The influence of reserpine upon the changes in femoral blood flow produced by stimulation of the lumbar sympathetic chain.
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Autonomic Pathways↗
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Smoking and Raven IQ.
Nicotine has recently been shown to enhance measures of information processing speed including the decision time (DT) component of simple and choice reaction time and the string length measure of evoked potential waveform complexity. Both (DT and string length) have been previously demonstrated to correlate with performance on standard intelligence tests (IQ). We therefore hypothesised that nicotine is acting to improve intellectual performance on the elementary information processing correlates of IQ. In the current experiment we tested this hypothesis using the Raven Advanced Progressive Matrices (APM) test. APM scores were significantly higher in the smoking session compared to the non-smoking session, suggesting that nicotine acts to enhance physiological processes underlying performance on intellectual tasks.
Adolescent↗
The selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, WAY100289, enhances spatial memory in rats with ibotenate lesions of the forebrain cholinergic projection system.
The effects of three doses (0.003, 0.03 and 1.0 mg/kg sc) of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, WAY 100289, on spatial learning and memory in the water maze were examined in rats before and after ibotenate lesions to the nucleus basalis and medial septal brain regions at the source of cholinergic projections to cortex and hippocampus. The representative cholinergic nicotinic and muscarinic receptor agonists nicotine (0.1 mg/kg) and arecoline (1.0 mg/kg) were also tested for comparison. Both arecoline and nicotine improved initial acquisition in rats before lesioning, in terms of latency to find a hidden platform and accuracy of search strategy. WAY100289 did not affect the performance of normal rats significantly, apart from some non-significant trends towards improvement with the highest dose. However, in animals showing transient navigational deficits in retention and relearning after lesioning, WAY100289 improved performance at all three doses, though ameliorative effects of nicotine and arecoline were more marked also in lesioned rats. These results show that WAY100289 improved spatial learning in animals impaired after lesions to cholinergic projection nuclei, which may reflect an interaction with cholinergic transmission to enhance cognitive function. However, in the present study, WAY100289 appeared to be less effective than direct cholinergic agonists.
Animals↗
Target cells of serotoninergic innervation in the locus coeruleus.
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5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine↗
Corpus cavernosum electromyography (CC-EMG): a new technique in the diagnostic work-up of impotence.
We have studied cavernous electrical activity in 42 subjects, healthy volunteer controls and groups of impotent patients using a nonspecific electromyographic device (PICO-MENFIS) and a specific one, the SPACE-recorder 7500 designed to achieve electric recordings from the corpora cavernosa. In all of the patients, we detected under basal conditions a mean amplitude of 583 +/- 323 microV, a mean duration of 4.9 +/- 7 s, a mean polyphasicity of 3.5 +/- 1.4. It should be emphasized that a significant reduction of potential amplitudes was recorded after pharmacological stimulation in both the controls and the impotent patients. The healthy controls showed amplitudes significantly higher than the impotent patients after radical cystectomy (715 +/- 141 microV versus 381 +/- 227 microV, p < 0.01). The patients after a "nerve-sparing" radical cystectomy with a mean amplitude similar to the controls (500-700 microV) reacted well to the intracavernous drugs in a high percentage of cases. In our experience, CC-EMG seems to be a reliable method which can pinpoint directly lesions to the cavernous smooth muscle and penile autonomic nerves. It has also been able to assess the effects of stress, anxiety and pain on the erectile mechanisms.
Adolescent↗
Galanin-like immunoreactivity in extrinsic and intrinsic nerves to the gut of the Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, and the effect of galanin on the smooth muscle of the gut.
