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  • 1
    ISSN: 1530-0358
    Keywords: Pravastatin ; ras p21 isoprenylation ; Colon carcinogenesis ; Flat colon tumor ; Azoxymethane ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract PURPOSE: The effect of pravastatin, an inhibitor ofras p21 isoprenylation, on the gross type of colon tumors induced by azoxymethane was investigated in Wistar rats. METHODS: Rats received ten weekly subcutaneous injections of 7.4 mg/kg body weight of azoxymethane and intraperitoneal injections of 10 or 20 mg/kg body weight of pravastatin every other day until the end of the experiment at Week 45. RESULTS: Administration of pravastatin at both dosages had no significant effect on the incidence of colon tumors but significantly increased the incidence of rats with adenomas only. In contrast to the elevated adenomas in control rats, flat adenomas were significantly more prevalent in rats given pravastatin. Pravastatin at both doses significantly decreased the labeling index, but not the apoptotic index, of elevated adenomas, whereas it significantly decreased the labeling index but increased the apoptotic index of flat adenomas. Administration of pravastatin at both dosages also significantly decreased the amounts of membrane-associatedras p21 in colon tumors. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that theras oncogene may be closely related to the development of adenocarcinomas from adenomas and the development of elevated or polypoid tumors of the colon.
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  • 2
    ISSN: 1436-2023
    Keywords: Key words Adriamycin ; Rat ; Embryo ; VATER association ; Synovial joint ; Bones ; Limbs ; Vertebra ; Sirenomelia
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The adriamycin-induced rat model of the Vertebral, Anorectal, Tracheo-Esophageal, Radial and Renal (VATER) association produces a variety of vertebral, rib, and limb abnormalities. This study was designed to document accurately the nature of these abnormalities and to determine whether synovial joints are affected. Fetuses from pregnant Sprague Dawley rats that had received intraperitoneal injections of 1.75 mg/kg of adriamycin on days 6–9 or 10–13 of gestation were harvested. Double-stained skeletal preparations and histological sections were examined for vertebral, rib, and limb anomalies. The incidence of anomalies was high in the group treated on gestational days (GD) 6–9, while it was low in the GD 10–13 group. The length and thickness of the long bones were reduced, with bowing and reduction in their endochondral ossification. Sirenomelia occurred in the group treated on GD 6–9, and was often associated with a short tail and anal atresia. The joint cavities, and intra-articular structures such as menisci and the cruciate ligaments developed normally from the mesenchymal interzone. These data indicate that adriamycin inhibits skeletal growth and differentiation without any interference in the differentiation of the mesenchymal interzone, thus producing normal synovial joints.
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  • 3
    ISSN: 1432-2307
    Keywords: Keywords 7 ; 12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene ; Rat ; Submandibular gland ; Adenocarcinoma Myoepithelial cell
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  In an attempt to induce adenocarcinoma containing myoepithelial cells (MECs) in the rat submandibular gland, we injected 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) dissolved in acetone into the glands of rat pups at the age of 10 days. In both male and female pups, the glands, including their developing terminal secretory units, contained far greater numbers of cells positive for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) than did adult glands. A single administration of 1% DMBA (0.05 ml/130 g b.w.) did not produce adenocarcinoma, but did induce occasional sarcomas, such as rhabdomyosarcoma and fibrosarcoma, in 2 months. Most glands regenerated with minimal scar formation. Microscopically, these glands were atypical in that they contained increased numbers of PCNA-positive cells, underdeveloped granular ducts, and striated ducts surrounded by MECs positive for alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA). Though these features were also observed in the regenerated glands after acetone injection, the number of PCNA-positive cells was relatively high in the glands of DMBA-treated females, especially in the terminal secretory unit. The second DMBA injection at 10 weeks of age produced adenocarcinoma made up of αSMA-positive MECs and keratin 19-positive duct cells. Such MEC-associated adenocarcinoma was induced in the glands of more than half the female but not the male animals. Replacement of either of the double DMBA treatments with acetone, or DMBA treatment, single or double, of adult glands did not produce adenocarcinoma, but did produce sarcoma and squamous cell carcinoma. These results suggest that (1) at least two genetic mutations are necessary for induction of adenocarcinoma with MECs in the rat submandibular gland, (2) the mutation is efficiently introduced to pup glands whose terminal secretory units exhibit extreme proliferative activity, and (3) the second mutation is difficult to introduce in male glands, whose proliferative activity is relatively low, and/or transformed cells need some female hormone after the mutation to propagate.
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  • 4
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology 126 (2000), S. 27-32 
    ISSN: 1432-1335
    Keywords: Key words Heart irradiation ; Plasma enzyme levels ; Myocardial enzyme levels ; Rat ; AbbreviationsCK creatine kinase ; LDH lactate de-hydrogenase ; AST aspartate aminotransferase ; ALT alanine aminotransferase ; α-HBDHα-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Plasma levels of myocardial enzymes present after local heart irradiation were studied in a rat model. The purpose was to investigate whether, within days after irradiation, these enzyme levels change to such an extent that they may be helpful in assessing the severity of cardiac damage after radiotherapy. Therefore, activities of creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (α-HBDH) were determined in the plasma and left ventricular myocardium of rats following local heart irradiation with a single dose of 20 Gy. A dose of 20 Gy is known to cause irreversible cardiac damage and to reduce survival times of the animals. Cardiac enzyme assays were performed directly after and twice daily for up to 2 weeks after radiation. Plasma CK, LDH, AST and α-HBDH levels were increased between 2 h and 24 h after irradiation. Plasma ALT levels remained unchanged. Myocardial enzyme levels, measured between 24 h and 16 days after radiation, did not differ between irradiated and control animals, although acute (first 12 h) reductions were observed in the irradiated group. The elevated enzyme levels in plasma appeared to correlate with the acutely reduced myocardial enzyme levels. Although irradiation with a dose of 20 Gy induced acute rises of cardiac enzyme levels in plasma, it is doubtful that fractionated radiation, as applied clinically for treatment of solid tumors, will induce plasma enzyme elevations that are large enough to indicate the extent of cardiac damage occurring acutely or chronically.
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  • 5
    ISSN: 1437-7799
    Keywords: Key words VEGF ; Glomeruli ; Ribonuclease protection assay ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Background. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a selective endothelial growth factor which potently enhances microvascular permeability. In the kidney, VEGF mRNA is known to be highly expressed in visceral epithelial cells in glomeruli. However, the physiological role of VEGF in glomerular function and its involvement in the pathogenesis of proteinuria are not clear. The present studies were designed to determine whether altered expression of VEGF mRNA was observed in the course of puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) nephrosis in rats (a model of human minimal change nephrosis). Methods. The message level of VEGF in isolated glomeruli of PAN nephrosis rats was measured using a ribonuclease protection assay. Results. VEGF expression began to decrease 4 days after PAN injection and could not be detected in the nephrotic stage of PAN nephrosis (on days 8 and 16). In the remission of stage of PAN nephrosis (on day 28), mRNA was restored to the control level. Conclusions. According to our results, a functional defect in the VEGF expression of visceral epithelial cells was observed in PAN nephrosis. VEGF could be a functional marker of visceral epithelial cells, and the loss of normal expression of VEGF after damage to visceral epithelial cells could affect glomerular endothelial cell function in PAN nephrosis.
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  • 6
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Pediatric surgery international 16 (2000), S. 485-487 
    ISSN: 1437-9813
    Keywords: Key words Duodenum ; Apoptosis ; Fetus ; Rat ; Duodenal atresia
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Duodenum is thought to go through a solid-core stage followed by recanalization during its development. This study investigates the role of apoptosis in normal duodenal development, especially during widening of the lumen, and hence, the possible role of apoptosis in duodenal atresia (DA). Twenty-four time-mated Sprague-Dawley rats were killed from day 13 to day 20 of gestation. Duodenums of 3 fetuses were chosen randomly from each rat and processed. Apoptosis was determined by the terminal deoxytransferase-mediated biotin dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) technique (ApopTag). Apoptosis count and cross-sectional areas were measured with an image analyzer (MetaMorph). The number of apoptotic cells per unit area duodenum peaked on day 15 for the mucosal/submucosal layer and on day 14 for the muscular/mesenchymal layer. The maximal number of apoptotic cells per cross-section of duodenum was between 7 and 8. The cross-sectional areas of the duodenal wall and lumen increased exponentially between day 17 and day 19 while duodenal-wall thickness remained relatively constant throughout duodenal development. The localization, timing, and intensity of apoptosis do not suggest that apoptosis is responsible for the widening of the duodenal lumen; enlargement of the lumen is related to the increase in duodenal circumference. Apoptosis thus may not be involved in the pathogenesis of DA.
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  • 7
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Pediatric surgery international 16 (2000), S. 285-292 
    ISSN: 1437-9813
    Keywords: Key words Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) ; Rat ; Immunohistochemistry ; Distribution
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  The present study systematically investigated the expression and distribution of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) classes I and II in the rat. About 150 native tissue probes from eight adult Lewis rats were taken, representative for most organs, tissues, and the vascular system. MHC expression was analyzed by two monoclonal antibodies (mAb) generated against the non-polymorphic determinants of rat MHC class I (Ox-18) and class II (Ox-6). Immunoreactivities were compared to those of different endothelial (HIS52, TLD-3A12, Ox-43, REHA-1 antigen), histiocytic (ED1, ED2), B-cell (RLN-9D3), and T-cell (MRC Ox-52) markers. A nonspecific mAb (MR12/53) served as a negative control. Pretested concentrations on various tissues and the alkaline phosphatase-anti-alkaline phosphatase technique allowed semiquantitative evaluation of serial cryostat tissue sections. MHC class I expression was detected on most immunocompetent cells. Endothelial cells were stained heterogeneously along the vascular system and the organ-specific microcirculation. Furthermore, some organs showed staining of parenchymal cells. MHC class II was found on all immunocompetent cells positive for the B-cell marker and about 15% of cells positive for the histiocytic markers. Besides the well-known expression of MHC class II in the outer zone of the renal proximal tubule, further organ-specific cell forms were found positive. In conclusion, the present study outlines tissue-specific distribution of MHC I/II and implies that each organ carries a variable immunologic burden that needs to be considered for any transplantation model.
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  • 8
    ISSN: 1437-9813
    Keywords: Key words Fetal transplantation ; Proliferation ; Adrenal glands ; Addisonian crisis ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  The present study investigated the histologic maturation, proliferative capacity, and steroid production of fetal adrenal transplants (Tx) in adrenalectomized rats. A pair of fetal adrenal glands (18–20 days of gestation) was transplanted into the omentum of syngeneic Lewis rats (n=45). Four weeks later, in 5 animals the grafts were excised for morphologic evaluation. Proliferation was investigated by immunohistochemical staining for KI-67 protein and quantified by the proliferation index (PI = positive cells/100 counts). All other hosts (Tx; n = 40) underwent bilateral adrenalectomy (AE) to induce Addisonian crisis. Postoperatively, survival and concentrations of potassium, sodium, aldosterone, and corticosterone were recorded for 6 months. These data were compared to controls (C = only AE; n = 30) and a sham group (S; n = 10). At the end of the study period all surviving hosts were killed for histologic examination of grafts. At 4 weeks post-Tx the adrenal grafts demonstrated a distinct zona glomerulosa and frequent proliferation with a PI of 0.084, comparable to normal control (0.092). Following AE survival was significantly prolonged in Tx (86% vs 12% of C, P 〈 0.05). Control animals developed severe hyponatremia and hyperkalemia, whereas in Tx only transient signs of Addisonian crisis were recorded. Levels of aldosterone dropped within 7 days in the Tx and C groups, but returned to normal for Tx within 8 weeks. Corticosterone levels of Tx animals fell to 25% within week, but steadily increased to 70% by the end of the study. At 6 months, grafts revealed a mature adrenocortical structure with little proliferative activity, which was comparable to controls. In a syngeneic rat model fetal adrenal transplants thus mature and proliferate to provide sufficient steroid production for adrenalectomized hosts.
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  • 9
    ISSN: 1437-9813
    Keywords: Key words Congenital diaphragmatic hernia ; Hypoplastic lung ; Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) ; Antenatal glucocorticoids ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of antenatal glucocorticoid therapy on smooth-muscle-cell (SMC) DNA synthesis in the pulmonary arteries (PA) in a nitrofen-induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) rat model following nitrofen administration on day 9.5 of gestation. Antenatal dexamethasone (DEX) was given intraperitoneally on days 18.5 and 19.5 of gestation. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was injected via a jugular vein into the dam 1 h before the fetuses were killed by cesarean section at term. The fetuses were divided into three groups: group I (n = 10): normal controls; group II (n = 10): nitrofen-induced CDH; group III (n = 10): nitrofen-induced CDH with antenatal DEX treatment. Immunostaining of the lungs with anti-BrdU antibody was obtained by a standard avidin-biotin complex method. The number of immunopositive cells in the PA media and adventitia were counted using an image analyzer and analyzed statistically. The number of BrdU-immunopositive cells in the media was significantly increased in group II (16.83 ± 3.01) compared to groups I (9.16 ± 2.20) and III (6.83 ± 1.70) (P 〈 0.01). There was no significant difference between groups I and III. The number of BrdU-immunopositive cells in the adventitia was not significantly different between the three groups. Antenatal DEX treatment inhibits SMC DNA synthesis in PA media in CDH lungs. This may be a possible mechanism by which antenatal DEX prevents structural PA changes in nitrofen-induced CDH in rats.
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  • 10
    ISSN: 1432-2277
    Keywords: Key words Small bowel transplantation ; Split tolerance ; FK 506 ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Functional long-term allograft survival after experimental small bowel transplantation (SBT) is limited by chronic rejection. Initial application of high-dose FK 506 has been shown to induce stable long-term graft function. In order to examine whether this long-term function is associated with donor-specific tolerance, we analyzed the functional status of recipient T cells in vivo and in vitro. One-step orthotopic SBT was performed in the allogeneic Brown Norway (BN)-to-Lewis rat strain combination. FK 506 was given daily at a dose of 2 mg/kg from days 0–5 in the rejection model and from days 0–9 in the long-term functional model. Mean survival time in the rejection model was 98 ± 2.8 days. Histological examination of these small bowel allografts disclosed signs of chronic rejection. In contrast, all animals of the long-term functional model survived long term ( 〉 250 days) without clinical signs of chronic rejection. The latter model, furthermore, produced evidence of donor-specific tolerance. Whereas heterotopic Dark Agouti (DA) hearts were rejected regularly within 7 days, BN hearts survived indefinitely ( 〉 70 days). In vitro, mixed leukocyte reactivity of CD4 + T cells was similarly strong against donor (BN) antigens as against third-party (DA) antigens. The split tolerance revealed by our in vivo and in vitro results enabled acceptance of both the small bowel allograft without signs of chronic rejection and of donor-specific heart allografts.
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  • 11
    ISSN: 1432-2277
    Keywords: Key words Implantation model ; Aortic valves ; Valve dysfunction ; Rejection ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Structural failure of heart valve allografts may be related to technical factors or immunological reactions. To circumvent nonimmunological factors a new rat implantation model was developed to study whether alloreactivity results in histopathological changes and valve dysfunction. Syngeneic (WAG-WAG, DA-DA) and allogeneic (WAG-BN, WAG-DA) transplantation was carried out using this new technique, and the function of explanted valves was assessed 21 days later by retrograde comptence testing. Additionally, grafts were examined using standard histological and immunohistochemical techniques. There was no leakage during retrograde injection in nine of tem syngeneic and two of ten allogeneic grafts. Microscopically, syngeneic valves appeared normal without fibrosis or intimal thickening, although CD8+ lymphocytes and macrophages were found in necrotic myocardial rim and adventitia. In contrast, allogeneic valves were deformed and noncellular, with extensive infiltration of CD4+, CD8+ and CD68+ cells in adventitia and media. Absence of fibrosis and intimal thickening in syngeneic transplanted valves indicated circumvention of nonimmunological factors. Allogeneic valve transplantation induces cellular infiltration in the graft with subsequent graft failure.
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  • 12
    ISSN: 1432-2277
    Keywords: Key words Hypoxia-reoxygenation ; JNK1/SAPK1 ; Rat ; Hepatocytes
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Organ injury after ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) remains one of the most important limiting factors in liver surgery and transplantation. Oxygen-free radical (OFR) generation is considered a major cause of this damage. JNK1/SAPK1, a member of MAPK family, regulates cell adaptation to stressful conditions. The aim of this study was to determine if hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) can activate JNK1/SAPK1 and if OFR are involved in this activation. Primary cultured rat hepatocytes isolated from other liver cells and blood flow were submitted to warm and cold H/R phases mimicking surgical and transplant conditions. JNK1/SAPK1 was activated by both warm and cold H/R. Deferoxamine (1 mM), di-phenyleneiodonium (50 μM) and N-acetylcysteine (10 mM) significantly inhibited this kinase activation.
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  • 13
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Urological research 28 (2000), S. 141-146 
    ISSN: 1434-0879
    Keywords: Key words Kidney ; Nitric oxide ; Ischemia-reperfusion injury ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract In this study we attempted to clarify the release of nitric oxide (NO) and its role in the ischemia-reperfusion rat kidney. After right nephrectomy, male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: one sham operated and three groups who underwent ischemia (30 min) and reperfusion of the left renal artery. Thirty minutes prior to ischemia-reperfusion, two groups were injected intraperitoneally with 10 and 30 mg/kg of NG-nitro-l-arginine methylester (L-NAME). Real-time monitoring of blood flow and NO release in the rat kidney was measured with a laser Doppler flowmeter and an NO-selective electrode, respectively. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were measured 1 and 7 days after the induction of ischemia-reperfusion. Clamping of the renal artery decreased blood flow to 1–5% of the basal level measured before clamping. After removal of the clip, the blood flow of the 30 mg/kg L-NAME rats was significantly lower than that of the controls. Immediately following the clipping of the renal artery, NO release rapidly increased. After removing the clip, NO release immediately returned to three-quarters of the basal level. Serum creatinine and BUN levels of the ischemia-reperfusion rats were slightly but not significantly higher and those of 30 mg L-NAME rats were significantly higher than those of the control or ischemia-reperfusion rats 1 day and 7 days after ischemia-reperfusion. Our data suggest that NO acts as a cytoprotective agent in ischemia-reperfusion injury of the rat kidney.
