Visual input to rat pineal

Summary Electrophysiological recordings from freely behaving rats, previously implanted stereotaxically with permanent electrodes in the pineal, ventromedial hypothalamus, caudate nucleus, lateral geniculate body and medial geniculate body were obtained. The pineal photic responses revealed 5 sequential components. Injection of a neuronal blocker at the level of the superior cervical ganglion did not alter the earlier photic responses, but did eliminate the late components (N₂–P₃) for 60–90 min after the injection. All of the other responses were unchanged during the experiment. The present experiments demonstrated that photic input travels to the pineal through two pathways.The author is grateful to Dr C.M. Prashad and Ms. Marjorie Brown for technical assistance. Supported in part by grant NS 16596.     

The effects of beta-endorphin on arginine-8-vasopressin and oxytocin levels in rat brain areas

Summary Measurements were made of the effects of intracerebroventricular treatment with beta-endorphin (BE; 100 ng) on the arginine-8-vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin contents of rat hypothalamic and limbic brain areas (hippocampus, amygdala and septum). The hormone concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. The administration of BE resulted in a significant reduction of the AVP level in the amygdala in a naloxone-reversible manner. Naloxone (Nal) administered subcutaneously significantly increased the AVP content in the septum. The results revealed that BE and Nal had regionally specific effects on the activity of the vasopressinergic system but not on that of the oxytocinergic system in the brain.     

The effects of beta-endorphin on arginine-8-vasopressin and oxytocin levels in rat brain areas

Measurements were made of the effects of intracerebroventricular treatment with beta-endorphin (BE; 100 ng) on the arginine-8-vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin contents of rat hypothalamic and limbic brain areas (hippocampus, amygdala and septum). The hormone concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. The administration of BE resulted in a significant reduction of the AVP level in the amygdala in a naloxone-reversible manner. Naloxone (Nal) administered subcutaneously significantly increased the AVP content in the septum. The results revealed that BE and Nal had regionally specific effects on the activity of the vasopressinergic system but not on that of the oxytocinergic system in the brain.     

Somatostatin inhibits in vitro release of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone from rat mediobasal hypothalamic slices

Summary Somatostatin, in concentrations ranging from 10^–10 M to 10^–7 M, induces a dose-dependent inhibition of LHRH release from mediobasal hypothalamic slices incubated in vitro. In contrast, VIP, secretin, glucagon, substance P, neurotensin and arginine-vasotocin do not affect spontaneous release of LHRH.     

‘Binding’ of glycine andγ-aminobutyric acid to synaptosomal fractions of 6 regions of the feline brain; effects of strychnine

Summary GABA (6×10^–6 M) binding to synaptosome-enriched fractions of cat CNS exhibited a clear rostro-caudal gradient, whereas glycine (6×10^–6 M) binding was greatest to particles of cerebellar cortex, and this was followed by medulla caudate nucleus cerebral cortex pons > corona radiata. Strychnine-SO₄ (10^–3 or 10^–4 M) inhibited the binding of GABA and glycine in all brain regions studied; at 10^–5 M this drug inhibited the binding of both GABA and glycine only to particles of the cerebral cortex.This study was supported by Centro Nacional Ramón y Cajal and Fundación Juan March. P. M. was a summer student from Eastern Nazarene College, Wollaston, Mass., USA.     

Prolonged vibration of cutaneous artery: Absence of persisting aftereffects

Summary 1–3 h after prolonged (3–16 h) vibration (120 Hz, 0.2–0.3 mm amplitude) of rings of canine saphenous arteries there was no significant change in the contractile response to electrical stimulation, exogenous norepinephrine or of neuronal uptake of tritium labeled norepinephrine. These results did not provide evidence for persistent aftereffects of prolonged vibration.Acknowledgments. Supported in part by NIH grant HL 05883 and the Swedish Work Environmental Fund.     

Differential sensitivity of the two phases of ear artery contraction to intimal and adventitial norepinephrine

Summary The biphasic contraction of the rabbit ear artery to norepinephrine (NE) was investigated in the normal (adventitial stimulation) and the everted (intimal stimulation) segment of ear artery. The 2nd phase response showed an intimal ED₅₀ of 8.2×10^–8 M which was significantly (p<0.05) lower than the adventitial ED₅₀ of 42.6×10^–8 M. This difference was abolished by inhibition of neuronal and extraneuronal uptake for NE. The 1st phase response also showed an ED₅₀ for the intimal stimulation (6.9×10^–8 M) which was significantly (p<0.05) lower than adventitial (65.5×10^–8 M). This difference was reduced but not abolished by NE uptake inhibition. This suggsets that some feature of the adrenergic neuroeffector apparatus is asymmetrically arranged to favor fast responses to blood borne NE.Supported by American Heart Association-Greater Los Angeles Affiliate Grant No. 602. We wish to thank Dr John Bevan and Dr Alasdair MacLean for helpful advice.     