The presence of galanin-like immunoreactivity in nerves to the stomach of the Atlantic cod has been investigated by immunohistochemistry. The distribution of ganglion cells showing galanin-like immunoreactivity was compared with the total distribution in nerves and ganglia. Projection studies were made to determine the origin of the galanin neurons. The effect of galanin was studied in smooth muscle strip preparations of the gut wall and arteries. Galanin-like immunoreactive ganglion cells frequently occurred along the vagal branches to the stomach. Most of them projected cranially. Immunoreactive nerve fibers were present in all layers of the gut and around arterial branches on the surface of the stomach. Ligations of the vagus and splanchnic nerves produced accumulations of immunoreactive material on both sides of the ligature. Galanin produced weak contractile effects unaffected by tetrodotoxin on the gut wall and on gut arteries. It is concluded that a population of the ganglion cells along the vagus nerve in the Atlantic cod contains a galanin-like peptide. Some of these cells may be parts of autonomic parasympathetic pathways innervating the gut of the Atlantic cod, having direct excitatory effects on the smooth muscles of the gut wall and gut arteries.
Animals↗
Unilateral mydriasis after induction of anaesthesia.
Unilateral mydriasis is a disturbing finding during anaesthesia and may indicate serious neurological injury. In addition, the assessment of abnormal neurological findings is limited during general anaesthesia, and therefore requires special consideration. I report finding a dilated right pupil (7 mm, nonreactive to light) after bronchoscopic tracheal intubation and induction of general anaesthesia in a frail, 74-yr-old woman with cervical subluxations and spinal cord impingement. The possible aetiology of the unilateral mydriasis includes the effects of anaesthetic agents, stellate ganglion block, impaired venous return from the head and neck, acute intracranial mass lesion or an haemorrhagic event, direct eye trauma, pre-existing medical or surgical conditions, and inadvertent direct deposition of alpha-adrenergic or anticholinergic agents in the eye. Consideration of these factors, the autonomic innervation of the eye, and an intraoperative "wake-up" test allowed satisfactory neurological assessment in this patient and surgery to proceed. Unilateral mydriasis, while unusual, may be seen during general anaesthesia and requires thorough knowledge of autonomic nerve pathways and pharmacology of the eye for correct diagnosis. In this case, mydriasis was considered to result from phenylephrine/lidocaine spray which was used to provide topical anaesthesia to the airway.
Aged↗
Regulation of feeding behavior, gastric emptying, and sympathetic nerve activity to interscapular brown adipose tissue by galanin and enterostatin: the involvement of vagal-central nervous system interactions.
Galanin and enterostatin, which are distributed in both the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract, regulate the feeding behavior. In the first set of experiments, we investigated the effects of galanin and enterostatin, injected into the third ventricle, on food intake, gastric emptying, and the sympathetic activity of nerves innervating interscapular brown adipose tissue in rats. Galanin dose-dependently increased the intake of a high-fat diet after overnight starvation, but it did not affect low-fat diet intake. In contrast, enterostatin suppressed the intake of the high-fat diet, while intake of the low-fat diet was not affected. Galanin significantly and dose-dependently suppressed gastric emptying rate. However, gastric emptying showed no response to enterostatin. Galanin produced a dose-dependent suppression of sympathetic firing rate. In rats fed a high-fat diet, the injection of enterostatin showed a dose-dependent increase in firing rate. In contrast, animals fed a chow diet showed almost no response. In the second set of experiments, we investigated the role of the hepatic vagus nerve in modulating the peripheral response to enterostatin in rats. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) enterostatin reduced the intake of a high-fat diet. Immunohistochemical identification indicated that the Fos protein was present in the nucleus tractus solitarius, and parabrachial, paraventricular, and supraoptic nuclei after IP enterostatin. These responses to i.p. enterostatin were blocked by hepatic vagotomy. These results suggest that galanin and enterostatin coordinate to regulate feeding behavior, gastric emptying, and sympathetic activity to interscapular brown adipose tissue via central and peripheral sites of action, one of which was the interaction which was found to exist through the vagal system.
Adipose Tissue, Brown↗
Connections of the caudal ventrolateral medullary reticular formation in the cat brainstem.
