Concordance of different measures of nicotine dependence: two pilot studies.

Two samples of adult daily smokers completed a structured interview to determine nicotine dependence according to generic (DSM-IV/ICD-10), Fagerström [Fagerström Tolerance Questionnaire (FTQ), Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), Heavy Smoking Index (HSI), and time to first cigarette after awakening (TFC)], consumption [e.g., cigarettes/day (CPD)], and self-rating (e.

Role of BSP/bilirubin binding protein on p-aminohippurate transport in rat kidney.

BSP/Bilirubin binding protein (BBBP) is a protein located on the sinusoidal membrane of the liver that transport several organic anions. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether BBBP is present in the kidney and its role in p-aminohippurate transport (PAH). Anti-BBBP antibodies inhibited PAH uptake in brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) and Na(+)-independent PAH uptake in basolateral membrane vesicles (BLMV).

Effect of smoking abstinence on the subjective effects of caffeine.

Abstinence from smoking increases blood levels of caffeine and may potentiate the ability of caffeine to increase anxiety, insomnia, etc., during smoking cessation. The present study tested this hypothesis using a wider range of abstinence levels (0, 36 and 84 h), caffeine doses (0, 200 and 400 mg) and subjective effects (31 measures) than prior studies.

Intrarenal renin-angiotensin system contributes to tubular acidification adaptation following uninephrectomy.

Background/aims: Reduction in renal mass by uninephrectomy induces a functional compensation in the remnant kidney. The activity of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) as well as renin mRNA in the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) of uninephrectomized (UNx) rats increases. The aim of this work was to determine whether the increased activity of the local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) participates in the adaptation of renal function after uninephrectomy.

Is dependence on one drug associated with dependence on other drugs? The cases of alcohol, caffeine and nicotine.

Several studies have correlated the use of one drug with that of another drug; however, whether dependence on one drug is associated with dependence on another drug, independent of any use/use association, is unclear. We asked 196 randomly-selected subjects the DSM-IV criteria for dependence as applied to alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. Among ever users, the severity of alcohol vs nicotine dependence and alcohol vs caffeine dependence was related, but this relationship was weak (r = .

Role of kinins in the renoprotective effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in experimental chronic renal failure.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the renoprotective effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) following 5/6 renal mass reduction is due in part to the potentiation of kinins. Three groups of rats with 5/6 renal mass reduction were studied during the 14 weeks following surgery. One group received no therapy (control); the second group was treated from the beginning with the ACEI ramipril (1 mg/kg/day) added to the drinking water, and the last group received ramipril plus a beta2-bradykinin antagonist, HOE 140 (500 microg/kg/day) via osmotic minipumps.

Adenosine activates mesangial cell proliferation.

This study investigates the proliferative effect of adenosine (ADO) in cultured mesangial cells, and the possible mediation of A1 and/or A2 receptors in this proliferative effect of ADO. ADO (10(-5) M) induced a significant increase in the [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA with respect to quiescent cells. This increase was similar to that obtained with the ADO A1 receptor agonist, R-PIA (10(-5) M), and with the ADO A2 receptor agonist, NECA (10(-5) M).

Converting enzyme inhibition and renal function of conscious uninephrectomized rats [correction of enzyme].

We studied the effect of a Converting Enzyme Inhibitor, Captopril, on renal function of conscious, chronically instrumented uninephrectomized rats three weeks after surgery and normal two kidney rats. Captopril increased glomerular filtration rate from 9.28 +/- 0.

Proximal Na+, fluid and HCO3- reabsorption in uninephrectomized rats after a saline load.

We studied the effect of a saline load on proximal tubular Na+, fluid and HCO3- handling of control and uninephrectomized (UNx) rats. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was measured by inulin clearance, Na+ reabsorption in the proximal tubule by lithium clearance (CLi+), proximal tubule fluid reabsorption (Jv) by microperfusion with 14C inulin and proximal tubule HCO3- reabsorption (JHCO3-) by estimating pH of perfusate and collected fluid in vitro under CO2 equilibrated oil by means of Sb microelectrodes. No significant differences were found between control and UNx animals in baseline values of urine flow, GFR, fractional water and sodium excretion and blood and urine pH and pCO2, showing that renal function was compensated 4 weeks after UNx.

Impairment of the renal tubular acidification kinetics by lithium.

We studied the kinetics of HCO3- reabsorption in the middle proximal (MPT) and distal convoluted tubules (DCT) by measuring continuously intratubular pH with Sb-microelectrodes in stopped-flow microperfusion (HCO3-, 30 mM Ringer) experiments. Male Wistar rats (240-280 g) were injected ip with LiCl (4 mEq kg-1 day-1) for 4 days (Li) and were compared to controls (C). Steady-state pH increased in MPT from 6.

Evolution of experimental mild and severe chronic renal failure in the rat. Mathematical models.

Two degrees of renal insufficiency were obtained in female Wistar rats, one mild (M) and the other severe (S) by surgical resection of 2/3 or 3/4 of one kidney, followed by contralateral nephrectomy. The serum creatinine concentration (Cr) s was evaluated as an index of renal function and followed in the two mentioned groups under a normal protein diet and in "S" also under a low protein diet. The evolution was assessed by two functions of time: 1/(Cr) s and log e (Cr) s.

Verapamil effect on renal function of normotensive and hypertensive rats.

The effect of verapamil, a Ca++ antagonist drug, on renal function and proximal fluid reabsorption in normal and hypertensive (GII) rats was studied. During intravenous infusion of verapamil, mean arterial pressure (MAP) fell significantly in both groups, 23% more in hypertensive than in normotensive rats. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was significantly higher in hypertensive rats and also increased significantly in this group during verapamil infusion.

Proximal tubular acidification in metabolic alkalosis.

Metabolic alkalosis was induced in rats by acute bicarbonate loading in the presence and absence of extracellular volume (ECV) expansion. Proximal tubular acidification was studied by stopped-flow microperfusion and the determination of luminal pH by antimony microelectrodes. Stationary pH and bicarbonate were markedly increased in proximal tubules of alkalotic rats, and acidification half-times were increased, leading to a fall in net bicarbonate reabsorption (JHCO-3) to 36% of control values.