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Improved distribution of regional oxygenation in denervated ischemic dog myocardium.

The role of the adrenergic nervous system in the response to coronary artery occlusion has been examined using surgical and chemical denervation techniques. Experiments were conducted on four groups of dogs (n = 18): 1) untreated controls; 2) intrapericardial denervation immediately prior to coronary ligation; 3) surgical denervation 2 weeks prior to the experiment; and 4) chemical sympathectomy 5 days prior to the experiment with 6-hydroxydopamine (50 mg/kg). Small artery and vein O2 saturations were obtained microspectrophotometrically and combined with radioactive microsphere blood flow determinations to calculate regional myocardial O2 consumption in open chest dogs. Denervation significantly reduced the preocclusion heart rate from 165 +/- 16 beats/min in the control to 114 +/- 13 in the chronic surgically denervated and to 137 +/- 15 in the chemically sympathectomized groups. After 2 hours of occlusion, the O2 consumption and flow were similar in the nonischemic area except for lower values in the surgically denervated group. Total coronary blood flow and O2 consumption in the occluded regions were not significantly affected by chronic denervation. However, significant elimination of areas with low venous O2 saturation (less than 20%) were found in the ischemic myocardium of the chronically denervated groups as compared with the control or with the acutely denervated dogs. The mean venous O2 saturation was found to be significantly higher in all regions of these two groups as compared with the control. The O2 extraction was also lowered. Thus, chronic denervation reduced microregional heterogeneity of oxygenation in the ischemic myocardium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Ubiquitin ligase Cbl-b downregulates bone formation through suppression of IGF-I signaling in osteoblasts during denervation.

UNLABELLED: Unloading can prevent bone formation by osteoblasts. To study this mechanism, we focused on a ubiquitin ligase, Cbl-b, which was highly expressed in osteoblastic cells during denervation. Our results suggest that Cbl-b may mediate denervation-induced osteopenia by inhibiting IGF-I signaling in osteoblasts. INTRODUCTION: Unloading, such as denervation (sciatic neurectomy) and spaceflight, suppresses bone formation by osteoblasts, leading to osteopenia. The resistance of osteoblasts to growth factors contributes to such unloading-mediated osteopenia. However, a detailed mechanism of this resistance is unknown. We first found that a RING-type ubiquitin ligase, Cbl-b, was highly expressed in osteoblastic cells after sciatic neurectomy in mice. In this study, we reasoned that Cbl-b played an important role in the resistance of osteoblasts to IGF-I. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cbl-b-deficient (Cbl-b(-/-)) or wildtype (Cbl-b(+/+)) mice were subjected to sciatic neurectomy. Bone formation in these mice was assessed by calcein labeling and histomorphometric analyses. We examined IGF-I signaling molecules in femora of these mice by Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses. We also examined the mitogenic response of Cbl-b-overexpressing or -deficient osteoblastic cells to various growth factors. RESULTS: In Cbl-b(+/+) mice, denervation decreased femur mass and bone formation, whereas it increased the expression of Cbl-b protein in osteoprogenitor cells and in osteocalcin-positive cells (osteoblastic cells) in hindlimb bone. In contrast, in Cbl-b(-/-) mice, bone mass and bone formation were sustained during denervation. Denervation inhibited the mitogenic response of osteoprogenitor cells most significantly to IGF-I. Therefore, we focused on Cbl-b-mediated modification of IGF-I signaling. Denervation decreased the amounts of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), phosphatidly inositol 3-phosphate kinase (PI3K), and Akt-1 proteins in femora of Cbl-b(+/+) mice, whereas the amounts of these IGF-I signaling molecules in femora of Cbl-b(-/-) mice were constant after denervation. On a cellular level, primary osteoblastic cells from Cbl-b(-/-) mice were more stimulated to proliferate by IGF-I treatment compared with those from Cbl-b(+/+) mice. Furthermore, overexpression of Cbl-b increased ubiquitination and degradation of IRS-1 in primary Cbl-b(-/-) osteoblastic cells, leading to their impaired mitogenic response to IGF-I. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that Cbl-b induces resistance of osteoblasts to IGF-I during denervation by increasing IRS-1 degradation and that Cbl-b-mediated modification of IGF-I signaling may contribute to decreased bone formation during denervation.

