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The role of superoxide anion generation in phagocytic bactericidal activity. Studies with normal and chronic granulomatous disease leukocytes.

The capacity of human phagocytes to generate superoxide anion (O2-), a free radical of oxygen, and a possible role for this radical or its derivatives in the killing of phagocytized bacteria were explored using leukocytes from normal individuals and patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). Superoxide dismutase, which removes O2-, consistently inhibited phagocytosis-associated nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction indicating the involvement of O2- in this process. Similarly, superoxide dismutase inhibited the luminescence that occurs with phagocytosis, implicating O2- in this phenomenon, perhaps through its spontaneous dismutation into singlet oxygen. Subcellular fractions from homogenates of both normal and CGD leukocytes generated O2- effectively in the presence of NADH as substrate. However, O2- generation by intact cells during phagocytosis was markedly diminished in nine patients with CGD. Leukocytes from mothers determined to be carriers of X-linked recessive CGD by intermediate phagocytic reduction of NBT elaborated O2- to an intermediate extent, further demonstrating the interrelationship between NBT reduction and O2- generation in phagocytizing cells. Activity of superoxide dismutase, the enzyme responsible for protecting the cell from the damaging effects of O2-, was approximately equal in homogenates of normal and CGD granulocytes. Polyacrylamide electrophoresis separated this activity into a minor band that appeared to be the manganese-containing superoxide dismutase associated with mitochondria and a more concentrated, cyanide-sensitive, cytosol form of the enzyme with electrophoretic mobility that corresponded to that of erythrocyte cuprozinc superoxide dismutase. Superoxide dismutase inhibited the phagocytic killing of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus viridans. A similar inhibitory effect was noted with catalase which removes hydrogen peroxide. Neither enzyme inhibited the ingestion of bacteria. Peroxide and O2- are believed to interact to generate the potent oxidant, hydroxyl radical (.OH). A requirement for .OH in the phagocytic bactericidal event might explain the apparent requirement for both O2- and H2O2 for such activity. In agreement with this possibility, benzoate and mannitol, scavengers of .OH, inhibited phagocytic bactericidal activity. Generation of singlet oxygen from O2- and .OH also might explain these findings. It would seem clear from these and other studies that the granulo cyte elaborates O2- as a concomitant of the respiratory burst that occurs with phagocytosis. To what extent the energy inherent in O2- is translated into microbialdeath through O2- itself, hydrogen peroxide, .OH, singlet oxygen, or some other agent remains to be clearly defined.

Catalase↗

Identification of a human neutrophil angiotension II-generating protease as cathepsin G.

A human neutrophil protease, initially termed neutral peptide-generating protease, has been shown to cleave angiotensin II directly from angiotensinogen and has been identified as leukocyte cathepsin G. When purified neutrophils were disrupted by nitrogen cavitation and fractionated by differential centrifugation, 44 and 24% of the angiotensin II-generating activity was in the lysosomal and undisrupted cell fractions, respectively. Cytochalasin B-treated human neutrophils stimulated with N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine released beta-glucuronidase, lysozyme, and angiotensin II-generating protease in a dose-dependent fashion, consistent with localization of this protease to the neutrophil granule. Individually purified angiotensin II-generating protease and cathepsin G had similar proteolytic and esterolytic activity for angiotensinogen and N-benzoyl-L-tyrosine ethyl ester on a weight basis, exhibited identical mobilities by SDS-gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and pH 4.3 disc-gel electrophoresis, and gave precipitin lines of antigenic identity on Ouchterlony analysis with goat antibody to the angiotensin II-generating protease. Thus, the angiotensin II-generating protease of human neutrophils has been identified as cathepsin G on the basis of subcellular localization, substrate specificity, physicochemical characteristics, and antigenic identity.

Angiotensin II↗

De novo generation of permanent neovascularized soft tissue appendages by platelet-derived growth factor.

