Library

feed icon rss

Your email was sent successfully. Check your inbox.

An error occurred while sending the email. Please try again.

Proceed reservation?

Export
  • 1
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Oxford, UK : Blackwell Publishing Ltd
    Journal of neurochemistry 46 (1986), S. 0 
    ISSN: 1471-4159
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract: An immunological approach to the detection of taurine resulted in antibodies specific enough to be used for immunocytochemical studies. The experimental conditions were similar to those previously described for raising antibodies against some small-sized neurotrans-mitter molecules: antisera were obtained from rabbits immunized with taurine conjugated to carrier proteins via glutaraldehyde and purified by adsorption on the glutar-aldehyde-treated protein carriers. Antibody affinity and specificity were determined in competition experiments between conjugated taurine and other conjugated amino acids or derivatives by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The resulting cross-reactivity ratios, calculated at half-displacement, showed conjugated taurine to be the best recognized compound. Given the molecular structure of taurine and the method used to prepare the conjugate, it seemed necessary to perform an oxidation step. However, adsorption of antisera on reoxidized or non-reoxidized taurine conjugates suggested that reoxidation did not make a significant difference. Immunocytochemical application of the sera revealed populations of strongly immunopositive nerve cells in the cerebellum, striatum, and septum. The results confirmed that anti-taurine antibodies can be used as specific tools for a better understanding of the role of taurine in the central nervous system.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Library Location Call Number Volume/Issue/Year Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 2
    ISSN: 1365-2826
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: The mammalian suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) contain an endogenous pacemaker that generates daily rhythms in behavior and secretion of hormones. Previously we hypothesized that the SCN imposes its circadian rhythm on the rest of the brain through a rhythmic release of its transmitters in its target areas. In the present study we employed microdialysis-mediated intracerebral administration of vasopressin (VP) and its V1 -antagonist to study the mechanisms underlying the circadian control of the release of the adrenal hormone corticosterone. Stress-free application of the VP V1 -antagonist in the dorsomedial hypothalamus of freely moving, undisturbed animals during the middle of the light period (i.e. the trough of the corticosterone rhythm) caused an immediate increase of circulating plasma corticosterone levels. A similar administration of VP at the end of the light period completely prevented the diurnal rise in plasma corticosterone. These results indicate a pronounced inhibitory role for SCN-derived VP at the level of the dorsomedial hypothalamus with respect to the activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis during the day period. Thus, the daily decline in VP release sets a specific time window for the occurrence of the daily corticosterone peak. On the other hand, during the dark period corticosterone levels are decreasing together with basal VP levels. Therefore, in addition to the inhibitory VP signal from the SCN, there is also the need for an excitatory SCN signal in order to accomplish the complete circadian profile of plasma corticosterone.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Library Location Call Number Volume/Issue/Year Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 3
    ISSN: 1365-2826
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: In non-seasonal breeders like the rat, the influence of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) on reproduction is most clearly expressed in the female. Complete lesions of the SCN induce persistent oestrus (anovulation) in intact female rats, whereas oestrogen implantation in ovariectomized rats results in daily luteinizing hormone surges. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), a peptide synthesized in cell bodies of the SCN, inhibits the increase in pulsatile luteinizing hormone release observed in ovariectomized female rats. In search of the anatomical basis for these observations, the present study employs an immunocytochemical double staining for VIP and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) at the light microscopical level. It was demonstrated that approximately 45% of the GnRH positive neurons in the diagonal band of Broca, the preoptic and anterior hypothalamic area of female rats are innervated by VIP-containing processes. To investigate whether these VIP-containing fibres represent a direct projection of the SCN to the GnRH system, unilateral thermic SCN lesions were made.Lesions that unilaterally destroyed the majority of the VIP synthesizing cells in the SCN resulted in at least a 50% decrease of the VIP innervation of GnRH cell bodies at the lesioned side compared to the intact side. Lesions not affecting the VIP synthesizing cell population in the SCN did not change the percentage of GnRH neurons innervated by VIP-containing fibres, while partial lesions resulted in intermediate effects.These results indicate that the majority of the light microscopical VIP-containing input on GnRH neurons in the hypothalamus is derived from the SCN. It is suggested that the reported effects of VIP on luteinizing hormone release may, at least in part, be induced via a direct effect of VIP on GnRH cell bodies. This direct SCN-GnRH pathway provides an anatomical basis for diurnal influences on the regulation of the female reproductive cycle.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Library Location Call Number Volume/Issue/Year Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 4
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Oxford, UK : Blackwell Science Ltd
    European journal of neuroscience 19 (2004), S. 0 
