Syndrome in question

Abstract Ross syndrome is a rare disease characterized by peripheral nervous system dysautonomia with selective degeneration of cholinergic fibers. It is composed by the triad of unilateral or bilateral segmental anhidrosis, deep hyporeflexia and Holmes-Adie's tonic pupil. The presence of compensatory sweating is frequent, usually the symptom that most afflicts patients. The aspects of the syndrome are put to discussion due to the case of a male patient, caucasian, 47 years old, with clinical onset of 25 years.

Changes of cholinergic nerves and tumor necrosis factor-α in doxorubicin-induced rat failing heart / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes of cholinergic nerves in doxorubicin (DOX)-induced rat failing heart and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the heart tissue and serum.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into control (n=10) and DOX-induced chronic heart failure (CHF) groups (n=15), and in the latter group, the rats were given intraperitoneal injections of 2.5 mg/kg DOX once a week for 6 weeks, with a total cumulative dose of 15 mg/kg. The control rats were injected with normal saline (1 ml/week). Karnovsky-Roots histochemical staining combined with point counting was used to demonstrate the distribution of cholinergic nerves in the heart. The expression levels of TNF-α in the heart tissue and serum were determined with ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Positively stained cholinergic nerves were found in all the rat hearts in the two groups, but in CHF group, the point counts of cholinergic nerves were significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.01). Compared with the control rats, those with DOX-induced CHF showed elevated levels of TNF-α both in the heart tissue and in the serum (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In rats with DOX-induced CHF, the parasympathetic nervous system is down-regulated in the failing heart, and the diminished cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway may play an important role in the progression of CHF.</p>

The progressive effects of chronic intermittent hypoxia on cognitive function and the cholinergic neuron in rats / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relation between the progressive effects of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) on cognitive function and the change of cholinergic neuron.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly averagely divided into four groups: control group, CIH 1 week group, CIH 3 week group and CIH 5 week group. The cognitive function was assessed by the Morris Water Maze. The necrosis neurons in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were observed and counted. The cholin acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunostained cells in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were identified and quantitated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The spatial learning and memory impairments progressed from 1 to 5 5 weeks in rats. Compared with the control group, the cognitive impairments in CIH5w group were significant (P < 0.05). The degeneration or necrosis neurons in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were significantly increased in CIH rats, and worsen gradually along with the hypoxia. The ChAT immunostained cells in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were gradually reduced. The ChAT immunostained cells of prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in CIH3w group and CIH5w group were less than that in control group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chronic intermittent hypoxia induced slowly progressive spatial learning and memory impairments in rats, which maybe associated with the damage of neurons and the reduction of ChAT in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.</p>

Effect of total flavonoids from Chrysanthemun morifolium on learning and memory in aging mice / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of total fiavonoids from Chrysanthemun morifolium (TFCM) on learning and memory, and cholinergic system function in aging mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The aging mice model was established by subcutaneous injection of D-galactose. ICR mice were divided into five groups (n=10): contrA group, model group, and TFCM groups. Mice in TFCM groups were given TFCM (50,100 or 150 mg/kg) by gastric irrigation once a day. Learning and memory ability were evaluated by Morris water maze test. The MDA content, SOD and Ach E activity were also measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with control group, learning and memory ability declined in the D-galactose-induced aging mice; meanwhile MDA content and AchE activity increased, SOD activity decreased. Treatment with TFCM (100, 150 mg/kg) ameliorated the decrease in learning and memory ability of aging mice. Compared with model group, TFCM (100, 150 mg/kg) could also decrease MDA content and Ach E activity, and increase SOD activity in aging mice.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TFCM may improve the learning and memory ability of aging mice. The mechanism is involved in its antioxidative characteristic and improvement of central cholinergic system function.</p>

Chronic administration of Liu Wei Dihuang protects rat's brain against D-galactose-induced impairment of cholinergic system / 生理学报

