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Splanchnic and peripheral uptake of amino acids in relation to the gut.

There are many complexities and theoretical aspects to consider for studies of amino acid absorption and metabolism by the gut, liver, and peripheral tissues. The experimental approach must vary depending on the amino acid. Whether to sample whole blood or plasma has to be considered carefully. Also, a specific blood vessel has to be chosen for taking samples. A jugular vein can be the poorest sampling site for many studies. The amounts of individual amino acids appearing in portal blood are different from amounts disappearing from the gut lumen. Some are absorbed in amounts equal to that disappearing but most are absorbed in lesser quantities because of intestinal metabolism. Further, the liver removes absorbed amino acids and synthesizes plasma proteins, urea, and glucose. Peripheral tissues, of course, exchange amino acids with protein for normal turnover but also use amino acids for oxidation and transamination. Alanine, glutamine, glycine, and arginine are important in transporting nitrogen out of peripheral tissues in a nontoxic form. Branched-chain amino acids are removed by both liver and peripheral tissues mainly for plasma protein and ketoacid formation, respectively. During fasting, however, muscle releases branched-chain amino acids while removal by liver is maintained.

Amino Acids↗

Absence of pregnancy-induced alterations in tissue insulin sensitivity in the offspring of diabetic rats.

We have previously demonstrated insulin resistance in the liver and peripheral tissues of the adult offspring of rats made diabetic with streptozotocin (SDF rats). In this study, a euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp was used to test the hypothesis that insulin resistance is further aggravated during pregnancy in SDF rats. Normal pregnancy was accompanied by a decrease in the sensitivity of the liver and peripheral tissues to insulin, with a normal responsiveness to insulin. In SDF rats no further decrease in the sensitivity of peripheral tissues to insulin occurred during pregnancy when compared with non-pregnant rats, and the dose-response curves of the glucose metabolic clearance rate during hyperinsulinaemia were similar in pregnant control and pregnant SDF rats. There was, however, a modest decrease in the sensitivity of the liver to insulin during pregnancy in SDF rats. The normal increase in plasma insulin levels during pregnancy was blunted in SDF rats: this resulted in increased glucose levels in maternal and fetal rats and increased fetal insulin concentrations, features compatible with mild 'gestation diabetes'. In conclusion, gestational diabetes develops in pregnant SDF rats, although there is no further deterioration in peripheral insulin resistance.

Animals↗

Human neutrophil lipocalin (HNL) is a specific granule constituent of the neutrophil granulocyte. Studies in bronchial and lung parenchymal tissue and peripheral blood cells.

The neutrophilic granulocyte is a cytotoxic and potentially tissue-injuring cell participating in the destructive processes and symptoms seen in a variety of inflammatory diseases. Sensitive immunoassays have been introduced to measure the levels of specific secretory proteins of various inflammatory cells in blood and other body fluids. The aim has been to develop highly specific markers for each cell type. The results obtained by immunoassay have indicated that human neutrophil lipocalin (HNL) is a protein unique to the neutrophil. The present study investigated the specificity of HNL as a neutrophil marker in peripheral blood and lung tissue by using flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. Flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry on peripheral blood showed that monoclonal antibodies to HNL only react with neutrophils and not with other types of leukocytes. Immunocytochemistry on plastic-embedded sections and on frozen sections of lung tissue showed that a cocktail of six monoclonal antibodies to HNL specifically reacts with neutrophils and not with epithelial cells or macrophages. By immunoelectron microscopical studies performed on healthy human neutrophils after low temperature embedding in Lowicryl K4M following aldehyde fixation and partial dehydration, it could be shown that HNL colocalized with lactoferrin (a known marker for secondary or specific granules) and that myeloperoxidase was localized in the primary or azurophil granules. The results confirm that HNL is a unique component of the secondary granules of the neutrophil granulocyte.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Functional CLOCK is not involved in the entrainment of peripheral clocks to the restricted feeding: entrainable expression of mPer2 and BMAL1 mRNAs in the heart of Clock mutant mice on Jcl:ICR background.

