Impact of digital imaging on radiation doses to the patient during X-ray examination of the urinary tract.

PURPOSE: To compare radiation doses given to patients undergoing IVU (intravenous urography) before and after digitalization of our X-ray department. MATERIAL AND METHODS: IVU examinations were monitored with dose area product meters before and after the X-ray department changed to digital techniques. The first step was a change from film-screen to storage phosphor plates, while the second step involved changing to a flat panel detector. Forty-two patients were included for the film-screen situation, 69 when using the storage phosphor plates, and 70 using the flat panel detector. RESULTS: A dose reduction from 41.8 Gycm2 to 31.5 Gycm2 was achieved with the first step when the film-screen system was replaced with storage phosphor plates. A further reduction to 12.1 Gycm2 was achieved using the flat panel detector. CONCLUSION: The introduction of the flat panel detectors made a considerable dose reduction possible.

Expectations of alcohol-induced positive affect: a cross-cultural comparison.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate the extent to which positive affect is a cross-culturally expected result of drinking alcohol. This first required development of a quantitative estimate of positive affect on a common scale, an essential step neglected in previous comparative research on alcohol expectancies. METHOD: Approximately equal numbers of male and female respondents (N = 1,008; 521 women) from eight countries were asked to complete a survey inquiring about emotional and behavioral responses they expect people to experience after consuming alcoholic drinks, and about limited aspects of their own drinking habits. Multisample latent covariance structure analysis with means was applied to the data and a cross-culturally invariant model of positive affect was extracted. RESULTS: The latent construct for positive affect that emerged was defined by manifest "interpersonal warmth or closeness," "pleasure of social interactions" and "optimism." There were significant national differences in means for this factor, and self-reported drinking frequency was also marginally related to expected positive affect. CONCLUSIONS: Multisample latent covariance structure analysis with means proved a useful tool capable of addressing critical problems in comparative cross-cultural research. In addition, there were indications that the expectation of increased positive affect associated with drinking may be influenced by contextual factors and cultural traditions, making positive affect less easily attributable to the direct pharmacological action of alcohol consumption than has previously been believed.

Non-adrenergic binding of [3H]atipamezole in rat kidney--regional distribution and comparison to alpha2-adrenoceptors.

1 Atipamezole (4-(2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl)-1H-imidazole) was first introduced as a potent and specific alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist, but in some tissues [3H]atipamezole identifies an additional population of binding sites, distinct from both classical alpha2-adrenoceptors and I1- and I2-imidazoline receptors identified with [3H]para-aminoclonidine or [3H]idazoxan. 2 In the present study we have characterized [3H]atipamezole binding sites in rat kidney by receptor autoradiography and membrane binding assays and determined whether they are pharmacologically identical with the previously described binding sites for [3H]para-aminoclonidine and [3H]idazoxan. [3H]RX821002 and [3H]rauwolscine were used to compare the regional distribution of alpha2-adrenoceptors to that of non-adrenergic binding sites of [3H]atipamezole. 3 Comparative autoradiographic experiments demonstrated the differential localisation of [3H]atipamezole, [3H]RX821002 and [3H]rauwolscine binding sites in rat kidney. The pattern of distribution of non-adrenergic [3H]atipamezole binding sites is clearly distinct from that of alpha2-adrenoceptors. 4 The non-adrenergic binding of [3H]atipamezole in rat kidney does not fall into any of the previously identified three classes of imidazoline receptors studied with [3H]para-aminoclonidine, [3H]idazoxan and [3H]RX821002. 5 Atipamezole had no inhibitory effect on MAO-A or MAO-B activity in renal membranes, which speaks against the involvement of MAOs in the observed radioligand binding.

Modulation of agonist binding to recombinant human alpha2-adrenoceptors by sodium ions.