Animals↗

Effects of selective autonomic and pudendal denervation on the urethral function and development of retention in female dogs.

PURPOSE: This trial is an experimental approach to the possible causes of continence and voiding problems after urethra sparing radical cystectomy and orthotopic bladder substitution in women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1996 and January 1999 we included 24 mongrel female dogs in this 4-phase study of 6 dogs each. The effects of autonomic denervation of the urethra (phase 1) and urethral transection just distal to the bladder neck (phase 2) on the urethral pressure profile were recorded. In phase 3 the effects of autonomic denervation, urethral transection and pharmacological manipulation of the denervated transected urethra on the urethral pressure profile were studied in succession. In phase 4 the effects of pudendal nerve transection and pharmacological blockade were recorded. In the 12 phases 2 and 3 dogs the transected urethra was re-anastomosed to the bladder neck. Acute experiments were repeated after 2 and 6 months, urethrocystoscopy was done and post-void residual urine was estimated. Two of the latter dogs were sacrificed 6 months after the acute experiment and the urethras were histopathologically examined. RESULTS: Autonomic denervation resulted in a 46% to 48% decrease in mean maximal pressure in the proximal urethra in phases 1 and 3 (p <0.001) with no significant effect on the distal urethra. Urethral transection in phase 2 did not affect the urethral pressure profile. Phentolamine injection after urethral denervation and transection in phase 3 produced a further reduction of 11.3% and 46.3% in mean resting pressure in the proximal and distal urethra, respectively, while succinyl choline produced a 38.1% further decrease in the distal urethra. Unilateral and bilateral pudendal denervation reduced pressure in the distal urethra significantly but not in the proximal urethra. When phentolamine was given thereafter, a further decrease of 38% and 2.4% resulted in resting pressure values in the proximal and distal urethra, respectively. The change in distal urethral pressure was marginally significant after succinyl choline injection (p = 0.05). Results were reproducible after 2 and 6 months. The proximal urethra remained patent with no post-void residual urine after autonomic denervation. There was no significant urethral fibrosis after realignment of the transected urethra in the 2 sacrificed phases 2 and 3 dogs. CONCLUSIONS: From this study we concluded that autonomic denervation reduced pressure in the proximal urethra by less than 50%. Continuity of the urethra with the bladder is not necessary for proper urethral function. After autonomic denervation the proximal urethra remained patent with no subsequent fibrosis. In addition, no post-void residual urine was noted. Bilateral pudendal denervation did not completely block activity of the distal urethra. The nonneuromuscular components had a small role in the creation of urethral closure function.

Animals↗

[Ultrastructural changes after denervation of different muscles].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the ultrastructural changes and number of satellite cells in different muscles with different denervation interval and investigate the mechanism of denervation atrophy. METHODS: Muscles of different denervation interval were harvested, which were 6 biceps brachii and 6 abductor digiti minimi. The ultrastructure of the samples were observed under transmission electron microscope. The number of nucleus and satellite cells were counted to calculate the percentage content of satellite cells. RESULTS: In early stage of denervation, the myofilament and sarcomere of the majority were well oriented. The nucleoli of some muscle cell nucleus were enlarged and pale. Vacuolarization was also seen in some mitochondria. There was no obvious proliferation of collagen fiber around myofibers. After denervation of half a year, rupture and disorientation of myofilament was seen. The nucleus became smaller, dark stained, and some of them were condensed. There was proliferation of fibroblasts, adipose cells and collagen fibers around myofibers. Motor endplate was not recognized one year after denervation. In the early stage of denervation, satellite cell percentage of the two muscles was relatively high. It then declined with time. One year after denervation, satellite cells were scarcely detected. Comparison of the curves for satellite cell declination in two muscles revealed that the declination of the abductor digiti minimi was faster than that of biceps brachii. Decrease of the former started 3 months after denervation, while the latter started after 6 months. CONCLUSION: Disappearing of motor endplate and proliferation of collagen fibers are main factors that affect the treatment outcome in late cases. Decrease of satellite cell number is another cause. The correlation of less satellite cell in abductor digiti minimi and poorer recovery of hand intrinsic muscles indicates that increment of satellite cells in long-term denervated muscles may be one of the effective measures to improve treatment outcome.