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  • 14
    ISSN: 1434-0879
    Keywords: Key words Castration ; Epidermal growth factor ; Insulin-like growth factor I ; Prostate ; Testosterone ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) are strong inducers of proliferation to prostate cells cultured in serum-free medium. Accordingly we wanted to study the growth of the prostate gland in castrated rats after treatment with EGF, IGF-I and testosterone. Castrated Wistar rats were treated with growth factors (EGF 35 μg/rat per day; IGF-I 350 μg/rat per day) or testosterone (2 mg/rat per day) for 3 days either immediately after or 10 days after castration. Prostate tissue was examined by stereological and immunohistochemical techniques and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Treatment with EGF inhibited the involution of the prostate (P 〈 0.05), whereas treatment with IGF-I did not affect the prostate involution as compared to castrated controls. EGF treatment significantly increased the endogenous rat EGF in the ventral prostate, but cellular proliferation was not affected. Testosterone treatment increased the weight of the prostate, by increase of all tissue components of the prostate, and significantly increased cellular proliferation. Systemic administration of EGF but not IGF-I decreased the involution of the rat prostate induced by castration. Compared with testosterone, the effects of EGF treatment on the prostate involution were moderate, and the effects of EGF were not related to cellular proliferation.
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  • 15
    ISSN: 1434-0879
    Keywords: Key words Bladder ; Rat ; Aging ; Obstruction ; Cystometrics
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Bladder dysfunction in the aging population is a significant problem. However the concomitant presence of other diseases in many patients can make it difficult to distinguish between changes in bladder function and other influences. The present study was designed to study, in aging rats, bladder function and the effect of partial bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) on bladder function. Cystometrics were performed in awake, female Fischer 344 rats of four age groups (6, 12, 18 and 24 months) following subcutaneous implantation of a mediport catheter. Cystometric evaluations were carried out in control rats or those subject to three weeks of BOO. Bladder compliance significantly decreased with aging, which reflected an increase in threshold pressure without changes in bladder capacity. Partial BOO caused development of severe bladder instability. Following BOO, bladder capacity and compliance were significantly increased in all age groups. Threshold pressure was lower in obstructed animals, except for 6-month rats. Younger animals were able to generate a higher contraction pressure to compensate for the BOO, whereas older animals did not. Using an awake model of cystometric measurement, we have demonstrated that aging, by itself can affect bladder function. Furthermore, aged animals respond differently to BOO than younger animals. These results demonstrate that both aging and disease can contribute to bladder dysfunction, and suggest that treatment of bladder dysfunction may require a combination of therapies targeted to multiple etiologies.
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  • 16
    ISSN: 1432-0568
    Keywords: Key words Nerve repair ; Nerve fiber regeneration ; Sciatic nerve ; Muscle-vein-combined graft ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Clinical data have shown that a vein segment filled with fresh skeletal muscle can be considered a good autologous grafting conduit for the repair of peripheral nerve lesions. In this study, the long-term morphological organization of rat sciatic nerve fibers regenerated along a muscle-vein-combined graft conduit is further analysed by light and electron microscopy. Regenerated nerve fibers were organized into fascicles of various sizes that were clearly delimited by perineurial-like shells made by long and thin cytoplasmic processes of perineurial-like bipolar cells and by densely packed collagen fibrils. Grafted skeletal muscle fibers were still detectable among nerve fiber fascicles. However, in spite of the persistence of skeletal muscle along the graft, regenerated nerve fibers showed a good morphological pattern of regeneration, providing further evidence that the muscle-vein-combined grafting technique represents an effective surgical alternative to the classical fresh nerve autograft for the repair of peripheral nerve defects.
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  • 17
    ISSN: 1432-0568
    Keywords: Key words GABAB receptor ; CNS ; Dorsal root ganglia ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  The anatomical distribution of the GABAB receptor (GBR) splice variants GBR1a and 1b in the CNS has not previously been studied. In the present study, distribution of the splice variants was mapped using immunohistochemistry. Polyclonal antibodies against splice variant unique epitopes were raised in rabbits. Affinity purified antibodies were used according to routine immunohistochemical procedures in sections from the rat CNS or dorsal root ganglia (DRG). The staining intensity was high in the cerebral cortex but lower in basal ganglia and the hippocampus. In the cerebellum, there was a marked difference in the distribution of GBR1a- and 1b-like immunoreactivity (LI). GBR1a-LI was preferentially localised in the granule cell layer whilst GBR1b-LI was mostly found in Purkinje cells and in the molecular layer. Cell bodies of the deep cerebellar nuclei stained for the GBR1a antibody while terminals surrounding the cell bodies were strongly labelled with the GBR1b antibody. A similar pre- vs postsynaptic pattern was seen in several nuclei ventral or caudal to the cerebellum (e.g. the cochlear nucleus, the facial nucleus, the spinal cord) but not in regions rostral to the cerebellum. In the spinal cord, strong labelling for both antibodies was seen in the dorsal horn. The GBR1b but not the GBR1a antibody stained tanycytes in the epithelium of the 3rd ventricle and in the central canal at the brain stem level. DRG neurons were positive for both the GBR1a and 1b antibody, but the former stained the cells much more intensely. Satellite cells were labelled with the GBR1b antibody. The most important aspect of these findings is that in some nuclei, GBR1b may mediate inhibition of transmitter release while in the same regions, GBR1a may mediate postsynaptic inhibition. Further, the observations support previous findings that GBR1b is the predominant splice variant in Purkinje cells.
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  • 18
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Anatomy and embryology 202 (2000), S. 247-255 
    ISSN: 1432-0568
    Keywords: Key words Enteric neurons ; Interstitial cells of Cajal ; Smooth muscle cells ; Guinea-pig ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Tachykinin receptors NK1r, NK2r and NK3r bind tachykinins with different affinities and share pharmacological and molecular differences among animal species. NK1r, NK2r, NK3r and tachykinin (SP/NKA) distribution was studied by immunohistochemistry in the ileum of mouse since no data are available for this species. The results were then compared to those obtained in the rat and guinea pig either by us or by others to ascertain interspecies similarities and/or differences. NK1r- and NK3r-immunoreactivity (IR) were detected in neurons and NK1r-IR in the interstitial cells of Cajal at the deep muscular plexus. At variance with rat and guinea pig, NK1r-IR was also found in the myoid cells of the villi, while NK2r-IR was never detected in nerve varicosities. This latter datum suggests that the NK2r does not play a presynaptic role in the mouse. Unexpectedly, a high NK2r-IR and the presence of NK3r-IR were observed at the inner portion of the circular muscle layer in the mouse as well as in the rat and guinea pig, demonstrating a subregional distribution of these receptors. Tachykinin distribution did not show noticeable species-related differences. The present findings show species-related differences in the tachykinin receptor distribution that might be related to a different tachykinin controlof intestinal motility.
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  • 19
    ISSN: 1432-0533
    Keywords: Key words Hypothermia ; Immunohistochemistry ; Microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) ; Rat ; Spinal cord injury
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Systemic hypothermia has been shown to exert neuroprotective effects in experimental ischemic CNS models caused by vascular occlusions. The present study addresses the question as to whether systemic hypothermia has similar neuroprotective qualities following severe spinal cord compression trauma using microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) immunohistochemistry combined with the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method as marker to identify neuronal and dendritic lesions. Fifteen rats were randomized into three equally sized groups. One group sustained thoracic laminectomy, the others severe spinal cord compression trauma of the T8-9 segment. The control group contained laminectomized animals submitted to a hypothermic procedure in which the esophageal temperature was reduced from 38 °C to 30 °C. The two trauma groups were either submitted to the same hypothermic procedure or kept normothermic during the corresponding time. All animals were sacrificed 24 h following the surgical procedure. The MAP2 immunostaining in the normothermic trauma group indicated marked reductions in MAP2 antigen in the cranial and caudal peri-injury zones (T7 and T10, respectively). This reduction was much less pronounced in the hypothermic trauma group. In fact, the MAP2 antigen was present in almost equally sized areas in both the hypothermic groups independent of previous laminectomy alone or the addition of trauma. Our study thus indicates that hypothermia has a neuroprotective effect on dendrites of rat spinal cords subjected to compression trauma.
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  • 20
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Acta neuropathologica 100 (2000), S. 75-81 
    ISSN: 1432-0533
    Keywords: Key words Fas ; Fas ligand ; Rat ; Spinal cord ; Trauma
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract This immunohistochemical study evaluated Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) in the rat nervous system and their changes in the spinal cord subjected to compression. Normal spinal cord showed a low level of Fas and FasL immunoreactivity in the white matter except in the corticospinal tracts. Fas and FasL immunoreactivity seemed to be located in axons and their myelin sheaths. Other regions of the nervous system did not show immunoreactivity to Fas and FasL. Moderate and severe compression injury of the spinal cord resulted in a reduction of Fas and FasL immunoreactivity in the white matter of injured T8–9 segments at 4 h and a complete loss at 1 day after trauma. This was seen even in the remaining white matter. In contrast, increased immunoreactivity to Fas and FasL was present in the cranial T7, caudal T10 (moderate injury) and T12 (severe injury) segments at day 4 with most intense staining were seen at day 9 after trauma. Increased Fas and FasL immunoreactivity may have pathophysiological implications for the development of secondary injuries after trauma to the spinal cord. Fas-FasL interactions may for instance be involved in apoptosis of oligodendrocytes which occurs as a delayed phenomenon after trauma to the spinal cord. The integrity of myelin sheaths may in this way be jeopardized by apoptosis of oligodendrocytes.
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  • 21
    ISSN: 1432-0843
    Keywords: Key words 7-Hydroxymethotrexate ; Methotrexate ; Maximum tolerated dose ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Purpose: After more than 50 years of methotrexate (MTX) treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), it is currently believed that as long as dose escalations are followed by adequate leucovorin rescue guided by monitoring MTX serum concentrations, hydration and urinary alkalinization, high-dose MTX (HD-MTX) can be tolerated without life-threatening toxicity. However, our recent experimental animal studies of the major metabolite of MTX, 7-OH-MTX, indicate that this concept may have some limitations. Animals with levels of 7-OH-MTX of 1 mM, which is below the levels routinely found in patients on HD-MTX, demonstrate intolerable toxicity and some animals die within 8 h. Electron microscopy indicates that endothelial cell and platelet functions are perturbed. Since animal data are lacking, and interspecies differences not known, we wanted to investigate the maximum tolerated doses of MTX and 7-OH-MTX in a rat model of short-term effects. The maximum tolerated dose was chosen instead of LD50 for reasons of animal welfare. Methods: We infused MTX and 7-OH-MTX into anaesthetized male Wistar rats and monitored the animals for 8 h. The drugs were given as a bolus plus continuous infusion. The dose-finding ranges were 1.8–11.3 g/kg MTX and 0.1–1.2 g/kg 7-OH-MTX. Results: The maximum tolerated dose was between 3 and 5 g/kg for MTX and lower than 0.1 g/kg for 7-OH-MTX. The mean serum concentrations of MTX and 7-OH-MTX in animals that did not survive the 8-h period were 21.9 and 1.6 mM, respectively. The animals that received the highest MTX or 7-OH-MTX doses and concentrations died after sudden reductions in heart rate and blood pressure. Conclusions: We demonstrated a lower maximum tolerated dose of 7-OH-MTX than of MTX in rats after 8 h. The 7-OH-MTX concentrations were in the therapeutic range after HD-MTX. If the rat/human interspecies differences are not large, our data may indicate that HD-MTX regimens should not be further dose intensified, due not so much to the effects of MTX as to those of 7-OH-MTX.
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  • 22
    ISSN: 1432-1211
    Keywords: Key words Vβ13 ; CD4/CD8 ratio ; Rat ; Tcrb ; Polymorphism
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract. Three rat BV13S1 alleles (T-cell receptor β-chain variable gene 13) were characterized by new BV13S1-allele specific monoclonal antibodies (18B1 and 17D5) and sequence analysis of expressed and genomic BV13S1. Two alleles were functional and designated BV13S1A1 present in strains LEW, BUF, PVG, and BV13S1A2 present in BN and WF. Their products differed by six amino acids, two of them in complementarity-determing region (CDR)1 and one in CDR2. A third nonfunctional allele, BV13S1A3P, was found in strains F344 and DA. Apart from a single nucleotide insertion, it was identical to BV13S1A2. All 12 rat strains tested showed association of TCRBC1 with BV8S2/4 alleles but not with the BV13S1 alleles, which may reflect a different gene order of the rat BV compared to mouse. BV13S1A1-encoded T-cell receptors (TCRs) which bind both monoclonal antibody (mAb) 18B1 and mAb 17D5 are over-represented in the CD4 lymphocyte subset. BV13S1A2-encoded TCRs which are stained by mAb 18B1 but not by mAb 17D5 show a slight CD8-biased expression. Preferential usage of BV13S1A1-positive TCRs by CD4 but not by CD8 cells in (LEW×WF)F1 hybrids and cosegregation of BV13SA1 and increased frequency of BV13S1 TCR-positive CD4 cells in a (LEW×BN)×BN backcross suggest structural differences of the two allelic products as the reason for their contrasting CD4/CD8 subset bias.
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  • 23
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    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Experimental brain research 130 (2000), S. 100-104 
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Key words NF-κB ; p65 ; Hippocampal neurons ; Glia ; Astrocytes ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  NF-κB is found in many neuronal cell types in different states of activity. This study aimed to define which conditions induce constitutive NF-κB activity in cultured hippocampal neurons using activity-specific antibody staining. In co-culture with astroglia, hippocampal neurons were devoid of activated NF-κB. In these co-cultures, NF-κB could not be activated via kainate or glutamate. In contrast, separating neurons from the glial compartment resulted in a time-dependent increase of activated neuronal NF-κB. In this line, activation of NF-κB by kainate or glutamate is very effective in freshly separated cultures, but inhibited when the cultures are reassembled after stimulation. These findings suggests that a neuronal-glial interaction may regulate gene expression via NF-κB.
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  • 24
    ISSN: 1432-119X
    Keywords: Endothelin-A receptor ; Endothelin-B receptor ; Rat ; Pulmonary fibrosis ; Immunohistochemistry ; Quantitative PCR
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: AbstractPulmonary fibrosis is characterized by excessive extracellular matrix deposition with concomitant loss of gas exchange units, and endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been implicated in its pathogenesis. Increased levels of ET-1 from tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage have been reported in patients with pulmonary fibrosis and in animal models after intratracheal bleomycin. We characterized the cellular distribution of alveolar ET receptors by immunohistochemistry in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in the rat and determined the regulation by bleomycin of ET receptor mRNA expression in isolated alveolar macrophages and rat lung fibroblasts. We found significant increases in the numbers of fibroblasts and macrophages at day 7 compared to day 28 and control animals. ETB receptor immunoreactivity was observed on fibroblasts and invading monocytes. Isolated fibroblasts expressed both ETA and ETB receptor mRNA, and ETA receptor mRNA was upregulated by bleomycin. Isolated resident alveolar macrophages expressed neither ETA nor ETB receptor mRNA which were also not induced by bleomycin. We conclude that, while ETB receptor stimulation of fibroblasts and monocytes recruited during bleomycin-induced lung injury exerts antagonistic effects on fibroblast collagen synthesis, the observed increase in the number of fibroblasts in vivo and upregulation of fibroblast ETA receptor mRNA by bleomycin in vitro point to a predominance of the profibrotic effects of ET receptor engagement.
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  • 25
    ISSN: 1432-198X
    Keywords: Key words Metabolic acidosis ; Growth ; Growth hormone ; Insulin-like growth factor-I ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Growth impairment induced by chronic metabolic acidosis is associated with an abnormal growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) axis. To examine the potentially beneficial effects of IGF-I on acidosis-induced growth impairment and the influence of GH and IGF-I treatment on the GH/IGF-I axis, three groups of acidotic young rats (untreated, AC, n=12; treated with recombinant human GH, GH, n=8; treated with recombinant human IGF-I, IGF-I, n=8) were studied, and compared with nonacidotic rats fed ad libitum (C, n=9)) or pair-fed with the AC group (PF, n=12). After 14 days of acidosis and 7 days of treatment, growth rate, hepatic abundance of 4.7-kilobase (kb) and 1.2-kb GH receptor transcripts and 7.5-kb and 1.8- to 0.8-kb IGF-I transcripts, serum GH-binding protein (GHBP), and IGF-I concentrations (mean±SEM) were analyzed. Significant decreases of 4.7-kb GH receptor [26±2 vs. 49±6 arbitrary densitometry units (ADU)] and 7.5 kb IGF-I (41±3 vs. 104±10 ADU) transcripts and low serum GHBP (25±1 vs. 32±1 ng/ml) and IGF-I (279±50 vs. 366±6 nmol/l) levels were found in the AC compared with the C rats. The majority of these alterations were also observed in PF rats. Compared with acidotic untreated rats, GH and IGF-I therapy produced no improvement in growth rate. GH treatment normalized the levels of IGF-I mRNA, aggravated the acidosis-related inhibition of the GH receptor gene, and did not modify the serum levels of GHBP and IGF-I. In contrast, IGF-I administration depressed the hepatic expression of all GH and IGF-I transcripts and normalized serum IGF-I concentrations. Our results confirm that sustained metabolic acidosis alters the GH/IGF-I axis, in part because of associated malnutrition, and induced growth retardation that is resistant to GH therapy. Our study also shows that administration of IGF-I does not accelerate the growth of acidotic rats, suggesting a peripheral mechanism, at the level of target tissues, is responsible for the resistance to the growth-promoting actions of GH and IGF-I.