Compensatory caspase activation in MPP+-induced cell death in dopaminergic neurons

Many have hypothesized that cell death in Parkinsons disease is via apoptosis and, specifically, by the mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathway. We tested this hypothesis using a mouse dopaminergic cell line of mesencephalic origin, MN9D, challenged with the Parkinsonism-causing neurotoxin MPP⁺ (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion). Apoptosis was the main mode of cell death when the cells were subjected to MPP⁺ treatment under serum-free conditions for 24 h. Caspase-3 and caspase-9, however, were not activated, thus indicating the existence of alternate or compensatory cell death pathway(s) in dopaminergic neuronal cells. Using caspase inhibitors, we demonstrated that these pathways involve caspase-2, –8, –6 and –7. A time-course study indicated that activation of caspase-2 and –8 occurred upstream of caspase-6 and caspase-7. Upon MPP⁺ challenge, the apoptosis-inducing factor was translocated from the mitochondria into the MN9D cytosol and nucleus. These results suggest the existence of alternative apoptotic pathways in dopaminergic neurons.Received 20 September 2004; received after revision 5 November 2004; accepted 22 November 2004     

Preferential neurotoxicity of pentobarbital on nerve and glial cells in culture

Summary The effect of pentobarbital was studied in a mixed population of nerve and glial cells dissociated from brains of 7-day chick embryos and maintained in culture. Pentobarbital-Na was added in various concentrations ranging from 5×10^–5 M to 1×10^–3 M. The neuronal density was monitored by counting of neurons, neuronal identity was established by staining for Nissl Bodies and acetylcholinesterase. Over a culture period of 3 weeks, it was found that the barbiturate exerts a preferential dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on neurons.The expert technical assistance of Miss A. Wolf is appreciated. This work was supported by grant 6-74-27, INSERM (Physiologie et Pathologie du Développement Nerveux).     

Neurosecretory system and storage of paraldehyde fuchsin positive neurosecretory material in the dorsal aorta in an earwig,Anisolabis annulipes Lucas (Dermaptera: Labiduridae)

Summary Each of the 2 groups of medial neurosecretory cells has 10–12 A and 2–3 B-cells. Each pars intercerebralis lateralis has 3–4 B-cells only. The 2 nervi corporis cardiaci I (NccI) join with the lateral wall of the aorta and Ncc II terminate in corpora cardiaca (Cc). Only 1 corpus allatum is present. The paraldehyde fuchsin positive neurosecretory material is stored in the dorsal aorta and not in the Cc which indicates the neurohaemal nature of the aorta.We are grateful to Prof. U.S. Srivastava for providing laboratory facilities and S.C.S.T. Uttar Pradesh for financial assistance.     

The hypothalamus and the neurobiology of drug seeking

The hypothalamus is a neural structure critical for expression of motivated behaviours that ensure survival of the individual and the species. It is a heterogeneous structure, generally recognised to have four distinct regions in the rostrocaudal axis (preoptic, supraoptic, tuberal and mammillary). The tuberal hypothalamus in particular has been implicated in the neural control of appetitive motivation, including feeding and drug seeking. Here we review the role of the tuberal hypothalamus in appetitive motivation. First, we review evidence that different regions of the hypothalamus exert opposing control over feeding. We then review evidence that a similar bi-directional regulation characterises hypothalamic contributions to drug seeking and reward seeking. Lateral regions of the dorsal tuberal hypothalamus are important for promoting reinstatement of drug seeking, whereas medial regions of the dorsal tuberal hypothalamus are important for inhibiting this drug seeking after extinction training. Finally, we review evidence that these different roles for medial versus lateral dorsal tuberal hypothalamus in promoting or preventing reinstatement of drug seeking are mediated, at least in part, by different populations of hypothalamic neurons as well as the neural circuits in which they are located.     

Effect of enkephalins in the presence of the antibiotic bacitracin in the longitudinal muscle strip preparation from guinea-pig ileum

Summary The antibiotic bacitracin (5×10^–5–4×10^–4 M) increases the inhibition of the contractile response caused by both enkephalin release and direct application of Met-enkephalin 5×10^–7 M in the longitudinal muscle strip preparation from guinea-pig ileum. This effect is attributed to an inhibition of enkephalin degrading peptidases by bacitracin.     

Respiratory burst in peritoneal exudate cells in response to a modified tuftsin

Intraperitoneal administration of tuftsin-M [Thr–Lys–Pro–Arg–NH–(CH₂)₂–NH–CO–C₁₅H₃₁] to Balb/C mice has been shown to induce a respiratory burst in the peritoneal exudate cells. The macrophages exhibited enhanced levels of O₂ ^–, H₂O₂, NADPH oxidase and myeloperoxidase, but the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase remained virtually unchanged. The magnitude of the oxidative burst depended directly on the dose of tuftsin-M; higher activity was observed at higher doses of the peptide. Tuftsin-M enhanced the generation of both O ₂ ^– and H₂O₂ under in vitro conditions, as did phorbol myristate acetate. These results suggest that tuftsin-M could enhance non-specific defence against infections by activating the macrophages.     