Brachial Plexus↗

Sequential MR imaging of denervated muscle: experimental study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: MR changes in denervated muscles have been reported to occur within days up to several weeks after peripheral nerve damage. The purpose of this experimental study was to investigate the longitudinal changes in denervated muscles by using MR imaging. METHODS: In 12 Lewis rats, the left sciatic nerve was transected at the level of the proximal thigh. MR imaging of both legs was performed before and 1 hour, 24 hours, 48 hours, 7 days, 14 days, 28 days, and 2 months after the procedure. The MR protocol included T1-weighted spin-echo, T2-weighted double turbo spin-echo, and turbo inversion recovery magnitude (TIRM) sequences obtained in the axial plane. Signal intensities (T2-weighted double turbo spin-echo and TIRM sequences) and the T2 TR (T2-weighted double turbo spin-echo sequence) were recorded for the soleus, peroneal, and gracilis muscles of both sides. Moreover, the circumferences of both lower legs were determined on the basis of T1-weighted images. RESULTS: Twenty-four hours after denervation, a signal intensity increase in the denervated peroneal and soleus muscles was present on TIRM images. On T2-weighted images, only the peroneal muscle exhibited slightly increased signal intensities and T2 TR. Forty-eight hours after nerve transection, the denervated soleus and peroneal muscles revealed prolonged T2 TR and marked increased signal intensities on T2-weighted and TIRM images when compared with the contralateral side, which further increased at or less than 2 months after denervation. Muscle atrophy of the denervated muscles was present as early as 7 days after denervation and was also increased at follow-up examinations. CONCLUSION: The TIRM sequence is more sensitive than is T2-weighted imaging in the detection of signal intensity changes in denervated muscle. These changes occur as early as 24 (TIRM sequence) and 48 (T2-weighted sequence) hours, respectively, after complete transection of the sciatic nerve in rats and precede muscle atrophy. The sensitivity to early signal intensity changes in denervated muscles may support the use of MR imaging in the diagnosis of peripheral nerve lesions.

Animals↗

Electrical stimulation of denervated muscles of rats maintains mass and force, but not recovery following grafting.

PURPOSE: Denervated skeletal muscles lack contractile activity and subsequently lose mass and force generation. Prolonged periods of denervation prior to nerve-implant grafting limit the recovery of mass and force. We hypothesized that electrical stimulation during a period of denervation that maintains mass and force above the levels of denervated muscles enhances the recovery of mass and force following nerve-implant grafting. METHODS: The extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of anesthetized rats were denervated, and a stimulator was implanted. Following 4 or 7 months of denervation, with or without electrical stimulation, the EDL muscles were removed, evaluated in vitro for mass and contractile properties, and then nerve-implant grafted into syngeneic rats. Unoperated, contralateral muscles were also evaluated and grafted. RESULTS: The hypothesis was not supported by the experimental data. Compared with values for 4- or 7-month denervated muscles, the stimulated-denervated muscles maintained higher mass and force, less prolonged time-to-peak tensions and half-relaxation times, and higher excitability. Nevertheless, the recovery of mass and force following grafting was not improved. CONCLUSION: The factors within long-term denervated muscles that hinder recovery following grafting appear to be related primarily to factors associated with the duration of denervation and not to the level of atrophy and weakness prior to grafting.