Treatment of wounds with pharmacologic doses of the BB homodimeric form of recombinant PDGF (rPDGF-BB) induces the recruitment, activation, and proliferation of mesenchymal cells, resulting in the deposition of provisional, and subsequently collagen-containing extracellular matrix. In preliminary experiments with an in vitro growth chamber model in the rat consisting of a silicone shell containing a dissected femoral vascular bundle, we found that rPDGF-BB incorporated into a rapidly dissolving collagen type I film induces the generation of a marked, but transient amount of de novo tissue around the femoral vascular bundle. In the present studies, the new tissue generated around the femoral vascular bundle was wrapped with a full thickness syngeneic skin graft to determine if functional support of the graft would lead to sustained maintenance of the underlying generated tissue and create an epithelialized soft tissue appendage. The tissue generated after a single application of rPDGF-BB was skin grafted on the 10th day, exteriorized 20 d later, and observed for an additional month. This led to the formation of soft tissue appendages which demonstrated marked neovascularization, fibroblast migration and proliferation, and increased glycosaminoglycan, fibronectin, and collagen fibril deposition, now leading to preservation of the newly generated tissue. In contrast, minimal new tissue was generated in control-treated vascular bundles or bundles treated with inactive PDGF-BB, and grafting with skin failed to sustain the underlying tissue. Thus, rPDGF-BB coupled with skin grafting induced the formation of functional large soft tissue appendages which are potentially useful clinically to fill tissue defects or to serve as a cell delivery system for transfected genes.

Animals↗

Relapse prevention in schizophrenia with new-generation antipsychotics: a systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: The authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies of the potential of new-generation antipsychotic drugs to improve adherence and decrease relapse rates in patients with schizophrenia. METHOD: Randomized, controlled trials comparing new-generation antipsychotic drugs with placebo and/or conventional antipsychotics were identified. Data on relapse, general treatment failure, and dropout due to adverse events were extracted and combined in a meta-analysis. RESULTS: Because few trials were available for each individual drug, the effects of new-generation antipsychotic drugs as a group were analyzed. The analysis of six placebo comparisons, involving a total of 983 patients, clearly demonstrated that new-generation antipsychotic drugs are effective for relapse prevention. Eleven studies with a total of 2,032 patients provided comparative data on relapse/treatment failure for new-generation and conventional antipsychotics. The analysis revealed that rates of relapse and overall treatment failure were modestly but significantly lower with the newer drugs. Whether this advantage was partly mediated by improved adherence to treatment remains unclear. No significant superiority in terms of fewer dropouts due to adverse events was found for the newer drugs. Furthermore, a number of methodological problems were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the currently available data suggest that new-generation antipsychotics have the potential to reduce relapse rates. Methodological issues to be addressed in future trials include the choice of comparator, use of appropriate doses, application of clinically relevant relapse criteria, monitoring of adherence, and minimization of dropouts.

Antipsychotic Agents↗

Racial disparities in the use of second-generation antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: Despite recommendations that second-generation antipsychotics be used as first-line treatment for schizophrenia, previous studies have shown that blacks are less likely than whites to receive these newer drugs. This study determined the rate at which second-generation antipsychotics were prescribed to whites and blacks with schizophrenia who were treated as outpatients. METHODS: Data were collected from a community mental health clinic affiliated with an academic center in Rochester, New York. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the association between race and the receipt of a second-generation antipsychotic. RESULTS: Data were available for 456 patients: 276 whites and 180 blacks. Ninety-five percent received a second-generation antipsychotic. Whites were approximately six times more likely than blacks to receive a second-generation medication, after the analysis controlled for clinical and sociodemographic factors (p<.001). Most of this difference appeared to be driven by a disparity in the use of clozapine. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample, blacks were less likely than whites to receive second-generation antipsychotics, demonstrating a persistent gap in the quality of care for patients with schizophrenia.

Adult↗

Portuguese immigrant women's perspectives on wife abuse: a cross-generational comparison.

This descriptive study seeks to understand what first and second generation Portuguese women believe about wife abuse and what actions they believe are appropriate for an abused wife. Eighty first generation and 54 second generation women participated. The researcher read the questionnaire items aloud in one-on-one meetings. Overall, participants defined wife abuse broadly, did not approve of wife abuse, were most likely to believe that women should seek external help, and did not hold strong patriarchal beliefs. However, a number of generational differences were found. Second generation women were more likely to label an abusive behavior as abuse, and first generation women were more likely to approve of abuse, endorse indirect or traditional options to deal with wife abuse, and hold stronger patriarchal beliefs. The study's implications for research and practice within Portuguese communities are discussed.

Adult↗

Superoxide Anion Generation, Superoxide Dismutase Activity, and Nitric Oxide Release in Human Internal Mammary Artery and Saphenous Vein Segments.

