Novel regulatory systems for acetylcholine release in rat striatum and anti-Alzheimer's disease drugs.

Regulation of neurotransmitter release in the central nervous system is complex. Here, we investigated regulatory mechanisms for acetylcholine (ACh) release from cholinergic neurons by performing superfusion experiments with rat striatal segments after labelling the cellular ACh pool with [ H]choline. Electrical stimulation-evoked pronounced [ H]ACh release from cholinergic neurons.

Regulation of synaptic acetylcholine concentrations by acetylcholine transport in rat striatal cholinergic transmission.

In addition to hydrolysis by acetylcholine esterase (AChE), acetylcholine (ACh) is also directly taken up into brain tissues. In this study, we examined whether the uptake of ACh is involved in the regulation of synaptic ACh concentrations. Superfusion experiments with rat striatal segments pre-incubated with [ H]choline were performed using an ultra-mini superfusion vessel, which was developed to minimize superfusate retention within the vessel.

Amarogentin ameliorates diabetic disorders in animal models.

Amarogentin is a bitter-tasting secoiridoid glycoside isolated from an herb. Inhibition of aldose reductase by amarogentin has been documented as an antidiabetic action. However, the mechanisms of action of amarogentin in diabetic disorders remain unknown.

Erythropoietin ameliorates hyperglycemia in type 1-like diabetic rats.

Background: Erythropoietin (EPO) is widely used in diabetic patients receiving hemodialysis. The role of EPO in glucose homeostasis remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effect of EPO on hyperglycemia in rats with type 1-like diabetes.

Development of PPAR-agonist GW0742 as antidiabetic drug: study in animals.

Background: The development of new drugs for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) is critically important. Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the main problems associated with type-2 DM (T2DM) seen in clinics. GW0742, a selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-δ agonist, has been shown to ameliorate metabolic abnormalities including IR in skeletal muscle in mice fed high-fructose corn syrup.

Toona sinensis leaf extract has antinociceptive effect comparable with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents in mouse writhing test.

Background: The antinociceptive effect of an aqueous extract from the leaves of Toona sinensis (TS, [A. Juss., M.

Decrease of PPARδ in Type-1-Like Diabetic Rat for Higher Mortality after Spinal Cord Injury.

Changes in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors- δ (PPAR δ ) expression in rats after spinal cord injury (SCI) have been previously reported. Diabetic animals show a higher mortality after SCI. However, the relationship between the progress of diabetes and PPAR δ in SCI remains unknown.

Cardiac peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) as a new target for increased contractility without altering heart rate.

Background And Aims: Agents having a positive inotropic effect on the heart are widely used for the treatment of heart failure. However, these agents have the side effect of altering heart rate. It has been established that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) is mediated in cardiac contraction, however the effect on heart rate is unknown.

Increase of PPARδ by dopamine mediated via DA-1 receptor-linked phospholipase C pathway in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes.

Background: Role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) in cardiac contraction has recently been established. Dopamine is one of the agents used to treat heart failure in clinics. But the mediation of PPARδ in cardiac action of dopamine is still unclear.

Decrease of Obesity by Allantoin via Imidazoline I 1 -Receptor Activation in High Fat Diet-Fed Mice.

The activation of the imidazoline I1-receptor (I1R) is known to regulate appetite. Allantoin, an active ingredient in the yam, has been reported to improve lipid metabolism in high fat diet- (HFD-)fed mice. However, the effect of allantoin on obesity remains unclear.

Plasma levels of transforming growth factor-beta 1 before and after removal of low- and high-grade astrocytomas.

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) has been reported to be a possible marker for a number of tumors, including brain tumors. The aim of this study was to measure the plasma levels of TGF-β1 in patients with low- and high-grade astrocytomas before and after surgery. This prospective study included 14 patients with low-grade astrocytomas and 25 with high-grade astrocytomas who underwent tumor removal and 13 controls (patients who underwent cranioplasty for skull bone defects).

Assisted peripheral nerve recovery by KMUP-1, an activator of large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium channel, in a rat model of sciatic nerve crush injury.