Animals↗

[Changes in muscle satellite cells in denervated and innervated muscles].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the rule of changes in the myoblast stem cells (satellite cells) in the denervated and innervated muscles and to find out the cellular mechanism of the changes in the muscle morphology and function. METHODS: The denervated muscle-atrophy models were established from 27 Wistar rats aged 1 month. One to six months after operation, examinations of the histology, histochemistry, and morphology were performed on the specimens from the bilateral triceps muscle of the calves of 3 rats in each month. Meanwhile, examination of the cell biology was performed on the specimens from the bilateral triceps muscle of the calves of 1 rat 1, 2 and 3 weeks after operation, and monthly for 1-6 months after operation. The innervation models were established from 35 Wistar rats aged 1 month. Immediately after the denervation, and monthly for 1-6 months after operation, 5 denervated rats underwent the nerve implantation. The changes in the electrophysiological index were observed dynamically until 8 weeks after the nerve implantation. RESULTS: After the denervation, the muscle wet weight and the muscle cell area decreased rapidly, but the content of the collagen fibers increased gradually. The number of the nucleus in the period of proliferation was the greatest 3-4 months after the denervation, and then decreased rapidly. The muscle satellite cells began to increase obviously 3 weeks after the denervation, but 2 months later they decreased rapidly and 4 months later the number of the cells was the smallest. Four to five weeks after innervation, the muscle action potential could be induced, and the best innervation effect could be achieved in the implanted nerve after the 2-3 months on denervation, and at this time the differentiation ability of the satellite cells was the strongest. CONCLUSION: Four months after the denervation of the skeletal muscle, an extremely small number of the satellite cells can make the muscle enter the irreversible atrophy. However, when the innervation is performed 2-3 months after the denervation, the actively-growing satellite cells can promote a better functional recovery of the atrophic muscle.

Animals↗

Role of different proteolytic systems in the degradation of muscle proteins during denervation atrophy.

In order to clarify the cellular mechanisms of denervation atrophy of skeletal muscle, we have studied protein turnover in denervated and control rat soleus muscles in vitro under different conditions. By 24 h after cutting the sciatic nerve, overall protein breakdown was greater in the denervated soleus than in the contralateral control muscle, and by 3 days, net proteolysis had increased about 3-fold. Since protein synthesis increased slightly following denervation, the rise in proteolysis must be responsible for the muscle atrophy and the differential loss of contractile proteins. Like overall proteolysis, the breakdown of actin (as shown by 3-methyl-histidine production by the muscles) increased each day after denervation and by 3 days was 2.5 times faster than in controls. Treatments that block the lysosomal and Ca2(+)-dependent proteolytic systems did not reduce the increase in overall protein degradation and actin breakdown in the denervated muscles (maintained in complete medium at resting length). However, the content of the lysosomal protease, cathepsin B, increased about 2-fold by 3 days after denervation. Furthermore, conditions that activate intralysosomal proteolysis (incubation without insulin or amino acids) stimulated proteolysis 2-3-fold more in the denervated muscles than in controls. Also, incubation conditions that activate the Ca2(+)-dependent pathway (incubation with Ca2+ ionophores or allowing muscles to shorten) were 2-3 times more effective in enhancing overall proteolysis in the denervated muscle. None of these treatments affected 3-methylhistidine production. Thus, multiple proteolytic systems increase in parallel in the denervated muscle, but a nonlysosomal process (independent of Ca2+) appears mainly responsible for the rapid loss of cell proteins, especially of myofibrillar components.

Actins↗

Chronic denervation of rat jejunum results in cholinergic supersensitivity due to reduction of cholinesterase activity.

