Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus Gαi (Guanine Nucleotide-Binding Protein Alpha Inhibiting Activity Polypeptide 2) Protein-Mediated Neural Control of the Kidney and the Salt Sensitivity of Blood Pressure.

We have previously reported that in salt-resistant rat phenotypes brain, Gαi (guanine nucleotide-binding protein alpha inhibiting activity polypeptide 2) proteins are required to maintain blood pressure and sodium balance. However, the impact of hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) Gαi proteins on the salt sensitivity of blood pressure is unknown. Here, by the bilateral PVN administration of a targeted Gαi oligodeoxynucleotide, we show that PVN-specific Gαi proteins are required to facilitate the full natriuretic response to an acute volume expansion (peak natriuresis [μeq/min] scrambled (SCR) oligodeoxynucleotide 41±3 versus Gαi oligodeoxynucleotide 18±4; <0.

Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals Cause Apoptosis in HL-1 Cardiomyocytes.

Samples of environmental particulate matter contain environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) capable of sustained generation of oxygen radicals. While exposure to EPFRs produces cardiac toxicity and oxidative stress in experimental animals, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. To determine whether EPFRs could directly damage cardiomyocytes, cultured mouse cardiomyocytes (HL-1) and primary rat adult left ventricular myocytes (ALVM) were incubated with an EPFR consisting of 1,2-dichlorobenzene chemisorbed to CuO-coated silica beads (DCB230).

Comparison of the behavioral and cardiovascular effects of mephedrone with other drugs of abuse in rats.

Rationale: Exceedingly little experimental research exists on the popular recreational drug mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) despite clinical reports concerning its behavioral and cardiovascular toxicity.

Objectives: To characterize mephedrone preclinically by examining its capacity to (1) serve as a discriminative stimulus, (2) disrupt the acquisition of response sequences, and (3) disrupt mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR).

Methods And Results: In one group of subjects that reliably discriminated 3.