Skeletal muscle capillary densities during reactive hyperemia

Reactive hyperemia was induced in hindlimbs of rats by occlusion of the femoral artery. Using fluorescein dye as a peripheral vascular marker, we observed that there was an increase in the number of flowing capillaries supplying the muscle fibres following release of the occlusion. The results indicate that the number of flowing capillaries is not dependent on the duration of occlusion (2-10 min).     

Skeletal muscle capillary densities during reactive hyperemia

Summary Reactive hyperemia was induced in hindlimbs of rats by occlusion of the femoral artery. Using fluorescein dye as a peripheral vascular marker, we observed that there was an increase in the number of flowing capillaries supplying the muscle fibres following release of the occlusion. The results indicate that the number of flowing capillaries is not dependent on the duration of occlusion (2–10 min).     

Attenuation by carbocromen of cardiac metabolism alterations due to ischemia.

Carbocromen prevents to some extent, particularly in subendocardial layer, carbohydrate cardiac metabolism alterations induced by the ischemia obtained by intermittent occlusion of left coronary artery.     

Recent evolutionary origin within the primate lineage of two pseudogenes with similarity to members of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily

Using a search engine called Motifer, we searched the public database of the human genome for genes matching a consensus pattern of cysteine residues derived from members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-) superfamily. We identified two genes (named MDF451 and MDF628) that display sequence similarity to members of the TGF- superfamily in the arrangement of six conserved cysteine residues. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that MDF451 and MDF628 constitute a distinct subgroup within the TGF- superfamily, distantly related to the GDNF subfamily of ligands. Both genes could be identified in several primate species in addition to human, including chimpanzee, gorilla, guereza, and green and gray monkey, but not in rodents or other non-primate mammals, and appear not to be present in the genomes of mouse, rat or zebrafish. RNAs for MDF451 and MDF628 were expressed at low levels within distinct regions of the human central nervous system, including adult cerebellum, adult spinal cord and fetal brain. Despite expression at the RNA level, both genes presented a transcribed upstream stop codon that would prevent translation of the TGF--like reading frame. The coding potential of alternative reading frames was not immediately apparent. The two genes may represent TGF--like pseudogenes that have recently appeared in evolution in a common ancestor of the primate lineage by duplication from a GDNF/TGF--like ancestral gene.Received 9 October 2003; received after revision 13 November 2003; accepted 2 December 2003     

A transbasisphenoidal approach for selective occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in rats

Summary The authors report a new model of focal cerebral ischemia following a selective occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in rats, without additional insults of hypoxia, hypotension and handling of carotid and vertebral arteries, as required in previously described models.     

Attenuation by carbocromen of cardiac metabolism alterations due to ischemia

Summary Carbocromen prevents to some extent, particularly in subendocardial layer, carbohydrate cardiac metabolism alterations induced by the ischemia obtained by intermittent occlusion of left coronary artery.Acknowledgments. Financial support from the U.E.R. of biologie Humaine is gratefully acknowledged.     

Changes in the concentration of vasoactive intestinal peptide in intestinal lymph in response to vagal stimulation in the calf

Summary Stimulation of both vagi caused a significant rise in arterial plasma vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) concentration in 3–5-week-old calves with cut splanchnic nerves. This was associated with a pronounced rise in the VIP concentration of intestinal lymph showing that vagal stimulation causes release of VIP from splanchnic viscera.Acknowledgment. This work has been supported by grants from the Agricultural Research Council and the Medical Research Council and we are indebted to Dr D.M. Burley (CIBA) for his continued support.     

Absorption of protein in the early postoperative period in chronic conscious dogs

Postoperative alterations in amino acid exchange across the intestinal tract and in the capacity for protein absorption were investigated in a chronic canine model. Changes in postoperative splanchnic amino acid exchange consisted of a temporary decrease of total splanchnic amino acid release, including a significant reduction in alanine production, and an increase in glutamine consumption. Contrary to results under stable metabolic conditions, branched chain amino acids were also taken up by the intestine in the early postoperative period. The changes in postoperative amino acid exchange were not, however, reflected by a corresponding alteration in protein transport capacity. The absorptive capacity for a protein hydrolysate remained stable during the early postoperative period.     

Muscarinic involvement in vascular and adrenal medullary responses to splanchnic nerve stimulation in conscious calves

Stimulation of the peripheral end of the right splanchnic nerve (4 Hz for 10 min) in the presence of hexamethonium caused a small but significant rise in mean aortic blood pressure which was subsequently abolished by atropine. There were also small but significant increases in the outputs of catecholamines, [Met⁵]-enkephalins and corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) from the right adrenal gland. The catecholamine response was roughly halved after atropine while the outputs of enkephalins and CRF were unaffected. It is concluded that splanchnic sympathetic postganglionic neurones supplying the vasculature are completely blocked by cholinergic blockade whereas adrenal medullary responses persist in an attenuated form.     

Water movement between myocardial tissue and capillary blood during and after coronary reactive hyperemia as studied by continuous measurement of colloid osmotic pressure of cardiac venous blood

Summary Colloid osmotic pressure (COP) of blood from the great cardiac vein was continuously measured by the use of a membrane colloid osmometer during reactive hyperemia resulting from temporary occlusion of the anterior descending branch of left coronary artery. The COP increased sharply but transiently after the release, then it decreased below the initial level and gradually recovered. It was concluded that a measurable amount of water moved from the capillary blood into the myocardial tissue and then flowed back slowly into the capillary blood.     