We examined the effects of chronic myenteric/extrinsic denervation of a segment of rat small intestine on specific acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and nonspecific cholinesterase (ChE) activities. Myenteric/extrinsic denervation of a 5-cm length of jejunum was accomplished by serosal application of the cationic surfactant benzyldimethyltetradecylammonium chloride. Fifteen days after denervation, biochemical determinations of AChE and ChE revealed that the smooth muscle layers, but not the mucosa, of denervated tissues have decreased levels of both AChE (approximately 65% decreased) and ChE (approximately 30% decreased). Histochemical staining of sections of denervated small intestine for AChE activity failed to detect any AChE activity in the region formerly occupied by the myenteric plexus. There appeared to be a qualitative decrease in ChE staining in the longitudinal muscle of denervated small intestine. Isolated muscle contraction experiments were conducted with the aim of determining changes in muscle responsiveness to acetylcholine (ACh) subsequent to denervation. Denervated circular and longitudinal muscle layers displayed increased sensitivity to ACh compared to nondenervated tissues (pEC50 values: 5.23 vs. 3.53, circular muscle; 5.33 vs. 4.08, longitudinal muscle). Incubation of tissues with 10 microM neostigmine caused a similar shift in pEC50 values of ACh concentration-response curves from denervated circular and longitudinal muscle layers (approximately 20% increase in pEC50). In contrast to the similar effects of neostigmine on both muscle layers of denervated tissues, neostigmine exerted a differential effect on the muscle layers of control intestine. Neostigmine produced a 65% increase in pEC50 value in control circular muscle and a 49% increase in pEC50 value in control longitudinal muscle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylcholine↗

Response to denervation of rabbit soleus and gastrocnemius muscles. Time-course study of postnatal changes in myosin isoforms, fiber types, and contractile properties.

In contrast to general belief, the response of rabbit muscles to denervation is maturation to slow-like type muscles [7]. We report now an investigation by biochemical, morphological, and mechanical studies of the time course effects of muscle denervation on the slow-type soleus and fast-type gastrocnemius to help elucidate the mechanism of maturation of rabbit denervated muscles to slow-like muscles. In both muscles, denervation induced selective progressive atrophy of most fast fibers and hypertrophy of many slow fibers which displayed wide Z-lines; this was accompanied by the appearance of hybrid LC1F- and LC1E-associated slow myosins. The percentage of slow myosins increased with age similarly in the contralateral and denervated soleus. On the other hand, the percentage of slow myosins remained low in the contralateral gastrocnemius, whereas it increased to 95% in the denervated gastrocnemius; in the denervated gastrocnemius, the percentage of slow myosins reached 50% at about 35 days postnatal. At this age, the maximal shortening velocity of the denervated gastrocnemius and its twitch contraction time were already those of a slow-type muscle. This suggests that in addition to myosin, other proteins contributed to the mechanical properties of the denervated gastrocnemius. Transformation of rabbit denervated muscles to slow-like type muscles, which are associated with a lower energy requirement and higher muscle endurance than fast-type muscles, may constitute an adequate model for human neuromuscular pathology.

Aging↗

Intravenous catecholamines alter hepatic blood flow in conscious dogs with experimental hepatic denervation.

Hepatic blood flow is regulated by the autonomic nervous system; however, blood flow through the denervated liver has been controversial. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the changes in hepatic blood flow caused by experimental hepatic denervation during the intravenous infusions of catecholamines (dopamine or dobutamine) with or without prior administration of alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist (phenoxybenzamine) or beta-adrenoceptor antagonist (propranolol). The liver blood flow was measured using transit time ultrasonic flow meter probes at the portal vein and hepatic artery in conscious dogs which (a) underwent hepatic denervation (denervation group, n = 9) and (b) were intact (control group, n = 10). Norepinephrine concentrations in the liver were determined to evaluate the effects of hepatic denervation and were decreased at 1 week and 4 weeks after hepatic denervation. In the control group, dopamine and dobutamine produced an increase of portal venous blood flow (PVF). Conversely, hepatic denervation reduced the increase in PVF by dopamine and dobutamine. Dopamine with prior administration of phenoxybenzamine produced a much larger increase in PVF in both groups. Pretreatment of propranolol in both groups abolished the increasing effects of dopamine and dobutamine in PVF. Dopamine reduced the hepatic arterial blood flow (HAF) regardless of hepatic denervation. During dobutamine infusion, HAF was decreased by hepatic denervation and prior administration of propranolol. These results suggest that hepatic denervation reduces the increasing effects of catecholamines on the hepatic blood flow through greater enhancement of alpha-adrenergic effects than of beta-adrenergic effects in the hepatic vascular autonomic nerve response.