Agonist binding to alpha2-adrenoceptors is modulated by a number of factors such as Mg2+ and Na+ ions and by experimental manipulations which interfere with receptor-G-protein-coupling such as pertussis toxin pre-treatment or the presence of guanine nucleotides. Agonist binding assays may therefore offer an opportunity to make inferences, albeit indirect, about receptor states or conformations and about the molecular nature of the processes involved in receptor activation. We have investigated possible differences in the effects of Na+ ions on the binding of agonists to the three human alpha2-adrenoceptor subtypes, alpha2A, alpha2B and alpha2C, recombinantly expressed in S115 mouse mammary tumour cells. NaCl (40 mM) influenced the apparent affinity of a panel of alpha2-adrenoceptor ligands in a complex compound- and subtype-dependent manner. Sodium ions affected both high- and low-affinity conformations of the receptors, as defined by co-incubation with 10 microM 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p). The effects of NaCl and Gpp(NH)p on agonist binding were additive indicating different modes of action for the two allosteric modulators. Thus, quite marked differences between closely related receptor subtypes were noted in the molecular details of agonist-receptor interactions and in the integration of allosteric modulation by Na+ ions. Possible explanations for the experimental findings are discussed within the theoretical framework of multi-state models, and a proposal is presented for a potential physiological role of the modulatory effect of Na+ ions, where intracellular Na+ concentrations would direct the activating influence of receptors to different G-proteins.

Effects of differently composed feeds and physical stress on plasma gastrin concentration in horses.

Plasma gastrin concentrations were determined in 6 Standardbreds (4 geldings and 2 mares) after 3 different meals consisting of unlimited amounts of hay (8-9 kg per horse), a restricted amount of hay (0.6 kg/100 kg body-weight) and grain (0.2 kg/100 kg body-weight) in combination or of grain alone (0.2 kg/100 kg body-weight). In another series of experiments the possible role of gastrin as a stress hormone was investigated. Plasma gastrin and cortisol concentrations were determined during fasting and compared with concentrations during hay feeding. In addition, gastrin and cortisol concentrations were determined before, during and after 2 kinds of physical exercise on a treadmill. Meal stimulation significantly increased the plasma gastrin concentration, irrespective of the meal composition. An immediate and large increase in plasma gastrin concentration was found when voluminous meals were given, whereas a small meal evoked a later onset of gastrin release, suggesting that gastric distention plays an important role in inducing gastrin release during a meal. Meals consisting of grain seem to evoke a slower onset and then a more prolonged gastrin response than a hay meal, possibly due to different emptying rates of the stomach. Nervous excitation may play a minor role in the activation of gastrin release in horses. No experimental support was obtained for the idea that gastrin acts as a stress hormone in the horse.

Genetic alteration of alpha 2C-adrenoceptor expression in mice: influence on locomotor, hypothermic, and neurochemical effects of dexmedetomidine, a subtype-nonselective alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist.

alpha 2-Adrenergic receptors (alpha 2-ARs) regulate many physiological functions and are targets for clinically important antihypertensive and anesthetic agents. Three human and mouse genes encoding alpha 2-AR subtypes (alpha 2A, alpha 2B, and alpha 2C) have been cloned. We investigated the involvement of the alpha 2C-AR in alpha 2-adrenergic pharmacology by applying molecular genetic techniques to alter the expression of alpha 2C-AR in mice. The effects of dexmedetomidine, a subtype-nonselective alpha 2-AR agonist, on monoamine turnover in brain and on locomotor activity were similar in mice with targeted inactivation of the alpha 2C-AR gene and in their controls, but the hypothermic effect of the alpha 2-AR agonist was significantly attenuated by the receptor gene inactivation. Correspondingly, another strain of transgenic mice with 3-fold overexpression of alpha 2C-AR in striatum and other brain regions expressing alpha 2C-AR showed normal reductions in brain monoamine metabolism and locomotor activity after dexmedetomidine, but their hypothermic response to the alpha 2C-AR agonists was significantly accentuated. The hypothermic effect of alpha 2-AR agonists thus seems to be mediated in part by alpha 2C-AR. Some small but statistically significant differences between the strains were also noted in brain dopamine metabolism. Lack of alpha 2C-AR expression was linked with reduced levels of homovanillic acid in brain, and mice with increased alpha 2C-AR expression had elevated concentrations of the dopamine metabolite compared with their controls.

Recombinant human alpha 2-adrenoceptor subtypes: comparison of [3H]rauwolscine, [3H]atipamezole and [3H]RX821002 as radioligands.