This study was aimed to investigate the protective effect of Liu Wei Dihuang (LWDH) against D-galactose (D-gal)-induced brain injury in rats and the existence of sex-dependent differences in LWDH protection. Sixty-four rats evenly composed of males and females were randomly assigned into 4 groups (n = 8): normal saline (NS) + NS (N + N), NS + LWDH (N + L), D-gal + NS (D + N) and D-gal + LWDH (D + L) groups. Rats in D + N and D + L groups received daily injection of D-gal (100 mg/kg, s.c.) for six weeks to establish the aging model, while rats in N + N and N + L groups were injected with the same volume of NS. From the third week, rats in N + L and D + L groups were orally administered with a decoction of LWDH for subsequent six weeks. Rats in N + N and D + N groups were orally administered just with the same volume of NS simultaneously. Morris water maze test was employed to evaluate the ability of learning and memory of the rats in all the groups. Acetylcholine (ACh) content, activities of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in visual cortex were assayed. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining were used to observe the morphologic injury in hippocampus and visual cortex, and immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate ChAT and AChE expression levels in the visual cortex. The results showed that the rats in D + N groups exhibited a longer escape latency to platform, lower swimming speed, less percent of target quadrant search time and platform crossings, compared with N + N groups, suggesting the establishment of aging model, while LWDH improved these indexes in D-gal-treated rats. Compared with D + N groups, LWDH increased ACh content and ChAT activity, and decreased AChE activity in visual cortex. Remarkable loss of neurons was found in hippocampus and visual cortex of aging rats, and the injury was significantly attenuated by LWDH. Immunohistochemistry showed D-gal-induced decreases of ChAT and AChE expressions were restored by LWDH. Furthermore, under the neural protection of LWDH, the improvement on platform crossings in male aging rats was better than that in female ones, while in ChAT expression and neuron density in visual cortex, female aging rats obtained more amelioration. These results suggest LWDH can markedly reverse the D-gal-induced cognitive impairments and neuronal damage in both hippocampus and visual cortex, which are achieved at least partly through restoring cholinergic system in central nervous system. Moreover, there is some sex difference in protective effects of LWDH against D-gal-induced impairment.

Effects and mechanism of low frequency stimulation of pedunculopontine nucleus on spontaneous discharges of ventrolateral thalamic nucleus in rats / 生理学报

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized clinically by rigidity, akinesia, resting tremor and postural instability. It has recently been suggested that low frequency stimulation of the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) has a role in the therapy for Parkinsonism, particularly in gait disorder and postural instability. However, there is limited information about the mechanism of low frequency stimulation of the PPN on Parkinson's disease. The present study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of low frequency stimulation of the PPN on the firing rate of the ventrolateral thalamic nucleus (VL) in a rat model with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesioning of the substantia nigra pars compacta. In vivo extracellular recording and microiontophoresis were adopted. The results showed that the firing rate of 60.71% VL neurons in normal rats and 59.57% VL neurons in 6-hydroxydopamine lesioned rats increased with low frequency stimulation of the PPN. Using microiontophoresis to VL neurons, we found the firing rate in VL neurons responded with either an increase or decrease in application of acetylcholine (ACh) in normal rats, whereas with a predominant decrease in M receptor antagonist atropine. Furthermore, the VL neurons were mainly inhibited by application of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and excited by GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline. Importantly, the VL neurons responding to ACh were also inhibited by application of GABA. We also found that the excitatory response of the VL neurons to the low frequency stimulation of the PPN was significantly reversed by microiontophoresis of atropine. These results demonstrate that cholinergic and GABAergic afferent nerve fibers may converge on the same VL neurons and they are involved in the effects of low frequency stimulation of the PPN, with ACh combining M(2) receptors on the presynaptic membrane of GABAergic afferents, which will inhibit the release of GABA in the VL and then improve the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Induction of bone marrow stromal cells into cholinergic-like cells by nerve growth factor

Bone marrow stromal cells [BMSC] are used as a source for cell therapy in different model for neurological disorder such as stroke and spinal cord injury. However, the transdifferentiation of BMSC into cholinergic phenotype requires more investigation. BMSC were isolated from adult rats, pre-induced with [beta-mercaptoethanol [BME] and followed by nerve growth factor [NGF] induction. Neurofilaments of 68 kDa, 160 kDa and 200 kDa [NF-200, NF-160 and NF-68, respectively] immuno-staining were used for evaluating the transdifferentiation of BMSC into neuronal phenotype. The percentage of neurofilaments immuno-reactive cells was applied in order to evaluate the results at the pre-induction and the induction stages. Also, NeuroD and Oct-4 expressions, using RT-PCR, were used in assessing the progression of BMSC into neuronal lineage. Choline acetyltransferase immuno-reactive cells were used for estimating the percentage of cholinergic neuronal phenotype. Immuno-staining with anti-microtubule-associated protein-2 [MAP-2] and anti-synapsin-I antibodies was done in order to evaluate cell tendency for synaptogenesis. The yield of cholinergic neurons with BME as pre-inducer and NGF as inducer was 80%. Also, NF-200, NF-160, NF-68, MAP-2 and synapsin-I were detected in the transdifferentiated cells. RT-PCR showed the expression of NeuroD, while Oct-4 was not detected. BME as pre-inducer and NGF as inducer for BMSC transdifferentiation into cholinergic phenotype are potential sources in traumatic injury therapy in the central nervous system