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  • 26
    ISSN: 1432-198X
    Keywords: Key words Apoptosis ; Ceramide ; Development ; Kidney ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Ceramide is emerging as an important hydrophobic sphingolipid involved in cell differentiation and apoptosis. Since apoptosis plays a significant role in cellular remodeling during renal morphogenesis, we measured ceramide content and apoptosis in the fetal (18 days gestation), neonatal (3, 7, and 14 days postnatal), and adult rat kidney. In addition, to determine whether developmental changes in ceramide content are tissue-specific, we compared renal ceramide content with that in lung and liver. Ceramide was measured by the diacylglycerol kinase assay, and apoptosis was determined by the TUNEL technique. Renal ceramide content fell over 100-fold from the fetus to the 7th postnatal day. Renal apoptosis paralleled ceramide content, with a greater than 300-fold decrease in apoptosis from fetal to adult life. Ceramide content of the lung and liver was significantly less than that of the kidney, and changed less with maturation. We conclude that maturational changes in ceramide content are tissue-specific, and that the high rate of apoptosis in the developing kidney may be related to the elevated ceramide content.
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  • 27
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Keywords Novelty ; Context ; Environment ; Stress ; 6-OHDA ; Rotational behavior ; Striatum ; Nucleus accumbens shell ; Caudate ; Amphetamine ; Dopamine ; Glutamate ; Aspartate ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Rationale: We have previously shown that environmental novelty enhances the behavioral activating effects of amphetamine and amphetamine-induced expression of the immediate early gene c-fos in the striatal complex, particularly in the most caudal portion of the caudate. In contrast, we found no effect of novelty on the ability of amphetamine to induce dopamine (DA) overflow in the rostral caudate or in the core of the nucleus accumbens. Objectives: The twofold aim of the present study was to determine the effect of environmental novelty on (1) amphetamine-induced DA overflow in the shell of the nucleus accumbens and in the caudal portions of the caudate, and (2) glutamate and aspartate overflow in the caudal portions of the caudate. Methods: Two groups of rats with a unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesion of the mesostriatal dopaminergic system received amphetamine (0.5 mg/kg, i.v.) in physically identical cages. For one group, the cages were also the home environment, whereas, for the other group, they were a completely novel environment. In vivo microdialysis was used to estimate DA, glutamate, and aspartate concentrations. Results: Environmental novelty enhanced amphetamine-induced rotational behavior (experiments 1–3) but did not alter amphetamine-induced DA overflow in either the shell of the nucleus accumbens (experiment 1) or the caudate (experiment 2). In addition, the ability of environmental novelty to enhance amphetamine-induced behavioral activation was not associated with changes in glutamate or aspartate efflux in the caudate (experiment 3). Conclusions: The present data indicate that the psychomotor activating effects of amphetamine can be modulated by environmental context independent of its primary neuropharmacological actions in the striatal complex.
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  • 28
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    Psychopharmacology 148 (2000), S. 106-110 
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Interferon ; Depression ; Forced swimming test ; Locomotor activity ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Objectives: We examined the immobility of the forced swimming test induced in an animal model by human interferon (IFN), which has often been reported to induce depression in clinical use. Methods: In the present study, we examined the effects of human IFNs on results of the forced swimming test in rats. Results: Single intravenous (IV) administration of human IFN-α (6×104 IU/kg), but not of human IFN-β or -γ, significantly increased immobility time in the forced swimming test in rats. Repeated administration of human IFN-α (6×103 IU/kg) also significantly increased the immobility time. On the other hand, none of the rat IFNs (rat IFN-α, -β and -γ, 6×104 IU/kg, IV) changed the immobility time. Neither human IFNs nor rat IFNs changed the locomotor activity of rats. Conclusions: These findings suggest that human IFN-α has a greater potential for inducing increase of the immobility in the rat forced swimming test than human IFN-β and -γ, and that the effect of human IFN-α might not be mediated through IFN-α/β receptors.
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  • 29
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Opiate receptor ; Antinociception ; Habituation ; Novelty ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Rationale: There is now extensive evidence demonstrating that exposure to novel stimuli induces hypoalgesia and that this effect habituates over repeated exposure to the stimuli. Moreover, it has been shown that administration of the nonselective opiate receptor antagonist naloxone can attenuate the rate of habituation of novelty-induced hypoalgesia. Objectives: The present experiments were conducted to determine the relative influence of different opiate receptor subtypes in the attenuation of the habituation of novelty-induced hypoalgesia. Methods: In experiments 1–3, different groups of male, Wistar rats (275–300 g) were administered vehicle, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0-nmol doses of the µ-selective antagonist Cys2-Tyr3-Orn5-Pen7-amide (CTOP), the δ-receptor selective antagonist naltrindole, or the κ-selective antagonist nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI). In experiment 4, animals were administered vehicle, 5, 25 or 75-nmol doses of nor-BNI. All injections were delivered to the right lateral ventricle 30 min prior to exposure to a novel hot-plate apparatus (48.5°C), once a day for eight consecutive days. Results: Paw-lick latencies in vehicle-treated animals were long during the initial exposures and declined over repeated tests, suggesting the habituation of novelty-induced hypoalgesia. The rate of habituation was significantly attenuated by administration of 1.0-nmol and 2.0-nmol doses of CTOP, by a 2.0-nmol dose of naltrindole, but was unaffected by all doses of nor-BNI. Conclusions: These results support the involvement of the µ and δ, but not the κ, opiate receptor subtypes in the habituation of novelty-induced hypoalgesia.
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  • 30
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Morphine ; Opioid receptor ; NMDA ; Tolerance ; Rat ; Tail flick
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Rationale: Pairings of a sweet taste and injection of morphine result in a learned avoidance of that taste and learned analgesic tolerance. This avoidance is mediated by the drug’s peripheral effect, while learned tolerance involves activation of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Exposure to a sweet taste also reduces morphine analgesia. We studied whether this taste-mediated reduction was reversed by an NMDA or peripheral opioid receptor antagonist. Objectives: To determine whether an intraoral infusion of saccharin would modulate morphine analgesia in rats, and to study the contribution of NMDA as well as peripheral opioid receptors to this modulation. Methods: Six experiments used the rat’s tail-flick response to study the effect of an intraoral infusion of a sodium saccharin solution on morphine analgesia, and the effects of the quaternary opioid receptor antagonist methylnaltrexone as well as the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 on this modulation of analgesia. Results: An intraoral infusion of saccharin reduced the analgesic effects of an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of morphine across a range of doses (experiment 1a), which was not attributable to an influence on tail-skin temperature (experiment 1b). This reduction was mediated by opioid receptors in the periphery and activation of NMDA receptors because morphine analgesia was reinstated by an i.p. injection of either methylnaltrexone (experiment 2a) or MK-801 (experiment 3a), which was not due to the effect of methylnaltrexone (experiment 2b) or MK-801 (experiment 3b) on morphine analgesia in the absence of saccharin. Conclusions: These results document evidence for an antagonism of morphine analgesia by actions of the drug at peripheral opioid receptors and excitatory amino-acid activity at NMDA receptors. They are discussed with reference to the aversive motivational effects of peripheral opioid receptors and pain facilitatory circuits.
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  • 31
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    Psychopharmacology 149 (2000), S. 115-120 
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Opiate ; Withdrawal ; Place aversion ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Rationale: Administration of low doses of opiate antagonists to morphine-dependent rats produces an aversive response as measured by a conditioned place aversion, but the time course of such a learned aversion is largely unknown. Objectives: The purpose of this experiment was to examine the time course for the expression of a place aversion to opiate withdrawal. Methods: Morphine-dependent rats were tested in a three-chamber place- aversion apparatus. The conditioning phase consisted of three pairings of either naloxone (15 µg/kg s.c.) or vehicle with two compartments, with the most similar time allotments during the preconditioning test. During the testing phase, rats were again allowed to explore the entire apparatus. Different groups were tested at 24 h, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 16 weeks post-conditioning (morphine-free tests). Results: A robust place aversion was recorded at every time point tested, including at 16 weeks. In previously published work, placebo-pelleted rats tested with naloxone at the same dose failed to show a place aversion and nondependent rats showed a stable lack of aversion at tests up to 56 days. Dependent animals without naloxone also failed to show a place aversion at any of those time points. Conclusions: In the absence of any active intervention, the place aversion produced by opiate withdrawal is very long lasting and provides a model for protracted abstinence that may be useful for delineating the neurobiological substrate for vulnerability to relapse.
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  • 32
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    Psychopharmacology 149 (2000), S. 181-188 
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Acoustic startle response ; Prepulse inhibition ; Sensorimotor gating ; Schizophrenia ; Dopamine ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Rationale: Prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle is the reduction in startle response to an intense auditory stimulus when this stimulus is immediately preceded by a weaker prestimulus. Prepulse inhibition occurs normally in humans and experimental animals, but schizophrenic persons often exhibit a marked impairment in this measure. Previous studies have shown that dopamine (DA)-dependent neuronal mechanisms are involved in the modulation of prepulse inhibition. Objective: Experiments were conducted in rats to elucidate further the involvement of DA-ergic mechanisms in prepulse inhibition. Results: In line with previous studies, the indirect DA agonist, amphetamine, was shown to decrease prepulse inhibition. A close reverse relationship over time between DA overflow in the nucleus accumbens and prepulse inhibition was obtained using a technique allowing concomitant measurement of these parameters in awake, freely moving rats. This effect was more pronounced in amphetamine-treated rats compared to rats treated with equimolar doses of cocaine, which increased DA overflow without affecting prepulse inhibition. In other experiments, the combined treatment with subthreshold doses of the selective DA D1 agonist, SKF 38393, and the selective DA D2 agonist, quinpirole, was also shown to decrease prepulse inhibition. Finally, the selective DA D2 antagonist, raclopride, was shown to enhance prepulse inhibition. Conclusions: In line with previous studies, it is concluded that DA neurotransmission is involved in the modulation of prepulse inhibition and that the ventral part of the mesostriatal DA system may serve an important role in this modulation. Furthermore, the possibility is discussed that the discrepant results on prepulse inhibition obtained with amphetamine and cocaine may disclose functionally relevant differences in their mechanisms of action, and that the enhancement of prepulse inhibition induced by some antipsychotics in rats may reflect their propensity to induce adverse mental effects in humans.
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  • 33
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Prefrontal cortex ; Dopamine ; Anxiety ; Drug discrimination ; Pentylenetetrazol ; Chlordiazepoxide ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Rationale: The prefrontal cortical (PFC) dopamine (DA) system has been implicated in anxiety-related behavioral changes, but direct, unequivocal support for this idea is sparse. Objectives: The present aim was to study the functional significance of prefrontal DA using the pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) discrimination model of anxiety. A comparison was made with its role in the cue of the anxiolytic drug chlordiazepoxide (CDP). Methods: Two groups of rats were trained to discriminate either PTZ (20 mg/kg, s.c.) or CDP (10 mg/kg, i.p.) from saline using an operant drug discrimination procedure. After prolonged training, half of each group was used to assess biochemical changes induced by both drugs in different sub areas of the PFC. For the remaining rats, discrimination training continued and generalization tests with PTZ and CDP were performed. Rats were then provided with bilateral guide cannulae aimed at the ventromedial (vm) PFC, and the effects of local infusions of DAergic drugs on discriminative performance were evaluated. Results: CDP did not affect PFC DA activity, but PTZ increased the DOPAC/DA ratio in the vmPFC selectively. Generalization tests showed that the cues of PTZ and CDP were dose dependent. In PTZ-trained rats, infusions of the DA receptor antagonist cis-flupenthixol into the vmPFC blocked the PTZ cue dose dependently, whereas the agonist apomorphine partially generalized to this cue. In CDP-trained rats, neither drug antagonized or generalized to the CDP cue, showing that PFC DA is not critically involved in the CDP cue and that local pharmacological manipulations of PFC DA do not affect discriminative abilities per se. Conclusions: The DAergic innervation of the PFC is directly involved in the behavioral effects of PTZ, suggesting a role for it in anxiety.
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  • 34
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words 5-HT1A agonist ; Intrinsic activity ; Efficacy ; Irreversible antagonism ; Lower-lip retraction ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Rationale: Maximal responses are often used as a measure of intrinsic activity or efficacy, but cannot be directly equated to efficacy. Using irreversible antagonists, estimates of efficacy can be obtained that may be less dependent on specific conditions. Objectives: To characterize the intrinsic activity of serotonin (5-HT)1A agonists by examining the effects of an irreversible antagonist on their ability to produce 5-HT1A receptor-mediated responses. Methods: The effects of N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ) on the ability of 5-HT1A agonists to produce lower-lip retraction (LLR) in rats were studied. Results: In the absence of EEDQ, each 5-HT1A agonist produced full effects, the rank order of potency being: S 14506 〉 8-OH-DPAT 〉 buspirone 〉 ipsapirone. EEDQ decreased the number of 5-HT1A binding sites and shifted the dose–response curves (DRCs) of each agonist either to the right or, at higher EEDQ doses, to the right and downward. The manner in which these shifts occurred, however, differed among the compounds. For each agonist, all DRCs obtained after different doses of EEDQ were fitted to models proposed by Furchgott and Black and Leff, and the results indicated the following rank order of efficacy: ipsapirone 〈 buspirone ≈ 8-OH-DPAT 〈 S 14506. 5-HT1A agonist-induced LLR appears to be mediated by 5-HT1A receptors, because the 5-HT1A antagonist, WAY 100635, shifted the agonist DRCs to the right in a parallel and dose-related manner, with pA2 values ranging from 7.8 to 8.1. Moreover, pretreatment with WAY 100635 protected against the antagonist activity of EEDQ. Conclusions: The results suggest that the effects of EEDQ on the ability of 5-HT1A agonists to produce LLR in rats may be useful to obtain estimates of their apparent efficacy at 5-HT1A receptors.
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  • 35
    ISSN: 1432-0738
    Keywords: Key words Flutamide ; Androgen antagonist ; Rat ; Enhanced OECD Test Guideline 407 ; Endocrine disrupters
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract In association with the international validation project to establish a test protocol for the `Enhanced OECD Test Guideline 407', we performed a preliminary 28-day, repeated-dose toxicity study of flutamide, a non-steroidal androgen antagonist, and assessed the sensitivity of a list of parameters for detecting endocrine-related effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Seven-week-old CD(SD)IGS rats were divided into four groups, each consisting of 10 males and 10 females, and administered flutamide once daily by oral gavage at doses of 0 (control), 0.25, 1 and 4 mg/kg body weight/day. Male rats were killed 1 day after the 28th administration. Female rats were killed on the day they entered the diestrus stage in the estrous cycle following the last treatment. Male rats receiving flutamide at dose levels of 1 and 4 mg/kg showed lobular atrophy of the mammary gland and a decrease in epididymal weight. In addition, 4 mg/kg flutamide-treated males exhibited raised serum testosterone and estradiol levels and decreased weight of the accessory sex glands. In females, a slight prolongation of the estrous cycle was also observed in the 4 mg/kg flutamide-treated group. No dose-related changes could be detected by haematology, serum biochemistry and sperm analysis. Thus, among the parameters tested in the present experimental system, the weight of endocrine-linked organs and their histopathological assessment, serum hormone levels, and estrous cycle stage allowed the detection of endocrine-related effects of flutamide.
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  • 36
    ISSN: 1432-0738
    Keywords: Key wordsα2u-Globulin ; Diethylstilbestrol ; Endocrine disrupter ; Rat ; Screening
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract α2u-Globulin (AUG) is a major rat urinary protein, which has a molecular weight of 16 kDa (kidney type) or 19 kDa (native type). The biosynthesis of this protein is under multi-hormonal regulation. In this study, we investigated changes in serum AUG level and their association with changes in the reproductive organs of male rats after the administration of the estrogenic chemical, diethylstilbestrol (DES) at doses ranging from 0.01 mg/kg per day to 100 mg/kg per day by gavage for 14 days. Our aim was to establish basic data for the development of a new screening method for endocrine disrupting chemicals based on serum AUG levels. DES treatment decreased the weight of testes in a dose-dependent manner; and was accompanied by atrophic histopathological changes in testes. Testis weights were significantly decreased by the group given 1 mg/kg per day DES; however, histopathological abnormalities were found in the group given 0.1 mg/kg per day DES. In four of five animals in the group given 1 mg/kg per day there was no significant decrease in testis weight and only a slight or moderate degeneration of the pachytene spermatocytes. Despite these findings, serum AUG levels in this group decreased markedly, while the serum AUG level markedly decreased even in the animals with no histopathological change in the 1 mg/kg per day or 0.1 mg/kg per day groups with no histopathological change also showed decreased serum AUG level. These results suggest that the serum AUG level may be a sensitive parameter for detecting the activity of estrogenic chemicals in intact male rats. Although a uterotropic assay has been proposed for immature female or ovariectomized female rats and is currently undergoing validation studies internationally, there is no screening method for estrogenic chemicals in intact male animals. More data on AUG changes by treatment with other estrogenic chemicals are needed in order to determine the sensitivity and specificity of this response to estrogens. Nonetheless, an AUG-based screening test for estrogenic chemicals may be useful owing to its applicability to conventional toxicity studies and an apparently higher sensitivity of this parameter compared to organ weight change or histology of testis in intact male rats and applicability to conventional toxicity studies.