Kinetic, saturation and competition binding assays were employed to optimize and validate radioligand binding methods for characterization of recombinant human alpha 2-adrenoceptor subtypes and for screening of new subtype-selective ligands. Stable transfected lines of Shionogi 115 mouse mammary tumour cells (S115) and three structurally different antagonist radioligands, [3H]rauwolscine, [3H]atipamezole and [3H]RX821002, were used. Specificity of alpha 2-adrenergic binding was defined with 100 microM (-)-adrenaline. Steady-state was reached with all three radioligands within 15-30 min at 25 degrees C, and the binding was rapidly reversible. The receptor affinities (alpha 2-C10) were highest in glycylglycine, almost equally high in K(+)-phosphate, and lowest in Tris buffer for all three [3H]-ligands. This was mainly caused by different association rates. [3H]RX821002 was bound with high affinity and similar kinetic properties to all three alpha 2-adrenoceptor subtypes in K(+)-phosphate buffer, and had the highest proportion of specific binding (96-98%). [3H]RX821002 and K(+)-phosphate buffer were subsequently used in competition assays. The rank order of affinity of compounds selective for alpha 2-adrenoceptor subtypes was alpha 2-C10 > alpha 2-C4 > alpha 2-C2 for oxymetazoline, alpha 2-C4 > alpha 2-C2 > alpha 2-C10 for prazosin and alpha 2-C2 > alpha 2-C4 > alpha 2-C10 for chlorpromazine. The drug affinities (Ki values) determined in this system were in close agreement with earlier results with [3H]rauwolscine in Tris buffer (r = 0.94). Agonist competition for [3H]RX821002 binding was biphasic in K(+)-phosphate buffer supplemented with 10 mM MgCl2, indicating functional coupling of receptors to G-proteins. Accordingly high-affinity binding of the agonists (-)-noradrenaline and UK14,304 was eliminated by 10 microM Gpp(NH)p in the assays. Our results confirm that [3H]RX821002 is a suitable radioligand for the characterization of all three human alpha 2-adrenoceptor subtypes and for the determination of the subtype-selectivity of new alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists.

Characterization of [3H]atipamezole as a radioligand for alpha 2-adrenoceptors.

Atipamezole (MPV-1248, 4-(2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl)-1H-imidazole), a potent alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, was tritiated to high specific activity. We then compared [3H]atipamezole and [3H]rauwolscine as radioligands for alpha 2-adrenoceptors in rat cerebral cortex, neonatal rat lung, and human platelets. (-)-Noradrenaline and phentolamine were used to define specific alpha 2-adrenergic binding. Unlabelled atipamezole was used in a similar manner to define saturable, high-affinity non-adrenergic binding. [3H]Atipamezole binding to human platelets (Kd 1.3 nM) and rat brain membranes (Kd 0.5 nM) equilibrated rapidly and was displaced in the expected manner by alpha 2-adrenergic ligands. In contrast, [3H]atipamezole binding in neonatal rat lung membranes was only effectively inhibited by unlabelled atipamezole, and by high concentrations of idazoxan. The total density of binding sites for [3H]atipamezole was clearly in excess of the density of alpha 2-adrenoceptors in this tissue, as defined by [3H]rauwolscine binding. We conclude that [3H]atipamezole binds with high affinity to alpha 2-adrenoceptors in human platelets and rat cerebral cortex, and that the compound can be used to investigate alpha 2-adrenoceptor properties and drug actions in these tissues. In neonatal rat lung, [3H]atipamezole identified an additional population of binding sites, distinct from both classical alpha 2-adrenoceptors and idazoxan-defined imidazoline receptors. The pharmacological identity of these binding sites remains to be elucidated. This non-adrenergic component in the binding characteristics of [3H]atipamezole complicates its use as a general alpha 2-adrenoceptor radioligand.

Hypothalamic monoamines and food intake in alcohol-preferring AA and alcohol-avoiding ANA rats.