The mammalian circadian timing system consists of a central pacemaker in brain hypothalamus and damping oscillators in most peripheral tissues. To investigate the mechanism that controls circadian rhythms in the mammalian peripheral tissues, we examined the expression rhythm of mPer2, BMAL1, albumin D-site binding protein (DBP), and Rev-erbalpha mRNAs in the heart of homozygous Clock mutant mice on Jcl:ICR background under the temporal feeding restriction. Unexpectedly, the restricted feeding (RF) shifted the circadian phase of both mPer2 and BMAL1 mRNA expressions in the heart not only of wild-type mice but also of Clock mutant mice. Furthermore, in the Clock mutant mice, the amplitude of the circadian expression of mPer2 and BMAL1 mRNAs was dramatically increased by the RF. These data indicate that functional CLOCK is not required for an entrainment of peripheral clocks to RF. On the other hand, the expression levels of DBP and Rev-erbalpha mRNAs were blunted in Clock mutant mice not only under ad libitum but also under RF conditions. Thus, it seems that the rhythmic expression of Rev-erbalpha is not involved in the RF-induced circadian expression of BMAL1 mRNA, although REV-ERBalpha has been identified as a major regulator of BMAL1 transcription. Thus, the entraining mechanism of peripheral tissues to the RF seems to be different from that to the central clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus.

ARNTL Transcription Factors↗

Peripheral metabotropic glutamate receptors as drug targets for pain relief.

The relatively new family of G-protein-coupled metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) is comprised of eight cloned subtypes, which are classified into three groups based on their sequence homology, signal transduction mechanisms and receptor pharmacology. It is now well-established that mGluRs in the central nervous system are essential for neuroplasticity associated with normal brain functions but are also critically involved in various neurological and psychiatric disorders. Recent anatomical and behavioural evidence suggests an important role of mGluRs in peripheral tissues in animal models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Once the cellular effects of peripheral mGluR activation and inhibition are better understood, certain peripheral mGluR subtypes may become important novel therapeutic targets for the relief of pain associated with peripheral tissue injury. Peripherally acting drugs that modulate nociceptive processing through mGluRs should have the advantage of lacking the central side effects commonly observed with drugs interfering with glutamatergic transmission in the central nervous system.

Analgesics, Non-Narcotic↗

Insulin resistance in cancer patients is associated with enhanced tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression in skeletal muscle.

The roles of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and the facilitative glucose transporter (GLUT) 4 on the induction of insulin resistance in peripheral tissues of cancer patients was examined by quantitative competitive PCR on biopsies of abdominal rectal muscle from patients with gastrointestinal cancer. The degree of insulin resistance in these patients was measured by the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp using a high physiologic insulin concentration (100 microU/ml). Quantitative competitive PCR was carried out using DNA competitors constructed by deleting 20-30 bp between the two primer annealing sites. Decreased glucose uptake (M value) in peripheral tissues was accompanied by a significantly increased TNF-alpha mRNA in skeletal muscle (r=0.867, p=0.0025). GLUT4 mRNA, however, was positively correlated with M values (r=0.739, p=0.015). The amounts of mRNAs for TNF-alpha and GLUT4 in skeletal muscle were not correlated. Serum TNF-alpha concentrations remained below the limit of detection. These findings suggest that the insulin resistance in peripheral tissues of cancer patients is in part due to the induction TNF-alpha mRNA and the down regulation of GLUT4 mRNA in peripheral tissues.

Female↗

Ameliorating effect of FK614, a novel nonthiazolidinedione peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonist, on insulin resistance in Zucker fatty rat.

Effect of 3-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-2-methyl-N-(pentylsulfonyl)-3H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide (FK614), a novel nonthiazolidinedione peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma agonist, on glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in peripheral tissues and in liver using Zucker fatty rats (genetically obese and insulin-resistant) was evaluated and compared to other insulin sensitizers. FK614 (0.32, 1 and 3.2 mg/kg), two thiazolidinedione PPAR gamma agonists, rosiglitazone (0.1, 0.32, 1 and 3.2 mg/kg) and pioglitazone (1, 3.2 and 10 mg/kg), and a biguanide, metformin (320 and 1000 mg/kg), were orally administered to Zucker fatty rats once a day for 14 days. Zucker fatty rats treated with FK614 and rosiglitazone were subjected to evaluation by oral glucose tolerance test. Ameliorating effect of each compound on peripheral and hepatic insulin resistance was evaluated using a euglycemic-hyperinsulineamic clamp procedure. FK614 and rosiglitazone dose-dependently improved impaired glucose tolerance in Zucker fatty rats. In addition, FK614 dose-dependently ameliorated peripheral and hepatic insulin resistance in Zucker fatty rats, with the degree of its effect in peripheral tissues almost equivalent to that in liver when compared at each dose tested. Similar data indicating ameliorating effects on insulin resistance was obtained for rosiglitazone and pioglitazone. Metformin showed less potent effects than other insulin sensitizers and its effect in liver tended to be greater than that in peripheral tissues. These findings suggest clinical potential for FK614 as a treatment of type 2 diabetes, acting by ameliorating insulin resistance both in peripheral tissues and liver.