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  • 37
    ISSN: 1432-2307
    Keywords: Key words T-type calcium channel blockade ; Mibefradil ; Myocardial infarction ; Cardiac remodeling ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Fibrillar collagen accumulates within the interstitium and around coronary arteries following cardiac failure and is responsible for abnormal myocardial stiffness and reduced coronary performance associated with impaired cardiac function. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of long-term treatment with the T-type calcium channel antagonist mibefradil on myocardial remodeling and cardiac function after chronic myocardial infarction (MI). MI was induced by permanent ligation of the left coronary artery in male Wistar rats. Animals were assigned to sham-operated, placebo-treated or mibefradil-treated (10 mg/kg per day p.o.) MI groups. Treatment with mibefradil was started either 7 days before, 24 h after, or 7 days after ligation and continued for 6 weeks after MI. At this time point, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and cardiac contractility (dP/dtmax) were measured in conscious rats. Morphometric parameters were determined in picrosirius red-stained hearts: total heart weight (THW), interstitial and perivascular collagen volume fraction (ICVF, PCVF), myocardial infarct size (IS), vascular perimeter (VP), inner vascular diameter (IVD) and media thickness (MT). Six weeks after MI, MAP and dP/dtmax were decreased, and LVEDP was increased in placebo-treated animals. In mibefradil-treated animals whose treatment started 7 days before or 24 h after MI, MAP and dP/dtmax were higher, and LVEDP was lower than in placebo-treated controls. THW, ICVF, PCVF and MT were higher in placebo-treated animals. Mibefradil treatment resulted in higher ICVF and IS, higher VP and IVD (when started 7 days before MI) and lower PCVF and MT (when started 7 days before or 24 h after MI) than were observed in placebo-treated controls. Chronic treatment with mibefradil reduced interstitial and perivascular fibrosis and improved cardiac function in MI-induced heart failure in rats. Cardiac remodeling was best prevented when treatment was begun before the ischemic event.
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  • 38
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words  m-Chlorophenylpiperazine ; Drug discrimination ; Ethanol withdrawal ; Anxiety ; 17β-estradiol ; Sex difference ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Rationale: The serotonergic system plays a role in regulation of anxiety and ethanol withdrawal (EW). Nevertheless, few studies have assessed sex differences in serotonergic effects on EW. Objectives: This study examined sex differences in the anxiogenic stimu-li induced by a serotonin (5-HT)1b/2 agonist, meta- chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP), prior to ethanol and during EW. Methods: Gonadectomized or sham-operated adult male and female rats and 17β-estradiol (2.5 mg, 21-day release, s.c.) -replaced ovariectomized (OVX) rats were trained to discriminate mCPP (1.2 mg/kg, i.p.) from saline in a two-lever choice task for food. Latency to the first lever press and mCPP lever selection were measured following mCPP (0–1.2 mg/kg). Rats then received chronic ethanol-containing liquid diet (6.5%) for 10 days and were tested for mCPP lever selection 12 h and 36 h after removal of ethanol. Results: Fewer sham female and β-estradiol-replaced OVX rats selected the mCPP lever than male or OVX rats, and showed an increased initiation latency after mCPP injection. During EW (12 h and 36 h), fewer sham female and β-estradiol-replaced OVX rats responded on the mCPP-lever after saline injection as well as after mCPP challenge than male or OVX rats. Castration did not alter any response of male rats to mCPP. Conclusions: (1) mCPP discrimination is a useful measure of EW in male and female rats; and (2) sham female and β-estradiol-replaced OVX rats are less sensitive to the discriminative stimulus prior to and during EW, but more sensitive to impaired behavioral initiation induced by mCPP than male or OVX rats.
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  • 39
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    Child's nervous system 16 (2000), S. 451-456 
    ISSN: 1433-0350
    Keywords: Keywords Intracranial pressure ; CSF dynamics ; Infusion test ; Rat ; H-Tx rat ; Outflow resistance
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Although the hydrocephalic H-Tx rat is a widely used model, data on the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics in hydrocephalic rats are rare or – as the pressure volume index (PVI) – not available. We used hydrocephalic and nonhydrocephalic H-Tx rats, a stock with a high percentage of inherited hydrocephalus, for the evaluation of such data. In addition, a new, simple mathematical algorithm (”dynamic infusion test”), which has not formerly been used in animal experiments, was used as a pathophysiological model of CSF dynamics. Compared with classical methods for evaluation of these data, the dynamic infusion test gives a deeper insight into the relation between ICP and CSF dynamics. It was found that the resistance to outflow (ROF) in hydrocephalic rats was at least twice that in nonhydrocephalic rats. The PVI measured was similar in hydrocephalic and nonhydrocephalic animals, but clearly higher than the values reported in the literature. This may be attributable to the fact that the classically used bolus test, in contrast to the ”dynamic infusion test”, is representative only for the CSF compartment which is directly exposed to the bolus application.
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  • 40
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    Psychopharmacology 151 (2000), S. 219-225 
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Keywords Amphetamine ; Wheel running ; Behavioral sensitization ; Pharmacological sensitization ; Novelty ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Rationale: This study explored whether repeated injections of amphetamine (AMP), which increase general locomotion, also increase acute wheel running, a highly structured, rewarding, motor behavior not correlated with other locomotor activities. Objectives: The experiments determine how 1–5 mg/kg d-AMP affects wheel running and see if, over repeated injections, the AMP effects show context specific sensitization. Methods: In experiment 1, 2 mg/kg AMP or saline (SAL) was injected on days 1, 3, 6, 8, and 10 to male Sprague-Dawley rats with either limited or no wheel experience. 20 min after the injection animals were tested in an open field for 5 min and then in a running wheel for 1 h. Rats were injected with SAL or AMP on the days following testing. On days 13 and 15, animals were tested for conditioning (following SAL) and sensitization (following AMP). In experiment 2, the effects on wheel running of repeated 1, 2, or 5 mg/kg AMP were tested. Results: In experiment 1, AMP (2 mg/kg) elevated open field ambulation but suppressed wheel running. Limited wheel experience potentiated the AMP-induced suppression. At test, the suppression of running was found to be context specific. In experiment 2, 1 mg/kg did not affect running, while 2 and 5 mg/kg resulted in dose-dependent running suppression. Acquisition and test AMP dose both influenced the running suppression at test; context had a marginal influence. Conclusions: The degree of running suppression induced by repeated AMP is determined by both psychological (the injection context) and pharmacological (the acquisition dose) factors. This AMP-induced running suppression is consistent with the sensitization of stereotyped behavior.
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  • 41
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Fentanyl ; mu opioids ; Drug discrimination ; Training dose ; pA2 analysis ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Rationale: Discriminative stimulus effects of mu opioids vary systematically as a function of training dose. Differences among training doses may arise from multiple mechanisms. Objectives: In vivo apparent pA2 analyses were used to examine the contributions of opioid mechanisms to stimulus control by low and high training doses of the mu opioid fentanyl. Methods: Saline and one of two doses of fentanyl, administered s.c., were established as discriminative stimuli in two groups of rats (low training dose group: 0.01 mg/kg; high training dose group: 0.04 mg/kg). Generalization tests and in vivo apparent pA2 analyses were used to evaluate receptor mechanisms of stimulus control. Results: Fentanyl, etonitazene, methadone, and morphine evoked full fentanyl generalization in both groups but were more potent in the low-dose group. Spiradoline and d-amphetamine did not evoke generalization in either group. Naltrexone antagonized stimulus and rate-altering effects of fentanyl in both groups, with apparent pA2 values of 7.6 in the low-dose group and 7.5 in the high-dose group. Nalbuphine and nalorphine evoked full generalization in the low-dose group but less than 40% generalization in the high-dose group. In the high-dose group, nalbuphine and nalorphine antagonized the stimulus and rate-altering effects of fentanyl with apparent pA2 values of 5.3 and 6.1, respectively, demonstrating lower efficacy mu actions. Conclusions: Changes in fentanyl training dose preserved the mu opioid selectivity of stimulus control but altered the intensity of the transduced mu opioid stimulus required for generalization. These differences in intensity of the fentanyl stimulus determined whether low efficacy mu opioids would evoke or antagonize fentanyl generalization.
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  • 42
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    Psychopharmacology 148 (2000), S. 146-152 
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Alprazolam ; Drug discrimination ; Benzodiazepines ; Antidepressant ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Rationale: The triazolobenzodiazepine alprazolam has a unique clinical profile compared to most other benzodiazepines (e.g. diazepam, chlordiazepoxide), in that it is used to treat panic disorder and is effective in depression, two disorders that are usually treated with anti-depressants. Previous drug discrimination studies suggested that alprazolam has stimulus properties in common with antidepressants. Objective: In the present study, the discriminative stimulus properties of alprazolam were investigated to test more conclusively the role of benzodiazepine receptors and whether alprazolam has stimulus properties in common with antidepressants. Methods: Male Wistar rats (n=12) were trained to discriminate between alprazolam (2.0 mg/kg, PO) and vehicle in an operant two-lever drug discrimination procedure under a tandem VI40”-FR10 schedule of reinforcement. Generalization and antagonism tests were carried out under 2 min extinction. Results: In generalization tests, a number of benzodiazepines (alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, midazolam, lorazepam) and the barbiturate pentobarbital substituted completely, while zolpidem and abecarnil substituted partially for alprazolam. In contrast, no significant degree of generalization to the antidepressants imipramine and fluvoxamine and the putative antidepressants buspirone and flesinoxan was found. In antagonism studies alprazolam could be antagonized (almost) completely by flumazenil, partially by pentylenetetrazole, but not by methyl 6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-β-carboline-3-carboxylate (DMCM), N-methyl-β-carboline-3-carboxamide (FG-7142) and picrotoxin. Conclusions: These results show that the discriminative stimulus properties of alprazolam are mediated by benzodiazepine receptors and that the finding that antidepressants share discriminative stimulus effects with alprazolam may have limited generality.
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  • 43
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    Psychopharmacology 148 (2000), S. 209-216 
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Methamphetamine ; Drug-discrimination ; Dopamine ; Cocaine ; GBR-12909 ; Nomifensine ; Bupropion ; Chloro-PB ; Chloro-APB ; NPA ; 7-OH-DPAT ; SCH-23390 ; Spiperone ; cis-Flupenthixol ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Rationale: Dopamine plays a major role in the behavioral effects of methamphetamine. Objective: In the present experiments, the effects of different dopaminergic agonists, antagonists, and uptake inhibitors were evaluated in rats discriminating methamphetamine from saline. Methods: In Sprague-Dawley rats trained to discriminate 1.0 mg/kg methamphetamine, i.p., from saline under a fixed-ratio schedule of food delivery, the ability of various dopaminergic agonists and uptake inhibitors to substitute for methamphetamine was evaluated. Subsequently, the ability of various dopaminergic antagonists to block the discriminative-stimulus effects of the training dose of methamphetamine was tested. Results: The dopamine-uptake inhibitors cocaine (10.0 mg/kg), nomifensine (3.0 mg/kg), GBR-12909 (18.0 mg/kg), and bupropion (30.0 mg/kg) fully substituted for the 1.0 mg/kg training dose of methamphetamine. Chloro-APB (SKF-82958), a full agonist at D1 dopamine receptors, produced about 85% methamphetamine-appropriate responding, but the dose required (0.18 mg/kg) markedly decreased rates of responding. Chloro-PB (SKF-81297), another agonist at D1 receptors with a lower intrinsic activity than Chloro-APB, produced only partial generalization (maximum about 55%) at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg. Full substitution for the training dose of methamphetamine was observed with 0.03 mg/kg of the D2 agonist NPA and 0.56 mg/kg of the D3/D2 agonist 7-OH-DPAT. Both NPA and 7-OH-DPAT markedly decreased rates of responding at these doses. The D1 antagonist SCH-23390 (0.056 mg/kg), the D2 antagonist spiperone (0.18 mg/kg), and the mixed D1,D2 antagonist cis-flupenthixol (0.56 mg/kg) all completely blocked the discriminative-stimulus actions of the training dose of methamphetamine. Conclusions: The present findings in rats support previous research findings in other species indicating a major role of dopamine in the discriminative-stimulus effects of methamphetamine. These findings further indicate involvement of dopamine uptake sites as well as D1 and D2 receptors.
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  • 44
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Nicotine ; Drug discrimination ; Self-administration ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Rationale: The cellular effects of nicotine underlying its addictive liability are thought to be mediated by neuronal nicotinic receptors (nACHRs) in the central nervous system. It is believed that densely expressed β2-containing nACHRs in the central nervous system are responsible for these actions, but few data are available that can directly assess subtype mediation of nicotine’s acute subjective and reinforcing effects. Objective: The present study compared the effects of the competitive nACHR antagonist erysodine and the noncompetitive antagonist mecamylamine in rats trained to discriminate or self-administer nicotine. Methods: Adult male rats were trained to disciminate 0.4-mg/kg injections of nicotine from vehicle in a two-lever procedure of food-maintained behavior, or to self-administer 0.03-mg/kg injections of nicotine under fixed-ratio 5 or progressive-ratio schedules of reinforcement. Additional rats were trained under a food-maintained procedure of lever pressing. Results: Erysodine (0.3–10 mg/kg) and mecamylamine (0.1–1.0 mg/kg) blocked nicotine discrimination, although only erysodine produced the rightward shift that would be predicted of a competitive antagonist. Erysodine (0.32–32 mg/kg) and mecamylamine (0.32–3.2 mg/kg) also selectively reduced nicotine self-administration on a fixed-ratio schedule and lowered break points on a progressive-ratio schedule. Conclusions: Based on the known affinity of erysodine for α4β2 nACHRs and its selectivity relative to α7 and α1β1γδ receptors, the present data support a critical role of β2-containing nACHR constructs in the discriminative and reinforcing actions of nicotine.
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  • 45
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Drug discrimination ; Olanzapine ; Clozapine ; Chlorpromazine ; Haloperidol ; Thioridazine ; Raclopride ; Risperidone ; Scopolamine ; Ritanserin ; Atypical antipsychotic ; Neuroleptic ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Rationale: Analysis of the preclinical behavioral effects of atypical antipsychotic agents will provide a better understanding of how they differ from typical antipsychotics and aid in the development of future atypical antipsychotic drugs. Objectives: The present study was designed to provide information about the discriminative stimulus properties of the atypical antipsychotic olanzapine. Methods: Rats were trained to discriminate the atypical antipsychotic olanzapine (either 0.5 mg/kg OLZ or 0.25 mg/kg OLZ, i.p.) from vehicle in a two- lever drug discrimination procedure. The atypical antipsychotic clozapine fully substituted for olanzapine in both the 0.5-mg/kg OLZ group (99.3% drug lever responding [DLR]) and the 0.25-mg/kg OLZ group (99.9% DLR). The typical antipsychotic chlorpromazine also substituted for olanzapine in both the 0.5-mg/kg OLZ group (87.5% DLR) and in the 0.25-mg/kg OLZ group (98.9% DLR); whereas, haloperidol displayed partial substitution for olanzapine in the 0.5-mg/kg OLZ group (56.1% DLR) and in the 0.25-mg/kg OLZ group (76.4% DLR). The 5.0-mg/kg dose of thioridazine produced olanzapine-appropriate responding in the 0.5-mg/kg OLZ group (99.6% DLR), but only partial substitution was seen with the 0.25-mg/kg OLZ training dose (64.0% DLR). The atypical antipsychotics raclopride (53.9% DLR) and risperidone (60.1% DLR) displayed only partial substitution in the 0.5-mg/kg OLZ group. Both the muscarinic cholinergic antagonist scopolamine (90.0% DLR) and the 5-HT2A/2C serotonergic antagonist ritanserin (86.0% DLR) fully substituted for olanzapine in the 0.5-mg/kg OLZ group. Conclusions: In contrast to previous discrimination studies with clozapine-trained rats, the typical antipsychotic agents chlorpromazine and thioridazine and the serotonin antagonist ritanserin substituted for olanzapine. These results demonstrate that there are differences in the mechanisms underlying the discriminative stimulus properties of clozapine and olanzapine. Specifically, olanzapine’s discriminative stimulus properties appear to be meditated in part by both cholinergic and serotonergic mechanisms.
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  • 46
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    Psychopharmacology 148 (2000), S. 243-250 
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Attention ; Scopolamine ; Mecamylamine ; Oxotremorine ; Physostigmine ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Rationale: This study tried to determine the relative roles of muscarinic and nicotinic cholinergic receptors in attentional processing. Methods: The effects of cholinoceptor agonists and antagonists, and of an anticholinesterase, were studied on performance of rats in a five-choice serial reaction time task. Results: Scopolamine (0.1 mg/kg) and mecamylamine (5.0 mg/kg) produced deficits in accuracy and reaction time, respectively. This may suggest a differential role for the two types of cholinoceptors in information processing. Combinations of sub-threshold doses of scopolamine (0.01–0.03 mg/kg) and mecamylamine (0.5–1.6 mg/kg), which alone did not affect accuracy or reaction time, did not produce significant deficits in attention. However, the pattern of effects after combined treatment suggested that the differential deficits seen with these drugs alone remained. The anticholinesterase physostigmine (0.1 mg/kg) and the non- selective muscarinic agonist oxotremorine (0.03 mg/kg) induced severe behavioural disruption at doses that appeared to be relatively well tolerated in previous studies; this precluded the derivation of accuracy and response time data at these doses. At lower doses, neither physostigmine (0.05 mg/kg) nor oxotremorine (0.003 mg/kg) significantly affected any performance measure; this may reflect the ability of both drugs to indirectly or directly activate presynaptic muscarinic receptors that inhibit acetylcholine release, respectively. Conclusions: Both muscarinic and nicotinic cholinoceptors may be important in attention but they may serve different roles in information processing; this hypothesis could be tested using tasks that place different emphasis on different stages of information processing.
