Gaseous transmitter regulation of hypoxia-evoked catecholamine secretion from murine adrenal chromaffin cells.

Emerging evidence suggests that gaseous molecules, carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (HS) generated by heme oxygenase (HO)-2 and cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), respectively, function as transmitters in the nervous system. Present study examined the roles of CO and HS in hypoxia-induced catecholamine (CA) release from adrenal medullary chromaffin cells (AMCs). Studies were performed on AMCs from adult (≥6 wk of age) wild-type (WT), HO-2 null, CSE null, and HO-2/CSE double null mice of either gender.

Olfactory receptor 78 participates in carotid body response to a wide range of low O levels but not severe hypoxia.

The role of olfactory receptor 78 (Olfr78) in carotid body (CB) response to hypoxia was examined. BL6 mice with global deletion of Olfr78 manifested an impaired hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR), a hallmark of the CB chemosensory reflex, CB sensory nerve activity, and reduced intracellular Ca concentration ([Ca]) response of glomus cells to hypoxia (Po ~ 40 mmHg). In contrast, severe hypoxia (Po ~ 10 mmHg) depressed breathing and produced a very weak CB sensory nerve excitation but robust elevation of [Ca] in Olfr78 null glomus cells.

HS mediates carotid body response to hypoxia but not anoxia.

The role of cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) derived HS in the hypoxic and anoxic responses of the carotid body (CB) were examined. Experiments were performed on Sprague-Dawley rats, wild type and CSE knockout mice on C57BL/6 J background. Hypoxia (pO = 37 ± 3 mmHg) increased the CB sensory nerve activity and elevated HS levels in rats.

Complementary roles of gasotransmitters CO and H2S in sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea, which is the periodic cessation of breathing during sleep, is a major health problem affecting over 10 million people in the United States and is associated with several sequelae, including hypertension and stroke. Clinical studies suggest that abnormal carotid body (CB) activity may be a driver of sleep apnea. Because gaseous molecules are important determinants of CB activity, aberrations in their signaling could lead to sleep apnea.

[A study of the relation between the sCD40-sCD40L system and the course of multiple sclerosis].

Aim: To determine the relationship between the level of soluble CD40 and CD40L (sCD40, sCD40L) and key characteristics of the course of multiple sclerosis.

Material And Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study covered 80 patients with multiple sclerosis diagnosed according to 2005 McDonald criteria. Enzyme immunoassay method was applied to measure the concentration of sCD40 and sCD40L in venous blood serum.