A region of the caudal ventrolateral medullary reticular formation (CVLM) participates in baroreceptor, vestibulosympathetic, and somatosympathetic reflexes; the adjacent retroambigual area is involved in generating respiratory-related activity and is essential for control of the upper airway during vocalization. However, little is known about the connections of the CVLM in the cat. In order to determine the locations of terminations of CVLM neurons, the anterograde tracers Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin and tetramethylrhodamine dextran amine were injected into this region. These injections produced a dense concentration of labeled axons throughout the lateral medullary reticular formation (lateral tegmental field), including the retrofacial nucleus and nucleus ambiguus, regions of the rostral ventrolateral medulla, the lateral and ventrolateral aspects of the hypoglossal nucleus, nucleus intercalatus, and the facial nucleus. A smaller number of labeled axons were located in the medial, lateral, and commissural subnuclei of nucleus tractus solitarius, the A5 region of the pontine reticular formation, the ventral and medial portions of the spinal and motor trigeminal nuclei, locus coeruleus, and the parabrachial nucleus. We confirmed the projection from the CVLM to both the rostral ventrolateral medulla and lateral tegmental field using retrograde tracing. Injections of biotinylated dextran amine or Fluorogold into these regions resulted in retrogradely labeled cell bodies in the CVLM. However, the neurons projecting to the lateral tegmental field were located mainly dorsal to those projecting to the rostral ventrolateral medulla, suggesting that these neurons form two groups, possibly with different inputs. Injections of retrograde tracers into the lateral tegmental field and rostral ventrolateral medulla also produced labeled cell bodies in other regions, including the medial and inferior vestibular nuclei and nucleus solitarius. These data are consistent with the view that the CVLM of the cat is a multifunctional area that regulates blood pressure, produces vocalization, affects the shape of the oral cavity, and elicits contraction of particular facial muscles.
Animals↗
Role of non-adrenergic non-cholinergic inhibitory nerves in the colon of patients with ulcerative colitis.
The cause of impaired colonic motility in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) is unknown. The non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) inhibitory nervous system is one of the most important factors in the enteric nervous system of human gut. To assess the physiological significance of NANC inhibitory nerves in the colon of patients with UC, we investigated the enteric nerve responses of colonic tissues from patients with this disease. Colonic tissues were obtained from the lesional sigmoid colons of six patients with UC. Normal sigmoid colonic tissues obtained from ten patients with colonic cancer were used as controls. A mechanographic technique was used to evaluate in-vitro muscle responses to the electrical field stimulation (EFS) of adrenergic and cholinergic nerves before and after treatment with various autonomic nerve blockers. NANC inhibitory nerves were found to act on both normal colon and the lesional colon of patients with UC, but colon with UC was more strongly innervated by NANC inhibitory nerves than was the normal colon. These findings suggest that NANC inhibitory nerves play an important role in the impaired motility observed in the colon of patients with UC.
Adult↗
[Autonomic innervation of the female pelvis. Anatomic basis].
The pelvic plexus with its sympathetic (hypogastric nerves, sacral sympathetic trunk) and parasympathetic (pelvic splanchnic nerves) sources provides and distributes the autonomic nervous supply for the pelvic organs. This homogeneous autonomic nerve plate is located within and deeply to the peritoneal fold (recto-uterine in the female pelvis) lying medially to the internal iliac vessels. Autonomic nerve fibres emerge from the pelvic plexus and travel to the anterolateral aspect of the rectum and the inferolateral and posterolateral aspects of the bladder and female genital tract. In addition, pelvic organs are innervated by nerves accompanying the vessels and the ureter which penetrate the pelvic plexus. Knowledge of the topography of the pelvic plexus indicates the most common sites for iatrogenic lesions and should help us in avoiding postoperative autonomic dysfunction.
Autonomic Pathways↗
Evaluation of the female with neurogenic voiding dysfunction.