BACKGROUND: Internal mammary artery (IMA) as conduit for a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) stays patent longer and more often than saphenous vein (SV). However, the precise differences in the biology of IMA and SV are unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: To examine inherent difference in superoxide anion, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitric oxide (NO) formation in IMA and SV as a basis for differences in patency rates, we measured these parameters in vascular segments of patients undergoing CABG. Superoxide anion generation was measured by lucigenin chemiluminescence and reduction of cytochrome c, SOD by inhibition of pyrogallol auto-oxidation, and No as nitrite/nitrate fluorometrically using 2-3-diaminonaphthalene as a probe. Generation of superoxide anion, SOD activity, and No formation were all greater in the IMA than in the SV segments (IMA:SV = 2.6:1, 2.9:1, 1, and 3.0:1, respectively, all P <.010. There was a positive correlation between superoxide anion generation and SOD activity (r = 0.65, P <.05; r = 0.70, P <.05 in IMA and SV, respectively) and NO release (r = 0.68, P <.05; r = 0.75, P <.03 in IMA and SV, respectively). Western blot analysis showed no differences in SOD and NO synthase protein expression in IMA and SV segment homogenates. To examine whether greater superoxide anion generation, SOD activity, and NO formation are unique to IMA, we studied pulmonary artery (PA) and pulmonary vein (PV) segments taken from patients undergoing lung resection. Superoxide anion generation, SOD activity, and NO formation were also found to be greater in PA than in PV segments. CONCLUSIONS: Inherently greater superoxide anion generation and subsequently increased formation of SOD and NO release in IMA (vs SV) may be a factor in the greater patency of the former as CABG conduit. Because both IMA and PA are exposed to pulsatile stretch and cary blood at higher pressure than the SV and PV, it is likely that these 2 factorsd account for the observed differences.

Journal Article↗

Short-term exposure of high glucose concentration induces generation of reactive oxygen species in endothelial cells: implication for the oxidative stress associated with postprandial hyperglycemia.

Recent studies demonstrating a close relationship between postprandial hyperglycemia and the incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease prompted us to investigate the generation and source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in endothelial cells stimulated by short-term exposure to a high glucose concentration. In addition, we investigated the effect of insulin on ROS production induced by high glucose concentration. Cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells demonstrated a significant increase in intracellular ROS generation after a 3-h exposure to 25 mM glucose (131.4% versus 5 mM glucose). This increased generation of ROS was suppressed by an inhibitor of NAD(P)H oxidase. Intracellular ROS production in cells exposed to 3 h of high glucose concentration was increased significantly by the presence of a physiological concentration of insulin. However, after a 1-h exposure to high glucose levels, ROS generation in cells incubated with insulin was only about 80% of that measured in cells incubated without insulin. The generation of intracellular nitric oxide (NO) resulting from an acute insulin effect may account for this difference. In conclusion, acute hyperglycemia itself may possibly cause endothelial oxidative stress in patients with postprandial hyperglycemia. Endothelial oxidative stress may be determined by the interaction between NO and superoxide generation.

Animals↗

Magnitude and reproducibility of forces generated by clinicians during laceback placement.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the magnitude and reproducibility of forces generated by clinicians during laceback placement using a force-measuring typodont. SETTING: An in vitro investigation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An in vitro typodont model was developed, which incorporated strain gauges attached to a personal computer to allow measurement of the force generated on application of lacebacks. Ten operators were instructed to place lacebacks five times, on two separate occasions (T1 and T2). Inter-operator and intra-operator forces produced at T1 and T2 were compared. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Forces generated by laceback placement. RESULTS: The forces generated by clinicians ranged from 0 to 11.1 N. There were significant differences in the mean forces generated by the different operators (P < 0.001), with differences between time points not being consistent across all operators (P < 0.001). Some operators were more consistent than others in the forces generated. CONCLUSION: In vitro, there was a large inter-operator variation in the forces produced during laceback placement. With the in vitro model used in this study, few operators applied similar forces when placing lacebacks on two separate occasions.

Analysis of Variance↗

Rapid generation of combined CMV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell lines for adoptive transfer into recipients of allogeneic stem cell transplants.

