Functional expression of bradykinin B1 and B2 receptors in neonatal rat trigeminal ganglion neurons.

Bradykinin (BK) and its receptors (B1 and B2 receptors) play important roles in inflammatory nociception. However, the patterns of expression and physiological/pathological functions of B1 and B2 receptors in trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons remain to be fully elucidated. We investigated the functional expression of BK receptors in rat TG neurons. We observed intense immunoreactivity of B2 receptors in TG neurons, while B1 receptors showed weak immunoreactivity. Expression of the B2 receptor colocalized with immunoreactivities against the pan-neuronal marker, neurofilament H, substance P, isolectin B4, and tropomyosin receptor kinase A antibodies. Both in the presence and absence of extracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]o), BK application increased the concentration of intracellular free Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i). The amplitudes of BK-induced [Ca(2+)]i increase in the absence of [Ca(2+)]o were significantly smaller than those in the presence of Ca(2+). In the absence of [Ca(2+)]o, BK-induced [Ca(2+)]i increases were sensitive to B2 receptor antagonists, but not to a B1 receptor antagonist. However, B1 receptor agonist, Lys-[Des-Arg(9)]BK, transiently increased [Ca(2+)]i in primary cultured TG neurons, and these increases were sensitive to a B1 receptor antagonist in the presence of [Ca(2+)]o. These results indicated that B2 receptors were constitutively expressed and their activation induced the mobilization of [Ca(2+)]i from intracellular stores with partial Ca(2+) influx by BK. Although constitutive B1 receptor expression could not be clearly observed immunohistochemically in the TG cryosection, cultured TG neurons functionally expressed B1 receptors, suggesting that both B1 and B2 receptors involve pathological and physiological nociceptive functions.

Ultrastructural immunolocalization of laminin 332 (laminin 5) at dento-gingival interface in Macaca fuscata monkey.

Although laminin 332 (laminin 5), an extracellular matrix molecule involved in cell adhesion and migration, has been localized at the interface between the tooth enamel and junctional epithelium, its ultrastructural localization remains to be fully clarified. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the ultrastructural distribution of laminin 332 at the dento-gingival interface in Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata) using pre- and post-embedding immunoelectron microscopy. Pre-embedding immunoelectron microscopy revealed a broad band of internal basal lamina together with supplementary lamina densa, and both showed immunolabeling for laminin 332. Immunoreaction products for laminin 332 were observed in the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum of the junctional epithelial cells close to the tooth enamel. Post-embedding immunoelectron microscopy revealed an increase in the number of immunogold particles toward the coronal portion, resulting in a large accumulation of particles on the basal lamina, preferentially on the lamina densa. Concomitantly the dental cuticle at the dento-gingival interface was sporadically, but specifically, immunogold-labeled with anti-laminin 332 antibody. These data suggest that junctional epithelium actively produces laminin 332, and that the products accumulate at the dento-gingival interface during cell migration coronally towards the gingival sulcus.

Expression and localization of laminin 5, laminin 10, type IV collagen, and amelotin in adult murine gingiva.

The biochemical composition of the internal and external basal laminae in the junctional epithelium differs significantly, and the precise cellular origin of their respective molecules remains to be determined. In the present study, the expression and localization of three basement membrane-specific molecules-laminin 5 (γ2 chain), type IV collagen (α1 chain), and laminin 10 (α5 chain)-and one tooth-specific molecule, amelotin, was analyzed in adult murine gingiva by using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. The results showed that the outermost cells in junctional epithelium facing the tooth enamel strongly expressed laminin 5 mRNA, supporting the immunohistochemical staining data. This suggests that laminin 5 is actively synthesized in junctional epithelial cells and that the products are incorporated into the internal basal lamina to maintain firm epithelial adhesion to the tooth enamel throughout life. Conversely, no amelotin mRNA signals were detected in the junctional epithelial cells, suggesting that the molecules localized on the internal basal lamina are mainly derived from maturation-stage ameloblasts. Weak and sporadic expression of type IV collagen in addition to laminin 10 in the gingiva indicates that these molecules undergo turnover less frequently in adult animals.

Evaluation of high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry method for pharmacokinetic study of local anesthetic ropivacaine in plasma.

We studied the viability of high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC/MS) as a selective and sensitive analytical method for measuring blood concentrations of the local anesthetic ropivacaine. Ropivacaine was effectively separated using a reverse-phase column and monitored at 275 m/z ion. The LC/MS method allowed measurement of concentrations of ropivacaine of lower than 75 ng/mL. The standard curve was linear and in the range of <1.5 microg/mL. Recovery of ropivacaine in plasma samples was over 90% after precipitation of plasma protein with trichloroacetic acid. The method was tested on the pharmacokinetics of plasma ropivacaine after single intravenous or subcutaneous administration in rabbits. The pharmacokinetic parameters showed a one-compartment model and a mean elimination half-life of 0.54+/-0.05 h and 2.83+/-0.51 h after administration at doses of 0.4 mg/kg, i.v. and 5 mg/kg, s.c., respectively. These values were in approximate agreement with previously obtained results in dogs. The results of the present study demonstrated that the LC/MS method was highly selective and sensitive for the measurement of ropivacaine, indicating that it offers a useful tool for monitoring the therapeutic effects and determining the pharmacokinetic parameters of this drug in blood.