0000000000199369
AUTHOR
Cristina Alvarez
Direct and neuromodulatory effects of histamine on isolated goat cerebral arteries.
1. The effects of histamine on isolated goat middle cerebral artery were examined using two experimental approaches: recording of isometric tension and measurement of [3H]-noradrenaline efflux. 2. Cumulative addition of histamine (10(-7)-3 x 10(-2)M) and 2-pyridylethylamine (2-PEA, 10(-6)-3 x 10(-2)M) produced concentration-dependent contractile responses. Preincubation with diphenhydramine (10(-7), 10(-6)M) or cimetidine (10(-7), 10(-6)M) competitively inhibited the histamine-induced contractile response. 3. Endothelium denudation enhanced the contractile effects of histamine. 4. Transmural electrical stimulation elicited contractions which were enhanced by histamine (10(-7)M), 2-PEA (10(-…
Effects of Ca2+ entry blockers on CaCl2-, KCl- and noradrenaline-induced contractions of goat cerebral arteries
Abstract The effects of three Ca 2+ entry blockers, nicardipine, nimodipine and verapamil, on CaCl 2 -, KCl- and noradrenaline-induced contractions were examined in isolated goat middle cerebral artery. The relationship between the effects of Ca 2+ entry blockers and the extracellular Ca 2+ dependence of the contractions was also examined. In ‘nominally’ Ca 2+ -free medium, addition of CaCl 2 induced concentration-dependent contractions of previously depolarized arteries. Withdrawal of Ca 2+ from the extracellular medium caused strong inhibition of the KCl- and noradrenaline-induced arterial contractions. Addition of EGTA to the Ca 2+ -free medium almost abolished the noradrenaline-response…
Heterogeneity of P2-Purinoceptors in Brain Circulation
The existence of P2-purinoceptors in the cerebrovascular bed was examined by testing the effects of ATP and its stable analog, α,β-methylene-ATP, on CBF in the unanesthetized goat as well as on isometric tension in isolated goat middle cerebral artery. When injected directly into the cerebral circulation, ATP increased and α,β-methylene-ATP decreased CBF. Indomethacin did not modify either of these effects. The vasoconstrictor action of α,β-methylene-ATP was reduced by nicardipine. “In vitro,” both ATP and α,β-methylene-ATP contracted the cerebral arteries at resting tone, but the analog was more potent than ATP. Repeated application of α,β-methylene-ATP as well as indomethacin significant…
Modulatory action of acetylcholine on cerebrovascular sympathetic neurotransmission
1. Acetylcholine (10 micrograms/min) diminished the electrically-induced cerebral blood flow reductions. Atropine (1-2 mg) partially blocked this inhibitory effect. 2. Exogenously administered noradrenaline (1-10 micrograms) and tyramine (50-500 micrograms) reduced cerebral blood flow but this effect was unchanged by acetylcholine infusion. 3. Acetylcholine inhibited the nonadrenergic component of the electrically-induced contraction at a concentration greater than or equal to 10(-6) M and potentiated the adrenergic component at a concentration greater than or equal to 10(5) M. Atropine 10(-7) M) inhibited both of these effects. In addition, acetylcholine (10(-4) M) enhanced the electricall…
Effects of endothelin-1 on the cerebrovascular bed of the goat.
Abstract The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the cerebrovascular bed of the goat, the importance of endothelial integrity and the contribution of extracellular Ca2+ to these responses. We measured isometric tension and 45Ca2+ uptake in isolated middle cerebral arteries, and cerebral blood flow (CBF) in unanesthetized animals. ET-1 elicited concentration-dependent contractions which were potentiated in arteries without endothelium. Ca2+-free medium and nicardipine inhibited, and Bay K 8644 potentiated the ET-1-induced contractions. ET-1 enhanced 45Ca2+ uptake in isolated arteries. Injections of ET-1 directly into the cerebral circulation decrease…
Ca2+ entry blockers inhibit prostaglandin F2 alpha-induced cerebrovascular contractile responses in goats.
We examined the effects of extracellular Ca2+ withdrawal and of Ca2+ entry blockers on goat cerebrovascular responses to prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha). We measured isometric tension in isolated middle cerebral arteries, and cerebral blood flow (CBF) in unanesthetized animals. PGF2 alpha produced concentration-dependent contractions of isolated arteries. The contractions were partially inhibited by incubation in Ca(2+)-free medium (by 63.1 +/- 1.8% without ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta-amino-ethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetra-a cetate (EGTA), and by 82.4 +/- 3.7% with EGTA). The Ca2+ entry blockers inhibited PGF2 alpha-elicited contraction and relaxed PGF2 alpha-precontracted arteries (nicardipine…
Fertilization and early embryology: Morphometric characterization of normal and abnormal human zygotes
Human zygotes (n = 278) from 96 in-vitro fertilization gonadotrophin-stimulated cycles were photographed in their pronuclear stage (16-18 h post-insemination). Normal morphological fertilization (two pronuclei) was observed in 215 zygotes, 17 showed only one pronucleus, 40 showed three pronuclei and six showed four. Area, perimeter and maximum and minimum diameters of each zygote and pronucleus were measured using an IBAS 2000 (Kontron) image analyser. When the four groups were compared, whole zygotes did not show any morphometric difference. However, pronuclei from these groups showed that a high number of pronuclei was directly related to small pronuclei. Differences in pronuclear size an…