    ISSN: 1460-9568
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: The rhythm of melatonin synthesis in the rat pineal gland is under the control of the biological clock, which is located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus (SCN). Previous studies demonstrated a daytime inhibitory influence of the SCN on melatonin synthesis, by using γ-aminobutyric acid input to the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN). Nevertheless, a recent lesion study suggested the presence of a stimulatory clock output in the control of the melatonin rhythm as well. In order to further investigate this output in acute in vivo conditions, we first measured the release of melatonin in the pineal gland before, during and after a temporary shutdown of either SCN or PVN neuronal activity, using multiple microdialysis. For both targets, SCN and PVN, the application of tetrodotoxin by reverse dialysis in the middle of the night decreased melatonin levels. Due to recent evidence of the existence of glutamatergic clock output, we then studied the effect on melatonin release of glutamate antagonist application within the PVN in the middle of the night. Blockade of the glutamatergic input to the PVN significantly decreased melatonin release. These results demonstrate that (i) neuronal activity of both PVN and SCN is necessary to stimulate melatonin synthesis during the dark period and (ii) glutamatergic signalling within the PVN plays an important role in melatonin synthesis.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Library Location Call Number Volume/Issue/Year Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 5
    ISSN: 1460-9568
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: In view of mounting evidence that the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is directly involved in the setting of sensitivity of the adrenal cortex to ACTH, the present study investigated possible anatomical and functional connections between SCN and adrenal. Transneuronal virus tracing from the adrenal revealed first order labelling in neurons in the intermedio-lateral column of the spinal cord that were shown to receive an input from oxytocin fibres and subsequently second-order labelling in neurons of the autonomic division of the paraventricular nucleus. The latter neurons were shown to receive an input from vasopressin or vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) containing SCN efferents. The true character of this SCN input to second-order neurons was also demonstrated by the fact that third-order labelling was present within the SCN, vasopressin or VIP neurons. The functional presence of the SCN–adrenal connection was demonstrated by a light-induced fast decrease in plasma corticosterone that could not be attributed to a decrease in ACTH. Using intact and SCN-lesioned animals, the immediate decrease in plasma corticosterone was only observed in intact animals and only at the beginning of the dark period. This fast decrease of corticosterone was accompanied by constant basal levels of blood adrenaline and noradrenaline, and is proposed to be due to a direct inhibition of the neuronal output to the adrenal cortex by light-mediated activation of SCN neurons. As a consequence, it is proposed that the SCN utilizes neuronal pathways to spread its time of the day message, not only to the pineal, but also to other organs, including the adrenal, utilizing the autonomic nervous system.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Library Location Call Number Volume/Issue/Year Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 6
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Oxford, UK : Blackwell Publishing Ltd
    European journal of neuroscience 1 (1989), S. 0 
    ISSN: 1460-9568
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: To investigate the role of the oxytocin innervation of the caudal ventrolateral medulla, immunocytochemical techniques were used to demonstrate the presence of oxytocin fibres and terminals in close apposition to noradrenergic neurons of the A1-area.Subsequently, in freely moving animals fitted with an indwelling jugular venous catheter and a bilaterally implanted chronic cannula in the A1-area, it was examined whether infusions of oxytocin in this area were able to influence hormonal vasopressin release. It appeared that nanomolar (50–500 nM) concentrations of oxytocin induce a fourfold rise in plasma vasopressin values. The specificity of this effect was established with control infusions of Ringer, vasopressin, and the addition of an antagonist to oxytocin. It was not possible to demonstrate a major role for oxytocin in the A1-area in the release of hormonal vasopressin occurring during haemorrhage.These data permit us to conclude that oxytocin acts on presumably noradrenergic neurons of the A1-area leading to the release of vasopressin into the peripheral circulation. The circumstances under which oxytocin is released in this area remain to be established.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Library Location Call Number Volume/Issue/Year Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 7
    ISSN: 1460-9568
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: In order to drive tissue-specific rhythmic outputs, the master clock, located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), is thought to reset peripheral oscillators via either chemical and hormonal cues or neural connections. Recently, the daily rhythm of plasma glucose (characterized by a peak before the onset of the activity period) has been shown to be directly driven by the SCN, independently of the SCN control of rhythmic feeding behaviour. Indeed, the daily variation in glucose was not impaired unless the scheduled feeding regimen (six-meal schedule) was associated with an SCN lesion. Here we show that the rhythmicity of both clock-gene mRNA expression in the liver and plasma glucose is not abolished under such a regular feeding schedule. Because the onset of the activity period and hyperglycemia are correlated with an increased sympathetic tonus, we investigated whether this autonomic branch is involved in the SCN control of plasma glucose rhythm and liver rhythmicity. Interestingly, hepatic sympathectomy combined with a six-meal feeding schedule resulted in a disruption of the plasma glucose rhythmicity without affecting the daily variation in clock-gene mRNA expression in the liver. Taking all these data together, we conclude that (i) the SCN needs the sympathetic pathway to the liver to generate the 24-h rhythm in plasma glucose concentrations, (ii) rhythmic clock-gene expression in the liver is not dependent on the sympathetic liver innervation and (iii) clock-gene rhythmicity in liver cells is not sufficient for sustaining a circadian rhythm in plasma glucose concentrations.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Library Location Call Number Volume/Issue/Year Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 8
