Search results for "pine"
showing 10 items of 2022 documents
"Synaptic" ribbons and spherules of the guinea pig pineal gland: inverse day/night differences in number.
1983
The present study deals with the functionally enigmatic "synaptic" ribbons and spherules of guinea pig pinealocytes. Whereas the ribbons have been shown to exhibit a 24-hr rhythmicity with low numbers during the day and high numbers at night, very little of a definitive nature is known about the spherules. Sixteen male guinea pigs of the Hartley strain were perfusion fixed, 8 between 0900-1100 hr, and 8 between 2100-2300 hr. The ribbons and spherules were counted in the pineal parenchyma of the proximal, intermediate, and distal regions. In confirmation of earlier studies, it was found that "synaptic" ribbons are equally abundant in the proximal, intermediate, and distal regions of the glan…
A muscarinic receptor different from the M1, M2, M3 and M4 subtypes mediates the contraction of the rabbit iris sphincter
1992
In order to analyse the subtype of muscarinic receptors involved in the methacholine-induced contraction of the rabbit iris sphincter we have determined equilibrium dissociation constants (KB) of various antagonists in the sphincter muscle. The values were compared with those observed at M1 (rabbit vas deferens), M2 (heteroreceptors in rat iris) and M3 receptors (guinea-pig ileum), or at the muscarinic receptors in the guinea-pig uterus. The methacholine-induced contraction of the uterus from immature guinea-pigs was competitively antagonized by pirenzepine (6.64, -log KB), 4-DAMP (8.39), hexahydrodifenidol (HHD; 7.00 for the (R)- and 5.40 for the (S)-enantiomer), p-fluoro-hexahydrosiladife…
Electrical responses of pineal cells to melatonin and putative transmitters
1981
The effects of microelectrophoretically applied melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxy-tryptamine), noradrenaline (NOR) or acetylcholine (ACH) on the electrical activity of pineal cells during both the day- and night-time were studied in urethane anesthetised guinea-pigs. A total of 288 cells were tested with melatonin, and in addition with either NOR (120 cells) or ACH (138 cells). Of the 206 cells responding to melatonin application, 139 were excited and 67 inhibited. A total of 85 cells responded to the application of NOR, 45 being excited and 40 inhibited. Responses to ACH application were observed in 75 pineal cells, 49 units being inhibited and 26 excited. It was possible to observe excitation…
Enhancement of guinea-pig intestinal peristalsis by blockade of muscarinic M1-receptors
1988
1. The effects of pirenzepine and hyoscine on the peristaltic reflex were investigated in the guinea-pig isolated small intestine. Peristalsis was induced by raising the intraluminal pressure and the volume of fluid propelled was taken as a measure of the efficiency of peristaltic activity. 2. Low concentrations of pirenzepine (0.1-1 nM) and of hyoscine (0.01 nM) significantly enhanced peristalsis, whereas larger concentrations of both drugs caused inhibition. Pirenzepine was about 6 times less potent than hyoscine in increasing peristalsis, but was about 100 times less potent in inhibiting it. 3. Neither tolazoline (1 microM) nor naloxone (0.3 microM) affected the stimulatory action of pir…
An experimental comparative study of dexamethasone, melatonin and tacrolimus in noise-induced hearing loss.
2008
The calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus (TCR) and the pineal gland hormone and antioxidant melatonin (MLT) have been shown to possess otoprotective properties against noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). In contrast, dexamethasone (DXM) was not effective as an otoprotective agent against NIHL. Further studies are needed to understand the exact molecular mechanisms involved.Exposure to noise pollution and use of audio devices for long periods of time at high volume is known to cause hearing loss or NIHL. Our goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of various known compounds such as the anti-inflammatory DXM, the antioxidant MLT and the immunosuppressant TCR against NIHL.Thirty-two Wistar rats were…
Role of dopamine neurotransmission in the long-term effects of repeated social defeat on the conditioned rewarding effects of cocaine
2016
Numerous studies report that social defeat stress alters dopamine (DA) neurotransmission in several areas of the brain. Alterations of the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway are believed to be responsible for the increased vulnerability to drug use observed as a result of social stress. In the present study, we evaluated the influence of DA receptors on the long-term effect of repeated social defeat (RSD) on the conditioned rewarding and reinstating effects of cocaine. For this purpose, the D1R antagonist SCH 23390 and the D1R antagonist raclopride were administered 30 min before each social defeat and a cocaine-induced CPP procedure was initiated three weeks later. The expression of the D1R a…
Light and drug induced changes of epiphysial synaptic ribbons.
1976
In the present investigation experiments were carried out to determine whether the functionally obscure synaptic rebbons of mammalian pinealocytes can be affected by acute changes in environmental lighting and which chemical processes may be involved in their regulation. Experiments carried out in male guinea-pigs have shown that the amounts of synaptic ribbons are immediately affected by changes in the lighting pattern. Extension of the light period reduced the normally occurring increase, whereas extension of the dark period inhibited the normally occurring decrease in the amount of synaptic ribbons. Results following injections of a number of drugs known to influence pineal function (nor…
Neuronal markers in the rodent pineal gland ? an immunohistochemical investigation
1990
Although some embryological and morphological features speak in favour of a neuronal character of rodent pinealocytes, histochemistry and ultrastructure let this issue appear controversial. Using antibodies to different neurofilaments, the neural adhesion molecule L1, synaptophysin and tubulin as neuronal markers, the pineal glands of rat and guinea-pig were studied by means of immunofluorescence. Neurofilament-immunoreactivity was present in some rat pineal nerve fibers and in the majority of guinea-pig pinealocytes, L1 decorated rat intrapineal nerve fibers, synaptophysin was almost ubiquitously distributed in the pineal of both species, while tubulin-immunofluorescence was seen in nerve …
High prevalence of fragility vertebral fractures in patients hospitalised in Internal Medicine Units. Results of the POINT (Prevalence of Osteoporosi…
2015
Abstract Background Osteoporotic vertebral fractures (VFs) often go unrecognised in both healthy individuals and in pathological conditions. Few data exist on VFs in patients hospitalised in Internal Medicine Units (IMUs), who often suffer from multiple concomitant chronic disorders. Aim of the study This multicentre cross-sectional study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of VFs in an unselected population of patients referring to IMUs. Correlations between VFs and the main coexisting diseases were also investigated. Methods Information on demographic, clinical and laboratory findings, and on the presence of known risk factors for osteoporosis was recorded. The Genant's semi-quantitativ…
Protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 immunoreactivity in nerve fibres and pinealocytes of guinea-pig pineal gland: interrelationship with tyrosine- hydroxy…
1993
This light-microscopic (LM) immunohistochemical study has evaluated the presence and distribution of the pan-neural and neuroendocrine marker protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 in pinealocytes and nerve fibres of guinea-pig pineal gland. The pattern of PGP 9.5-immunoreactive (ir) nerve fibres has been compared with that of fibres staining for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) or neuropeptide Y (NPY). The vast majority of pinealocytes stained for PGP 9.5, although with variable intensity. PGP 9.5 immunoreactivity was localized in pinealocytic cell bodies and processes. Double-immunofluorescence revealed that PGP 9.5 immunoreactivity was absent from glial cells identified with a monoclonal antibody again…