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  • 47
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words Benzodiazepine ; Operant ; Force ; Tolerance ; Chronic ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Rationale: Several benzodiazepines (BZs) have been shown to increase the peak force of operant responses at doses that increased, decreased, or had no effect on response rate, suggesting that operant response force may be a sensitive index of BZs’ effects rather than solely a correlate of rate-dependent effects. In addition, contingent tolerance to the rate-dependent effects of BZs has been reported, but the degree of contingent tolerance that develops when the critical variable of the task is force of the response has not been explored. Objectives: These experiments examined the effects of acute and repeated oral administration of diazepam (DZ) and midazolam (MZ) on a force-differentiation task to explore the importance of task requirements on the development of contingent tolerance. Methods: Two groups of rats were trained to press a force-sensing operandum, and responses having peak forces falling within fixed lower and upper limits [low force (8–10 g) or high force (40–50 g)] were reinforced with water. Acute effects of the oral administration of DZ (0.3, 1.0, 3.0, 10.0, 30.0 mg/kg) and MZ (same doses) were determined for the discriminated-force task before and after a repeated-administration procedure. Results: When administered acutely, both drugs increased the peak force of responses in a dose-related manner and concomitantly reduced the proportion of reinforced responses, with MZ exhibiting greater potency. For the next 36 days, one group received drug before experimental sessions and the other group received drug after the experimental session. A second dose–effect determination demonstrated that rats chronically dosed with DZ or MZ pre-session displayed more contingent tolerance to alterations in peak force than rats that had received 36 drug injections post- session, where there was no opportunity to practice the force-discrimination response while under the drug state. Conclusions: These results suggest that perceptual motor difficulty of the task rather than effort may be an important variable in predicting the degree of contingent tolerance that develops. Additionally, these results suggest that both behavioral and pharmacological mechanisms are involved in the development of drug tolerance to the BZs.
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  • 48
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words ACTH ; Corticosterone ; GABA ; Noradrenaline ; Adrenaline ; Stress ; Rat ; Diazepam
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Rationale: Gabolysat PC60 is a fish protein hydrolysate with anxiolytic properties commonly used as a nutritional supplement. Objective: The diazepam-like effects of PC60 on stress responsiveness of the rat pituitary-adrenal system and on sympathoadrenal activity were studied. Methods: The activity of the pituitary-adrenal axis, measured by plasma levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (B) of the sympathoadrenal complex, measured by circulating levels of noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (A), and the gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) content in the hippocampus and the hypothalamus were investigated in male rats which received daily, by an intragastric feeding tube, for 5 days running either diazepam (1 mg/kg) or PC60 (300 or 1200 mg/kg). Controls received only solvent (carboxymethylcellulose 1%). Six hours after the last force-feeding, the rats were subjected to 3 min ether inhalation or 30 min restraint and killed by decapitation 30 min after ether stress or at the end of restraint. Results: Baseline plasma levels of ACTH, B, NA and A were not affected by either diazepam or PC60. Both ether- and restraint-induced release of ACTH, but not B, were similarly and drastically reduced by diazepam and PC60 (1200 mg/kg). Both diazepam and PC60 (1200 mg/kg) deleted restraint-induced NA and A increases. Both treatments also reduced the ether-induced rise of A. Basal levels of GABA were significantly increased in both the hippocampus and the hypothalamus in PC60-treated rats and only in the hippocampus in diazepam-treated ones. In controls, ether inhalation as well as restraint increased GABA content of these two brain structures. In contrast, such stress procedures performed in PC60-treated rats reduced GABA content slightly in the hippocampus but significantly in the hypothalamus. In diazepam-treated rats, GABA content of the hypothalamus was unaffected by stresses but that of the hippocampus was slightly decreased. Conclusions: Present data suggest diazepam-like effects of PC60 on stress responsiveness of the rat pituitary adrenal axis and the sympathoadrenal activity as well as GABA content of the hippocampus and the hypothalamus under resting and stress conditions. These effects of PC60 agree with anxiolytic properties of this nutritional supplement, previously reported in both rats and humans.
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  • 49
    ISSN: 1432-2072
    Keywords: Key words 8-OH-DPAT ; WAY 100635 ; 5 ; 7-Dihydroxytryptamine ; Attention ; Impulsivity ; Pre- and postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptor ; Dorsal raphe ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Rationale: Whilst several studies have investigated the role of serotonergic receptor subtypes in learning and memory, relatively few studies have examined their role in attentional processes. Objective: The present study investigated the role of pre- and postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors on rats’ attentional performance in the five-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRT). Methods: Hungry rats were trained in the 5-CSRT task to detect brief (0.5 s) flashes of light presented randomly in one of five locations with a fixed intertrial interval of 5 s paced by the rat. We studied the effects of 8-OH-DPAT, a 5-HT1A receptor agonist, at various subcutaneous (SC) doses (10–100 µg/kg) on measures of rats’ discriminative accuracy (the index of attentional functioning) and various behavioural indices of response control and motivation. Manipulations of basic task parameters, intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) to deplete forebrain 5-HT and treatments with a selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY 100635 were made in order to determine the behavioural and neural specificity of the effects of 8-OH-DPAT. Results: A dose of 100 µg/kg, but not lower doses, significantly reduced choice accuracy and increased errors of omission, latencies to respond correctly and to collect food reward and premature responses. All these effects were completely blocked by WAY 100635, injected SC 5 min before 8-OH-DPAT at doses from 10–100 µg/kg. WAY 100635 by itself had no effect in the task. Dimming the visual stimuli to one-third of the usual brightness did not modify the effect of 8-OH-DPAT on choice accuracy. Prolonging the stimuli from 0.5 to 1.0 s reversed 8-OH-DPAT’s effect on choice accuracy but did not modify the other effects on rats’ performance. An ICV injection of 150 µg 5,7-DHT, which depleted forebrain serotonin by 90%, reversed 8-OH-DPAT’s effect on choice accuracy but did not modify the effects on errors of omission and latency to make correct responses. Similar effects were found by infusing 1.0 µg/0.5 µl WAY 100635 in the dorsal raphe 5 min before 8-OH-DPAT. 8-OH-DPAT increased the latency to collect the reinforcement; this effect was attenuated by ICV 5,7-DHT and completely antagonized by WAY 100635 in the dorsal raphe. Rats treated with 5,7-DHT or 8-OH-DPAT showed more premature responses and these effects were markedly reduced by the combined treatment. Conclusions: The results suggest that stimulation of presynaptic 5-HT1A receptors is involved in the ability of 8-OH-DPAT to cause attentional dysfunction and enhance impulsivity while slowing of responding and increase in errors of omission mainly depend on stimulation of postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors.
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  • 50
    ISSN: 1432-2277
    Keywords: Key words Kidney transplantation ; Rat ; Chronic rejection ; Cytomegalovirus ; Adhesion molecules
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Previous studies have demonstrated that both cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and prolonged cold ischemia of the allograft (CI) are associated with chronic rejection of renal transplants. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of CMV infection, of CI and of the combination of both, on the progression of chronic rejection, and to obtain a more detailed insight in their effects on the expression of adhesion molecules. Therefore, a rat transplantation model was used. Lewis recipients of renal allografts (with and without CI) from MHC-incompatible Brown Norway rats were inoculated with rat CMV or left uninfected. CMV infection alone resulted in an increased influx of CD4+ cells and macrophages early after infection, and in an increase in glomerular sclerosis and intima proliferation. CI caused an increase in infiltrating NK cells and an effect on intimal proliferation, glomerular sclerosis, and tubular atrophy. When CMV infection and CI were combined, an additive effect could be measured. This was however not the case for the function of the kidney. The creatinin showed a synergistic effect of the two influencing factors. Due to the CMV infection, an increase in CD49 d cells was detected. CI resulted in an increase in CD18 cells and an increase in the expression of CD62P on vessels, and CD54 and CD44 on tubules. When CMV infection and CI were combined, all the effects caused by CMV and CI alone were present in an additional way.¶The results of the present study suggest that special attention should be paid to the recipient of an ischemically injured graft when either the donor or the recipient is CMV-infected. The patterns seen in histology, the infiltration of leukocytes and the expression of adhesion molecules, suggest that CI and CMV infection both have an effect on rejection, but act by different mechanisms.
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  • 51
    ISSN: 1432-2277
    Keywords: Key words Small bowel transplantation ; Monoclonal antibody ; Rat ; Rejection ; Flow cytometry
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract This study assessed the effect of an anti-rat CD4 monoclonal antibody (OX38) on heterotopic small bowel allograft rejection. Fully allogeneic small bowel transplants were performed in the PVG-to-DA-rat strain combination. Animals received either i) short course (days –1, 0 and 1) of 1 mg/kg per day OX38, ii) short course of 5 mg/kg per day or iii) extended course (days –2, –1, 0, 1, 2 and twice weekly thereafter) of 1 mg/kg per day. Both the high dose (13 days) and extended low-dose (12 days) courses prolonged graft survival compared to untreated control animals (7 days). The low-dose, short-course treatment had no effect. Similar regimens were given to animals that did not receive transplants and in which peripheral blood CD4+ cell counts fell to between 20 and 55 % of pretreatment levels and 20–30 % of binding sites were blocked. In summary, anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody therapy delayed rejection of rat small bowel allografts; however, long-term survival was not achieved.
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  • 52
    ISSN: 1615-3146
    Keywords: Key Words Spinal cord compression ; Autoradiography ; Blood flow ; ATP ; Glucose ; Lactate ; Bioluminescence ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Many data are available concerning spinal cord blood flow (SCBF) and metabolism on various models and timing after spinal cord injury, however, detailed information on their exact relationship in the same injury model is lacking. This relationship is a crucial factor in the understanding of the pathophysiology of spinal cord trauma. Rats were subjected to lumbar laminectomy or lumbar spinal cord compression trauma. 3 hours later, changes in SCBF were evaluated autoradiographically and changes in ATP, glucose and lactate levels were analyzed using substrate-specific bioluminescence techniques. Measurements were performed at the lesion site (segment L4), adjacent segments (L3 and L5) and at remote thoracic segments (Th8 to Th9). Laminectomy alone did not change SCBF, both in thoracic and lumbar segments. In contrast, ATP levels were significantly reduced and lactate levels were increased at the lesion site and in adjacent lumbar segments at 3 hours after laminectomy, whereas glucose levels were not significantly changed. In animal subjected to additional compression trauma, SCBF was significantly reduced in segments L3, L4 and L5 paralleled by a significant ATP reduction and lactate increase. Glucose levels did not differ significantly from controls 3 hours after compression injury. This metabolic profile was also reflected in the remote thoracic segments. In contrast, SCBF was not reduced in thoracic segments of traumatized animals. The observation that ATP was already significantly reduced and lactate increased in laminectomized segments and in remote thoracic regions after trauma signals that metabolic changes are sensitive indicators to spinal stress. The fact that posttraumatic metabolic profile differs from the pattern of hemodynamic and metabolic changes induced by ischemia, suggests posttraumatic mediators may be involved in the different regulation of the energy producing machinery.
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  • 53
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    European journal of applied physiology 83 (2000), S. 310-319 
    ISSN: 1439-6327
    Keywords: Key words Motor unit ; Mechanomyography ; Evoked contraction ; Medial gastrocnemius muscle ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Acoustic phenomena accompanying contractions of single motor units (MUs) have previously received little attention. Therefore, in the present study, the mechanomyographic (MMG) signals during evoked contractions of single MUs have been recorded from the medial gastrocnemius muscle of the rat. A piezoelectric transducer immersed in a paraffin-oil pool was used for the measurement of these signals. Muscle fibre action potentials, tension and MMG were recorded in parallel during twitch (the weakest) and fused tetanic (the strongest) MU contractions. It was observed that the onset of the MMG signals was coincident with the beginning of the increase in tension for both the twitch and tetanus. Weaker MMG signals than those accompanying the beginning of the first phase of the fused tetanus were seen during the beginning of the relaxation after tetanic contraction. During contraction and relaxation, MMG signals were characterised by the reverse-direction of the first extreme phase, positive and negative, respectively. No MMG signals were observed when the tension was constant during the fused tetanus. The amplitude of MMG signals was correlated with both the tension increase and the velocity of tension increase during both the twitch and the fused tetanus. The strongest MUs (fast fatiguable) generated MMG signals of the highest amplitude. MMG signals were not detected for some of the weakest slow MUs (with tension increases of ≤2 mN). These results indicate a strong correlation between the MMG and the change of tension. Therefore, we believe that MMG signals are generated by muscle deformation that occurs during the contraction of MU muscle fibres. We conclude that the number of active muscle fibres, their topography, and their localisation in relation to the muscle surface (which is variable for different types of MUs) influence these MMG phenomena.
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  • 54
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    Annals of biomedical engineering 28 (2000), S. 128-134 
    ISSN: 1573-9686
    Keywords: Hippocampus ; Vigilance states ; Paired-pulse ; Dentate gyrus ; Dentate granule cells ; Evoked response ; Rat ; In vivo studies ; Perforant path ; Maturation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine , Technology
    Notes: Abstract This study examined the effect of normal development and vigilance state on the modulation of dentate granule cell activity in the freely moving rat at 15, 30, and 90 days of age across three vigilance states: quiet waking, slow-wave sleep, and rapid eye movement sleep. Using paired-pulse stimulation, the paired-pulse index (PPI) was obtained for the dentate evoked field potentials elicited by the stimulation of the medial perforant path. Although significant differences in PPI values were observed during development, no significant vigilance state related changes were obtained. Preweaning infant rats, i.e., 15-day old, exhibited significantly less early (interpulse intervals, IPI= 20–50 ms) and late (IPI = 300–1000 ms) inhibition, and less facilitation (IPI = 50–150 ms) when compared to the 90-day old adult rats during all three vigilance states. PPI values obtained from the 30-day old group fell intermediate between the 15- and 90-day old animals. These changes in PPI values provide a quantitative measure of changes in the modulation of dentate granule cell excitability during normal maturation. They can now can be used to evaluate the impact of various insults, such as prenatal protein malnutrition or neonatal stress, on hippocampal development. © 2000 Biomedical Engineering Society. PAC00: 8717Nn, 8719La, 8719Nn
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  • 55
    ISSN: 1573-9686
    Keywords: Heart ; Left ventricle ; LV contractility ; ESPVR ; Pig ; Rat ; Magnetic resonance imaging
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine , Technology
    Notes: Abstract The end systolic pressure–volume relation (ESPVR) has been shown to be a relatively load independent measure of left ventricular (LV) contractility. Recently, several single-beat ESPVR computation methods have been developed, enabling the quantification of LV contractility without the need to alter vascular loading conditions on the heart. Using a single-beat ESPVR method, which has been validated previously in humans and assumes that normalized elastance is constant between individuals of a species, we studied the effects of myocardial infarction on LV contractility in two species, the rat and the pig. In our studies, LV pressure was acquired invasively and LV volume determined noninvasively with magnetic resonance imaging, at one week postinfarction in pigs and at 12 weeks postinfarction in rats. Normalized systolic elastance curves in both animal species were not statistically different from that of humans. Also, the slope of the ESPVR $$\left( {E_{es} } \right)$$ decreased significantly following infarction in both species, while the volume-axis intercept $$\left( {V_0 } \right)$$ was unaffected. These results indicate that a single-beat ESPVR method can be used to measure the inotropic response of the heart to myocardial infarction, and that the basis for this method (i.e., constant normalized elastance) is applicable to a variety of mammalian species. © 2000 Biomedical Engineering Society. PAC00: 8719Uv, 8761Lh, 8719Hh, 8719Rr, 8719Ff
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  • 56
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    Annals of biomedical engineering 28 (2000), S. 1101-1115 
    ISSN: 1573-9686
    Keywords: Time–frequency analysis ; Coherence ; Cross correlation ; Nonstationary persistent signals ; Central pattern generator ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine , Technology
    Notes: Abstract We present a novel time-varying phase spectrum (TVPS) method to quantify the dynamics of coevolution of two persistent nonstationary coupled signals. Based on the TVPS, an instantaneous intersignal phase shift is defined within the primary frequency range in which the two signals are highly correlated. The TVPS is estimated using a fixed-window method or an adaptive-window method. In the latter method, the window length changes dynamically and automatically as a function of change in frequency of the signals. The effects of altering window types and lengths on the accuracy of the estimation of the primary phase shift is assessed by analyzing synthesized linear chirp signals with decaying amplitude and constant relative phase shift or decaying amplitude and changing relative phase shifts. The methods developed are also used for determining the evolution of the primary phase shift among ventral root activities during fictive locomotion in an in vitro rat spinal cord preparation. The analyses indicate that the TVPS method in conjunction with the determination of the primary frequency range, allows determination of both the evolution of the coupling strength and the evolution of the phase shift between two persistent nonstationary rhythmic signals in the joint time–frequency domain. An adaptive window reduces the estimation bias and the estimation variability. © 2000 Biomedical Engineering Society. PAC00: 0230-f, 8780Tq
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  • 57
    ISSN: 1438-8359
    Keywords: Key words: Halothane ; Dopamine release ; Dopamine uptake ; Microdialysis ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Purpose. In our previous microdialysis study, sevoflurane or isoflurane anesthesia significantly decreased the extracellular level of dopamine in rat striatum in vivo. On the other hand, other investigators demonstrated that halothane anesthesia either increased or did not affect the extracellular dopamine level. To explore the differences among these volatile anesthetics, the effects of halothane and nitrous oxide on the striatal dopamine level were reinvestigated. Methods. Halothane alone, nitrous oxide with or without halothane, or drugs known to affect the dopaminergic pathway were administered to rats. Microdialysates were collected every 20 min and directly applied to an on-line high-performance liquid chromatograph without any pretreatment. The effects of halothane on respiratory and cardiovascular variables were monitored. Results. General anesthesia with halothane alone de-creased the dialysate (extracellular) concentration of dopamine but increased that of dopamine metabolites. Nitrous oxide alone slightly increased dopamine metabolites in dialysates but did not affect the halothane-induced decrease in extracellular dopamine. Apomorphine and haloperidol reproduced reported results, confirming the adequacy of our methodology. Nomifensine- or methamphetamine-induced increase in extracellular dopamine was augmented by halothane. Conclusion. These results suggest that halothane po-tently enhances striatal dopamine release and activates the reuptake or metabolic process, which is consistent with our previous results for sevoflurane or isoflurane. Volatile anesthetics interfere with dopamine regulation, at least in the rat striatum.