Effect of Gengnianchun Recipe on learning memory function and hippocampal cholinergic system in ovariectomized rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of Gengnianchun Recipe (GNC) on learning memory function and its regulatory effect on hippocampal cholinergic system in ovariectomized rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Female rats 10-12 months old were randomized into 5 groups, the sham-operation group, the model group treated with normal saline, the positive control group treated with Nilestriol, and the two GNC groups treated with high and low dose GNC respectively. A little fat around ovary was cut in the sham-operation group. The treatment lasted for 12 weeks after ovariectomy. Changes of learning memory function were tested by Morris water maze; serum level of estradiol (E2) was measured by chemical fluorescent method; hippocampal acetylcholinesterase (AChE) mRNA was determined with Real-time PCR; and the activities of acetylcholine (ACh), AChE and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in hippocampus were detected by immunohistochemistry respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twelve weeks after ovariectomy, serum E2 and learning memory function markedly decreased in the ovariectomized rats (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Nilestriol and high dose GNC showed an effect in improving the symptoms of learning memory functional deprivation and elevating the activities of hippocampal ACh, AChE and ChAT (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>GNC can improve learning memory function of ovariectomized rats, and its mechanism might be realized by regulating the cholinergic system in hippocampus.</p>

Effect of centrally and peripherally administered obestatin on food and water intake in rats

This work was designed to study the effects of acute obestatin administration on food and water intake, as well as on body weight in rats. In addition, the effect of blocking the efferent cholinergic vagal fibers on food intake was also tested in search for a possible mechanism of action. The study was carried out on 48 adult male rats with weight ranging from [185-200] grams and was divided into 3 sections. Section A intracerebroventricular [ICV] injection: consisted of 24 rats that were divided into 4 groups [6 / group]. Rats in group 1 served as control and were injected with ICV saline. Rats in groups 2, 3, 4 were injected ICV obestatin in doses 15, 25, 50 nM/kg, respectively. Section B intraperitoneal injection: Which included 24 rats divided into 4 groups [6 / group]. Rats in group 1 were injected with IP saline [control group]. Obestatin was injected by IP route in the other groups: 2, 3, 4 in doses of 50, 100, 1000 nM/ kg, respectively. Cumulative water and food intake were monitored at 1, 3, 6 and 24 hours after both ICV and IP obestatin injection and were expressed per rat. Plasma osmolality was measured at 3 and 6 hours after ICV and IP obestatin injection. The differences in body weight of rats were recorded at the end of 24 hours. Section C: rats in the 2 groups injected with the highest doses of obestatin [50 nM/kg ICV and 1000 nM/kg IP] were selected the following day and pretreated with atropine sulphate IP in a dose of 500 ug/kg.15 minutes before they were reinjected with obestatin in the same doses used in the previous day. Food and water intake were assessed after 3 hours of injection. ICV and IF injection of obestatin revealed a significantly lower water intake versus the control that appeared at 3 hours after ICV [15 nM/kg obestatin] and also at 3 hours after IP [100 nM/kg obestatin]. With higher doses of obestatin injection [ICV 25 and 50 nM/kg and IP 1000 nM/kg] the inhibition of water intake showed a significant dose dependant effect at 1 and 3 hours. Plasma osmolality showed no significant difference when compared between the studied groups after both ICV and IP obestatin injections at 3 and 6 hours. The inhibition of food intake occurred only at 3 hours with the highest doses of obestatin injected [ICV 50 nM/kg and P 1000 nM/kg] compared with the control group. No significant differences were detected in water and food intakes and also in body weight differences after 24 hours compared with the control after obestatin injection by either ICV or P routes. As regards testing the possible involvement of vagal efferent cholinergic mechanism in obestatin's action, the groups injected with the highest doses of obestatin [50 nM/kg ICV and 1000 nM/kg IP] 15 minutes after atropine premedication as well as the non pretreated groups showed a significant decrease of water and food intake at 3 hours compared with the control group. Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences between atropine pretreated and non pretreated groups injected by the highest obestatin doses as regards food and water intake. Obestatin primarily has an effect to inhibit thirst after acute administration probably by an effect on one of the circumventricular organs. It has a weaker effect on food intake. may be because it has to diffuse to food regulating centers in the brain or because the food intake is regulated by several peptides that may antagonize each other. The vagus efferent cholinergic mechanism has no role in the inhibitory effect of obestatin on food intake. Obestatin should gain more attention as a peptide regulating water balance rather than food intake and its effect on angiotensin II and vasopressin should be investigated