The effect of bovine myelin basic protein on uptake and release of H3-labelled 5-hydroxytryptamine,L-noradrenalin and γ-aminobutyric acid in rat cortex slices

Summary At concentrations above 10^–5 M myelin basic protein (MBP) induced a small inhibition of the uptake of H³-5HT and H³-NA into rat cortex slices. Release of 5HT, NA and Gaba was not affected by 10^–5 M MBP.Acknowledgment. The authors wish to thank W. Bucher for the preparation of MBP.     

Enzymhistochemische Untersuchungen an durstaktivierten neurosekretorischen Zellen der Ratte

Summary In hypothalamic neurosecretory nuclei of rats subject to water withdrawl for 1–14 days, a marked increase in the activities of histochemically detected acid phosphatase, thiamine pyrophosphatase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase is observed. LDH and SDH activities do not change. Two different cell types can be distinguished by means of the acid phosphatase and TPPase reactions.     

Increase in neuronal nitric oxide synthase content of the gastroduodenal tract of diabetic rats

This study examined the changes occurring in the pattern of distribution and expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-positive nerves in the gastroduodenal tract of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The ganglion cells of the myenteric plexus of the gastric antrum of normal rats contain nNOS. We also observed nNOS-positive neurons and fibres in the myenteric plexus of the duodenum of normal rats. After the onset of diabetes, the number and intensity of staining of nNOS-positive nerve profiles in the gastric antrum and duodenum did not change significantly. However, Western blotting showed a significant increase in the expression of nNOS after the onset of diabetes. In conclusion, diabetes of 4 and 32 weeks duration induced an increase in the tissue content of nNOS in the gastroduodenum of rat. The increase in the level of nNOS in the gastroduodenum of diabetic rats may explain why impaired gastric emptying is common in patients with diabetes.     

The viability of pollen grains of a lily (Lilium auratum) and the eggs of the brine-shrimp (Artemia salina) soaked in organic solvents for 10 years

Summary Pollen grains ofLilium auratum which had been stored in n-pentanol, n-butanol and n-propanol for 10 years at –10°C germinated, and the generative nucleus in the pollen tube divided into 2 sperm nuclei. The resting eggs ofArtemia salina soaked in these solvents for 10 years hatched at a high rate.     

Retinoic acid enhances the proliferation of smooth muscle cells

Summary Retinoic acid (RA, 10^–5–10^–7 M) is shown to enhance the proliferation of cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC). This effect is not connected with a synergistic action of RA together with serum mitogens. Moreover, the expression of L1, a surface antigen specific for modulated SMC entering the cell cycle, is amplified by RA treatment.     

Amounts of nuclear DNA in anurans of the USSR

Summary The amounts of nuclear DNA in blood erythrocytes of 18 species of Anura from the USSR have been determined to be in the range of 4.0–20.6 pg (10^–12 g). Brown frogs of genusRana have lower mean genome sizes than green frogs. Palaearctic Anura, as a whole, have a greater content of nuclear DNA than the species of the same families from regions further south.     

Participation of ACTH1–10 and ACTH4–10 on the melatonin modulation of benzodiazepine receptors in rat cerebral cortex

In this study, we examined the effect of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v) injection of melatonin and/or ACTH_1–10 and ACTH_4–10 on [³H]flunitrazepam binding sites in the cerebral cortex of hypophysectomized rats. Hypophysectomy increased the B_max (maximum number of binding sites) of benzodiazepine (BNZ) receptors for at least 7 days after surgery, without changing K_D (dissociation constant). The i.c.v. injection of melatonin to hypophysectomized rats significantly increased B_max, whereas the same doses of melatonin were ineffective in sham-operated animals. In both cases, K_D values were unchanged. The i.c.v injection of ACTH_1–10 to hypophysectomized animals significantly increased B_max, an effect that was enhanced by simultaneous i.c.v. injection of ACTH_1–10+melatonin, reaching higher values of B_max than the i.c.v. injection of these hormones individually. No significant changes in K_D values were found after ACTH_1–10 and/or melatonin administration. However, the i.c.v. injection of ACTH_4–10 to hypophysectomized rats did not change B_max, although it significantly increased K_D values, indicating a decrease in the BNZ binding affinity. Melatonin injection counteracted this effect of ACTH_4–10, returning K_D to the control value. Moreover, although the lower dose of i.c.v. melatonin used, 10 ng, was unable to modify B_max of BNZ binding in the ACTH_4–10-injected group, the higher dose, 20 ng, significantly increased B_max. The results suggest that these ACTH-derived peptides can modulate the effect of melatonin on brain benzodiazepine receptors.