Animals↗

Cardiac sympathetic denervation modulates the sympathoexcitatory response to acute myocardial ischemia.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to elucidate the influence of cardiac sympathetic denervation on the sympathoexcitatory response to acute myocardial ischemia during balloon coronary occlusion (BCO) in humans. BACKGROUND: Alterations of cardiac sympathetic nerve function could modulate sympathetic reflexes originating from the ischemic area. METHODS: In 23 patients with angina pectoris, we quantified the baseline cardiac sympathetic denervation of the ischemia-related area by iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine ((123)I-MIBG), and transient changes in sympathetic activity during BCO by wavelet analysis of RR interval variability. RESULTS: Balloon coronary occlusion resulted in a transient augmentation of low-frequency (LF: 0.04 to 0.14 Hz) spectral components of RR interval variability in 4 of 12 patients with cardiac denervation and in 8 of 11 patients without denervation (p < 0.01 by the chi-square test). Consequently, the increase in LF components was significantly less during BCO in patients with cardiac denervation (34%) than in those without denervation (273%) (interaction: p < 0.05). In seven patients with severe ischemia provoked by a fall of > or = 10% in the left ventricular ejection fraction, LF components increased by 506% during BCO, regardless of the condition of cardiac denervation. In contrast, in patients with mild ischemia provoked by a fall of <10% in the ejection fraction, changes of LF components during BCO were significantly less in patients with denervation than in those without denervation (84 vs. 344%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that if the provoked ischemia is not severe, cardiac sympathetic denervation could prevent ischemia-induced sympathoexcitation.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗

The effect of parasympathetic postganglionic denervation on parotid salivary protein secretion in anaesthetized sheep.

Effects of unilateral parasympathetic denervation of ovine parotid glands were examined in anaesthetized sheep 21-28 days after nerve section. Parasympathetic denervation reduced the mass of the ipsilateral gland while increasing that of the contralateral gland to the extent that total gland mass was greater than in sheep with normally innervated glands. The spontaneous secretion (8.8 +/- 1.1 microl min(-1) g gland(-1)) was significantly less from denervated than from innervated glands of normal control animals (26.0 +/- 2.7 microl min(-1) g gland(-1); P< 0.01) and contained more protein. Rates of flow, and the outputs of sodium and potassium, in response to sympathetic stimulation, were similar from normally innervated and chronically denervated glands, when allowance was made for the discrepancy in weights, whereas the output of protein was significantly enhanced following parasympathetic denervation (innervated--31.4 +/- 7.3 microg g gland(-1), denervated--83.4 +/- 26.6 microg g gland(-1); P< 0.05). Intra-arterial infusions of acetylcholine (130 pmol min(-1) kg(-1)) elicited a flow of parotid saliva, the protein content of which was significantly enhanced by prior parasympathetic denervation. Intra-arterial infusions of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP; 2.5 pmol min(-1) kg(-1)) produced a small but statistically significant (P< 0.05) increase in the flow of parotid saliva from the contralateral, innervated but not from denervated glands. It also caused a small increase in protein output, which was significantly enhanced by prior denervation. VIP had no synergistic effect on the parotid responses to acetylcholine. The results show that the parasympathetic innervation to the parotid gland of the sheep exerts important trophic effects on the gland. Interaction of adrenergic and cholinergic receptors makes an important contribution to stimulation of the secretion of protein and prior denervation potentiates the protein responses to both acetylcholine and VIP.