CT血管造影对脑血管性疾病的临床诊断价值

目的评价64层螺旋CT血管成像对脑血管病的诊断及临床应用价值。方法64层螺旋CT血管成像检查确诊脑血管疾病患者60例,50例在1周内行DSA检查。采用减影方法进行后处理,分别得到VR,MIP,TSMIP图像,利用这三种方法重建图像综合评价脑血管病变。结果①脑动脉狭窄或闭塞者46例,其中36例有DSA对照,98．8％的狭窄或闭塞的脑血管与DSA诊断一致,CT血管成像的敏感性,特异性,准确性分别为100％、98．5％、98．8％;②烟雾病3例,均有DSA对照,表现为单侧或双侧大脑中动脉重度狭窄,远端分支异常增多;③脑动脉瘤患者12例,均有DSA对照,后交通动脉瘤7例,前交通动脉瘤3例,大脑中动脉瘤1例,大脑后动脉瘤1例,CT血管成像与DSA显示一致。结论64层螺旋CT层血管成像能快速,准确地诊断各种脑血管疾病,结合减影处理方法提高了诊断的效率和准确性,为临床提供了全面的信息,可作为脑血管疾病患者的首选诊断方法。     

Synapsing pathways through the guinea-pig inferior mesenteric ganglion

Summary All 4 groups of nerves connecting with the guinea-pig inferior mesenteric ganglion contain synaptic inputs which activate postganglionic activity in all groups except the lumbar splanchnic nerves.     

On the mechanism of the involvement of endothelium in reactive hyperemia

Experiments on anesthetized dogs and on vascular test-preparations demonstrated that reactive hyperemia (RH) was accompanied by the appearance of vasodilator in the blood, and that the level increased with the duration of occlusion of the artery. Removal of the endothelium of the part of the vascular bed studied using saponin, decreased the RH and relaxation of a test-preparation. A rise of pressure in the vascular bed, and a decrease in the deformability of the endothelium resulting from pretreatment with dimerized glutaraldehyde, affected both the hyperemia and the reaction of the vascular preparation in a similar way. It was concluded that the RH resulted from the secretion of vasoactive substances by the endothelium in response to a fall in intravascular pressure.     

On the mechanism of the involvement of endothelium in reactive hyperemia

Experiments on anesthetized dogs and on vascular test-preparations demonstrated that reactive hyperemia (RH) was accompanied by the appearance of vasodilator in the blood, and that the level increased with the duration of occlusion of the artery. Removal of the endothelium of the part of the vascular bed studied using saponin, decreased the RH and relaxation of a test-preparation. A rise of pressure in the vascular bed, and a decrease in the deformability of the endothelium resulting from pretreatment with dimerized glutaraldehyde, affected both the hyperemia and the reaction of the vascular preparation in a similar way. It was concluded that the RH resulted from the secretion of vasoactive substances by the endothelium in response to a fall in intravascular pressure.     

Somatic and germinal chimerism after the intracoelomic graft of quail splanchnic mesoderm to chick embryos]

The splanchnic mesoderm of the genital area can develop in coelomic graftings as soon as it is colonized by the primordial germ cells (stage 15 of H. and H.). Heterospecific associations between Chick and Quail embryos lead to the differentiation of gonads showing more or less pronounced somatic and germinal chimerisms.     

Experimental approaches to study functional recovery following cerebral ischemia

Valid experimental models and behavioral tests are indispensable for the development of therapies for stroke. The translational failure with neuroprotective drugs has forced us to look for alternative approaches. Restorative therapies aiming to facilitate the recovery process by pharmacotherapy or cell-based therapy have emerged as promising options. Here we describe the most common stroke models used in cell-based therapy studies with particular emphasis on their inherent complications, which may affect behavioral outcome. Loss of body weight, stress, hyperthermia, immunodepression, and infections particularly after severe transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (filament model) are recognized as possible confounders to impair performance in certain behavioral tasks and bias the treatment effects. Inherent limitations of stroke models should be carefully considered when planning experiments to ensure translation of behavioral data to the clinic.     

Hh signaling in regeneration of the ischemic heart

Myocardial infarction (MI) is caused by the occlusion of a coronary artery due to underlying atherosclerosis complicated by localized thrombosis. The blockage of blood flow leads to cardiomyocyte (CM) death in the infarcted area. Adult mammalian cardiomyocytes have little capacity to proliferate in response to injury; however, some pathways active during embryogenesis and silent during adult life are recruited in response to tissue injury. One such example is hedgehog (Hh) signaling. Hh is involved in the embryonic development of the heart and coronary vascular system. Pathological conditions including ischemia activate Hh signaling in adult tissues. This review highlights the involvement of Hh signaling in ischemic tissue regeneration with a particular emphasis on heart regeneration and discusses its potential role as a therapeutic agent.     

Asphyxie-Schutz durch Schweres Wasser (D2O)

Summary In rats a 25% D₂O content of total body water was found to prolong survival time and the period of revivability in asphyxia by a better maintenance of cardiovascular function and gasp activity.

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Herrn Prof. Dr. W. Isselhard zum 50. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Über die Bedeutung der Innervation für die Adrenalinsynthese im Nebennierenmark

Summary In experiments on rabbits, the influence of the innervation on the synthesis of adrenaline in the suprarenals was investigated. After depleting the glands of adrenaline by repeated injections of reserpine, one splanchnic nerve was sectioned. It was found that in the denervated suprarenal gland, the resynthesis was slower than in the normal gland. This suggests that the innervation is of importance for the rate of synthesis of adrenaline.