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  • 58
    ISSN: 0219-1032
    Keywords: c-Fos ; Dopamine ; D1 ; Hippocampus ; Rat ; Synaptic Plasticity
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract While dopamine is likely to modulate hippocampal synaptic plasticity, there has been little information about how dopamine affects synaptic transmission in the hippocampus. The expression of IEGs including c-fos has been associated with late phase LTP in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. The induction of c-fos by dopaminergic receptor activation in the rat hippocampus was investigated by using semiquantitative RT-PCR and immuno-cytochemistry. The hippocampal slices which were not treated with dopamine showed little expression of c-fos mRNA. However, the induction of c-fos mRNA was detected as early as 5 min after dopamine treatment, peaked at 60 min, and remained elevated 5 h after treatment. Temporal profiles of increases in c-fos mRNA by R(+)-SKF-38393 (50 μM) and forskolin (50 μM) were similar to that of dopamine. An increase in [cAMP] was observed in dopamine-, SKF-, or forskolin-treated hippocampal slices. By immunocytochemical studies, control hippocampal cells showed little expression of c-Fos immunoreactivity. However, when cells were treated with dopamine, an increase in the expression of c-Fos immunoreactivity was observed after treatment for 2 h. The treatment of hippocampal neurons with R(+)-SKF38393 (50 μM) or forskolin (50 μM) also induced a significant increase in c-Fos expression. These results indicate that the dopamine D1 receptor-mediated cAMP dependant pathway is associated with the expression of c-Fos in the hippocampal neurons. These data are consistent with the possible role of endogenous dopamine on synaptic plasticity via the regulation of gene expression. Furthermore, these results imply that dopamine might control the process of memory storage in the hippocampus through gene expression.
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  • 59
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    Medical & biological engineering & computing 38 (2000), S. 42-48 
    ISSN: 1741-0444
    Keywords: Bowel sounds ; Rat ; Motility ; Body acoustics ; Signal detection ; Signal characterisation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Chemistry and Pharmacology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract This study is aimed at detecting gastrointestinal sounds (GIS) and correlating their characteristics with gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. The central hypotheses are that GIS generation depends on the motility patterns and the mechanical properties of the gut, and that changes in those result in measurable differences in GIS. An animal model which included both healthy rats and those with small bowel obstruction (SBO) was developed. The acoustic bursts, of GIS were detected by amplitude thresholding the signal envelope. Three methods of envelope estimation were proposed and evaluated. Envelope estimation using a Hilbert transform was found to produce the best results in the current application. The duration and dominant frequency of each detected GIS event was estimated and clear differences between healthy and diseased rats were discovered. In the control state, GIS events were found to consistently be of relatively short duration (3–65ms). Although the majority of events in the SBO state had similar short duration, infrequent longer events were also detected and appeared to be pathognomonic. Long duration events (〉100 ms) occurred in each of seven obstructed, but in none of 14 non-obstructed, cases (p〈0.001). It is concluded that GIS analysis may prove useful in the non-invasive, rapid, and accurate diagnosis of SBO.
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  • 60
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    Cellular and molecular life sciences 46 (1990), S. 457-458 
    ISSN: 1420-9071
    Keywords: Rat ; carnitine ; lipolysis ; exercise ; glycogen ; triglycerides ; muscle
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Summary To test the effect of L-carnitine on glycogen sparing when fat oxidation is increased, 100 mg/kg/d were given to rats orally for 3 days, resulting in 1.8-fold higher muscle carnitine levels. Even when FFA were raised by heparin-stimulated lipolysis, the rate of glycogen degradation was not reduced during exercise.
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  • 61
    ISSN: 1432-1440
    Keywords: Vitamin B combination ; Vitamin B6 ; Combined administration: Morphine/Paracetamol ; Antinociception ; Evoked nociceptive activity ; Analgesia ; Thalamus ; Rat ; Acute experiment
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Nociceptive activity was elicited in neurones of the thalamus by supramaximal electrical stimulation of afferent C fibres in the sural nerve of rats under urethane anesthesia. The fixed combination of vitamin B1, B6, B12 (Neurobion®) as well as of vitamin B6 administered by i.p. injection dose-dependently reduced the evoked nociceptive activity. The ED50 of Neurobion® is 4.6 ml/kg (at 100 min after injection) and that of vitamin B6 is 189mg/kg (at 90 min after injection). The minimum effective doses of Neurobion® and vitamin B6 are 0.5 ml/kg and 40 mg/kg, respectively. When Neurobion® or vitamin B6 were given at their minimum effective doses, and the minimum effective doses of morphine (0.025 mg/kg) or paracetamol (5 mg/kg) were injected i.v. 80 min later, i.e., when the maximum effect of higher doses of Neurobion® or vitamin B6was about to develop, no supraadditive effect developed. It is concluded that the antinociceptive effect caused by a single injection of Neurobion® is largely due to vitamin B6. Vitamin B12 may contribute to this effect, whereas vitamin B1 alone exhibited only a slight effect on nociception. Moreover, it appears that Neurobion® produces its antinociceptive effect after a single injection and after repeated administration during several days by different mechanisms so that the effect of analgesic agents is not enhanced following a single injection of Neurobion® but may be enhanced after repeated administration of the compound.
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  • 62
    ISSN: 1432-1440
    Keywords: Vitamin B ; Rat ; EEG ; CNS ; Plasticity
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Recording of field potentials from different brain areas of freely behaving rats and subsequent spectral analysis of the signals has proved to be a most sensitive method in pharmacology. This new model is used to measure the effect on the electrical activity of the brain of repeated daily injections of 1 ml/kg of a vitamin B mixture (Neurobion®, 1 ml containing 33.3 mg B1, 33.3 mg B6, and 0.333 mg B12). Subacute application of the vitamin B combination for 1 week in a group of six rats resulted in changes in the power spectra, which became more prominent from day to day. Particularly increases in the power of the alpha1 and beta range from the thalamus dominated the vitamin-induced changes. From the comparison with earlier results obtained with centrally acting serotonergic drugs, it is concluded that the pharmacodynamic action of the vitamin B mixture predominantly influences this transmitter system. The same group of animals, once challenged with a single dose of 0.2 mg/kg morphine before the repeated vitamin treatment, responded to the same challenge after the treatment in a more sensitive manner. Particularly power changes in the beta range were more pronounced. This higher sensitivity to a morphine challenge persisted for more than 1 week after the end of the vitamin treatment which points to a plastic change in serotonergic neurotransmitter control processes. The results obtained here may be linked to the antinociceptive properties of the vitamin B mixture and practical consequences may include a reduction of morphine dose for analgesia during repeated vitamin B treatment.
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  • 63
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    Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology 341 (1990), S. 510-516 
    ISSN: 1432-1912
    Keywords: Myenteric plexus ; Rat ; [3H]Acetylcholine release ; Muscarinic autoinhibition ; Reverse phase HPLC
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle strips isolated from the small intestine of rats were incubated with [3H]choline to measure the synthesis and the release of [3H]acetylcholine. To separate different radioactive compounds (acetylcholine, choline, phosphorylcholine) from both the tissue and the overflow a new method, the reverse phase HPLC, was used. The radiochromatogram following the injection of a [3H]choline-standard and a [14C]acetylcholine-standard onto the HPLC showed a clear separation of both isotopes with a recovery rate of roughly 100%. Incubation of the muscle strips with [3H]choline caused the synthesis of [3H]acetylcholine (30,000 dpm/preparation) that increased 2-fold, when the electrical field stimulation during labelling was increased from 0.2 Hz to 1 Hz. Electrical field stimulation (3 Hz, 2 min) caused an increase in tritium efflux that was abolished by the removal of extracellular calcium or by the addition of tetrodotoxin. Analysis by reverse phase HPLC of the overflow showed that the stimulated increase in tritium overflow was balanced by the enhanced release of [3H]acetylcholine, whereas the overflow of [3H]choline was not affected by the electrical field stimulation. Oxotremorine (1 μmol/l) suppressed the release of [3H]acetylcholine by 60%. Scopolamine (0.1 μmol/l) prevented this inhibition and, given alone, enhanced the release of [3H]acetylcholine by 43%. The release of [3H]acetylcholine evoked at 0.2, 2 or 20 Hz did not consistently decline at increasing frequencies. The present experiments show the synthesis and the calcium-dependent release of [3H]acetylcholine from the myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle preparation of rats correspondingly to the same in-vitro preparation isolated from guinea-pigs. Muscarinic autoinhibition operates also in the small intestine of rats. However, some differences (frequency-dependency of [3H]acetylcholine release, spontaneous neuronal activity) are evident between both species. Reverse phase HPLC is a useful method to separate radioactive choline and acetylcholine with a high recovery rate.
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  • 64
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    Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology 342 (1990), S. 719-721 
    ISSN: 1432-1912
    Keywords: Autoradiography ; Dopamine DA-1 receptors ; Kidney ; Juxtaglomerular cells ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The binding of the selective DA-1 receptor antagonist [3H]-SCH 23390 in sections of rat kidney was studied using combined in vitro biochemical radio-receptor assay and autoradiography. [3H]-SCH 23390 was bound to sections of rat kidney in a manner consistent with the labeling of DA-1 receptors with a disssociation constant value of 4.2 nmol/l and a Bmax value of 180.6 fmol/mg protein. Light microscope autoradiography revealed a dense accumulation of silver grains in juxtaglomerular cells and in proximal convoluted tubule cells. These findings suggest that the stimulation of renin release elicited by dopamine and DA-1 receptor agonists may be mediated by the activation of DA-1 receptors located on juxtaglomerular cells.
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  • 65
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    Journal of molecular medicine 68 (1990), S. 125-128 
    ISSN: 1432-1440
    Keywords: B-vitamins ; Spinal dorsal horn ; Afferent inhibition ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Afferent inhibition of spinal dorsal horn neuronal responses to noxious skin heating was induced by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats. Pretreatment with B vitamins significantly enhanced this afferent inhibition, possibly due to an increase in the synthesis rate of inhibitory neurotransmitters in central neurones.
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  • 66
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    Journal of molecular medicine 68 (1990), S. 142-145 
    ISSN: 1432-1440
    Keywords: Pyridoxine ; B Vitamins ; CNS ; Serotonin receptor binding ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Treatment of normal adult rats with pyridoxine or a B-vitamin mixture resembling Neurobion® 1 led to an increase in serotonin content of various brain areas and to a decrease in the number of serotonin S2 receptors. The results indicate that the pyridoxal phosphate level in regions of the brain regulates the extent of decarboxylation of 5-hydroxytryptophan, the precursor of serotonin. The results also suggest a continuum from deficiency in pyridoxine to treatment of animals with a moderate excess of pyridoxine which is reflected in the synthesis and secretion into the synaptic cleft of the neurotransmitter serotonin.
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  • 67
    ISSN: 1434-0879
    Keywords: Rat ; Urinary bladder ; Partial cystectomy ; Stimulation of urothelial proliferation ; N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)-nitrosamine ; Tumor development
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Tumor development was investigated in the partially resected, proliferating urinary bladder or rats in dependence upon the onset of stimulated de novo DNA synthesis related to carcinogen dosing. N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)-nitrosamine (BBN) was used as carcinogen and administered by gavage in three fractionated doses (100 mg/kg body weight each) either during the phase of the most pronouced proliferation of the urothelium 30, 45 and 70 h after one-third resection of the bladder or 24 h and 1 week prior to partial cystectomy. When BBN was given during most increased DNA synthesis subsequent to one-third resection, the incidence of bladder tumors was reduced to 8.7% compared with 19.6% found in control animals with a non-resected, quiescent bladder. Tumor formation was neither inhibited nor enhanced when BBN was initially administered, followed by partial cystectomy 24 h or 1 week after the last carcinogen dose, yielding tumor incidences of 18.2% and 22.5%, respectively. Thus, the feeding of BBN during the period of maximum DNA synthesis inhibited tumor development in the partially resected bladder, while stimulation of cell replication subsequent to carcinogen administration did not influence the carcinogenic process initiated. The results obtained indicate that time of onset of stimulated DNA synthesis related to carcinogen dosing is the decisive factor in modifying urothelial carcinogenesis in the proliferating urinary bladder.
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  • 68
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    Urological research 18 (1990), S. 345-348 
    ISSN: 1434-0879
    Keywords: Urinary bladder ; Overdistension ; Adrenergic innervation ; SIF cells ; Glyoxylic acid ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The effect of distension on adrenergic innervation was investigated in the rat urinary bladder. Bladders were distended for 3 h by forced diuresis and ballon obstruction, and specimens were taken from the bladder dome, body and neck for the demonstration of glyoxylic acid-induced fluorescence of catecholamines. Depletion of catecholamines started after 10 h and was almost complete after 2 days. The fluorescence had recovered part way after 5–7 days and was practically normal after 21 days. Small, intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells in the ganglia continued to leak catecholamines throughout the 21-day study period. The primary clinical success of distension therapy for the treatment of unstable bladder may be at least partly due to a reversible disturbance in the function of the adrenergic nerves, which have an excitatory alpha-adrenergic dominance in such cases, but the persistent leakage from SIF cells raises the question of whether distension causes prolonged disturbances in bladder function.
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  • 69
    ISSN: 1432-0533
    Keywords: Rat ; Mongolian gerbil ; Trimethyltin ; Dense bodies ; Golgi appratus
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The different responses of neurons with distinctive variations in morphology and function, confirm earlier observations of the lack of uniformity in the reaction of nerve cells to trimethyltin. Thus, hippocampal pyramidal and cortical neurons in both rat and Mongolian gerbil (M. unguiculatus) show abundant lysosomal dense bodies and disorganisation of the protein-synthesising apparatus. Cerebellar Purkinje cells in gerbil, but not in rat, show striking increases in smooth membrane systems, while dense bodies are insignificant in both species; large motor-type neurons in brain stem and spinal cord in both species do not accumulate dense bodies, but their rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) may undergo intense vacuolation with or without subsequent cell death; and by contrast, spinal ganglion cells of both species may form an excess of dense bodies and, in the gerbil, vacuolation of RER. In contrast with these varied responses to trimethyltin most neurons, large and small, in both species regularly undergo striking vacuolation of the Golgi apparatus in the earliest phase of the intoxication, a constant feature that probably reflects the site of the primary cytotoxic lesion; all other changes we consider are secondary to such damage to the Golgi apparatus, however this may come about. These observations are discussed in relation to earlier reports of the variable effects of trimethyltin and with the metabolic changes reported in trimethyltin intoxication that in general accord with these morphological conclusions.
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  • 70
    ISSN: 1432-0568
    Keywords: Creatine kinase ; Development ; Distribution ; Rat ; Heart ; Muscle ; Immunohistochemistry
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The distribution pattern of creatine kinase (E.C 2.7.3.2) isozymes in prenatal rat heart and skeletal muscle was studied by immunohistochemistry. Between embryonic day (ED) 12–18, creatine kinase M (CK-M) is heterogeneously expressed in the heart: a pronounced staining of CK-M is first observed in the outflow tract and the trabeculae of the right ventricle (ED12-14), and subsequently in the venous valves, the interatrial septum and the sinoatrial node. From ED18 onwards, a homogeneous expression of CK-M is observed due to an increase in isozyme concentration in the remaining part of the myocardium. By contrast, the developmental appearance of creatine kinase B (CK-B) occurs almost homogeneously throughout the heart between ED11-14. Thereafter, a decrease of the CK-B is first observed in the inflow tract (in particular in the sinoatrial node), in the inner part of those atrial walls that are adjacent to the atrioventricular junction, and temporarily in a band in the upper part of the interventricular septum. From ED18, a selective disappearance of CK-B is found in the papillary muscle of the left ventricle. At birth, a considerable amount of CK-B remains present in the ventricular walls. Although some of the stage-dependent regional differences in expression of the creatine kinase isozymes, in particular those of the M-subunit, are shared by other mammalian and avian species, their significance for the developmental changes in the physiology of the heart is speculative at present.
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  • 71
    ISSN: 1432-0568
    Keywords: Basket cells ; Hippocampus ; Dentate gyrus ; Rat ; Postnatal development
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Light and electron microscopic preparations were used to analyze the postnatal development of the basket cells of the rat dentate gyrus. The basket cells, located at the hilar border, were recognized in 2-day-old rats in Golgi preparations, where they displayed immature dendrites and a small axon arbor in the granule cell layer. At 5 days, the basket cells were found to have a large perikaryal cytoplasm, a round nucleus, an axon that forms symmetric synapses with granule cells, and dendrites and somata that are contacted by other axon terminals. The 10-day basket cells display more mature features, such as Nissl bodies and well-developed Golgi complexes. The basket cells from 16-day-old rats are mature in terms of their ultrastructural features, in that the nuclei are highly indented and display intranuclear rods or sheets, the perikaryal cytoplasm is packed with organelles, and the axon has developed an extensive arborization with the somata and dendrites of granule cells at the border with the molecular layer. This arborization will continue to expand as more granule cells are generated and added to the hilar border. These data correlate well with the immunocytochemical and biochemical development of GABAergic neurons in the dentate gyrus. Furthermore, the maturation of the structure of basket cells appears to precede the appearance of adult-like electrical activity in the hippocampus.
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  • 72
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    Anatomy and embryology 182 (1990), S. 225-234 
    ISSN: 1432-0568
    Keywords: Cranial veins ; Basal drainage ; Development ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The anatomical pattern and development of the venous system of the cranial base in the rat is described. The anatomy of the venous system was determined from observations of vascular casts in adult ratss; the development of the vascular system was established by examination of ink-injected embryos. A transverse sinus system was found to be present in the basal venous system. The sinus connects the posterior facial veins; its middle section transverses the cranial base through the basisphenoid canal, and it receives the venae ophthalmicae within the basisphenoid bone. The venae ophthalmicae in turn are connected to the perioptic veins and to the sinus interperiopticus intracranially. Dorsally, the venae ophthalmicae anastomose with the paired sinus cavernosus. The term sinus transversus basalis is proposed for the venous connection between the posterior facial veins within the basisphenoid bone of the rat. The anlage of the sinus transversus basalis is established by vascular networks during the final prenatal period, its formation, however, is only completed postnatally. The anlages of the venae periopticae, the venae ophthalmicae, the sinus cavernosus and the rami intercavernosi are already established at early developmental stages. The characteristic pattern is formed before birth.