Acetylcholine↗

Chronaxie and accommodation index in the diagnosis of muscle denervation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the sensitivity of the combined measurement of chronaxie and the accommodation index in the qualitative diagnosis of muscle denervation with needle electromyography and to compare quantitative diagnoses. DESIGN: Ninety-three neurogenic muscles diagnosed by needle electromyography were consecutively included for measurement of chronaxie and the accommodation index in this prospective study. The sensitivity of qualitative diagnosis was assessed for all muscles, separately for the acute and subacute-chronic denervation phase and for the complete and partial denervation. RESULTS: The combined measurement of chronaxie and the accommodation index showed a 90% sensitivity to needle electromyography for qualitative diagnosis of muscle denervation for all muscles. A 100% sensitivity was found for the acute denervation phase and for complete denervation. The subacute-chronic denervation phase revealed a 86% sensitivity, and partial denervation had a 88% sensitivity. The kappa coefficients did not show satisfactory agreement in quantitative diagnosis, and Bowker's test revealed a statistically significant underestimation of muscle denervation for measurement of chronaxie. CONCLUSION: The combined measurement of chronaxie and the accommodation index can be recommended for the screening of neurogenic lesions in the acute denervation phase.

Acute Disease↗

Effect of sensory denervation on the structure and physiologic responsiveness of rabbit lacrimal gland.

PURPOSE: This work was conducted to determine the effects of unilateral trigeminal ganglion ablation on lacrimal gland structure and secretory activity. METHODS: Adult male New Zealand rabbits underwent unilateral thermocoagulation of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal ganglion. Sensory denervation was affirmed by anatomic inspection of the lesion and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the lacrimal gland innervation. Eight to 10 days after the procedure, the intraorbital lacrimal glands were removed from both sides. To compare the physiologic competence of the intact and denervated glands, freshly isolated gland fragments from the paired intact and denervated glands were stimulated with carbachol (100 microM), isoproterenol (10 microM), phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu, 10 microM), forskolin (40 microM), or vehicle. Total secreted protein was measured at 30 or 60 min after the establishment of baseline values. Intact and denervated glands also were examined by light and TEM, and the morphologic appearance of the acinar structures as well as the appearance of nerves innervating the gland after denervation were assessed. Similar experiments were conducted with animals that underwent unilateral superior cervical ganglionectomy. RESULTS: Tissues from sensory denervated glands released significantly more protein than did tissues from innervated glands in response to in vitro stimulation by carbachol or isoproterenol but not in response to PDBu or forskolin. Microscopy showed that the acinar cells that had undergone sensory denervation showed a massive accumulation of secretory granules. The secretory granules filled the entire cytoplasmic space and displaced the ellipsoidal nuclei to the extreme periphery. Examination of segments of nerves revealed numerous unmyelinated axons, a few small-diameter myelinated axons, and a large amount of nerve degeneration after sensory denervation. In contrast to the effects of sensory denervation, sympathetic denervation did not alter either the acinar appearance or secretory responsiveness of the gland. CONCLUSION: Loss of the considerable sensory innervation from the trigeminal ganglion has pronounced effects on the pharmacologic responsiveness and the structure of the lacrimal gland. The effects of sensory innervation on the gland may be mediated through two possible pathways: direct input to the gland or control of the preganglionic parasympathetic pathway.

