Neurotensin decreases high affinity [3H]-ouabain binding to cerebral cortex membranes.

Previous work from this laboratory showed the ability of neurotensin to inhibit synaptosomal membrane Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity, the effect being blocked by SR 48692, a non-peptidic antagonist for high affinity neurotensin receptor (NTS1) [López Ordieres and Rodríguez de Lores Arnaiz 2000; 2001]. To further study neurotensin interaction with Na(+), K(+)-ATPase, peptide effect on high affinity [(3)H]-ouabain binding was studied in cerebral cortex membranes. It was observed that neurotensin modified binding in a dose-dependent manner, leading to 80% decrease with 1 × 10(-4)M concentration.

Changes in Na+, K+-ATPase activity and alpha 3 subunit expression in CNS after administration of Na+, K+-ATPase inhibitors.

The expression of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase α3 subunit and synaptosomal membrane Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity were analyzed after administration of ouabain and endobain E, respectively commercial and endogenous Na(+), K(+)-ATPase inhibitors. Wistar rats received intracerebroventricularly ouabain or endobain E dissolved in saline solution or Tris-HCl, respectively or the vehicles (controls). Two days later, animals were decapitated, cerebral cortex and hippocampus removed and crude and synaptosomal membrane fractions were isolated.

Effect of zeaxanthin and antioxidant supplementation on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in apolipoprotein-E deficient mice.

Purpose: Apolipoprotein E(-/-) deficient (apoE(-/-)) mice develop hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, and retinal alterations. We studied the oxidative status and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in murine retinal pigment epithelium-choroid (RPE) and Bruch's membrane (BM) ultrastructure and the effect of zeaxanthin.

Methods: Ten 6-month-old C57BL/6 and 40 apoE(-/-) mice were divided into four groups (n = 10 each) and fed different diets for 12 weeks based on body weight: wild type (WT) and apoE(-/-) (AE-Con) mice standard rodent chow; apoE(-/-) mice (AES) standard rodent chow with ascorbate (800 mg/kg), tocopherol (1053 mg/kg), and zinc (135 mg/kg); and apoE(-/-) mice the last diet plus zeaxanthin with either 0.

[Blood pressure and family history of hypertension in children from Santiago, Chile].

Background: The prevalence of pediatric arterial hypertension (AHT) is approximately 1% to 2%. In the last tenyears, mean blood pressure levels (BP) have raised due to obesity and changes in lifestyles. Family history (FH) of AHT is a risk factor to develop AHT in children.

[Cardiac myxoma: clinical characterization, diagnostic methods and late surgical results].

Background: Cardiac myxoma is the most common primary cardiac tumor.

Aim: To evaluate clinical aspects, diagnostic methods and surgical outcomes in patients with cardiac myxoma.

Patients And Methods: AH patients who underwent surgical resection of a cardiac myxoma between January 1973 and December 2004 at our institution, were identified and their medical records and diagnostic data reviewed.

[Cardiac tumors in children and adults: A Multicentric retrospective study].

Background: Cardiac tumors are very uncommon at all ages. There are important clinical differences between children and adults in the behavior of these tumors.

Aim: To compare the behavior of primary and secondary cardiac tumors, from fetal age to adults.

[Recurrent left atrial myxoma. Report of a case in a 2 year-old boy].

Primary cardiac tumors are uncommon in pediatric patients. We report a two year-old boy, who presented a recurrent left atrial myxoma. He was referred for cardiologic evaluation because of cardiomegaly on a chest X-ray.

Effect of chronic administration and withdrawal of sodium barbitone on protein synthesis of rat brain.

After chronic administration of sodium barbitone to rats, a marked increase incorporation of [14C]-Leucine into isolated nerve endings was observed. Withdrawal of the drug resulted in a decreased incorporation with respect to values obtained with chronic ingesting animals. On the other hand chronic administration of the barbiturate produced a decreased incorporation in mitochondrial and microsomal fractions.