Neurological disease can have a profound effect on the lower and upper urinary tracts. Symptoms, such as incontinence and inability to void, as well as sequelae of hydronephrosis and renal insufficiency, are not uncommon. It is imperative that neurogenic voiding dysfunction by aggressively treated to avoid these problems. Care of the patient with neurogenic voiding dysfunction starts with an understanding of the neurophysiology of micturition and how this can be affected by various neurological diseases. The clinician must also be able to classify voiding dysfunction through history and physical examination and urodynamic testing so that proper treatment can be instituted.
Autonomic Pathways↗
Glutamatergic systems in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, effects on cardiovascular system.
The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) is a part of the limbic system. Two studies have shown that microinjection of L: -glutamate in the BST elicited cardiovascular depressive and bradycardic responses, but in one study, both pressor and depressor responses were observed in the chemical stimulation of BST by glutamate in the urethane-anesthetized rats. Also, the roles of glutamate receptor subtypes have not been investigated yet. The aim of this study was to find the effects of glutamate and its receptors on the blood pressure and heart rate in the BST of urethane-anesthetized rats. The drugs (50 nl) were microinjected into the BST of anaesthetized rats. The blood pressure and heart rate were recorded throughout each experiment. The average changes in the mean arterial pressure and heart rate at different intervals were compared both within each case group and between the case and the control groups, using repeated measures ANOVA. Microinjection of L: -glutamate (0.25 M) into the BST resulted in the decrease of the mean arterial pressure (-18.85 +/- 3.84 mmHg) and heart rate (-18 +/- 4 beats/min). Injection of AP5, antagonist of glutamate NMDA receptor (2.5 , 5 mM) and CNQX, antagonist of glutamate AMPA receptor (0.5, 1 mM) had no significant effect on the mean arterial pressure and heart rate. Either Ap5 or CNQX, when co-injected with glutamate, abolished the depressor and bradycardic effects of glutamate, suggesting that simultaneous activation of both glutamate receptors is necessary for the effect of glutamate system to emerge.
Animals↗
Impact of autonomic nerve preservation and lateral node dissection on male urogenital function after total mesorectal excision for lower rectal cancer.
INTRODUCTION: Urogenital dysfunction is a well recognized complication of rectal cancer surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of autonomic nerve preservation (ANP) and lateral node dissection (LND) on male urogenital function after total mesorectal excision for lower rectal cancer. METHODS: We studied, using a questionnaire, preoperative and current urogenital function in 47 male patients who underwent total mesorectal excision with the ANP technique for lower rectal cancer. Patients with and without LND were analyzed separately. RESULTS: A total of 37 patients (78.7%) (22 patients without LND, 15 with LND) returned the questionnaire. Among the 15 patients with LND, 2 underwent unilateral ANP. One patient without LND had urinary dysfunction preoperatively, and among the other 21 patients only 2 (9.5%) reported minor urinary complications postoperatively. After LND, 5 patients (33%) reported minor complications; there were no severe complications. Among patients who were sexually active prior to the operation, 90% and 70% of patients without LND and 50% and 10% of those with LND maintained sexual activity and ejaculation, respectively. However, 50% of patients who underwent low anterior resection or Hartmann resection without LND and all patients with abdominoperineal resection or LND reported reduced overall sexual satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The ANP technique offers the great advantage of maintaining urogenital function after rectal cancer surgery. After LND, although the ANP technique minimized urinary dysfunction, sexual function, particularly ejaculation, was often damaged. Careful follow-up is important even after ANP to improve postoperative sexual satisfaction.
Adenocarcinoma↗
Classical and nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy: an evaluation of the risk of injury to the autonomous pelvic nerves.
Radical hysterectomy represents the treatment of choice for FIGO stage IA2-IIA cervical cancer. It is associated with several serious complications such as urinary and anorectal dysfunction due to surgical trauma to the autonomous nervous system. In order to determine those surgical steps involving the risk of nerve injury during both classical and nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy, we investigated the relationships between pelvic fascial, vascular and nervous structures in a large series of embalmed and fresh female cadavers. We showed that the extent of potential denervation after classical radical hysterectomy is directly correlated with the radicality of the operation. The surgical steps that carry a high risk of nerve injury are the resection of the uterosacral and vesicouterine ligaments and of the paracervix. A nerve-sparing approach to radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer is feasible if specific resection limits, such as the deep uterine vein, are carefully identified and respected. However, a nerve-sparing surgical effort should be balanced with the oncological priorities of removal of disease and all its potential routes of local spread.
