Effects of ovariectomy on the oxidative metabolism of the central nervous system and adrenal glands in female hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

We have studied the influence of ovariectomy on the oxidative activity of hypophysis, hypothalamus, posterior cortex, septal area, amygdala and adrenal glands, in female hamsters, because their neuroendocrine behavior seems to differ from that of rats. Our results show a decreasing the O2 uptake in the hypothalamus and adrenal glands and an increase in the rest of the structures.     

Oxidative activity during the sexual cycle of the central nervous system,adrenal glands and ovaries in the hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

Summary The results indicate significant increases of the oxidative metabolism in the oestrus of the ovaries, hypothalamus and the posterior cortex, while in the amygdala this increase occurs in the phase of diestrus.     

Aneuploidy as a consequence of senescence and ovariectomy in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

The hypothesis of the preferred X-chromosome loss in elder human females was reevaluated in the golden hamster: early castration of females proved that the increase of aneuploid cells is correlated with the loss of the ovaries. But here, and in old females, aneuploidy consisted of random loss of excess of chromosomes, in no case an X-chromosome.     

Aneuploidy as a consequence of senescence and ovariectomy in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

Summary The hypothesis of the preferred X-chromosome loss in elder human females was reevaluated in the golden hamster: early castration of females proved that the increase of aneuploid cells is correlated with the loss of the ovaries. But here, and in old females, aneuploidy consisted of random loss or excess of chromosomes, in no case an X-chromosome.     

Occurrence of hibernation in the golden hamster,Mesocricetus auratus waterhouse

Résumé Une hypothèse est présentée pour expliquer la variabilité en durée de la période préléthargique au cours de l'année. La période préléthargique pouvait être approximée à trois mois. Dès novembre, le Hamster développe une prédisposition, résultant dans un raccourcissement de la période préléthargique. En février, la prédisposition pour le sommeil hivernal est au maximum, mais ensuite elle est perdue.     

The activation of membrane ATPase by ouabain in several tissues of the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) in the absence of potassium

Summary The activity of the membrane ATPase of 5 organs of the golden hamster was increased by 10^–7–10^–3 moles/l ouabain in K⁺-free medium. In similar experiments on rats no increase was observed.     

Effects of 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone on central nervous system excitability

Summary The effects of 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone (18-OH-DOC) on central nervous system excitability were studied in adrenalectomized rats. Sixty-four evoked potentials (EP) recorded from the pontine reticular formation were averaged before and after the injection of vehicle and hormone. 750 g of 18-OH-DOC dissolved in 0.5 ml of a 41 saline Cremophor-EL solution were injected i.v. A decrease of 55.7±6.1% in the amplitude of the EPs was observed with the hormone 16.3 min±2.7 (SE) after injection. Amplitude values returned to baseline levels 38 min±6.8 (SE) after injection. The secretion of 18-OH-DOC is greatly increased by ACTH and might modulate central nervous system function.     

Effects of 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone on central nervous system excitability

The effects of 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone (18-OH-DOC) on central nervous system excitability were studied in adrenalectomized rats. Sixty-four evoked potentials (EP) recorded from the pontine reticular formation were averaged before and after the injection of vehicle and hormone. 750 micrograms of 18-OH-DOC dissolved in 0.5 ml of a 4:1 saline Cremophor-EL solution were injected i.v. A decrease of 55.7 +/- 6.1% in the amplitude of the EPs was observed with the hormone 16.3 min +/- 2.7 (SE) after injection. Amplitude values returned to baseline levels 38 min +/- 6.8 (SE) after injection. The secretion of 18-OH-DOC is greatly increased by ACTH and might modulate central nervous system function.     

The role of apolipoprotein E in lipid metabolism in the central nervous system

The critical roles of apolipoprotein E (apoE) in regulating plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels have been extensively studied for over 2 decades. However, an understanding of the roles of apoE in the central nervous system (CNS) is less certain. This review will summarize the available experimental results on the role of apoE in CNS lipid homeostasis with respect to its modulation of sulfatide trafficking, alteration of CNS cholesterol homeostasis and apoE-induced changes in phospholipid molecular species in specialized subcellular membrane fractions. The results indicate that apoE mediates sulfatide trafficking and metabolism in the CNS. Moreover, although apoE does not affect the cholesterol mass content or the phospholipid mass levels and composition in the CNS as a whole, apoE modulates cholesterol and phospholipid homeostasis in selective subcellular membrane compartments. Through elucidating the roles of apoE in CNS lipid metabolism, new insights into overall functions of apoE in neurobiology can be accrued ultimately, leading to an increased understanding of CNS lipid metabolism and the identification of novel therapeutic targets for CNS diseases.Received 9 January 2004; received after revision 28 February 2004; accepted 10 March 2004     

Studies on the regional biosynthesis and metabolism of catecholamines in the central nervous system of the monkey

Zusammenfassung Nach intraventrikulärer Verabreichung von Tyrosin-C¹⁴ oder Dopamin-H³ wurden die Biosynthese und der Stoffwechsel des Katecholamins in verschiedenen Regionen des ZNS bei Affen (Cercopithecus sabaeus) untersucht. Die grössten Katecholaminmengen wurden aus Tyrosin-C¹⁴ im Nucleus caudatus gebildet. Ebenso ist dort, wie im Putamen, die Tyrosin-Hydroxylase-Aktivität am grössten. Die Bildung des Noradrenalins aus Dopamin konnte im Hypothalamus, Hirnstamm, sowie im Nucleus caudatus nachgewiesen werden. Die Verteilung des radioaktiven Dopamins entspricht nicht in allen Hirnregionen der Verteilung des endogenen Dopamins.

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Supported by P.H.S. Grants No. MH-02717, No. NB-5480 and No. NB-04257.     

Seasonal monoamine changes in the central nervous system ofMytilus edulis (Bivalvia)

Summary The levels of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine exhibit seasonal changes in the central nervous system of Mytilus edulis. These monoamines were higher during the summer and lower during the winter.     

Interaction of serotonin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in the central nervous system

Zusammenfassung Serotonin (5-Oxytryptamin) wirkt bei der Maus als mildes Sedativum und steigert den hypnotischen Effekt von Evipan deutlich. Diese Wirkungssteigerung kann durch Lysergsäure-diäthylamid (LSD) antagonisiert werden. Dieser Befund stimmt mit der Ansicht überein, dem Serotonin komme eine physiologische Rolle im Gehirn zu und dass LSD möglicherweise durch antagonistische Wirkung gegenüber Serotonin Psychose verursachen kann.