Morphological changes of cholinergic nerve fibers in the urinary bladder after establishment of artificial somatic-autonomic reflex arc in rats / 神经科学通报·英文版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish an artificial somatic-autonomic reflex arc in rats and observe the following distributive changes of neural fibers in the bladder.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, spinal cord injury (SCI) group, and reinnervation group. DiI retrograde tracing was used to verify establishment of the model and to investigate the transport function of the regenerated efferent axons in the new reflex arc. Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the DiI-labeled neurons was detected by immunohistochemistry. Distribution of neural fibers in the bladder was observed by acetylcholine esterase staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>DiI-labeled neurons distributed mainly in the left ventral horn from L3 to L5, and some of them were also ChAT-positive. The neural fibers in the bladder detrusor reduced remarkably in the SCI group compared with the control (P < 0.05). After establishment of the somatic-autonomic reflex arc in the reinnervation group, the number of ipsilateral fibers in the bladder increased markedly compared with the SCI group (P < 0.05), though still much less than that in the control (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The efferent branches of the somatic nerves may grow and replace the parasympathetic preganglionic axons through axonal regeneration. Acetylcholine is still the major neurotransmitter of the new reflex arc. The controllability of detrusor may be promoted when it is reinnervated by the pelvic ganglia efferent somatic motor fibers from the postganglionic axons.</p>

Comparison of distribution of cholinergic nerves and M2 receptors between rat atria and ventricles / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the general pattern of cholinergic nerve distribution and M(2) receptors in adult rat heart.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Karnovsky-Roots histochemical staining combining point counting method and immunochemical SABC method with image analysis were used to identify the cholinergic nerves and M(2) receptors, respectively, in adult rat heart.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Positive staining of cholinergic nerves and M(2) receptors was found in all regions of the rat heart, and the point count of cholinergic nerves in the atria was 4.6 times as much as that in ventricles, and the area of immunoreactive substance for M(2) receptors two-fold higher in the atria than in the ventricles. The point counts of the cholinergic nerves in the medial-layer myocardium were fewer than that in subepicardial and endocardial tissues of the left ventricular free wall. However, M(2) receptors were comparable among the 3 layers of the left free ventricular wall.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cholinergic nerves and M(2) receptors are located in both rat atria and ventricles, but their density is much higher in the atria than in the ventricles. Transmural heterogeneity characterizes cholinergic nerve innervation in the left ventricular free wall without significant differences in M(2) receptor density.</p>

Supersensitivity of the cholinergic muscarinic system in the rat's brain is induced by high concentrations of Cu+2

Transition metals have been described as regulators of receptor's function. here, we studied the effects of chronic administration of Cu2+ or the Cu2+ chelator penicillamine (PA) on the functional and binding properties of the muscarinic receptors (MR) on selected areas of rat's brain. Groups of 10 Sprague-Dawley rats were treated daily, for 45 days with either 1) 1 mg/Kg CuSO4 (Cu2+), 2) 100 mg/Kg PA, or 3) saline solution. Double T-maze and motility cages were used for behavioral testing and the binding assays were performed using [3H]-QNB or [3H]-N-MSCP as MR's ligands. Cu2+ brain levels were measured in the cerebral cortex by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results showed that PA treated rats displayed a significant decrease of locomotor's activity (LA) and rearing behavior (RB), but a significant increases in memory efficiency (ME). Cu2+ treated rats displayed diminished RB with no significant changes in LA. Cu2+ treated rats displayed higher MR's density (Bmax) in cortex (C), striatum (S), and hippocampus (H). An increase in Bmax was also observed in PA treated rats, but only in C and S. Finally, Cu2+ tissue concentration was significantly higher in C of both Cu2+ and with PA treated animals. In conclusion, 45 days of Cu2+ or PA treatment induced brain hypercuprosis, which was associated with MR binding supersensitivity; however, change in ME was only observed in PA treated rats suggesting that might be still another factor in these experiments besides Cu2+ (i.e., Zn2+ or PA itself) involved in memory modulation.