The concentrations and synthesis of monoamines in various hypothalamic nuclei and the influence of monoaminergic drugs on food intake were studied in two rat lines produced by selective outbreeding for voluntary high and low alcohol drinking. The hypothalamic nuclei of the alcohol-preferring AA rats contained slightly more serotonin than those of the alcohol-avoiding ANA rats, but the accumulation of 5-hydroxytryptophan after inhibition of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase was the same in both lines. There was no significant difference in the basal concentrations of catecholamines between the lines, but the accumulation of L-DOPA was significantly greater in the ANA than the AA rats, suggesting differences in catecholamine turnover. This difference was significant in the paraventricular nucleus, which is involved in the regulation of food intake. Clonidine (an alpha 2-agonist) and 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT, a 5-HT1A agonist) induced hyperphagia and 1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine (TFMPP, a 5-HT1B agonist) induced hypophagia dose-dependently in both rat lines. Clonidine tended to be more potent in the ANA than the AA rats. Food intake following a 20-h fast was significantly lower in the ANA than AA rats. These results suggest that the alcohol-avoiding ANA and alcohol-preferring AA rats have different hypothalamic monoamine mechanisms controlling food intake, which could also partially account for their differential alcohol acceptance.

Effects of acute administration of SCH 23390 on dopamine and serotonin turnover in major dopaminergic areas and mesencephalic raphe nuclei--comparison with ritanserin.

1. The effects of acute administration of SCH 23390 (0.05 and 0.25 mg/kg s.c.), a dopamine D-1 receptor antagonist having also a moderate serotonin-S2 (5-HT-2) receptor blocking activity, and ritanserin (0.5 mg/kg), a specific 5-HT-2 antagonist, on dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) turnover were investigated in dopaminergic (nucleus caudatus, nucleus accumbens, substantia nigra, A10 area) and serotonergic (nucleus raphe dorsalis and nucleus raphe medialis) rat brain nuclei. 2. Acute SCH 23390 (both doses) increased the metabolism of DA and tended to augment the rate of DA synthesis (accumulation of DOPA after inhibition of aromatic acid decarboxylase) in the nucleus accumbens, but not in the nucleus caudatus. In addition, SCH 23390 had a moderate effect on DA metabolism in substantia nigra. SCH 23390 did not alter the turnover of 5-HT in any of the nuclei studied. 3. Acute administration of ritanserin did not modify 5-HT or DA turnover in any of the nuclei studied. 4. In conclusion, these results suggest that acute SCH 23390 administration preferentially activates the mesolimbic DA system. The lack of effect of ritanserin on DA or 5-HT turnover in nigrostriatal and mesolimbic DAergic areas suggests that under basal conditions the blockade of 5-HT2 receptors do not change monoamine metabolism in these areas. The role of 5-HT-2 blockade in the actions of SCH 23390 on DA turnover appears thus to be of a minor importance.

5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron does not alter effects of amphetamine on DA metabolism.

The present study was carried out to elucidate the effect of ondansetron, a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, on amphetamine-induced changes in monoamine metabolism in major ascending dopamine (DA) neurons. Amphetamine (2 mg kg-1 s.c.) significantly decreased the concentrations of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) in nucleus caudatus and nucleus accumbens. Pretreatment with ondansetron (0.1 mg kg-1 and 1 mg kg-1 s.c., 15 min before amphetamine) failed to modify the effects of amphetamine. It is concluded that acute blockade of central 5-HT3 receptors by ondansetron does not prevent amphetamine-induced changes in monoamine metabolism in nigrostriatal or mesolimbic dopaminergic areas.

Effects of chronic SCH 23390 treatment on dopamine autoreceptor function in rat brain.

The effects of chronic treatment with SCH 23390 (0.5 mg/kg per day, 18 days), a selective (DA) D-1 receptor antagonist, on dopamine autoreceptor function in rats were investigated. The decrease of DA metabolism in mesolimbic and nigrostriatal systems and inhibition of spontaneous explorative locomotor activity by low doses of the selective D-2 receptor agonist, quinpirole, were used as behavioral and biochemical indices of DA autoreceptor function. The DA metabolism decreasing effect of quinpirole (20 and 50 micrograms/kg) in mesolimbic or nigrostriatal DA systems was similar in SCH 23390- and vehicle-treated rats. Two-way analysis of variance showed that rats treated chronically with SCH 23390 were significantly more active than vehicle-treated rats. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the quinpirole-induced hypomotility response between these groups. These results indicate that chronic D-1 blockade, unlike classical antipsychotic drugs, does not modulate the biochemical and behavioral indices of DA autoreceptor activation, suggesting a lack of interaction between DA autoreceptors and D-1 receptors in the central nervous system.