Administration, Oral↗

A study of the de- and regenerative changes in the sympathetic nervous system of the adult mouse after treatment with the antiserum to nerve growth factor.

In the adult mouse, the antiserum to nerve growth factor (NGF) induced marked atrophic changes of the ganglionic cell bodies in the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) and a disappearance of adrenergic nerve terminals in several peripheral tissues. By fluorescence histochemistry a lower-than-normal content of the noradrenaline (NA) transmitter was observed within the entire adrenergic neurone only 1 day after a single injection of NGF-antiserum (0.1 ml/g body weight). An atrophy of adrenergic nerve cell bodies and a disappearance of adrenergic nerve terminals were observed after 3 days, but the antiserum-induced effects did not appear maximally developed until 7 days after treatment. These fluorescence histochemical findings were paralleled by a gradual decrease of the endogenous NA levels in peripheral tissues and also of the weight of the SCG. A gradually proceeding restoration towards normal of the adrenergic innervation apparatus was observed fluorescence histochemically following a 5-day treatment with NGF-antiserum (0.1 ml/g body weight each dose), and after 6 weeks to 3 months a normal or close to normal fluorescence microscopical appearance was regained in the peripheral tissues and also in the SCG. These findings were parelleled by the results of the determinations of endogenous NA in peripheral tissues and by the results of weighing the SCG. We discuss some important differences between NGF-antiserum and 6-hydroxydopamine with respect to their mode of action on the mature sympathetic nervous system. Finally, we suggest that a decreased availability of NGF in a terminal area, due to an interference with endogenous NGF by NGF-antibodies, may temporarily result in an impaired function of the supplying adrenergic neurone, including a degeneration of nerve terminals.

Animals↗

Weight reduction of thymus and depletion of lymphocytes of T-dependent areas in peripheral lymphoid tissues of mice infected with Francisella tularensis.

When BALB/c mice (young and adult animals of both sexes) were infected intraperitoneally with 10(3) viable cells of Francisella tularensis (10(2) 50% lethal dose), all mice in these groups died on day 4. Reductions in thymus weights and in numbers of thymic cortex lymphocytes were observed in all the groups, but the decline was not so severe in the young females. Increases of plasma corticosterone in the adult males began 1 day after infection, but in the young females, the levels did not increase until day 3, the same days on which the respective thymus weights began to decline. Depletion of the thymus weights in the infected mice was prevented by adrenalectomy. The lymphocytes of the thymus (T)-dependent areas in peripheral lymphoid tissues in all groups were destroyed. By using an electron microscope, we found a large quantity of F. tularensis within the macrophages in the T-dependent areas but not in the thymus. The destruction of lymphocytes in the T-dependent areas was not prevented by adrenalectomy. Therefore, it was concluded that the weight reduction of the thymus is due to the stress of the F. tularensis infection. However, we think other mechanisms are responsible for the depression of lymphocytes in the T-dependent areas of peripheral lymphoid tissues.

Adrenalectomy↗

beta-Endorphin-containing memory-cells and mu-opioid receptors undergo transport to peripheral inflamed tissue.

Immunocyte-derived beta-endorphin can activate peripheral opioid receptors on sensory neurons to inhibit pain within inflamed tissue. This study examined mu-opioid receptors (MOR) on sensory nerves and beta-endorphin (END) in activated/memory CD4(+) cells (the predominant population homing to inflamed tissue). We found an upregulation of MOR in dorsal root ganglia, an increased axonal transport of MOR in the sciatic nerve and an accumulation of MOR in peripheral nerve terminals in Freund's adjuvant-induced hindpaw inflammation. A large number of CD4(+) cells containing beta-endorphin, but very few naive cells (CD45RC(+)), were observed in inflamed tissue, suggesting that this opioid is mainly present in activated/memory cells (CD4(+)/CD45RC(-)). Taken together, our results indicate an enhanced transport of both MOR and of the endogenous ligand beta-endorphin to injured tissue. This unique simultaneous upregulation of both receptors and ligands may serve to prevent excessive and/or chronic inflammatory pain.