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  • 73
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    Anatomy and embryology 181 (1990), S. 603-614 
    ISSN: 1432-0568
    Keywords: Neocortex ; Rat ; 2-deoxyglucose ; Local cerebral glucose utilization ; Laminar pattern ; Image analysis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The neocortex of the rat brain can be subdivided into regions of different local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU). However, only a few neocortical areas can be delineated by differences in mean LCGUs between neighbouring areas. These area borders correspond exactly with cytoarchitectonically defined borders found in adjacent Nissl-stained preparations. On the other hand, nearly all of the architectonically defined area borders are also recognizable in the LCGU pictures, if differences in laminar distribution patterns of LCGU are taken into account. Furthermore, interareal differences in mean LCGU mainly reflect changes in layer IV, whereas layers II–III and V–VI show nearly identical LCGU values in all neocortical areas of the rat brain. The primary sensory areas exhibit the highest LCGU in layer IV, while the primary motor cortex shows a high LCGU in layer V. As the cytoarchitectonically defined pattern of the cortex is generally corroborated by the regional and laminar LCGU distribution, anatomical, metabolic and functional aspects of cortical architecture are associated.
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  • 74
    ISSN: 1432-0533
    Keywords: Focal cerebral ischemia ; Middle cerebral artery ; Rat ; Reperfusion ; 2,3,5-Triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The extent of histochemical change following middle cerebral artery occlusion was quantitatively determined in three groups of Sprague-Dawley rats with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (a marker of mitochondrial oxidative enzyme function). In group I (n=7) occlusion was maintained for 3 h, with immediate sacrifice. In group II (n=7) occlusion was maintained for 5 h, with immediate sacrifice. In group III (n=7) occlusion was maintained for 3 h, followed by a 2-h period of reperfusion prior to sacrifice. The area of injury was significantly larger (P〈0.05) in the 5-h occlusion group [15±4% (mean±SD)] compared to the 3-h occlusion group (9±2%); indicating a time-dependent worsening of the histochemical detection of injury. However, the area of injury was significantly less in the reperfusion group (5±2%) compared to the group that was evaluated after 3 h of occlusion without reperfusion (9±2%); indicating that some component of the injury revealed by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride is potentially reversible. These data suggest that contrary to previous understanding, the histochemical abnormality revealed by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride is reversible in some circumstances and does not necessarily represent inevitable infarction.
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  • 75
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    Anatomy and embryology 182 (1990), S. 307-317 
    ISSN: 1432-0568
    Keywords: Rat ; Kidney ; Interstitial cells ; Major histocompatibility complex
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary To study the ontogenetic development of the interstitial tissue of the kidney, rats were investigated 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after birth. Kidneys perfusionfixed with glutaraldehyde were studied with light- and electron microscopy. Cryostate sections from kidneys immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen were studied with respect to the expression of MHC class II antigen using the monoclonal antibody OX6. The interstitial space of both the renal cortex and the outer and inner medulla was prominent during the first days postnatally. The relative interstitital volume of the cortex and outer part of the medulla then decreased in conjunction with the outgrowth and maturation of the superficial nephrons while the inner medullary interstitium remained wide. During the first postnatal days, the abundant interstitial cells of the cortex were connected via cytoplasmic processes to form a loose network which later became less well defined. The lipid-laden interstitial cells of the inner medulla showed essentially the same ultrastructure in the newborn as in the adult animal. Strong expression of class II antigen first appeared on epithelial cells of the thick ascending limb of Henle’s loop about 7 days postnatally, and became weak at 28 days. From 21 days, a weak staining of the proximal tubules was also observed. While interstitial cells in the inner medulla were always negative, cortical and outer medullary interstitial cells became strongly positive for class II antigen from day 21 post partum.
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  • 76
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    Anatomy and embryology 181 (1990), S. 441-452 
    ISSN: 1432-0568
    Keywords: Development ; Pancreatic primordium ; Transplantation ; Immunohistochemistry ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The dorsal pancreatic primordia of 12.5-day-old rat embryos transplanted into the third ventricle of adult female rats were immunohistochemically examined 10, 20 and 40 days after transplantation. On day 10, the grafts grew into an epithelial sacculus (S) with a thick subepithelial tissue (ST). Tubular and vesicular structures with a single cuboidal epithelium were found within the wall of the S, but they underwent thereafter a regression without allowing the primordia to differentiate into the exocrine acinar tissues. In contrast with this, pancreatic hormone-containing cells existed in the ST, and were arranged like the islands of a mature animal. The tissue also has smooth muscle fibers and neurons. When the primordium was grafted along with its root connected to the duodenum, gut-like tubular structures differentiated, showing mucosa with villi and crypts, submucous mesenchymal tissue and muscle layers. The mucosa possesses epithelial cells immunoreactive for the pancreatic hormones, and the muscle layers have the myenteric plexuses. These findings seem to provide further evidence that in the rat pancreas, pancreatic-hormone-containing cells differ from the acinar cells in origin.
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  • 77
    ISSN: 1432-041X
    Keywords: Inner cell mass ; Blastocyst ; Morula ; Implantation ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Summary The number of trophectoderm (TE) and inner cell mass (ICM) cells was determined by complementmediated lysis and differential staining in rat embryos collected at different times during in vivo preimplantation development. At 90 h after fertilization, two groups of morulae were discriminated according to the presence or absence of detectable ICM cells, and the analysis of their total cell number indicated that acquisition of a permeability seal between TE cells begins at the 14-cell stage. On the other hand, our data confirmed that blastocoele formation occurs after the fourth cleavage division in the rat. The total cell number increased exponentially with time in blastocysts recovered between 90 h and 127 h but the cell kinetics of TE and ICM cells were different. The proportion of ICM cells consequently varied throughout blastocyst development, with a peak value for expanded blastocysts at 103 h. Finally, a linear-quadratic relationship was found between the numbers of TE and ICM cells when all the embryos with a detectable ICM were analysed together.
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  • 78
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    Intensive care medicine 16 (1990), S. 436-440 
    ISSN: 1432-1238
    Keywords: Rat ; Pulmonary artery ; Pulmonary hypertension ; Thromboxane B2 ; Prostacyclin ; Prostaglandin F1α ; Endotoxin
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract To determine in the rat whether pulmonary artery hypertension accompanies thromboxane release, we sequentially monitored pulmonary and systemic artery pressures and cardiac output. We measured pulmonary and aortic plasma levels of TxB2 as well as 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α (6-keto-PGF1α) in awake unrestrained adult male Sprague-Dawley rats given a single infusion of endotoxin at the relatively high dose commonly administered to this endotoxin-resistant species. At 40 min after endotoxin infusion, both pulmonary and aortic TxB2 and 6-keto-PGF1α levels increased nine-fold and seven-fold above baseline, respectively. In the pulmonary artery, 40 min after infusion, both mediator levels differed significantly from baseline (p〈0.05), whereas in the aorta, because of marked variance in the response of different animals, only the 6-keto-PGF1α levels achieved significance (p〈0.05). These changes were associated with a fall in systemic blood pressure and cardiac output, but no demonstrable rise in pulmonary artery pressure (PAP). Despite ultrastructural evidence of vascular injury, these data indicate that in the rat thromboxane and prostacyclin release following a single infusion of endotoxin is not associated with pulmonary hypertension and that increased prostacyclin production may contribute to systemic hypotension.
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  • 79
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Lateral vestibular nucleus ; 5-hydroxytryptamine ; Microiontophoresis ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) was delivered microiontophoretically (20–80 nA) to cells of the lateral vestibular nucleus of anaesthetized rats to test its influence on the spontaneous activity of single neurons. 5-HT increased the rate of firing of 94% of the units tested. The enhancement persisted for up to 700 s after the end of the 5-HT ejection and the maximum magnitude of the excitation (10–3400%) showed a hyperbolic correlation (ϱ=0.86) with background firing. In 43% of units the enhancement was preceded by a short-lasting (less than 105 s) depression of the neuronal firing rate, the magnitude of which was unrelated to the background mean firing rate. Both components of the 5-HT response were dose-dependent. Only the excitatory responses were antagonized by metergoline, methysergide and ketanserin. The putative 5-HT agonist, 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine, applied microiontophoretically, depressed the background firing rate and was not antagonized by methysergide. These results demonstrate that 5-HT modifies the responsiveness of vestibular neurons and suggest that at least two mechanisms and maybe two types of receptors are activated by 5-HT in this nucleus.
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  • 80
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    Experimental brain research 81 (1990), S. 85-94 
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Spinocerebellar neurons ; Dorsal root projections ; Double labeling ; Choleragenoid ; Fluorogold ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The aim of this study has been to investigate projections to spinocerebellar cell groups from lumbar dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) in the rat. The binding subunit of cholera toxin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (B-HRP) was used to label primary afferent fibers. Spinocerebellar neurons were labeled retrogradely by Fluoro-Gold (FG). To determine the orientation of dendrites, retrogradely labeled spinocerebellar neurons were studied, following injections of wheat germ agglutinin conjugated horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) into cerebellum. FG or WGA-HRP labeled neurons were found mainly in laminae V and VII, in the lateral group of lamina IX, in Clarke's column (CC) and in the dorsal funiculus. B-HRP labeled primary afferent fibers overlapping with FG labeled cells were observed at all these locations after injections of B-HRP into different DRGs. The overlap in lamina V was found mainly medially and dorsolaterally. CC was found to receive dense projections from DRGs L1–6. In the lumbar part of CC, labeling from DRGs L4–5 overlapped and was distributed over the entire mediolateral extent of the CC, whereas labeling from DRGs L1–3 was somatotopically organized and projected to successively more dorsomedial areas. The central area of lamina VII showed moderate labeling from DRGs L3–5. The lateral group of lamina IX received only smaller amounts of labeled fibers from DRGs L3–5.
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  • 81
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Hypoglossal nucleus ; Catecholamines ; Norepinephrine ; Immunocytochemistry ; Electron microscopy ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary A correlative light and electron microscopic investigation was undertaken to determine the morphology and distribution of catecholamine (CA)-containing axon terminals in the hypoglossal nucleus (XII) of the rat. This was accomplished immunocytochemically with antibody to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). The major findings in this study were the following: 1) Immunoreactive profiles were found throughout XII and included unmyelinated axons, varicosities, axon terminals and dendrites; 2) Nonsynaptic immunoreactive profiles (preterminal axons, varicosities) were more frequently observed (55.2%) than synaptic profiles (43.5%); 3) CA-containing axon terminals ending on dendrites were more numerous (71.8%) than those synapsing on somata (25.4%) or nonlabeled axon terminals (2.7%); 4) The morphology of labeled axon terminals was variable. Axodendritic terminals typically contained numerous small, round agranular vesicles, a few large dense-core vesicles and were associated with either a symmetric or no synaptic specialization, axosomatic terminals were often associated with a presynaptic membrane thickening or a symmetric synaptic specialization and contained small, round and a few elliptical-shaped vesicles, while axoaxonic synapses formed asymmetric postsynaptic specializations; and 5) CA-positive dendritic processes were identified in XII. These findings confirm the CA innervation of XII, and suggest a complex, multifunctional role for CA in controlling oro-lingual motor behavior.
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  • 82
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    Experimental brain research 81 (1990), S. 209-212 
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: NMDA ; Excitatory postsynaptic current ; Voltage sensitivity ; Patch clamp ; Thin hippocampal slice ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Patch-clamp techniques were used to record pharmacologically-isolated N-methyl-D-aspartate-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (NMDA-EPSCs) from dentate granule cells in thin rat hippocampal slices. Membrane voltage modulated these EPSCs in two ways. Firstly, depolarization from resting potential enhanced EPSC amplitudes, as expected for a voltage-dependent block by Mg2+ of synaptically activated NMDA receptor channels. Secondly, depolarization markedly prolonged the time course of decay of NMDA-EPSCs in normal and low extracellular Mg2+. Both mechanisms were complementary in establishing a strong dependence between membrane potential and the amount of charge, namely Ca2+, transferred through synaptically activated NMDA receptor channels, that presumably underlies induction of long-term potentiation in the hippocampus.
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  • 83
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    Experimental brain research 81 (1990), S. 346-352 
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Vibrissae representation ; Ventrobasal complex ; Columnar organization ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The region of vibrissae representation in the ventrobasal complex (VB) of the rat was systematically mapped, based on receptive fields of many single neurons. Results showed that the ventralmost row of vibrissae projected to the rostral part of VB, that the dorsal-most row projected to the caudal part, and that the caudalmost vibrissae of each row projected to the most dorsolateral part of VB and more rostral vibrissae to the more ventromedial part. Further, it was revealed that the clusters of neurons receiving projections from any individual vibrissae formed corresponding columns extending from the anterodorsomedial to the posteroventrolateral direction, and that these columns piled up dorsoventrally and anteroposteriorly, with ventral ones shifted progressively medially. When cross sections of these columns were viewed on an oblique horizontal section of VB, a group of columns corresponding to each row lined up from the dorsolateral to the ventromedial direction with a rostral convexity, which means that the third or fourth vibrissa in each row projected most rostrally in that row. These results confirmed previous physiological mapping studies of vibrissal representation and are in good agreement with anatomical studies on barreloid structure in VB.
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  • 84
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    Experimental brain research 81 (1990), S. 313-317 
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Valproic acid ; Ionic currents ; Cerebral cortex ; Patch clamp ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Rat neocortical neurons in culture were subjected to the whole cell mode of voltage clamping under experimental conditions designed to study Na+, Ca{2su+} and K+ currents in isolation. Following pharmacological blockade of most of the Ca2+ and K+ channels, depolarizing commands which brought the membrane potential from — 80 to +10 mV elicited an inward current. This current was sensitive to tetrodotoxin (TTX) and was therefore caused by the opening of voltage-dependent channels permeable to Na+. Extracellular application of the antiepileptic drug valproic acid (VPA, 0.2–2mM) reduced in a dose-related, reversible way this Na+ current. VPA also evoked an increase of the voltage-dependent inward current recorded in the presence of TTX and thus presumably carried by Ca2+; this effect was seen in the presence of doses of VPA larger than 0.5 mM and was not reversible. Two types of outward K+ currents evoked by depolarizing steps in the presence of Na+ and Ca2+ channels blockers were not affected by VPA (up to 5 mM). Our data indicate that doses of VPA that are within the range present when it is used as an anticonvulsant, can influence inward currents generated by rat neocortical cells in culture. The reduction of the Na+, inward current is in line with findings obtained in mouse neurons by using standard intracellular recording techniques. This effect might represent an important mechanism of action for VPA in neocortex.
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  • 85
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: CGRP ; Motoneurons ; Spinal cord ; Immunocytochemistry ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The expression of Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has been demonstrated in motoneurons of several species. We have investigated in adult rats the influence of transection of the spinal cord on CGRP immunoreactivity of motoneurons located below the section. Quantative analysis has been performed with computer-assisted image analysis. As early as 48 h after the section, CGRP immunoreactivity is modified, and the reduction is maximal after one month. Then, both the number of immunoreactive cells and the intensity of staining increase until the 5th month. It is concluded that the expression of CGRP is under the influence of supraspinal afferents to the motoneuron.
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  • 86
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Superior colliculus ; Electrophysiology ; Tectal efferents ; Cuneiform nucleus ; Predorsal bundle ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Neuroanatomical studies have demonstrated that the two major descending pathways from the superior colliculus arise from regionally segregated, distinct, cells of origin. Stimulation and lesion studies have implicated the crossed descending tecto-reticulo-spinal projection in approach movements towards novel stimuli whereas the ipsilateral pathway appears to be involved in the control of avoidance and escape-like behaviours. The present electrophysiological study attempted to characterise the sensory properties of antidromically identified cells of origin of these pathways in anaesthetised rats. We found that the contralaterally projecting predorsal bundle (PDB) efferents were primarily somatosensory while the ipsilateral cuneiform (CNF) projection was primarily visual. PDB cells, mainly found in the intermediate layers, responded principally to vibrissal stimulation with their overlying visual fields optimally stimulated by small dark moving objects in the lower rostral and lateral field. In contrast, most CNF cells were located rostromedially, with the greatest contribution from visual cells responsive to stimuli in the upper rostral field. A significant proportion of these showed no response to small moving dark discs but fired vigorously to ‘looming’ stimuli. Ethological considerations suggest that these are appropriate stimulus characteristics for a system controlling approach and avoidance behaviour in an animal such as the rat where predators generally appear from above and prey is found on the ground.
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  • 87
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    Experimental brain research 82 (1990), S. 606-616 
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Hippocampus ; Medial frontal cortex ; Solitary nucleus ; Horseradish peroxidase ; Antidromic activation ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The hippocampus has previously been shown to influence cardiovascular function, and this effect appears to be mediated by the connection the hippocampus has with the infralimbic area of the medial frontal cortex (MFC), a region which projects directly to the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) in the dorsal medulla. In the present study, anatomical and electrophysiological techniques were utilized to determine the degree of convergence of hippocampal input to the MFC on neurons in the MFC which project to the NTS. Injections of the anterograde and retrograde neuroanatomical tracer wheatgerm agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) into the NTS retrogradely labelled cells in the infralimbic and prelimbic regions of the MFC. Injections of WGA-HRP into the ventral hippocampus anterogradely labelled terminals in the MFC which, at the light microscopic level, closely overlapped the origin of the descending projection from the MFC to the brainstem. Electron microscopic analysis revealed that anterogradely labelled terminals make synaptic contact primarily on dendritic processes in the neuropil adjacent to retrogradely labelled cells. In addition, anterogradely labelled terminals did, in some cases, make synaptic contact on the somas of retrogradely labelled cells. Electrical stimulation of the NTS antidromically activated cells in the infralimbic and prelimbic areas of the MFC. The average latency of antidromic activation was 30 msec, corresponding to a conduction velocity of approximately 0.7 m/s. Electrical stimulation of the ventral hippocampus orthodromically activated cells in the MFC. With an appropriate delay between the hippocampal and NTS stimuli, the orthodromic and antidromic potentials could be made to collide. The results of this study establish a structural as well as functional link between the hippocampus and NTS-projection neurons in the MFC.
