Catecholamine metabolism in the vas deferens and the adrenal gland with special reference to the central catecholamine-depleted state

Experiments were carried out to elucidate the role of central catecholamines in regulating catecholamine metabolism in the vas deferens and adrenal gland of the rat. Rats were injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) with either vehicle or 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Groups of animals pretreated with vehicle or 6-OHDA (i.c.v.) were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine (AMT), a tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor. Catecholamine turnover rates were estimated by determining norepinephrine or epinephrine content after administrating AMT.Central norepinephrine and dopamine contents decreased significantly (p<0.05) after treatment with 6-OHDA and AMT. The norepinephrine content of the vas deferens of rats pretreated with 6-OHDA was markedly reduced (p<0.001) after administration of AMT, whereas that of the vehicle-treated rats remained unchanged. Administration of 6-OHDA had no effect on the norepinephrine or epinephrine content of the adrenal gland.The present results indicate that central monoaminergic neurons have an inhibitory effect on the adrenergic neurons of the vas deferens. In contrast, this inhibitory regulation does not appear to be exerted on the adrenal glands.     

NADP-isocitric dehydrogenase of gerbil adrenal mitochondria: Support of steroid hydroxylation

Summary In gerbil adrenal cortex the activity of intramitochondrial NADP-linked isocitric dehydrogenase (IDH) is up to 10-fold greater than the NAD-linked IDH. The NADP-IDH, apparent K_m 0.58 mM, V_max 280 nmoles/min/mg mitochondrial protein, appears to be the major source of reducing equivalents to support adrenal mitochondrial steroid 11B- and 19-hydroxylation in this species.     

Genetic determinants of individual differences in avoidance learning: Behavioral and endocrine characteristics

Bidirectional genetic selection for good and poor active avoidance learning in a shuttle box has been carried out in three independent laboratories using remarkably similar discrete-trial training procedures. The resulting strains are known as the Roman High and Low Avoidance (RHA and RLA), the Syracuse High and Low Avoidance (SHA and SLA) and the Australian High and Low Avoidance (AHA and ALA) strains, respectively. An additional unidirectionally selected strain, known as the Tokai High Avoider (THA) strain was developed in Japan using a free-operant Sidman avoidance procedure in a Skinner box. This paper reviews the selection of the Syracuse strains, enumerates the various behavioral and endocrine characteristics of the strains, and compares them to the other similarly selected strains. The behavioral work suggests that genetic selection from diverse breeding stocks has resulted in common characteristics that differentiate the strains in the emotional, not learning, domain. The endocrine data, however, are somewhat at odds. The Syracuse strains differentiate one way with respect to endocrine function, and the Roman strains differentiate in the opposite way. We suggest, therefore, that the endocrine correlates are not tightly linked to the avoidance genotype. Genetic analysis of all of the selected strains for both the avoidance phenotype and the endocrine correlates will be needed to test this hypothesis.Preparation of this paper was supported by research grant MH-39230-3 from the National Institute of Mental Health.     

Ontogeny of the sex steroid and prolactin receptors in the male rat adrenal gland

Summary Cytosolic estrogen and androgen receptors and membrane prolactin-binding sites in the male adrenal glands showed a definite pattern during sexual development. The level of sexual steroid receptors paralleled adrenal growth, whereas prolactin binding reached its maximum value in mature rats.Lüthy, I. A., Predoctoral Fellow from the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas and Calandra, R. S., Research Career Awardee from the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Argentina.Acknowledgments. We would like to thank Mrs D. Bas and Mrs D. B. Destéfano for the skillful technical assistance and the secretarial work, respectively. This work was partially supported by the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de la República Argentina (CONICET), and the Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica.     

BAM8-22对吗啡耐受的影响

采用缩足反射观察椎管内注射感觉神经元特异性受体(SNSR)激动剂牛肾上腺髓质8-22肽(BAM8-22)对吗啡耐受的影响.结果表明,椎管内注射BAM8-22(0.1nmol)后,吗啡抗伤害作用的半数有效剂量由耐受时的80.99μg恢复至12.38μg(P<0.001);隔天混合给予BAM8-22后,能显著延缓吗啡耐受,第6天吗啡抗伤害作用的半数有效剂量为14.84μg,与吗啡耐受组相比有极显著差异(P<0.001);但这两组动物吗啡的抗伤害作用没有达到正常吗啡组水平(P<0.05和P<0.01).连续椎管内单独注射BAM8-22 6d后,吗啡抗伤害作用的半数有效剂量为12.23μg,明显高于正常吗啡组(P<0.01),但又明显低于吗啡耐受组(P<0.001).而椎管内连续6d混合给予BAM8-22和吗啡,并不能阻止吗啡耐受.研究表明,椎管内注射BAM8-22能部分翻转或延缓吗啡的耐受,而BAM8-22的长期作用则会部分降低吗啡的抗伤害作用,提示感觉神经元特异性受体参与了阿片受体功能的调制.     