Animals↗

Reticular cells in peripheral lymphoid tissues express the phosphatidylinositol-linked BP-3 antigen.

The murine BP-3 antigen was initially described as a variably glycosylated cell surface protein of Mr 38,000 to 48,000 on lymphoid and myeloid cells. In the present experiments we found that this antigen is released from the surface of pre-B cells and macrophages by treatment with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC), suggesting a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI) linkage with the plasma membrane. When the tissue distribution of the BP-3-reactive cells was examined by immunohistology, high levels of the antigen were observed on brush borders of the intestinal epithelial cells, within collecting tubules of the kidney and on a subpopulation of reticular cells located on lymph nodes. Peyer's patches and the white pulp areas of the spleen. In contrast, reticular cells located in the thymus, bone marrow and splenic red pulp did not express the BP-3 antigen. Ontogenic studies revealed that BP-3 was expressed by the reticular cells in peripheral lymphoid tissues in the neonatal period near the time of lymphocyte immigration into these organs. BP-3+ reticular cells were observed in the collapsed periarterial lymphatic sheaths of adult mice depleted of T and B cells by cyclophosphamide treatment and in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency (scid), indicating that development of this reticular network is lymphocyte independent. The BP-3 antigen on the splenic reticular cells was also GPI anchored but its glycosylation pattern differed from that of the BP-3 molecules on pre-B cells. A specific subpopulation of reticular cells is thus marked by the BP-3 antigen, and the distribution and biochemical properties of the molecule make it an attractive candidate for a role in lymphocyte-stromal interactions in the peripheral lymphoid tissues.

Aging↗

Re-expression of p75NTR by adult motor neurons after axotomy is triggered by retrograde transport of a positive signal from axons regrowing through damaged or denervated peripheral nerve tissue.

To investigate different types of potential signalling mechanisms that regulate neuronal reactions to axotomizing injury, we compared the re-expression of the low-affinity neurotrophin receptor, p75NTR, and the down-regulation of choline acetyltransferase expression, after various combinations of axotomy, crush injury and blockade of axonal transport in adult hypoglossal motor neurons in the rat. We found that pure axotomy in the absence of crush injury down-regulated choline acetyltransferase, but did not induce p75NTR re-expression. Blockade of axonal transport with colchicine had an identical effect. In contrast, both a crush injury on its own, or a crush injury proximal to a complete axotomy, induced p75NTR re-expression and down-regulated expression of choline acetyltransferase. Blockade of axonal transport with colchicine or tight ligation proximal to a crush prevented the crush injury-induced re-expression of p75NTR. Infusion of vehicle, nerve growth factor or ciliary neurotrophic factor induced low levels of p75NTR re-expression that were not significantly different from each other and were substantially lower than crush-induced levels. These findings confirm previous suggestions that the loss of choline acetyltransferase expression is due to the interruption of a constitutive retrograde signal, and show that the re-expression of p75NTR by adult motor neurons after axotomy is triggered by the retrograde transport of a positive signal derived from axons that are regrowing through damaged or denervated peripheral nerve tissue. The precise source and nature of this signal are not yet clear.

Animals↗

Expression of cancer-testis antigen (CTA) in tumor tissues and peripheral blood of Chinese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

To investigate the expression of cancer-testis antigen (CTA) in Chinese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the relationship between CTA gene expression and clinical indexes, we used one-step reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression of the CTA mRNA was investigated in the tissues of HCC and corresponding peripheral blood of 37 patients with HCC. Fifteen samples of cirrhotic tissues and 15 normal tissues were examined with the same method. Two kinds of CTA (SSX-2 and SSX-5) showed high-specific and high-frequent expression in HCC tissues, but neither of them could be detected in adjacent non-HCC tissues. In corresponding peripheral blood of HCC tissues, the positive expression rate of the SSX-2 and SSX-5 mRNA was not very high. No relationship was found between the expression of CTA and clinical indicators such as age, sex, tumor size, TNM staging, serum AFP level and infection with hepatitis virus. In 15 patients with cirrhosis and 15 other non-tumor patients, none of the SSX-2 and SSX-5 mRNA was detected in liver tissue or peripheral blood. High frequency and specificity of CTAs in HCC indicates that their products may be new potential promising targets for antigen-specific immunotherapy of HCC. High frequent co-expression of the two genes in HCC provides a possibility of polyvalent vaccinations for HCC. Specific expression of CTAs was observed in AFP-negative HCC, suggested applying their mRNA as tumor markers to detect circulating HCC cells as adjuvant diagnostic tool and as indicators of recurrence and prognosis.