Adoptive transfer of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific T cells can restore long-lasting, virus-specific immunity and clear CMV viremia in recipients of allogeneic stem cell transplants if CD4(+) and CD8(+) CMV-specific T cells are detected in the recipient after transfer. Current protocols for generating virus-specific T cells use live virus, require leukapheresis of the donor, and are time consuming. To circumvent these limitations, a clinical-scale protocol was developed to generate CMV-specific T cells by using autologous cellular and serum components derived from a single 500-mL blood draw. CMV-specific T cells were stimulated simultaneously with CMV-specific major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I)- restricted peptides and CMV antigen. Activated T cells were isolated with the interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) secretion assay and expanded for 10 days. In 8 randomly selected, CMV-seropositive donors, 1.34 x 10(8) combined CD4(+) and CD8(+) CMV-specific T cells, on average, were generated, as determined by antigen-triggered IFN-gamma production. CMV-infected fibroblasts were efficiently lysed by the generated T cells, and CMV-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells expanded if they were stimulated with natural processed antigen. On the other hand, CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell-mediated alloreactivity of generated CMV-specific T-cell lines was reduced compared with that of the starting population. In conclusion, the culture system developed allowed the rapid generation of allodepleted, highly enriched, combined CD4(+) and CD8(+) CMV-specific T cells under conditions mimicking good manufacturing practice.

Adoptive Transfer↗

Cytotoxic T cells generated against heteroclitic peptides kill primary tumor cells independent of the binding affinity of the native tumor antigen peptide.

Heteroclitic peptide modifications increase immunogenicity, allowing generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) against weakly immunogenic tumor-associated antigens (TAAs). A critical issue is whether T cells generated against heteroclitic peptides retain the ability to recognize and kill tumor cells expressing the original weak TAAs, and whether there is a lower threshold of binding affinity of the native peptides, below which such CTLs can still kill primary tumor cells. To examine this we used a model examining the ability of native and heteroclitic immunoglobulin (Ig)-derived peptides to generate CTLs that can kill chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells. We demonstrate that CTLs generated against heteroclitic peptides have enhanced killing of CD40-activated B cells pulsed with either heteroclitic (P < .001) or native peptide (P = .04) and primary CLL cells (P = .01). The novel finding reported here is that the rate-limiting factor appears to be the ability to generate CTLs and that once generated, CTL lysis of primary tumor cells is independent of the binding affinity of the native peptide. These findings have implications for vaccination strategies in malignancies and are currently being further examined in vivo in murine models.

Animals↗

A system to generate simultaneous forced oscillation and continuous positive airway pressure.

Assessment of airway obstruction in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) subjected to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may be carried out using the forced oscillation technique (FOT). To facilitate routine application of forced oscillation (FO) in sleep studies, our aim was to design a system capable of generating CPAP and applying FOT simultaneously. We constructed a prototype CPAP + FO generator by connecting a specially designed electromagnetic valve in parallel with a conventional blower. The capacity of the prototype to generate forced oscillation (5 Hz +/- 1 hPa) was tested by connecting it to a model simulating spontaneous breathing. The response of the prototype for target CPAPs of 5, 10 and 15 hPa and imposed sinusoidal breathing with peak flow up to 0.75 L x s(-1) was excellent when compared with that reported for commercially available CPAP generators. The applicability of the prototype was tested by applying it to assess airway obstruction in four patients with OSA during sleep. We conclude that the generator designed is able to apply continuous positive airway pressure and forced oscillation simultaneously. The system could be useful for automatic and noninvasive assessment of airway obstruction in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea subjected to continuous positive airway pressure. Future development of the generator may be helpful in implementing a set-up for automatic titration of continuous positive airway pressure.

Airway Resistance↗

SynTReN: a generator of synthetic gene expression data for design and analysis of structure learning algorithms.

BACKGROUND: The development of algorithms to infer the structure of gene regulatory networks based on expression data is an important subject in bioinformatics research. Validation of these algorithms requires benchmark data sets for which the underlying network is known. Since experimental data sets of the appropriate size and design are usually not available, there is a clear need to generate well-characterized synthetic data sets that allow thorough testing of learning algorithms in a fast and reproducible manner. RESULTS: In this paper we describe a network generator that creates synthetic transcriptional regulatory networks and produces simulated gene expression data that approximates experimental data. Network topologies are generated by selecting subnetworks from previously described regulatory networks. Interaction kinetics are modeled by equations based on Michaelis-Menten and Hill kinetics. Our results show that the statistical properties of these topologies more closely approximate those of genuine biological networks than do those of different types of random graph models. Several user-definable parameters adjust the complexity of the resulting data set with respect to the structure learning algorithms. CONCLUSION: This network generation technique offers a valid alternative to existing methods. The topological characteristics of the generated networks more closely resemble the characteristics of real transcriptional networks. Simulation of the network scales well to large networks. The generator models different types of biological interactions and produces biologically plausible synthetic gene expression data.