    ISSN: 1460-9568
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) controls the circadian rhythm of melatonin synthesis in the mammalian pineal gland by a multisynaptic pathway including, successively, preautonomic neurons of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the spinal cord and noradrenergic neurons of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG). In order to clarify the role of each of these structures in the generation of the melatonin synthesis rhythm, we first investigated the day- and night-time capacity of the rat pineal gland to produce melatonin after bilateral SCN lesions, PVN lesions or SCG removal, by measurements of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT) gene expression and pineal melatonin content. In addition, we followed the endogenous 48 h-pattern of melatonin secretion in SCN-lesioned vs. intact rats, by microdialysis in the pineal gland. Corticosterone content was measured in the same dialysates to assess the SCN lesions effectiveness. All treatments completely eliminated the day/night difference in melatonin synthesis. In PVN-lesioned and ganglionectomised rats, AA-NAT levels and pineal melatonin content were low (i.e. 12% of night-time control levels) for both day- and night-time periods. In SCN-lesioned rats, AA-NAT levels were intermediate (i.e. 30% of night-time control levels) and the 48-h secretion of melatonin presented constant levels not exceeding 20% of night-time control levels. The present results show that ablation of the SCN not only removes an inhibitory input but also a stimulatory input to the melatonin rhythm generating system. Combination of inhibitory and stimulatory SCN outputs could be of a great interest for the mechanism of adaptation to day-length (i.e. adaptation to seasons).
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Library Location Call Number Volume/Issue/Year Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 9
    ISSN: 1460-9568
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Despite a pronounced inhibitory effect of light on pineal melatonin synthesis, usually the daily melatonin rhythm is not a passive response to the surrounding world. In mammals, and almost every other vertebrate species studied so far, the melatonin rhythm is coupled to an endogenous pacemaker, i.e. a circadian clock. In mammals the principal circadian pacemaker is located in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), a bilateral cluster of neurons in the anterior hypothalamus. In the present paper we show in the rat that bilateral abolition of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), but not vasopressin, neurotransmission in an SCN target area, i.e. the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, during (subjective) daytime results in increased pineal melatonin levels. The fact that complete removal of the SCN results in a pronounced increase of daytime pineal mRNA levels for arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT), i.e. the rate-limiting enzyme of melatonin synthesis, further substantiates the existence of a major inhibitory SCN output controlling the circadian melatonin rhythm.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Library Location Call Number Volume/Issue/Year Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 10
    ISSN: 1600-079X
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract: In vivo trans-pineal microdialysis was performed in male Wistar rats maintained under a 12 hr light: 12 hr dark (LD 12: 12) cycle. Collected dialysates were assayed by radioimmunoassay for melatonin concentrations. A non-linear regression was fitted through the obtained datapoints to determine the time points at which a 50% increase (IT50) and decrease (DT50) of the nocturnal melatonin peak were reached. In a first experiment, the nocturnal melatonin profiles of four animals were determined throughout 5 consecutive days. In a second experiment, we analysed the melatonin profiles during the night in rats originating from three different breeding colonies (Dépré, Harlan, and Iffa-Crédo). A low intraindividual variability was found on the phase markers IT50 and DT50, as on peak duration of melatonin rhythms estimated over 5 subsequent days in the same animal. In contrast, animals showed a large interindividual variability in their profile phase markers and the values were dependent on the origin of the breeding colony. Each rat colony was characterized by early or late IT50 and DT50 as long or short peak length. It is concluded from experiment 1 that the melatonin rhythm is a very stable circadian marker. Nevertheless, great caution must be taken in the choice of animal groups while studying circadian rhythms due to the large interindividual variability observed in experiment 2. Therefore, as the technique allows the use of the animal as its own control, the present study demonstrated that the use of the microdialysis technique is of interest in studies on the circadian system.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Library Location Call Number Volume/Issue/Year Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
Close ⊗
This website uses cookies and the analysis tool Matomo. More information can be found here...