Adolescent↗

Sleep deprivation and cellular responses to oxidative stress.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: It has been hypothesized that sleep deprivation represents an oxidative challenge for the brain and that sleep may have a protective role against oxidative damage. This study was designed to test this hypothesis by measuring in rats the effects of sleep loss on markers of oxidative stress (oxidant production and antioxidant enzyme activities) as well as on markers of cellular oxidative damage (lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation). DESIGN: The analyses were performed in the brain and in peripheral tissues (liver and skeletal muscle), after short-term sleep deprivation (8 hours), after long-term sleep deprivation (3-14 days), and during recovery sleep after 1 week of sleep loss. Short-term sleep deprivation was performed by gentle handling; long-term sleep deprivation was performed using the disk-over-water method. SETTING: Sleep research laboratory at University of Wisconsin-Madison. PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Adult male Wistar Kyoto rats (n = 69) implanted for polygraphic (electroencephalogram, electromyogram) recording. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Aliquots of brain, liver, or skeletal muscle homogenate were used to assess oxidant production, superoxide dismutase activity, lipid peroxidation, and protein oxidation. No evidence of oxidative damage was observed at the lipid and/or at the protein level in long-term sleep-deprived animals relative to their yoked controls, nor in the cerebral cortex or in peripheral tissues. Also, no consistent change in antioxidant enzymatic activities was found after prolonged sleep deprivation, nor was any evidence of increased oxidant production in the brain or in peripheral tissues. CONCLUSION: The available data do not support the assumption that prolonged wakefulness may cause oxidative damage, nor that it can represent an oxidative stress for the brain or for peripheral tissue such as liver and skeletal muscle.

Animals↗

Small lymphocytes in peripheral lymphoid tissues of nude mice. Life-span and distribution.

The distribution of small lymphocytes according to life-span in the peripheral lymphoid tissues of the mouse mutant "nude" has been studied by means of auto-radiography and scintillation counting to evaluate the localization of B lymphocytes with varying life-span. The vast majority of the lymphocytes in this congenitally athymic mouse are relatively long-lived, although few cells live for 6 weeks or more. Differences in labelling percentages of blood, spleen and lymph node lymphocytes indicated a production of lymphocytes with a short residence time in the spleen. A similar production was not seen in the lymph nodes. While the lymphocytes in the spleen were evenly distributed according to life-span, the paracortical lymphocytes in lymph nodes were found to have a generally shorter life-span than those of the cortex, in opposition to findings in normal mice. The cortical cells which were by far the most numerous in the lymph nodes seemed to be more sessile than para-cortical lymphocytes. The life-span of these latter cells are comparable to those of thoracic duct lymphocytes, and the scarcity of cells in the paracortex reflects the small number of recirculating lymphocytes in nude mice.

Animals↗

Structural differences between insulin receptors in the brain and peripheral target tissues.

Insulin receptors in various brain regions (olfactory tubercle, hippocampus, and hypothalamus) were photoaffinity labeled using the photoreactive analogue of insulin B2(2-nitro,4-azidophenylacetyl)-des-PheB1-insulin (NAPA-DP-insulin). A protein with an apparent Mr of 400,000 was specifically labeled with 125I-NAPA-DP-insulin in all three brain regions. When radiolabeled proteins were reduced with dithiothreitol prior to electrophoresis, specific labeling occurred predominantly in a protein with an apparent Mr of 115,000 and to a much lesser extent in a protein with an apparent Mr of 83,000. The size of these receptor proteins, based on their electrophoretic mobilities, was consistently smaller than insulin receptor proteins in adipocytes. The covalent labeling of insulin receptors in brain by 125I-NAPA-DP-insulin was not blocked by anti-insulin receptor antiserum. Additionally, in contrast to effects observed in peripheral target tissues, this antisera did not inhibit the binding of 125I-insulin to brain membranes. Neuraminidase treatment resulted in an increase in the electrophoretic mobilities of insulin receptor subunits in adipocytes, but, had no effect on receptor subunits in brain. Solubilized insulin receptors from adipocytes were retained by wheat germ agglutinin columns and specifically eluted with N-acetylglucosamine. In contrast, solubilized insulin receptors from brain did not bind to these columns. The results from this study indicate that structural differences, including molecular weight, antigenicity, and carbohydrate composition exist between insulin receptors in brain and peripheral target tissues.

