In vitro evidence that the vasorelaxant effects of 2-nitro-1-phenyl-1-propanol on rat coronary arteries involve cyclic nucleotide pathways.

The synthetic nitro-alcohol 2-nitro-1-phenyl-1-propanol (NPP) has endothelium-independent relaxing properties in isolated preparations of rat aorta and mesenteric artery. In this study, we investigated whether the vasodilator effects occur in coronary vessels and explored whether hyperpolarization is involved in the underlying mechanism of NPP-induced smooth muscle relaxation. The relaxing responses were studied in isolated preparations of the left anterior descending coronary (ADC) and the septal coronary (SC) arteries, which had been previously maintained under sustained contraction induced by the thromboxane A analogue U-46619.

SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein triggers gut impairment since mucosal barrier to innermost layers: From basic science to clinical relevance.

Studies have reported the occurrence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, primarily diarrhea, in COVID-19. However, the pathobiology regarding COVID-19 in the GI tract remains limited. This work aimed to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein interaction with gut lumen in different experimental approaches.

Assessing the reaction to and efficacy of the Screener drug discovery and development board game as a pedagogical tool in postgraduate courses.

Screener, a board game supplemented with online resources, was introduced and distributed by the Brazilian Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics to postgraduate programs as an instructional tool for the process of drug discovery and development (DDD). In this study, we provided a comprehensive analysis of five critical aspects for evaluating the quality of educational games, namely: 1) description of the intervention; 2) underlying pedagogical theory; 3) identification of local educational gaps; 4) impact on diverse stakeholders; and 5) elucidation of iterative quality enhancement processes. We also present qualitative and quantitative assessments of the effectiveness of this game in 11 postgraduate courses.

Tumor-neutrophil crosstalk promotes and glioblastoma progression.

Introduction: The tumor microenvironment (TME) of glioblastoma (GB) is characterized by an increased infiltration of immunosuppressive cells that attenuate the antitumor immune response. The participation of neutrophils in tumor progression is still controversial and a dual role in the TME has been proposed. In this study, we show that neutrophils are reprogrammed by the tumor to ultimately promote GB progression.

Congenital Heart Defects and 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: A 20-Year Update and New Insights to Aid Clinical Diagnosis.

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are one of the most prevalent clinical features described in individuals diagnosed with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS).

BR-bombesin: a novel bombesin-related peptide from the skin secretion of the Chaco tree frog (Boana raniceps) with physiological gastric effects.

Bombesin mediates several biological activities in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and central nervous system in mammals, including smooth muscle contraction, secretion of GI hormones and regulation of homeostatic mechanisms. Here, we report a novel bombesin-like peptide isolated from Boana raniceps. Its amino acid sequence, GGNQWAIGHFM-NH, was identified and structurally confirmed by HPLC, MS/MS and 454-pyrosequencing; the peptide was named BR-bombesin.

Trisomy 21 and Ebstein Anomaly: Diagnosis and Prognosis of a Rare Association.

Trisomy 21 is considered the most common chromosomal aneuploidy, and congenital heart disease (CHD) is highly prevalent and relevant to the morbidity and mortality of these patients. Ebstein anomaly (EA) is a rare CHD characterized by tricuspid valve dysplasia with inferior septal leaflet displacement. Herein, we described a patient with trisomy 21 who presented with EA and discuss the association between the two conditions based on a literature review.

Neryl butyrate induces contractile effects on isolated preparations of rat aorta.

Neryl butyrate is a constituent of volatile oils obtained from aromatic plants. Aliphatic organic compound analogues chemically close to neryl butyrate possess vasodilator properties in rat aorta. To evaluate whether neryl butyrate has relaxing properties, this study tested its effects on isolated rat aorta.

Impairment of rat oesophageal muscle contractility associated with experimental non-erosive oesophageal mucosal damage.

New Findings: What is the central question of this study? Is the responsiveness of isolated segments of the rat oesophagus to contractile or relaxant stimuli susceptible to acute luminal exposure of the oesophagus to an acid solution that contains pepsin and bile salt? What is the main finding and its importance? The study reveals that luminal acidity is an important factor that disrupts barrier function in the oesophagus to allow the diffusion of noxious agents, such as bile acid, that alter the contractile status of the oesophageal body, even in the absence of inflammation.

Abstract: We investigated whether the experimental simulation of duodenogastro-oesophageal reflux alters the contractile responsiveness of rat oesophageal strips. After 30 min of luminal exposure to a solution at acid pH that contained pepsin and taurodeoxycholic acid, isolated strips of the rat oesophagus and gastro-oesophageal junction were subjected to contractile or relaxing stimuli.

Dual excitatory and smooth muscle-relaxant effect of β-phenylethylamine on gastric fundus strips in rats.

β-Phenylethylamine (β-PEA) is a trace amine with chemical proximity to biogenic amines and amphetamines. It is an endogenous agonist of trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs) that acts as a neuromodulator of classic neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. At high concentrations, β-PEA contracts smooth muscle, and a role for TAARs in these responses has been postulated.

A simple laboratory exercise with rat isolated esophagus and stomach fundus to reveal functional differences between striated and smooth muscle cells.

This study describes an undergraduate student laboratory activity using isolated preparations from rat gastrointestinal tissues that possess contractile profiles typically exhibited by striated and smooth muscle cells. While students are introduced to an ex vivo methodology, they can compare differences in trace experiments, twitch aspects, phasic and tonic properties, force-frequency relationships, and pharmacological responsiveness of esophageal (striated) and fundic (smooth muscle) segments. Muscle strips were subjected to electrical field stimulation (EFS) applied by platinum electrodes immersed in the physiological solution.

Vasorelaxant effects of 2-nitro-1-phenyl-1-propanol in rat aorta.

2-Nitro-1-phenyl-1-propanol (NPP) is a nitro alcohol that is known as an intermediate in the synthesis of sympathomimetic agents, such as norephedrine. The present study investigated the vasoactive effects of NPP on rat aorta. In endothelium-intact aortic rings, NPP fully relaxed contractions that were induced by phenylephrine, KCl, and U-46619.