Comparative functional study of 2 psychiatric pathologies by means of brainspect TC99 HMPO: major depression and borderline personality disorder / Estudio funcional comparativo de dos patologías psiquiátricas mediante spect cerebral TC 99 M HMPAO: depresión mayor y trastorno de personalidad

En el D.S.M.-IV, sistema clasificatorio de la Asociación Psiquiátrica Americana (1), que es el marco más usado en la investigación y comunicación en psiquiatría, se destaca que el Desorden Depresivo afecta entre el 5 por ciento y 9 por ciento de las mujeres y al 2 por ciento y 3 por ciento de los hombres, en tanto que el trastorno límite de la personalidad, corresponde al 2 por ciento de la población general. Ambos cuadros patológicos comparten las dimensiones de regulación del afecto y control de impulsos (2). La aproximación dimensional de los cuadros permite acercarse a los aspectos más biológicos de estas dos entidades. En éstas patologías se observan alteraciones importantes en al menos tres sistemas de neurotransmisión comunes como ser el sistema colinérgico, el noradrenérgico y el serotoninérgico (3), con rasgos conductuales. En esta investigación se efectúa una intracomparación, de un grupo de pacientes con Depresión Mayor y de Personalidad Límite, en condiciones basales versus condiciones de estimulación con test de Wisconsin, y una intercomparación entre los resultados en ambas patologías. En este trabajo se cuantifica los flujos cerebrales medidos con SPECT Tc 99 m HMPAO señalando el compromiso en zonas de la corteza cerebral que son parte de tres circuitos cerebrales segregados (4) como son el circuito órbito frontal, el cingulado anterior y el circuito dorsolateral prefrontal con sus aferencias y eferencias (5). En el análisis de los resultados se advierte un compromiso compartido en estructuras ligadas a la motivación, donde destaca el cingulado anterior, siendo mayor la hipofuncionalidad ante las exigencias del test de Wisconsin en los pacientes límites (P<0.00005 a derecha y 0.0003 a izquierda) que en los depresivos (P<0.002 a derecha y 0.003 a izquierda). Lo mismo ocurre con el área 32 de Brodmann (parte del sistema límbico), y el área 25 señalada por Damasio (6) como el área de la anhedonia donde el compromiso existe en ambas patologías. En forma exclusiva existe en los pacientes límites un compromiso significativo del área dorsolateral prefrontal o área ejecutiva frente a la exigencia del test de Wisconsin. Por otra parte en los pacientes depresivos se detectó una hipoperfusión mayor al 50 por ciento en el área órbito frontal relacionada a las emociones y a este cuadro (7) tanto en condiciones basales como de estimulación

CNS cholinergic innervation to the hippocampus in the rat using pseudorabies virus as a neurotracer

The hippocampus is a central area of the memory-related neural system. Combined immunohistochemistry against choline acetyl transferase and retrograde transneuronal labelling of the pseudorabies virus were used to identify cholinergic neurons in the central nervous system projecting to the hippocampal formation of the rat. Five to ten microL of Bartha strain of pseudorabies virus were injected into the dentate gyrus, CA1 and CA3 of the hippocampus of 20 Sprague Dawley rats using stereotaxic instrument. Forty eight to 96 hr after the injection, the brains were removed and the tissue sections were processed for double immunofluorescence procedure using polyclonal antibodies against pseudorabies virus or choline acetyl transferase. The double labelled neurons were distributed at several different nuclei and the labelling patterns of three different areas of the hippocampus were similar. These data suggests that the cholinergic innervation to the hippocampus were distributed in a transsynaptic manner throughout the whole brain area.