Adipose Tissue↗

Occurrence, pharmacology and function of presynaptic alpha2-autoreceptors in alpha2A/D-adrenoceptor-deficient mice.

The occurrence, pharmacological properties and function of alpha2-autoreceptors were studied in hippocampal slices, occipito-parietal cortex slices, segments of heart atria and segments of the vas deferens of wildtype (WT) mice and mice in which the alpha2 A/D-adrenoceptor gene had been disrupted (alpha2 A/D(KO)). Tissues were preincubated with [3H]-noradrenaline and then superfused and stimulated electrically. Stimulation periods for brain slices consisted either of 1 pulse or of 2-64 pulses delivered at 1-s intervals; stimulation periods for peripheral tissues consisted either of 1 POP (pseudo-one-pulse; brief burst of 20 pulses/50 Hz) or of 2-4 POPs delivered at 1-s intervals. Single pulses or POPs were used to study the effect of medetomidine and its interaction with antagonists. One or more pulses or POPs per stimulation period were used to study alpha2-autoinhibition. Medetomidine decreased the evoked overflow of tritium in WT tissues. In alpha2 A/D(KO) tissues, the inhibition was slightly (peripheral tissues) or greatly (brain slices) attenuated but not abolished. Phentolamine, rauwolscine, spiroxatrine, 2-(2,6-dimethoxyphenoxyethyl)aminomethyl-1,4-benzodioxane (WB 4101), tolazoline and prazosin antagonized the effect of medetomidine in all tissues. Their pKd values against medetomidine were compared with pKd values at prototypical alpha2 binding sites by means of a correlation analysis. For WT brain and atrial autoreceptors, the correlations indicated an alpha2D pharmacology, whereas for WT vas deferens autoreceptors they favoured an alpha2B pharmacology. In the KO tissues, any correlation with alpha2D was lost, and the non-alpha2 A/D-autoreceptors displayed alpha2B or alpha2C pharmacology. When 2 or more pulses or POPs were applied to WT tissues per stimulation period, the pulse number-overflow curve (POP number-overflow curve) was flat, indicating that overflow elicited by p pulses (POPs) was much smaller than p times the overflow elicited by a single pulse (POP); moreover, rauwolscine caused a pulse (POP) number-dependent and, at high pulse (POP) numbers, large increase in evoked tritium overflow. In alpha2 A/D(KO) tissues, the pulse (POP) number-overflow curve was much steeper, indicating that overflow elicited by p pulses (POPs) was closer to p times the overflow elicited by a single pulse (POP); moreover, rauwolscine caused no (atria) or only a small increase in overflow, and did so in brain slices only at high pulse numbers (16 and 64). In conclusion, the predominant alpha2D pharmacology of the autoreceptors in WT tissues supports the idea that the main mammalian presynaptic alpha2-autoreceptors belong to the alpha2 A/D subtype. However, alpha2 A/D-deficient animals also possess autoreceptors. As expected, these non-alpha2 A/D-autoreceptors display alpha2B or alpha2C pharmacology. In WT animals, alpha2B- or alpha2C-autoreceptors or both may coexist with alpha2 A/D-autoreceptors, at least in peripheral tissues. Little autoinhibition by released noradrenaline in trains of pulses remains when the alpha2 A/D-adrenoceptor is lacking, again in accord with a predominance of alpha2 A/D-autoreceptors.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

The clinical effect and the effect on serum IgG antibodies to peripheral nerve tissue of plasma exchange in patients wit Guillain-Barré syndrome.

The mixed haemagglutination technique was used to demonstrate IgG antibodies to peripheral nerve tissue in sera from patients with the Guillain-Barré syndrome. The clinical effect and the effect on the antibodies of plasma exchange were examined in 18 patients. Neurological examination with muscle testing and neurophysiological examination of the patients were performed before and immediately after plasma exchange. Before the exchange antibodies were detected in sera from 11 of the patients. These patients showed clinical improvement during the treatment. After plasma exchange, antibodies were detected in sera from only two of the patients. The seven patients without detectable antibodies showed no clinical improvement.

Adolescent↗