively).

Aging↗

Relapse after response to interleukin-2-based immunotherapy: patterns of progression and response to retreatment.

The initial site of disease relapse was identified for 79 patients with metastatic renal cell cancer (RCC), melanoma, colon cancer, or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), who had achieved partial or complete responses to one of five IL-2-based immunotherapy regimens. The initial site of relapse was evenly distributed between pre-existing sites of disease (33%), new sites of disease (38%), or both (29%). There was no difference in the distribution of recurrences between patients with partial or complete responses. Fifty-one patients with prior complete or partial responses were retreated with additional IL-2-based therapy following tumor progression. Five of 51 patients retreated following relapse developed new partial responses. There were no complete responses. Three patients with NHL were retreated with IL-2 and LAK cells and all achieved a second response, while only 2 of 48 patients with other histologic diagnoses reresponded. It is concluded that after a partial or complete response to IL-2-based immunotherapy, patients who relapse do so equally at new and pre-existing sites of disease. A response to retreatment following tumor progression may be attained in patients with NHL, while a new response is unlikely for patients with melanoma and RCC.

Humans↗

Humoral and CD4(+) T helper (Th) cell responses to the hepatitis C virus non-structural 3 (NS3) protein: NS3 primes Th1-like responses more effectively as a DNA-based immunogen than as a recombinant protein.

The non-structural 3 (NS3) protein is one of the most conserved proteins of hepatitis C virus, and T helper 1 (Th1)-like responses to NS3 in humans correlate with clearance of infection. Several studies have proposed that DNA-based immunizations are highly immunogenic and prime Th1-like responses, although few head-to-head comparisons with exogenous protein immunizations have been described. A full-length NS3/NS4A gene was cloned in eukaryotic vectors with expression directed to different subcellular compartments. Inbred mice were immunized twice in regenerating tibialis anterior (TA) muscles with either plasmid DNA or recombinant NS3 (rNS3). After two 100 micrograms DNA immunizations, specific antibody titres of up to 12960 were detected at week 5, dominated by IgG2a and IgG2b. NS3-specific CD4(+) T cell responses in DNA-immunized mice peaked at day 13, as measured by proliferation and IL-2 and IFN-gamma production. Mice immunized with 1-10 micrograms rNS3 without adjuvant developed antibody titres comparable to those of the DNA-immunized mice, but dominated instead by IgG1. CD4(+) T cell responses in these mice showed peaks of IL-2 response at day 3 and IL-6 and IFN-gamma responses at day 6. With adjuvant, rNS3 was around 10-fold more immunogenic with respect to speed and magnitude of the immune responses. Thus, immunization with rNS3 in adjuvant is superior to DNA immunization with respect to kinetics and quantity in priming specific antibodies and CD4(+) T cells. However, as a DNA immunogen, NS3 elicits stronger Th1-like immune responses, whereas rNS3 primes a mixed Th1/Th2-like response regardless of the route, dose or adjuvant.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Prenatal exposure to bisphenol A up-regulates immune responses, including T helper 1 and T helper 2 responses, in mice.

The effect of prenatal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) on the immune system in mice was investigated. Virgin female mice were fed varying doses of BPA, on a daily basis, over a period of 18 days commencing on the day of pairing with stud males (day 0). On day 77, their male offspring of 8 weeks were immunized with hen egg lysozyme (HEL). Three weeks later, anti-HEL immunoglobulin G (IgG) in sera, and proliferative responses of spleen cells to the antigen, were measured. Anti-HEL IgG2a and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), secreted from splenic lymphocytes, were measured as indicators of T helper 1 (Th1) immune responses, while anti-HEL IgG1 and interleukin-4 (IL-4) were measured as indicators of Th2 responses. The results showed that fetal exposure to BPA was followed by significant increases in anti-HEL IgG as well as antigen-specific cell proliferation. Both Th1 responses (including anti-HEL IgG2a and IFN-gamma production) and Th2 responses (including anti-HEL IgG1 and IL-4 production) were augmented by prenatal exposure to BPA, although the augmentation of Th1 responses appeared to be greater than that of Th2 responses. Two-colour flow cytometric analysis showed that mice exposed prenatally to BPA had 29% and 100% more splenic CD3(+) CD4(+) and CD3(+) CD8(+) cells, respectively, than control animals. Similar results were obtained from females whose mothers had consumed BPA during pregnancy. These results suggest that prenatal exposure to BPA may result in the up-regulation of immune responses, especially Th1 responses, in adulthood.

Animals↗

Is elevated blood pressure level associated with higher cardiovascular responsiveness in laboratory tasks and with response specificity?

Cardiovascular responsiveness and response specificity were investigated in male students, 48 with moderately elevated blood pressure (systolic blood pressure [SBP] > 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure [DBP] > 90 mmHg), 31 with mildly elevated blood pressure, and 57 with normal blood pressure. The behavioral tests and physically demanding tasks in the laboratory included mental arithmetic, free speech condition, cold pressor test, upright tilt, and ergometer exercise. Subjects with elevated blood pressure differed in baseline, task, and recovery levels of SBP, DBP, and heart rate. There were no significant effects in task-baseline differences or in residualized change scores. However, a positive initial-value dependency (LIV) in blood pressure responses was found: elevated blood pressure is associated with a larger increase under task conditions. Response scaling that employed reliability estimates and true difference scores indicated higher responsiveness in subjects with moderately elevated blood pressure and, thus, are in accordance with the positive LIV as compared with response measures based on task-baseline differences or residualized change scores. Findings from the specificity analysis indicated a higher incidence of SBP responders, that is, subjects with maximum response in SBP, among subjects with elevated blood pressure. Some of the inconsistencies in the literature with respect to blood pressure responsiveness and heart rate level in individuals with borderline hypertension may be attributed to the specific method of response scaling and to insufficient habituation to the setting and measurement.

Adult↗

The contractile response to and the release of noradrenaline by transmural nerve stimulation in the guinea-pig vas deferens and a comparison with the response to noradrenaline.

The release of noradrenaline from the guinea-pig vas deferens by transmural stimulation was measured electrochemically after separation by h.p.l.c. Variations in release with different durations of stimulation were then compared with the mechanical response during stimulation. During long periods of 270 s of stimulation at 10 Hz the average release of noradrenaline in the final 250 s remained at about 50% of that released during the first 20 s yet the mechanical response throughout the later time declined to near zero. Superfusion with constant concentrations of noradrenaline produced mechanical responses similar to those from transmural nerve stimulation, an initial rapid contraction declining to a low level of maintained activity. During the later period, when the response to infused noradrenaline was low, the twitch response to transmural stimulation was potentiated. Phentolamine 10(-6)M reduced the potentiation of the twitch response to transmural stimulation by noradrenaline and propranolol 10(-6)M enhanced the potentiation. These results suggest that the decline in the adrenergic component of the response to prolonged transmural nerve stimulation is not the result of a decline in noradrenaline release but mainly due to desensitization to the contractile effect of noradrenaline. Since the similar desensitization produced by infused noradrenaline does not reduce the twitch response to transmural nerve stimulation it is unlikely that the transmitter responsible for that component is noradrenaline.

Animals↗