Hypothalamic tyrosine hydroxylase activity,plasma gonadotropin and prolactin levels after aminooxyacetic acid in ovariectomized rats

Summary Plasma concentrations of gonadotropin, prolactin and hypothalamic tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity were measured in ovariectomized rats treated with aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA), a drug which elevates brain GABA levels. Hypothalamic TH activity was significantly increased with a significant decrease in prolactin (Prl) release. Plasma levels of gonadotropins were not modified by AOAA. These results support an inhibitory action of GABA on Prl release possibly mediated through hypothalamic dopamine.Supported by grants from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi. RIA kits for the estimation of LH, FSH and Prl were kindly supplied by Dr A.F. Parlow, NIAMDD-NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. GNB is a UGC research fellow.     

Shortening velocity of single muscle cells isolated from a molluscan smooth muscle

Summary The maximal unloaded shortening velocity (V_max) of smooth muscle cells isolated from the pedal retractor muscle ofMytilus was more than twice as large as that of the whole muscle, suggesting the presence of extracellular components which resist the contraction of the whole muscle. The V_max of the isolated cells was almost constant at cell lengths ranging between 0.5 and 0.831₀ (1₀, optimal length for tension generation) indicating that the intracellular resistance to contraction is negligible within this range of lengths.     

Neuroendocrine control of carbohydrate metabolism in the freshwater bivalve molluscLamellidens marginalis

Summary Blood sugars and foot muscle glycogen were measured in the mussel,L. marginalis after ablation of the cerebral ganglia, and in mussels injected with cerebral ganglionic extract 3 h after ablation. There is a rise in the blood sugar and decrease in foot muscle glycogen 3 h after operation, but no change in sham-operated controls. The effect of ablation is reversed by injecting brain extract into ablated mussels. No such effect could be seen in the controls. The results are suggestive of the presence, in the cerebral ganglia, of a hypoglycaemic factor similar to insulin.     

Serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentrations in individual hypothalamic nuclei and other brain areas of rat

Summary Serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were measured in individual nuclei of rat hypothalamus and other brain areas using HPLC with electrochemical detection. 5-HIAA levels were first demonstrated in hypothalamic and some discrete brain areas. The 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio was highest in the n. caudatus putamen, high in the n. ventromedialis and lowest in the n. suprachiasmaticus.     

Parenteral soya bean fat emulsions potentiate the hepatotoxicity ofE. coli endotoxin in suckling rats

Summary A dose of soy bean fat emulsion which was injected i.v. in suckling rats accumulated in the cells of liver parenchyma, both in hepatocytes and in reticuloendothelial cells. Subsequent i.p. injection ofE. coli endotoxin was followed by extensive liver tissue necrosis and increased activities of serum aspartic and alanine aminotransferase. These signs of liver damage were markedly more pronounced than those observed after the administration ofE. coli endotoxin only.     

A relevant in vitro rat model for the evaluation of blood-brain barrier translocation of nanoparticles

Poly(MePEG₂₀₀₀cyanoacrylate-co-hexadecylcyanoacrylate) (PEG-PHDCA) nanoparticles have demonstrated their capacity to reach the rat central nervous system after intravenous injection. For insight into the transport of colloidal systems across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), we developed a relevant in vitro rat BBB model consisting of a coculture of rat brain endothelial cells (RBECs) and rat astrocytes. The RBECs used in our model displayed and retained structural characteristics of brain endothelial cells, such as expression of P-glycoprotein, occludin and ZO-1, and immunofluorescence studies showed the specific localization of occludin and ZO1. The high values of transendothelial electrical resistance and low permeability coefficients of marker molecules demonstrated the functionality of this model. The comparative passage of polyhexadecylcyanoacrylate and PEG-PHDCA nanoparticles through this model was investigated, showing a higher passage of PEGylated nanoparticles, presumably by endocytosis. This result was confirmed by confocal microscopy. Thanks to a good in vitro/in vivo correlation, this rat BBB model will help in understanding the mechanisms of nanoparticle translocation and in designing new types of colloidal carriers as brain delivery systems.Received 4 March 2005; accepted 14 April 2005     

Fusion between a myogenic cell in the satellite cell position and undamaged adult myofibre segments

In this report we demonstrate for the first time that differentiating myogenic cells, geographically located between the plasmalemma and external lamina of myofibres in the satellite cell position³, can fuse directly with the plasmalemma of undamaged segments of mature myofibres.     

葡萄糖转运体4与Ⅱ型糖尿病相互关系的研究进展

葡萄糖转运体4(GLUT4)是转运葡萄糖的重要蛋白质,与Ⅱ型糖尿病(T2DM)密切相关.从GLUT4对骨骼肌、心肌和脂肪组织,以及肾组织的肾小球系膜细胞的影响等方面进行了综述,研究葡萄糖转运体4与Ⅱ型糖尿病相互关系.     

气动人工肌肉驱动仿人灵巧手的结构设计

研究一种气动人工肌肉驱动的多指仿人灵巧手的结构设计. 通过分析正常人体解剖学,针对人类手掌的外形结构、驱动形式及运动规则,设计了一种5指仿人灵巧手. 该灵巧手有5个手指、19个自由度,在外观和功能上与人手接近;手指采用气动人工肌肉驱动,以柔索传动. 实验结果表明,该仿人灵巧手具有很好的柔顺性,并且整体外形和手指关节的运动范围均能达到拟人的效果.     

小白鼠部分器官中乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）分布特异性的探讨

本文证实了乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）在小白鼠部分器官中的分布特异性.指出了乳酸脱氢酶五种同工酶在小白鼠的心肌、骨骼肌、肾脏、脑和肝脏中均存在，并且在心肌、脑和肾脏中LDH-1（H4）占优势;而在骨骼肌和肝脏中以LDH-5（M4）占优势;分别与各自的生理功能相适应.