Search results for "rats"
showing 10 items of 3537 documents
Inhibition of HSP27 blocks fibrosis development and EMT features by promoting Snail degradation
2013
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating disease characterized by myofibroblast proliferation. Transition of epithelial/mesothelial cells into myofibroblasts [epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)] occurs under the influence of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, with Snail being a major transcription factor. We study here the role of the heat-shock protein HSP27 in fibrogenesis and EMT. In vitro, we have up- and down-modulated HSP27 expression in mesothelial and epithelial cell lines and studied the expression of different EMT markers induced by TGF-β1. In vivo, we inhibited HSP27 with the antisense oligonucleotide OGX-427 (in phase II clinical trials as anticancer agent)…
Occurrence and regional distribution of striated muscle fibers in the rat pineal gland
1978
In a total of 96 rat pineals studied 31 were found to contain striated muscle fibers or their precursors. The muscle fibers were most frequently present in the stalk region and more frequently found in the left than in the right hemisphere. Size measurements revealed that the lengths of pineal muscle cell nuclei differ only slightly from those of the sphincter muscle of the iris. However, the yellowish appearance of pineal muscle cell nuclei under darkfield investigation, a phenomenon observed in all muscular tissues of mesenchymal origin and connective tissue cells, may support the hypothesis that pineal musculature is of mesenchymal rather than ectodermal origin.
Tenascin gene expression in rat liver and in rat liver cells. In vivo and in vitro studies.
1991
Tenascin is a major glycoprotein constituent of the extracellular matrix with a strong affinity to fibronectin; its distribution is believed to be temporarily and spatially limited. Tenascin gene expression is increased during wound healing processes. As repair mechanisms in chronic liver diseases resemble wound healing we studied tenascin gene expression in rat liver and in isolated rat liver cells. In normal rat liver a tenascin specific antiserum stains sinusoidal cells with fiber-like prolongations, which at the same time are desmin-positive (ITO-cells). In the CCl4-acutely-damaged liver a strong tenascin staining is detected in cells located among the mononuclear cells of the inflammat…
Selective chiral inhibition of Ca2+ entry promoted by bisbenzyltetrahydroisoquinolines in rat uterus.
1992
Abstract The effects of diltiazem and six bisbenzyltetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids (antioquine, 7-O-methylantioquine, dimethylantioquine, monterine, granjine and cordobimine) were studied in rat isolated uterus in order to clarify the mechanisms of their relaxant actions. All the compounds tested completely relaxed KCl-induced contractions and totally or partially inhibited oxytocin-induced rhythmic contractions. Only alkaloids with absolute configurations (1R,1′S or 1R,1′R) acted intracellularly, promoting relaxation of contractile responses induced by oxytocin in a Ca2+-free medium, as does papaverine. Alkaloids of the antioquine series (1S,1′R) selectively inhibited Ca2+ entry. The grea…
Magnetic separation of encapsulated islet cells labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide nano particles.
2012
Islet cell transplantation is a promising option for the restoration of normal glucose homeostasis in patients with type 1 diabetes. Because graft volume is a crucial issue in islet transplantations for patients with diabetes, we evaluated a new method for increasing functional tissue yield in xenogeneic grafts of encapsulated islets. Islets were labeled with three different superparamagnetic iron oxide nano particles (SPIONs; dextran-coated SPION, siloxane-coated SPION, and heparin-coated SPION). Magnetic separation was performed to separate encapsulated islets from the empty capsules, and cell viability and function were tested. Islets labeled with 1000 μg Fe/ml dextran-coated SPIONs expe…
Daidzein has neuroprotective effects through ligand-binding-independent PPARγ activation.
2011
Phytoestrogens are a group of plant-derived compounds that include mainly isoflavones like daidzein. Phytoestrogens prevent neuronal damage and improve outcome in experimental stroke; however, the mechanisms of this neuroprotective action have not been fully elucidated. In this context, it has been postulated that phytoestrogens might activate the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), which exerts neuroprotective effects in several settings. The aim of this study was to determine whether the phytoestrogen daidzein elicits beneficial actions in neuronal cells by mechanisms involving activation of PPARγ. Our results show that daidzein (0.05-5 μM) decreases cell death induced b…
Effects of LHRH, progesterone, estradiol-17 ? and dexamethasone in vitro on pineal synaptic ribbons and serotonin N-acetyltransferase activity in die…
1991
Pineal glands of regularly cycling Sprague Dawley rats (180-220 g) killed on the diestrous morning (between 0900-1000 h) were incubated in appropriate media for six hours with LHRH (8.5 microM), progesterone (3.2 microM), estradiol-17 beta (370 nM) or dexamethasone (250 nM). Pineals incubated in hormone-free medium and unincubated glands served as controls. Six rats were used in each group. After incubation the glands were divided into two parts. One part was used to estimate serotonin N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity. The other part was processed for electron microscopy to quantify synaptic ribbons (SR). The SR numbers were computed to 20,000 microns 2 area of pineal tissue. The number a…
Targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor system to prevent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
2008
BACKGROUND: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) typically occurs when ovaries are primed with FSH/ LH and subsequently exposed to hCG. The ultimate pathophysiological step underlying this clinical picture is increased vascular permeability (VP). METHODS: A search of the literature was carried out using PubMed and the authors’ files. RESULTS: In rodents and humans, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) mRNA increases during ovarian stimulation. With the administration of hCG, the expression of each rises to a maximum. Expression of VEGF/VEGFR-2 mRNAs correlates with enhanced VP, with both peaking 48 h following an injection of hCG. Imm…
Effects of sulphonylureas on spontaneous motility and induced contractions in rat isolated uterus
1986
Abstract To clarify the action of sulphonylureas on calcium, the effect of tolbutamide and ghbenclamide has been investigated on a Ca-dependent process, the contractile activity of uterine smooth muscle. Both sulphonylureas antagonized the contractions evoked by CaCl2 in a non-competitive manner when the uterus was maintained in depolarizing solution and did not affect the spontaneous contractions of rat uterus. The capacity of tolbutamide and ghbenclamide to relax vanadate-induced contraction of rat uterus in Ca-free medium suggests that sulphonylureas may have an intracellular site of action related to cytosolic free Ca levels, or effect a reduction in Ca action.
In vitro synthesis of dopamine and noradrenaline in the isolated rat pineal gland: day-night variations and effects of electrical stimulation.
1989
: Isolated rat pineal glands were incubated in vitro in a medium containing [I4C]dopamine or [14C]tyrosine, and the tissue contents of l4C-labelled and total dopamine and noradrenaline were determined by HPLC followed by electrochemical detection and scintillation spectrometry. During incubation with [l4C]dopamine, the labelled amine accumulated in pineal glands and was partially converted into [l4C]noradrenaline. Nomifensine, a neuronal amine uptake blocker, largely inhibited the accumulation of [l4C]dopamine and the formation of [14C]noradrenaline. These experiments demonstrated dopamine β-hydroxylase activity in the sympathetic nerves of the pineal gland. During incubation with [14C]tyro…