Algorithms↗

Brain superoxide anion generation in asphyxiated piglets and the effect of indomethacin at therapeutic dose.

We have previously shown that generation of superoxide anion occurs in cerebral cortex during asphyxia/reventilation in newborn pigs and that a high dose of indomethacin (5 mg/kg i.v.) abolishes superoxide anion production. The purposes of this study were 1) to determine whether the generation of superoxide anion occurs primarily during asphyxia or whether reventilation must take place, 2) to investigate the effects of indomethacin pretreatment at a therapeutic dose of 0.2 mg/kg i.v. on superoxide anion generation, and 3) to investigate the effects of oxypurinol, an oxygen free radical scavenger, on superoxide anion production during asphyxia/reventilation. Superoxide anion production on cerebral cortex was determined by superoxide dismutase-inhibitable nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction using closed cranial windows. Superoxide anion generation during asphyxia without reventilation was 4 +/- 2 pmol NBT/mm2 per 20 min, which was significantly lower than during asphyxia/reventilation (16 +/- 4 pmol NBT/mm2 per 20 min) but comparable to the control group (3 +/- 1 pmol NBT/mm2 per 20 min). Indomethacin given at therapeutic dosage before asphyxia/reventilation decreased superoxide anion production to 3 +/- 1 pmol NBT/mm2 per 20 min, values not significantly different from the control group and from piglets pretreated with oxypurinol at a dose of 50 mg/kg i.v. (4 +/- 2 pmol NBT/mm2 per 20 min). We conclude that in newborn pigs 1) superoxide anions are generated largely during reventilation rather than during asphyxia; 2) the therapeutic dose of indomethacin (0.2 mg/kg) is effective in inhibiting the superoxide anion generation during asphyxia/reventilation; and 3) oxypurinol reduces the superoxide anion accumulation on cerebral cortex during asphyxia/reventilation.

Animals↗

Accelerated exocytosis and H2O2 generation in isolated thyroid follicles enhance protein iodination.

Open pig thyroid follicles in which the apical surface of the follicle cells is in direct contact with the incubation medium were used to study the effect of stimulated exocytosis and stimulated H2O2 generation on the iodination of protein in the incubation medium. In previous studies on this system of follicles we have shown (1) that the apical surface of the follicle cells is a major site of protein iodination and (2), that H2O2 is produced at the apical cell surface. In the present study we confirmed the previous finding that H2O2 generation is greatly stimulated by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. We further found that TSH at a high concentration (greater than 10 mU/ml) and in the presence of Ca2+ stimulated H2O2 generation; TSH had no such effect on follicles incubated in Ca2+-free medium after pretreatment with EGTA. Forskolin did not stimulate H2O2 generation. Exocytosis of thyroglobulin was stimulated by TSH at a low concentration (0.1 mU/ml), and this stimulation was not dependent on Ca2+. Exocytosis was also stimulated by forskolin but not by A23187. Iodination of protein, including thyroglobulin, in the incubation medium was stimulated by A23187, TSH and forskolin. These observations suggest that stimulation of iodination in association with the apical surface of the follicle cells can be achieved separately by an increased rate of H2O2 generation and increased rate of exocytosis. Generation of H2O2 is Ca2+-dependent, whereas exocytosis is mediated by the adenylate cyclase-cAMP system; TSH at a high concentration can stimulate both these processes.

Animals↗

The H2O2-generating system modulates protein iodination and the activity of the pentose phosphate pathway in dog thyroid.