Chronic treatment with SCH 23390 and haloperidol: effects on dopaminergic and serotonergic mechanisms in rat brain.

Effects of chronic administration (18 days) with SCH 23390 (0.1 or 0.5 mg/kg/day s.c.) and haloperidol (1 mg/kg/day s.c.) on dopamine and serotonin synthesis and metabolism in discrete dopaminergic and serotonergic nuclei of rat brain were studied. Additionally, the effects of these treatments on dopamine D-1 and D-2 receptor characteristics in rat caudate-putamen were investigated. Chronic administration with both dose regimens of SCH 23390 decreased DA metabolism significantly (basal homovanillic acid concentrations) in nucleus caudatus. In another set of experiments dopamine synthesis (rate of accumulation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine after 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine-decarboxylase inhibition) was reduced significantly only in nucleus accumbens after the higher SCH 23390 dose regimen. In turn, chronic administration with haloperidol decreased basal dopamine metabolism and synthesis in nucleus caudatus and nucleus accumbens. Chronic haloperidol, but not SCH 23390, treatment induced a clear-cut increase in [3H]spiperone binding in caudate-putamen. Interestingly, neither SCH 23390 nor haloperidol treatments affected [3H]SCH 23390 binding in caudate-putamen. SCH 23390 and haloperidol had no significant effects on serotonin synthesis and metabolism in serotonergic and dopaminergic areas. In conclusion, the classical antipsychotic drug, haloperidol, clearly decreases dopamine turnover in nigrostriatal and mesolimbic dopaminergic systems. The D-1 antagonist, SCH 23390, also decreases dopaminergic activity in nigrostriatal and mesolimbic systems although DA synthesis and metabolism are affected to different degrees in nucleus caudatus and nucleus accumbens. Therefore, we suggest that if D-1 antagonists such as SCH 23390 show antipsychotic activity in clinical studies, they may not be free of extrapyramidal side-effects.

Effects of chronic administration of ondansetron (GR38032F), a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, on monoamine metabolism in mesolimbic and nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons and on striatal D2-receptor binding.

The effects of chronic administration of the selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron (GR38032F) on dopamine (DA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) metabolism in the major ascending dopaminergic neurons and on striatal D2-receptor binding characteristics were investigated. The metabolism of 5-HT was also studied in a number of other brain areas. Chronic ondansetron (0.2 mg/kg/day and 1.0 mg/kg/day SC for 16 days) did not change DA or 5-HT metabolism in the nigrostriatal or mesolimbic dopaminergic areas, although the larger dose of ondansetron slightly and statistically significantly reduced basal concentrations of DA and 5-HT in the nucleus caudatus. D2-receptor binding characteristics were not affected in the caudate-putamen. Ondansetron did not change 5-HT metabolism in the nucleus raphé dorsalis, amygdala, hippocampus or in habenula. It is concluded that chronic administration of ondansetron does not change DA or 5-HT metabolism in the major ascending dopaminergic neurons. This suggest that unlike chronic D2-receptor blockade, chronic blockade of central 5-HT3 receptors does not result in a similar reduction in the activity of nigrostriatal and mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons.

Effects of acute GR38032F (odansetron), a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, on dopamine and serotonin metabolism in mesolimbic and nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons.

The acute administration of GR38032F, a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, did not change the concentrations of dopamine (DA) or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) or their deaminated metabolites in nucleus caudatus, nucleus accumbens or substantia nigra. Pretreatment with GR38032F failed to modify the haloperidol-induced activation of DA turnover. It is concluded that the blockade of central 5-HT3 receptors by GR38032F under these experimental conditions does not result in alternations in metabolism of DA or 5-HT in major ascending dopaminergic areas.