Neurokinin receptors in recurrent airway obstruction: a comparative study of affected and unaffected horses.

The purpose of the study was to compare in vitro airway responses to neurokinin A & B (NKA and NKB) and expression of NK-2 receptors in airways of horses affected and unaffected with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO). Neurokinin-A, an inflammatory mediator belonging to the tachykinin family of neuropeptides, causes bronchoconstriction by binding to NK-2 receptors. Neurokinin-B is a lesser-known neuropeptide that acts on NK-3 receptors.

Rhodamine 123 permeability through the catfish intestinal wall: Relationship to thermal acclimation and acute temperature change.

Temperature is known to influence xenobiotic retention in fish. The effect of acute and acclimatory temperature change upon Rhodamine 123 (Rho123) permeability through an in vitro catfish multi-segment (3) everted sac intestinal wall model was examined in a 9 cell matrix of acclimation and assay temperatures (10, 20 and 30 degrees C). Changes in Rho123 permeability were examined in context with membrane fluidity, xenobiotic solubility and intestinal morphology.

Endothelin receptor alterations in equine airway hyperreactivity.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and its receptors in the airway hyperreactivity of horses with obstructive pulmonary disease associated with summer pasture (SPAOPD). The right diaphragmatic lobe of the lung of 8 clinically healthy (unaffected) and 8 SPAOPD-affected horses was collected immediately after euthanasia. Bronchial rings (4 mm wide) were prepared and mounted in organ baths and attached to force transducers interfaced with a polygraph.

Intestinal bioavailability and biotransformation of 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (CB 77) in in situ preparations of channel catfish following dietary induction of CYP1A.

Previous studies with the catfish in situ perfused intestinal preparation have demonstrated a significant decline in the intestinal bioavailability of a coplanar polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (CB 77)(14C-TCB) dose in animals pre-exposed in vivo to TCB. This response was accompanied by CYP1A induction in the intestine, but little effect upon the oxidative metabolism of the subsequent in situ dose of [14C]-TCB. To ascertain the basis of these responses and the intestine specific contributions, the intestinal bioavailability and metabolism of [14C]-TCB were examined in the in situ intestinal preparation following in vivo exposure to beta-naphthoflavone (BNF; 0, 10 or 50 mg BNF/kg diet for 10 days), BNF was selected as a known inducer of CYP1A and as a compound with a structure unlikely to influence or directly partake in diffusion based TCB concentration gradients.

Role of endothelium and nitric oxide in modulating in vitro responses of colonic arterial and venous rings to vasodilatory neuropeptides in horses.

The objective of this study was to determine and compare the in vitro responses of equine large colon arterial and venous rings to vasodilatory neuropeptides; calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP); substance P (SP); vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP); and acetylcholine (ACh), a standard nonpeptide endothelium-dependent vasodilator. Responses of vessel rings to graded concentrations (10(-11) M to 10(-5) M) of each drug were determined in endothelium-intact, denuded, and Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10(-5) M)-treated rings that were pre-contracted with norepinephrine. Percentage maximal relaxation (PMR), defined as the % decrease from the contracted state, was determined.

Pharmacologic evaluation of neurokinin-2 receptor antagonists in the guinea pig respiratory tract.

Objective: To evaluate 3 neurokinin-2 (NK2) receptor antagonists on the basis of their ability to block neurokinin A (NKA)-induced contractile responses in various regions of the guinea pig respiratory tract.

Animals: 48 clinically normal guinea pigs.

Procedure: After euthanasia, the trachea and lungs were removed en bloc.