Aged↗
Histological study on the distribution of autonomic nerves in the human heart.
To investigate the distribution of autonomic nerves in the human heart, six autopsied hearts without cardiovascular disease were studied by a histochemical method for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and by an immunohistochemical method for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). The density of nerve distribution was microscopically calculated by the point-counting method to evaluate regional distribution of the autonomic nerves. There were more AChE-positive nerves and TH-positive nerves in the atrium than in the ventricle, and more at the base than at the apex in the ventricle. There were more AChE-positive nerves in the subendocardial area than in the subepicardial area of the myocardium. In the atrium, AChE-positive nerves were more numerous than TH-positive nerves. On the other hand, there were more TH-positive nerves than AChE-positive nerves in the ventricle. Predominancy of the distribution density at the anterior to the posterior wall of the ventricle was observed for TH-positive nerves. The different distribution patterns of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves could modify cardiac performance under both physiologic and pathologic conditions.
Acetylcholinesterase↗
Technique for laparoscopic autonomic nerve preserving total mesorectal excision.
With the introduction of total mesorectal excision (TME) for treatment of rectal cancer, the prognosis of patients with rectal cancer is improved. With this better prognosis, there is a growing awareness about the quality of life of patients after rectal carcinoma. Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (LTME) for rectal cancer offers several advantages in comparison with open total mesorectal excision (OTME), including greater patient comfort and an earlier return to daily activities while preserving the oncologic radicality of the procedure. Moreover, laparoscopy allows good exposure of the pelvic cavity because of magnification and good illumination. The laparoscope seems to facilitate pelvic dissection including identification and preservation of critical structures such as the autonomic nervous system. The technique for laparoscopic autonomic nerve preserving total mesorectal excision is reported. A three- or four-port technique is used. Vascular ligation, sharp mesorectal dissection and identification and preservation of the autonomic pelvic nerves are described.
Autonomic Pathways↗
Intraoperative electrostimulation objectifies the assessment of functional nerve preservation after mesorectal excision.
BACKGROUND: To improve nerve-sparing surgery, intraoperative electrical stimulation of pelvic autonomic nerves (INS) has been proposed in urology, gynecology, and visceral surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of INS while monitoring intravesical pressure on the accurate evaluation of pelvic autonomic nerve preservation (PANP) after mesorectal excision. It was sought to determine whether this confirmation is useful in the prediction of postoperative urinary function. METHODS: Sixty-two patients with mesorectal exzision for rectal cancer were examined prospectively. PANP was assessed visually by the surgeon and with INS. Bladder function was evaluated by post voiding residual volume measurement, rate of recatheterization, rate of long-term urinary catheterisation, and the international prostatic symptom score with quality of life index. RESULTS: INS confirmed bilateral preservation of parasympathetic nerves in 46 patients (74%), and in 10 patients (16%) in at least one side. In six patients (10%), INS failed to confirm PANP. Eleven patients (18%) developed urinary symptoms postoperatively. INS results had a higher sensitivity than visual assessment by the surgeon (82 vs 46%). Values for specificity ranged at 90 and 92%, respectively. Accuracy of INS in predicting PANP was higher (88 vs 83%). The correlation between urinary function and the findings on INS was good (kappa-value: 0.65), correlation between urinary function and visual assessment by the surgeon was fair (kappa-value: 0.40). CONCLUSION: INS, while monitoring intravesical pressure, accurately predicts bladder function after mesorectal excision. It may provide further insight into pelvic autonomic nerve sparing techniques.
Adult↗