The Role of Aquaporin 4 in Lacrimal Gland Ductal Fluid Secretion in Mice.

Purpose: Earlier reports highlighted the predominant presence of aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in the duct cells of rabbit lacrimal glands (LGs). Whereas significant alterations in AQP4 mRNA levels have been observed in experimental dry eye and during pregnancy, the impact of AQP4 in LG ductal fluid production remains unclear. In our recent work, the role of AQP4 in LG ductal fluid secretion was investigated utilizing wild type (WT) and AQP4 knock out (KO) mice.

The regulatory role of vasoactive intestinal peptide in lacrimal gland ductal fluid secretion: A new piece of the puzzle in tear production.

Purpose: Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is an important regulator of lacrimal gland (LG) function although the effect of VIP on ductal fluid secretion is unknown. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the role of VIP in the regulation of fluid secretion of isolated LG ducts and to analyze the underlying intracellular mechanisms.

Methods: LGs from wild-type (WT) and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) knockout (KO) mice were used.

Alpha-Adrenergic Agonists Stimulate Fluid Secretion in Lacrimal Gland Ducts.

Purpose: The role of adrenergic innervation in the regulation of lacrimal gland (LG) ductal fluid secretion is unknown. The Aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of adrenergic stimulation on fluid secretion in isolated LG duct segments and to study the underlying intracellular mechanisms.

Methods: Fluid secretion of isolated mouse LG ducts was measured using video-microscopy.

Identification, Structural and Functional Characterization of Dormancy Regulator Genes in Apricot ( L.).

In the present study, we identified and characterized the apricot ( L.) homologs of three dormancy-related genes, namely the (), () and genes. All highly conserved structural motifs and the 3D model of the DNA-binding domain indicate an unimpaired DNA-binding ability of CBF1.

Novel Insight Into the Role of CFTR in Lacrimal Gland Duct Function in Mice.

Purpose: The role of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in lacrimal gland (LG) function has only recently received some attention, mainly from our group. In the present study, we investigated the potential changes of LG pathology, tear secretion, ocular surface integrity, and fluid secretion in isolated LG ducts from CFTR knockout (KO) mice.

Methods: Tear production and ocular surface integrity were investigated in anesthetized wild-type (WT) and KO mice using cotton threads and fluorescein staining, respectively.

Endothelin-1 induces organ-specific histamine liberation and neutrophil granulocyte accumulation in the rat.

Objective And Design: Enhanced production of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and the activation of mast cells (MCs) have been implicated in granulocyte sequestration. We compared local consequences of transient increases in circulating ET-1 in three separate circulatory beds in pentobarbital-anesthetized Wistar rats.

Materials And Methods: We determined whether pretreatment with ET-A receptor antagonist ETR-P1/fl peptide and MC stabilizer sodium cromoglycate would influence histamine- and granulocyte responses induced by 1 nmol/kg ET-1 iv.

The role of estrogen receptor subtypes in ameliorating hepatic injury following trauma-hemorrhage.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to determine which of the estrogen receptor (ER) subtypes plays a predominant role in ameliorating hepatic damage following trauma-hemorrhage.

Methods: Adult male rats were subjected to hemorrhagic shock (40 mmHg for 90 min) and resuscitation. ER-alpha agonist (PPT) or ER-beta agonist (DPN) was administered during resuscitation; rats were sacrificed 24h thereafter.

17beta-Estradiol modulates vasoconstriction induced by endothelin-1 following trauma-hemorrhage.

Although endothelin-1 (ET-1) induces vasoconstriction, it remains unknown whether 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) treatment following trauma-hemorrhage alters these ET-1-induced vasoconstrictive effects. In addition, the role of the specific estrogen receptor (ER) subtypes (ER-alpha and ER-beta) and the endothelium-localized downstream mechanisms of actions of E(2) remain unclear. We hypothesized that E(2) attenuates increased ET-1-induced vasoconstriction following trauma-hemorrhage via an ER-beta-mediated pathway.

A role of PPAR-gamma in androstenediol-mediated salutary effects on cardiac function following trauma-hemorrhage.

Objective: To examine the mechanism by which androstenediol improves cardiac function following trauma-hemorrhage (T-H).

Summary Background Data: Androstenediol administration improves cardiovascular function and attenuates proinflammatory cytokine production following T-H. Activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) has been shown to be protective following ischemic conditions.

Androstenediol ameliorates alterations in immune cells cytokine production capacity in a two-hit model of trauma-hemorrhage and sepsis.

Although administration of androstenediol (a metabolite of dehydroepiandrosterone) following trauma-hemorrhage (T-H) produces beneficial effects on inflammatory cytokines and organ function, it remains unknown whether this metabolite has any salutary effects in preventing alterations in immune cell cytokine production following a combined insult of T-H and sepsis. To examine this, male rats underwent laparotomy, hemorrhagic shock (mean BP 40 mmHg for 90 min) and resuscitation or sham operation. Androstenediol (1 mg/kg BW i.