Probable mielinolisis central pontina asociada a intoxicación por órganofosforados: hipótesis sobre una nueva etiología / Central pontine myelinolysis associated to organophosphorous insecticide

La mielinolisis central pontina (MCP) es un cuadro de alteración neurológica aguda y progresiva patológicamente caracterizada por desmielinización protuberancial y/o extraprotuberancial, etiológicamente asociada a una inadecuada corrección de la hiponatremia, por lo que también se denomina Síndrome de desmielinización osmótica. Presentamos una paciente intoxicada accidentalmente con un compuesto órganofosforado (OF), que presentó inicialmente un cuadro clínico y de laboratorio secundario a la inhibición y recuperación aguda de la actividad plasmática de la acetilcolinesterasa (intoxicación de Tipo 1). La evolución neurológica posterior resultó compatible con lesión de tallo cerebral. No se registraron alteraciones de la temperatura, la natremia, el pH ni los gases en sangre. En estadio agudo las imágenes por Resonancia Magnática (RM), mostraron lesión centroprotuberancial única y ovoide, hipointensa en T1 e hiperintensa en T2, sin edema periférico ni efecto de masa, sin signos hemorrágicos y sin cambios con el gadolinio, hallazgos estrechamente correlacionados con probable MCP. No se evidenciaron lesiones extrapontinas. Un examen neurológico de control a los 90 días no mostró anormalidades, mientras que en las imágenes por RM la lesión protuberancial mostraba signos involutivos; ambos resultados son coincidentes con los de trabajos previos sobre MCP en su evolución tardía. Se descartaron otras causas de lesión protuberancial en base a los antecedentes, la forma de presentación y la evolución aguda y crónica, tanto clínica como en RM. Se discuten los mecanismos de acción patogénica de los compuestos OF sobre la mielina, que apoyan la hipótesis etiológica propuesta. Concluimos que la relación causal, la evolución neurológica y los hallazgos en RM en una paciente normonatrémica, permiten proponer a la intoxicación por compuestos OF como una probable nueva etiología de MCP

Preoptic-periventricular tissue (AV3V): central cholinergic-induced hydromineral and cardiovascular responses, and salt intake

The periventricular tissue of the anterior ventral portion of the third ventricle (AV3V) is an important area for the control of hydromineral balance and of cardiovascular function. The present work discusses the importance of the integrity of the AV3V for multiple responses to central cholinergic activation (water intake, hypertension, natriuresis, salivation) and for the control of salt intake.

Aspectos fisiopatológicos en enfermedad de Alzheimer / Physiopathological aspects in Alzheimer's disease

Se revisan las principales hipótesis fisiopatológicas en la enfermedad de Alzheimer y sus repercusiones para precisar el diagnóstico, el pronóstico y la aproximación terapéutica. Son abordados el amiloide, la patología del citoesqueleto, la apolipoproteína E, la genética, la inflamación, las alteraciones de membrana, la muerte selectiva de neuronas colinérgicas y se intenta establecer un vínculo entre dos aspectos.

Histologic Changes of the Hippocampal Neural Pathway in the Alzheimer's Disease

In this study the quantitative changes of the SP (senile plaque) and NFT (neurofibrillary tangle) in the intrinsic hippocampal neural circuit were analyzed. All patients (86 case) were diagnosed clinically and confirmed pathologically as Alzheimer disease. The results were: 1) The NET and SP were most prominenetly observed in the C/A1 region, but they were not so many in the CA2 and CA3 regions. 2) There were quantitative correlation between the NFT and the SP except in the presubiculum and the dentate fascia. 3) There were no significant rank correlation between the perikaryonic NFT and the terminal SP in the dentate fascia and the CA3 area. 4) There were significant statistic difference of the quantity of the NFT and the SP between each neighboring areas in the intrinsic hippocampal neural circuit. I think there could be some influences of cholinergic fiber that they were from the medial septal nuclei and the nuclei of the diagonal band to the dentate fascia and the CA3 area.

Some aspects of vascular pharmacology of frog (Rana tigrina).

Vascular autonomic receptors in amphibians exhibit difference from more evolved mammalian species. Vascular perfusion studies in frog indicate constrictions by prominent muscarinic but rudimentary nicotinic constrictive regulation by cholinergic systems. Difference from classical effect-patterns of pharmacological interventions, observed in the study, make room to visualise complexity of additional regulatory mechanisms.