脑内血管紧张素及其在延髓对心血管活动的调节

血管紧张素（angiotensins,ANG）包括ANGⅠ、ANGⅡ、ANGⅢ、ANGⅣ,其受体亚型有AT1、AT2、AT4三种。一般认为,脑内血管紧张素的功能是由ANGⅡ与AT1受体结合完成的,但目前认为,脑内正常心血管功能是由ANG（1—7）与其特异性受体（AT5？）结合完成的;还有人指出,ANCⅢ与ANCⅡ在中枢效应中起着同等重要甚至比ANGⅡ更重要的作用。延髓腹外侧区（ventrolateralmedulla,VLM）是中枢重要的心血管活动的调控区域,在VLM通过氨基酸类神经递质影响心血管活动,并导致某些高血压的发生。     

针刺对焦虑障碍大鼠作用的部分机制研究

目的：分析针刺对焦虑障碍大鼠肾上腺心房利钠肽、C型利钠肽水平和血浆皮质酮含量的影响,探讨针刺治疗焦虑障碍的部分机制.方法选取SPF级SD大鼠随机分为空白对照组、模型组、针刺组.模型组、针刺组大鼠建立慢性情绪应激刺激焦虑模型,针刺组同时针刺“内关”、“神门”,每2 d针刺1次,45 min/次,共15 d.空白对照组和模型组用相同方法固定,不做任何干预.使用高架十字迷宫观察大鼠行为学变化,计算进入开臂次数( OE)和停留时间( OT)分别占进入总次数和停留时间的百分比;ELISA法检测大鼠血浆皮质酮水平;免疫组化S-P法检测大鼠肾上腺心房利钠肽、C型利钠肽水平.结果针刺组大鼠OT值明显高于模型组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),与空白对照组之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);3组大鼠OE值之间差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).模型组大鼠浆皮质酮含量明显高于空白对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);针刺组大鼠浆皮质酮含量明显低于模型组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);针刺组与空白对照组之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).模型组大鼠肾上腺皮质和髓质中的心房利钠肽水平均低于空白对照组,C型利钠肽水平均高于空白对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);针刺组大鼠肾上腺皮髓质心房利钠肽明显高于模型组,C型利钠肽明显低于模型组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);针刺组肾上腺髓质心房利钠肽、C型利钠肽与模型组之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论针刺可通过调节外周肾上腺髓质心房利钠肽、C型利钠肽水平,进而影响血浆皮质酮释放,抑制HPA轴活性,发挥抗焦虑作用.     

肾上腺少见疾病诊治19例报告

目的探讨临床上少见肾上腺疾病的诊断和治疗的关键问题。方法对19例病人的诊疗过程进行回顾性分析。结果12例术前确诊,7例术后确诊,其中17例施行手术,16例成功行根治性切除,1例因肿瘤广泛生长粘连无法切除只行活检,2例穿刺活检明确诊断。肿块大小从微小结节状到20cm×25cm×30cm,重约20～5000g。恶性肿瘤者术后行放疗或化疗,随访1年以上生活质量好。结论全面的术前准备最重要,治疗上首选手术探查,争取根治性切除肿瘤。     

血管活性肠肽在皖西白鹅延髓内的分布

应用免疫组织化学SABC染色法,对血管活性肠肽(VIP)免疫反应阳性细胞在皖西白鹅延髓内的分布进行了观察。结果发现,在皖西白鹅延髓的下橄榄核、楔束核、迷走神经背核、疑核、三叉神经脊束核和薄束核分布有VIP免疫阳性细胞。     

Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity in adrenal gland and spleen of rats after fasting and cold exposure

Summary Fasting (48 h) results in dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) release both in adrenal gland and spleen, suggestive of an increase in the activity of these organs. Cold exposure (48 h) produces a dissociation of the, sympathoadrenal response. When both stimuli are simultaneously employed, the DBH response suggests the preponderance of the response to fasting. Plasma DBH is decreased in all groups studied, this could be due to its half-life and the splenic DBH depletion.This work was supported by a grant of Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias de la Seguridad Social, No. 83/0905.