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  • 88
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Caudate-putamen ; 6-hydroxydopamine ; Dopamine receptor ; choline acetyltransferase ; in situ hybridization ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary In situ hybridization was used to study dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) mRNA expression in neurons of the rat forebrain, both on control animals and after a unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion of midbrain dopamine neurons. D2R mRNA expressing neurons were seen in regions which are known to be heavily innervated by midbrain dopamine fibers such as caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens and olfactory tubercle. ChAT mRNA expressing neurons were seen in caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens and septal regions including vertical limb of the diagonal band. In caudate-putamen, approximately 55% of the medium sized neurons, which is the predominating neuronal cell-size in this region, were specifically labeled with the D2R probe. In addition, approximately 95% of the large size neurons in caudate-putamen were specifically labeled with both the D2R and ChAT probes, suggesting that most cholinergic neurons in the caudate-putamen express D2R mRNA. After a unilateral lesion of midbrain dopamine neurons, no change in the level of either D2R or ChAT mRNA were seen in the large size intrinsic cholinergic neurons in caudate-putamen. Similarily, no evidence was obtained for altered levels of D2R mRNA in medium size neurons in medial caudate-putamen, or nucleus accumbens. However, an increase in the number of medium size neurons expressing D2R mRNA was observed in the lateral part of the dopamine deafferented caudateputamen. Thus, it appears that midbrain dopamine deafferentation causes an increase in D2R mRNA expression in a subpopulation of medium size neurons in the lateral caudate-putamen.
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  • 89
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Swallowing ; Nucleus tractus solitarius ; Excitatory amino acids ; Ketamine anesthesia ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Swallowing is a patterned motor activity generated by neurons located within the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). An excitatory amino acid (EAA) neurotransmitter, such as glutamate (GLU), is suspected of being involved in the initiation of swallowing by NTS neuronal components. However, swallowing can still be elicited in animals anesthetized with ketamine, an antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subclass of EAA receptors. The present experiments were therefore designed to investigate the influence of EAA administration within the NTS on the swallowing motor acitivity of rats anesthetized with ketamine. Pressure microinjections of GLU in doses ranging from 25 to 500 pmol elicited swallowing. This effect was dose-dependent and was not reproduced when control injections of the vehicle solution were performed. Microinjections of the GLU agonists, quisqualate (QUIS) and NMDA, in doses ranging between 2.5 and 50 pmol, also induced swallowing motor activities. QUIS, like GLU, elicited a short series of swallows at a brief latency while NMDA generated long-lasting rhythmic swallowing with a longer latency. Swallowing induced by GLU microinjections (100 pmol) was suppressed almost completely by local pretreatment with either the broad spectrum EAA receptor antagonist, gamma-D-glutamylglycine (250 pmol), or the more selective non-NMDA antagonist, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (50–100 pmol), but not by pretreatment with the selective NMDA antagonist, DL-2-amino-5-phosponovalerate (250 pmol). On the other hand, pretreatment with DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (50 pmol) suppressed the deglutitions induced by NMDA microinjections (10 pmol) but not those elicited by QUIS microinjections (10 pmol). These results provide evidence that swallowing can be induced by activation of EAA receptors of both the NMDA and the non-NMDA subclasses located within the NTS. Furthermore they indicate that both subclasses may still be active in ketamine-anesthetized animals.
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  • 90
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Synaptic transmission ; Excitatory amino acids ; NMDA receptor antagonists ; Hippocampal formation ; Long-term potentiation ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary NMDA receptor antagonists produced differential effects on medial and lateral perforant path-evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) recorded in the dentate gyrus molecular layer of hippocampal slices. D-(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (D(-)APV) and 3-[(±)-2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl]-propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP) significantly reduced the peak amplitude and total area, but not the initial negative slope, of the medial perforant path-evoked EPSP. Neither antagonist affected any component of the lateral perforant path-evoked EPSP. In contrast, population spikes evoked by stimulation of either pathway were depressed.
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  • 91
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Sleep ; Voltammetry ; High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) ; Serotonin (5-HT) ; 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) ; Corticotropin-like intermediate lobe peptide (CLIP) ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary In the present work, differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) measurements of the extracellular fraction of 5-hydroxyindole compounds were performed in rats under long-term chronic conditions. In the nucleus Raphe Dorsalis (n.RD), the voltammetric signal measured at +300 mv (peak 3) disappeared completely 70 to 90 min after injection of Clorgyline (10 mg/kg), a monoamine oxidase inhibitor type A (MAOI-A); the signal measured in such conditions is thus dependent upon extracellular 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA peak 3). Deprenyl, an MAOI type B, at the same dose, induced only a slight increase in peak 3 height; according to the fact that MAO-B is selectively located in the 5-HT neurons and since their inhibition does not decrease 5-HIAA peak 3 nor the endogenous 5-HIAA content as measured with High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), 5-HIAA measured with DPV in the extracellular fluid of untreated animals might come from 5HT released and metabolized by MAO-A outside the 5-HT neurons. In animals implanted for measurements of both voltammetric and polygraphic parameters, the 5-HIAA peak 3 measured mainly in the anterior and ventral part of the n.RD exhibited large increases in its height during slow-wave sleep (SWS: +39%) and paradoxical sleep (PS=+71%) as compared to the waking state (W=100%); these variations could reflect the dendritic release of 5-HT. In the Caudate nucleus (n.Cd) the same voltammetric signal presented reverse fluctuations, i.e. an increase during W and a decrease during SWS and PS. Intracerebroventricular administration of Corticotropin-Like Intermediate lobe Peptide (CLIP, 10 ng/2 μl) induced an increase in PS duration (+51%) preceded and accompanied by an increase in the n.RD 5-HIAA peak 3 height (+50%).
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  • 92
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: 6-hydroxydopamine ; Neonatal ; Dopamine ; D1 receptors ; Dopamine D2 receptors ; Cyclic adenosine 3′∶5′-monophosphate ; Adenylate cyclase ; DARPP-32 ; Nonlinear curve fitting ; Random-effects ; model ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Newborn male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated neonatally with an intracisternal injection of 75 μg 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) following desipramine pretreatment in order to induce a permanent selective dopamine (DA) lesion. At 60–70 days of age a massive loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactive (IR) cells was seen in substantia nigra. The TH-IR terminal density was reduced by 92% in striatum, 77% in nucleus accumbens and by 72% in tuberculum olfactorium. Quantitative autoradiography using 3H-SCH-23390 and 3H-spiperone did not reveal any alteration of DA D1 and D2 receptor binding in the denervated regions studied. Furthermore, no change in the Bmax or Kd of 3H-SCH-23390 or 3H-spiperone in vitro binding was observed in membrane preparations of striatum following the neonatal DA lesion. Basal and DA-stimulated accumulation of cAMP was increased in striatal membrane preparations of the neonatally DA-lesioned rats. No alteration of the immunoreactivity of the D1 receptor associated phosphoprotein dopamine- and adenosine 3′∶5′-monophosphate-regulated phospho-protein (DARPP-32), was observed as visualized using quantitative immunohistochemistry. Thus, neonatal DA lesions seem to induce a selective functional supersensitivity reflected by an enhanced activity of D1 receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase, without any alteration in the number or affinity of D1 and D2 receptor sites. Further-more, the appearance of DARPP-32 seems to be independent of intact DA input during development.
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  • 93
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    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Experimental brain research 80 (1990), S. 532-544 
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Frontal cortex ; Frontal eye fields ; Reticular formation ; Brain stem ; Preoculomotor nuclei ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Projections from medial agranular cortex to brain stem in rat were determined by use of the anterograde tracers Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin, or wheat germ agglutinin conjugated horseradish peroxidase. Axonal trajectories were also followed by means of the Wiitanen modification of the Fink-Heimer degeneration technique. AGm was identified on the basis of its cytoarchitectonics. AGm projected to the anterior pretectal nucleus, the rostral interstitial nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus, the medial accessory oculomotor nucleus of Bechterew, the interstitial nucleus of Cajal, the nucleus of Darkschewitsch, the nucleus cuneiformis and subcuneiformis, intermediate and deep superior collicular layers, the paramedian pontine reticular formation (reticularis pontis oralis and caudalis, and reticularis gigantocellularis), and raphe centralis superior. Differences in connections between rostral and caudal injections were observed: pontine and medullary projections were lighter from the rostral portion of AGm than from the more caudal portions of AGm. The heaviest projections to the anterior pretectal nucleus were from the caudal portion of AGm. The subcortical projections were very similar to those described for the frontal eye field in monkeys, and the majority of them targeted areas thought to be involved in coordination of gaze with head and neck movements. Thus AGm in rats may contain the homologue of the primate frontal eye fields.
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  • 94
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    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Experimental brain research 80 (1990), S. 621-625 
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Binding ; GABAA-sites ; GABAB-sites ; Tissue culture ; Cerebellum ; Brain stem ; Spinal cord ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The cellular localization of GABA-binding sites was studied in explant cultures of rat cerebellum, brain stem and spinal cord by means of autoradiography. Labelling of GABAB-sites was done with 3H(-)baclofen or 3H-GABA in presence of unlabelled bicuculline. Binding sites for these radio-ligands were found on many neurones and on a large number of astrocytes. Labelling of glial cells was usually weaker than that of neurones. Combining autoradiography with staining with anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) revealed that the glial cells labelled with 3H-baclofen or 3H-GABA were GFAP-positive. In contrast, when GABAA-sites were localized using 3H-GABA in presence of unlabelled baclofen, the GABAA-agonists 3H-muscimol and 3H-THIP, or the antagonist 3H-(+)-bicuculline, binding only occurred to neurones but not to astrocytes. Immunohistochemical investigations with the monoclonal antibody (bd-17) against the GABAA/benzodiazepine/chloride channel complex revealed that neurones were specifically stained whereas glial cells were immunonegative. From our observations it is suggested that astrocytes possess GABAB-receptors but there is little evidence for the existence of GABAA-sites on glial elements.
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  • 95
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: NMDA receptor ; Quisqualate/kainate receptor ; Excitatory amino acid ; Medial vestibular nucleus ; Slice ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The actions of excitatory amino acid (EAA) antagonists on synaptic inputs to neurons in the rat medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) from ipsilateral vestibular afferents and vestibular commissures were studied in brain stem slice preparations. Antagonists used were 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV), a selective antagonist for the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) type of EAA receptors, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX), a selective antagonist for the quisqualate/kainate (non-NMDA) type of EAA receptors and kynurenate (KYNA), a broad spectrum antagonist for the three types of EAA receptors. MVN neurons were classified as having mono- or polysynaptic inputs from vestibular afferents and commissural fibers by calculating synaptic delay. An application of APV through the perfusion medium suppressed 82% of cells activated monosynaptically from commissures, while it suppressed only 9% of cells activated monosynaptically from vestibular afferents. The application of KYNA proved much less selective, suppressing 83% of the former group of cells and 93% of the latter. CNQX suppressed almost all the cells of both groups. The sensitivity of monosynaptic inputs to KYNA, CNQX or APV was not significantly different from that of polysynaptic inputs irrespective of sources of inputs. These results suggest that excitatory synaptic inputs to MVN neurons are mediated mainly through non-NMDA type of EAA receptors from vestibular afferents and through NMDA as well as non-NMDA types of EAA receptors from commissures.
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  • 96
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Dynorphin ; Substance P ; Neurokinin A ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The striatonigral pathway contains several neurotransmitters which may regulate the activity of the nigrostriatal dopamine projection in the rat. This was investigated by measuring extracellular dopamine levels in the striatum, using microdialysis, after injections of GABA (300 nmol/0.2 μl), dynorphin A (0.5 nmol/0.2 μl), substance P (0.07 mnol/0.2 μl) or neurokinin A (0.09 nmol/0.2 μl) into the ipsilateral substantia nigra, pars reticulata (SNR). Intranigral injections of GABA or dynorphin A inhibited, while intranigral injections of substance P or neurokinin A stimulated dopamine levels in the ipsilateral striatum. In rats with ibotenic acid lesions (2.5 μg/0.5 μl) in the SNR, intranigral injections of GABA or dynorphin A inhibited, while intranigral injections of substance P or neurokinin A stimulated dopamine levels in the ipsilateral striatum. These responses were not significantly different than those in unlesioned rats. Analysis of the intranigral lesion with in situ hybridization revealed a heavy loss of glutamic acid decarboxylase mRNA expression in the SNR and a significant loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA expression in the SNC. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a disappearance of TH-Like immunoreactivity (LI) im dendrites in the SNR, a considerable loss of TH-LI cell bodies in the SNC and a restricted loss of neuropeptide K-LI in the SNR around the tip of the injection cannula. Furthermore, lesioned rats rotated ipsilateral to the lesion after apomorphine (1 mg/kg, s.c.), indicating that the basal ganglia output mediated via the SNR GABA neurons was impaired on the lesioned side. Analysis of the striatum revealed that a dense TH-LI fiber network could still be seen on the lesioned side. Furthermore, basal and amphetamine stimulated extracellular dopamine levels in the striatum on the lesioned side were not significantly depleted. This indicates that the ascending nigrostriatal dopamine projection was functionally intact on the lesioned side. These findings indicate that intranigral GABA, dynorphin A, substance P and neurokinin A modulation of ipsilateral striatal dopamine release is mediated via direct action on the nigrostriatal projection. Thus, it is suggested that the striatonigral pathway, which contains GABA, dynorphin, substance P and neurokinin A, exerts a direct regulatory effect on the activity of the nigrostriatal dopamine projection.
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  • 97
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    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Experimental brain research 82 (1990), S. 401-407 
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Cerebellum ; Development ; Graft ; Structure ; Purkinje cell ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary A prominent feature of the mammalian cerebellum is its organization into parasagittal compartments. One marker of such compartments is the zebrin I molecule that is expressed by bands of Purkinje cells (PC). In order to understand better the basis for the development of this organization, we have transplanted dissociated rat cerebellar anlage, taken during the period of proliferation of PC precursors, into kainic acid lesioned adult rat cerebellum. As previously observed, the resultant grafts exhibited trilaminar structures reminiscent of the normal cerebellum. In every case, the PC in the resultant grafts were organized into zebrin I + and — compartments. In one case, most of the grafted PC were integrated into a region of PC deficient host molecular layer that was induced by pretreatment with kainic acid. Clear bands defined by zebrin I reactivity were seen where groups of the grafted PC had entered the host molecular layer. These bands did not correlate in distribution or size with host bands. Hypotheses compatible with these findings that involve specific and non-specific aggregation of PC are discussed.
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  • 98
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Experimental brain research 82 (1990), S. 456-458 
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: HRP histochemistry ; Whole-brain preparations ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Subsequent to eye injections of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) ‘whole-brain’ preparations with only the cortex removed were reacted for HRP using tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) as the chromogen and ammonium heptamolybdate (AHM) as a stabilizer. Retinal projections could be photographed and visualized globally coursing across the surface of the thalamus and midbrain. The brains were then sectioned, and when necessary re-reacted, enabling a 3-D reconstruction of retinofugal pathways to be made.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 99
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Sympathetic nerve ; Superior cervical ganglion ; Cerebral arteries ; Wheat germ agglutininhorseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary To clarify the projection route and the expansion of the terminal plexus of the sympathetic nerve fibers innervating the cerebral arterial system in rat, we labeled the postganglionic fibers originating in the superior cervical ganglion and traced their entire course by anterograde labeling with wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase. Sympathetic innervation of the internal cerebral artery by labeled fibers actually began just at the portion where it enters the intradural space, and innervated it up to the small pial arteries located in the subarachnoid space, but not the intracerebral arterioles. On the main arteries in the circle of Willis, bundles of nerve fibers ran parallel to the long axis of the vessels and branched perpendicularly their terminal twigs with regular intervals to form a rib-structure pattern. On the arterial branches derived from the circle of Willis, a fine nerve bundle and delicate terminal axons formed a meshwork instead of a rib-structure pattern. These observations confirmed the existence of differences in the distribution pattern of the nerve plexus, which strongly affects the strength and quality of vasoconstriction by sympathetic activation in each level of the cerebral arterial system.
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  • 100
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Neural explants ; Catecholaminergic neurons ; Basal ganglia ; Brainstem ; Neural development ; Tyrosine hydroxylase ; Rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Tissue slices of rat ventral mesencephalon (VM), striatum, hippocampus and cerebellum were prepared from late fetal (E21) to 7 day old (P7) rats and cultured for 3 to 60 days by the roller tube technique before they were stained immunocytochemically for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a marker of dopaminergic (DA) neurons and fibres. The TH immunoreactive (TH-i), DA neurons retained their morphological in vivo characteristics in the VM slice cultures consisting of the substantia nigra (SN) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA). The general morphology of the described neuronal cell types did not appear to change when the VM slices were cocultured with striatal tissue, a major normal target of the DA neurons, but an extensive innervation of the striatum by TH-i nerve fibres was observed. In co-cultures of VM and hippocampus, a minor target organ of DA fibres, growth of TH-i nerve fibres was observed mainly into the opposing edge of the hippocampal slice. In co-cultures of VM and cerebellum, which is normally devoid of DA fibres, no significant growth of TH-i nerve fibres into the cerebellar slices was observed. Besides suggesting a target orientated growth of ventral mesencephalic DA fibres, the results point to the further use of VM slice cultures in the study of the developmental, plastic and regenerative properties of DA neurons.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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