Iodide oxidation and binding to proteins require a thyroperoxidase and an ill defined H2O2-generating system. The NADP+ supply and, thus, NADPH oxidation are the limiting steps of the pentose phosphate pathway. The purpose of this work was to test the hypothesis that H2O2 generation is a limiting step of iodination and NADPH oxidation and, therefore, of the pentose phosphate pathway. H2O2 produced by dog thyroid slices was measured with the homovanillic fluorescence assay. Our data show that H2O2 generation is stimulated by both the cAMP cascade [as activated by TSH, forskolin and (Bu)2cAMP] and the Ca2(+)-phosphatidylinositol cascade (as activated by carbamylcholine, ionomycin, and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate). We used several physiological and pharmacological agents that modulate iodide organification. In all cases there was a strict parallelism between effects on H2O2 generation, iodide binding to proteins, and pentose phosphate pathway activity. Moreover, in TSH- or carbamylcholine-stimulated slices, glucose or Ca2+ depletion, which greatly depressed H2O2 generation, also greatly decreased iodide organification and the activity of the pentose phosphate pathway. The glutathione peroxidase-catalyzed H2O2 reduction in the cytosol, which involves NADPH oxidation and, therefore, increases the NADP supply, also enhances the activity of the pentose phosphate pathway. All of these data strongly support the hypothesis that H2O2 generation in dog thyroid controls iodination of proteins; through the NADPH oxidation resulting from H2O2 production and reduction, hydrogen peroxide also regulates the activity of the pentose phosphate pathway.

Animals↗

Effects of thyroid hormone on norepinephrine signaling in brown adipose tissue. I. Beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate generation.

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis is activated by the sympathetic nervous system. BAT responses to norepinephrine are blunted in hypothyroidism and are rapidly restored by thyroid hormone. We examined in rats the effects of thyroid hormone on BAT beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors (AR) expression and capacity to generate cAMP in response to adrenergic stimulation. Both are reduced in hypothyroidism. The reduction in cAMP generation is equal to or greater than that in beta 1,2-AR; it is the same whether cAMP production is stimulated with norepinephrine, selective beta 3-AR agonists, or forskolin; and it is not affected by the inhibition of phosphodiesterase. Both beta 1,2-AR and the capacity to generate cAMP were slowly corrected by thyroid hormone. T3 normalized beta 1,2-AR between 1 and 2 days, whereas the improvement in cAMP generation lagged 1 or 2 days behind. Within 2 days of acclimation of athyreotic rats at 30 C, the number of beta 1,2-AR reached the euthyroid level, whereas exposure to 4 C decreased these receptors. We reached the following conclusions: 1) BAT beta 1,2-AR and capacity to generate cAMP are reduced in hypothyroidism; 2) the latter, however, is not explained by the reduction in beta 1,2-AR, but, rather, reflects a fault at the postreceptor level; 3) the reduction in beta 1.2-AR number is largely caused by the cold stress derived from the low metabolic rate of the hypothyroid state; and 4) the slow restoration of both receptor number and capacity to generate cAMP after T3 are not consistent with these defects being a significant factor in the previously reported blunted uncoupling protein responses to adrenergic stimulation in hypothyroidism.

Adipose Tissue, Brown↗

The insulin hypoglycemia-induced inhibition of gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulse generator activity in the rhesus monkey: roles of vasopressin and corticotropin-releasing factor.

Insulin-induced hypoglycemia (IIH) profoundly inhibits the activity of the hypothalamic GnRH pulse generator. The aim of this study was to determine the role of vasopressin and CRF in this response. Ovariectomized rhesus monkeys with chronically implanted recording electrodes in the mediobasal hypothalamus and with intracerebroventricular (icv) cannulas in the lateral ventricle were placed in primate chairs, and blood samples were taken every 10 min. Pulse generator activity was monitored electrophysiologically by detecting characteristic increases in hypothalamic multi-unit activity (MUA volleys) and by attendant LH pulses measured in peripheral blood. Arginine vasopressin (AVP) infused via the i.c.v. cannula (50 micrograms/60 microliters.h) in eight monkeys failed to decrease pulse generator activity, as measured by the frequency of MUA volleys, but decreased mean serum LH concentrations (P < 0.001) while increasing serum cortisol levels (P < 0.02). Central administration of an AVP antagonist ([deamino-Pen1, O-Me-Tyr2-Arg8] vasopressin) in four monkeys at a rate (180 micrograms/60 microliters.h) that had previously been found to block the aforementioned effects of coadministered AVP failed to prevent the IIH-induced inhibition of GnRH pulse generator activity and LH secretion in the same animals. On the other hand, a CRF antagonist, [D-Phe12,Nle21,38,C alpha MeLeu37] rat CRF-(12-41), infused i.c.v. at a rate of 500 micrograms/60 microliters.h in four monkeys, delayed the inhibition of pulse generator frequency in response to IIH. These results suggest that AVP does not mediate the hypoglycemia-induced inhibition of GnRH pulse generator frequency in the rhesus monkey, but that CRF may be involved in this response.

Animals↗