Background: Axonal regeneration in peripheral nerves after injury is a complicated process. Numerous cytokines, growth factors, channels, kinases, and receptors are involved, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) has been implicated in the pathogenesis subsequent to nerve injury. In this study, the effect of KMUP-1, an activator of large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium channel, on functional recovery, myelinated axon growth, and immunoreactivity of MMP-9 was evaluated in rats subjected to sciatic nerve crush injury.

The alteration of plasma TGF-β1 levels in patients with brain tumors after tumor removal.

Transforming growth factor (TGF) β1 may be a candidate for a serologic tumor marker. In this study, the plasma levels of TGF-β1 in patients with brain tumors were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before and after tumor removal. Patients were divided into four groups, the control group and the benign, malignant, and metastatic brain tumor groups.

Re-evaluation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in rat brain by a tissue-segment binding assay.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) of the cerebral cortex and cerebellum of rats were evaluated by a radioligand binding assay, employing tissue segments, or homogenates as materials. [(3)H]-epibatidine specifically bound to nAChRs in rat cortex or cerebellum, but the dissociation constants for [(3)H]-epibatidine differed between segments and homogenates (187 pM for segments and 42 pM for homogenates in the cortex and 160 pM for segments and 84 pM for homogenates in the cerebellum). The abundance of total nAChRs was approximately 310 fmol/mg protein in the segments of cortex and 170 fmol/mg protein in the segments of cerebellum, which were significantly higher than those estimated in the homogenates (115 fmol/mg protein in the homogenates of the cortex and 76 fmol/mg protein in the homogenates of the cerebellum).

Posterior epidural migration of sequestrated lumbar disc fragments into the bilateral facet joints: case report.

Background And Importance: Symptomatic lumbar disc herniation is common. Migration of a free disc fragment is usually found in rostral, caudal, or lateral directions. Posterior epidural migration is very rare.

Functional outcome analysis: instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusion for degenerative lumbar scoliosis.

Purpose: Although instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) has been becoming a popular and effective method for treating degenerative lumbar scoliosis, the clinical outcome is rarely reported. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis after instrumented PLIF.

Materials And Methods: A total of 58 patient's clinical characteristics had been reviewed retrospectively including clinical presentations, preoperative medical comorbidities, intraoperative status, and postoperative status.

Autonomic regulation of insulin secretion is changed by pentobarbital in mice.

It has been established that insulin secretion is regulated by autonomic nervous homeostasis. In the screen of plasma glucose level, anesthetized animals were widely used. However, effects of anesthetics on blood glucose remain unclear.

Assessment of novel muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in rat cerebral cortex by a tissue segment binding method.

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) of rat cerebral cortex were evaluated using a tissue segment radioligand binding assay. [(3)H]-Quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB, a hydrophobic ligand) specifically bound to mAChRs in the cortex segments. The total mAChRs level was approximately 2,000 fmol/mg protein, which was estimated after incubation for 120 min at 37 degrees C or for 8 h at 4 degrees C.

The expression of thyroid hormone receptor isoforms in human astrocytomas.

Background: Thyroid hormone plays a major role in normal mammalian brain maturation and affects the development of astrocytes. The expression of TR isoforms has been studied in different neoplasias. Increasing evidence has suggested that aberrant expression of TR isoforms could be associated with tumorigenesis.

Low-grade astrocytoma associated with abscess formation: case report and literature review.

A rare case of low-grade astrocytoma associated with abscess formation occurred in a 52-year-old man presenting with Broca's aphasia. He underwent craniotomy and tumor removal under the impression of brain tumor with necrotic cystic change. Abscess accumulation within the intra-axial tumor was found intraoperatively.

Giant invasive schwannoma of cauda equina with minimal neurologic deficit: a case report and literature review.

A 53-year-old man presented with a history of slight weakness in the right lower limb. Giant invasive cauda equina schwannoma was diagnosed according to the criteria of Sridhar et al. Schwannomas are usually benign and common tumors arising from nerve sheath cells, particularly from sensory nerves.