Animals↗

Paradoxical structural effects in the unilaterally denervated spontaneously hypertensive rat kidney.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of chronic denervation on renal vascular structure and function in young adult spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). DESIGN: Unilateral renal denervation (SHRUDx) or sham-operation (SHRS) was performed in SHRs at 6 weeks of age. At 10 weeks, rats were allocated to one of three procedures designed to examine renal vascular structure and function. A further group underwent bilateral renal denervation. METHODS: In SHRUDx or SHRS groups, either the kidneys were perfusion-fixed for stereological estimates of artery wall and lumen dimensions or for vascular casting to determine arteriole lumen diameters, or the rats were anaesthetized for estimation of glomerular capillary pressure. RESULTS: Chronic unilateral renal denervation had no significant effect on the development of hypertension between 6 and 10 weeks of age, as previously reported, but resulted in luminal narrowing of the interlobular artery (denervated group 52 +/- 2 mum, sham-operated group 64 +/- 1 mum; P < 0.01 for interaction between strain and treatment), without alterations in interlobular or arcuate artery wall dimensions. There were no significant effects on either afferent or efferent arteriole lumen diameters. Estimated glomerular capillary pressure was significantly lower in the denervated kidneys of SHRUDx (47 +/- 1 mmHg) compared with kidneys of the SHRS (50 +/- 1 mmHg; P < 0.04). Mean arterial pressure was approximately 12 mmHg lower in the bilaterally denervated SHRs than in the sham-operated SHRs. CONCLUSIONS: Although bilateral denervation attenuated the development of hypertension in SHRs, unilateral denervation did not, indicating that one neurally intact kidney was sufficient to drive the normal development of SHR hypertension, but only with apparent prohypertensive compensatory changes in the denervated kidney.

Animals↗

Surgical sympathetic denervation increases alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated accumulation of myo-inositol trisphosphate and muscle contraction in rabbit iris dilator smooth muscle.

Sympathetic denervation of the iris muscle produces increases in both the breakdown of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) and in muscle contraction in response to norepinephrine (NE). To shed more light on the biochemical basis underlying this supersensitivity we investigated: the effects of NE on PIP2 breakdown, measured as myo-inositol trisphosphate (IP3) accumulation, and on muscle contraction in normal and denervated rabbit iris dilator; and the effects of denervation on selected biochemical properties of this muscle. The data obtained from these studies can be summarized as follows: The EC50 values (microM) for NE-induced IP3 accumulation in normal and denervated dilators were 14 and 3, respectively. This accumulation of IP3 was blocked by prazosin (1 microM). The EC50 values (microM) for NE-induced contraction for the normal and denervated muscles were 10 and 0.6, respectively. The NE-induced muscle contraction was blocked by prazosin (1 microM). The t1/2 values (s) for IP3 accumulation in normal and denervated muscles were 31 and 11, respectively, and for contraction the values were 19 and 9, respectively. Denervation increased significantly (15-18%) the basal labelling of phosphoinositides from myo-[3H]inositol, but not from 32P or [14C]arachidonic acid. Denervation had little effect on the activities of the enzymes involved in phosphoinositide metabolism. However, the activities of protein kinase C and Ca2+-ATPase increased in the denervated muscle. It is concluded that sympathetic denervation of the iris dilator renders the coupling between alpha1 receptors and PIP2 breakdown into IP3 and 1,2-diacylglycerol (DG) more efficient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Insulin resistance of glucose response produced by hepatic denervations.

This study investigated the glucose response to insulin infused after hepatic denervation. Hepatic denervations were performed on 13 anesthetized cats at different levels: (i) surgical hepatic anterior plexus denervation, (ii) chemical total hepatic denervation by painting phenol on the tissues around the portal vein, bile duct, common hepatic artery, and hepatic ligaments, and (iii) bilateral vagotomy. Sham denervations were performed on 9 animals. Before denervation and after each performance of denervations, insulin (100 mU/kg, i.v.) was infused. Plasma glucose concentrations were analyzed at 15, 30, 45, and 60 min after insulin infusion. Hepatic anterior plexus denervation produced a significant reduction in insulin effectiveness. Phenol denervation and bilateral vagotomy failed to further significantly alter the level of insulin resistance developed by hepatic anterior plexus denervation. These observations demonstrate that the effect of insulin on glucose regulation is markedly reduced in the absence of hepatic anterior plexus innervation, suggesting that hepatic nerve function is necessary for the normal glucose response to insulin. Furthermore, the hepatic nerves of relevance appear to reach the liver primarily, if not exclusively, by the anterior hepatic plexus.

Animals↗