Pathophysiology of ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Our studies characterized the intestinal microcirculatory changes in canine models of intestinal hypoperfusion (hemorrhagic shock) or ischemia-reperfusion (small bowel autotransplantation). The villus microcirculatory parameters (functional capillary density, mean red blood cell velocity) were observed by intravital microscopy using orthogonal polarization spectral imaging. The leukocyte reaction (rolling and firm adherence) in the mesentery was quantified by using conventional fluorescence videomicroscopy.

Androstenediol administration after trauma-hemorrhage attenuates inflammatory response, reduces organ damage, and improves survival following sepsis.

Although androstenediol (adiol or 5-androstene-3beta,17beta-diol), a metabolite of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), has protective effects following trauma-hemorrhage (T-H), it remains unknown whether administration of adiol has any salutary effects on the inflammatory response and outcome following a combined insult of T-H and sepsis. Male rats underwent T-H shock [mean arterial pressure (MAP) 40 mmHg for 90 min] followed by resuscitation. Adiol (1 mg/kg body wt) or vehicle was administered at the end of resuscitation.

Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl syndrome for kidney transplantation at the age of 57 years.

Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl syndrome represents a very rare indication for kidney transplantation. Previous reports mention only pediatric organ recipients with this diagnosis. We present the case of a Caucasian male patient who underwent a cadaveric renal transplantation at the age of 57 years.

Estradiol improves cardiac and hepatic function after trauma-hemorrhage: role of enhanced heat shock protein expression.

Although studies indicate that 17beta-estradiol administration after trauma-hemorrhage (T-H) improves cardiac and hepatic functions, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Because the induction of heat shock proteins (HSPs) can protect cardiac and hepatic functions, we hypothesized that these proteins contribute to the salutary effects of estradiol after T-H. To test this hypothesis, male Sprague-Dawley rats ( approximately 300 g) underwent laparotomy and hemorrhagic shock (35-40 mmHg for approximately 90 min) followed by resuscitation with four times the shed blood volume in the form of Ringer lactate.

Salutary effects of androstenediol on hepatic function after trauma-hemorrhage are mediated via peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma.

Background: A recent study suggested that administration of androstenediol (Adiol) after trauma-hemorrhage (T-H) improves hepatic functions; however, the mechanism responsible for the salutary effect of Adiol remains unknown. Although studies indicate similarities and association between the anti-inflammatory properties of Adiol and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), whether the salutary effects of Adiol are mediated via upregulation of PPARgamma remains unclear.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent laparotomy and approximately 90 minutes of hemorrhagic shock (40 mm Hg), followed by resuscitation with 4 times the shed blood volume in the form of Ringer's lactate.

Skeletal muscles, heart, and lung are the main sources of oxygen radicals in old rats.

The aim of this study was to compare rat tissues with respect to their reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) generating activities as a function of age. We quantified the RONS generation in vivo in young (6 months) and in old (30 months) male Sprague-Dawley rats using the recently developed spin trap 1-hydroxy-3-carboxy-pyrrolidine, applied intravenously. This spin trap reacts with superoxide radical and peroxynitrite yielding a stable spin adduct which is detectable by means of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy in frozen tissues.

Chiroptical properties of cation complexes of chiral phenazino-18-crown-6 ether-type hosts.

Herein we report CD spectroscopic studies on complexes of (R,R)-dimethyl-, (R,R)-diisobutyl-, and (S,S)-di-sec-butyl-phenazino-18-crown-6 ligands (Scheme 1) with selected alkali (Na+, K+), alkaline earth (Mg2+, Ca2+), and transition-metal (Ag+, Zn2+, Ni2+, Cd2+, Pb2+) cations. The complexation was monitored in the 300- to 240-nm region of the CD spectra comprising mainly the 1Bb band of the heteroaromatic subunit. The CD spectra of the complexes showed an unexpected diversity.

Mechanism of salutary effects of estradiol on organ function after trauma-hemorrhage: upregulation of heme oxygenase.

A growing body of evidence indicates that heme degradation products may counteract the deleterious consequences of hypoxia and/or ischemia-reperfusion injury. Because heme oxygenase (HO)-1 induction after adverse circulatory conditions is known to be protective, and because females in the proestrus cycle (with high estrogen) have better hepatic function and less hepatic damage than males after trauma-hemorrhage, we hypothesized that estrogen administration in males after trauma-hemorrhage will upregulate HO activity and protect the organs against dysfunction and injury. To test this hypothesis, male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent 5-cm laparotomy and hemorrhagic shock (35-40 mmHg for 93 +/- 2 min), followed by resuscitation with four times the shed blood volume in the form of Ringer lactate.

Gender differences in small intestinal perfusion following trauma hemorrhage: the role of endothelin-1.

Although gender differences in intestinal perfusion exist following trauma-hemorrhage (T-H), it remains unknown whether endothelin-1 (ET-1) plays any role in these dimorphic responses. To study this, male, proestrus female (female), and 17 beta-estradiol (E2)-treated male rats underwent midline laparotomy, hemorrhagic shock (blood pressure 40 mmHg, 90 min), and resuscitation (Ringer lactate, 4X shed blood volume, 1 h). Two hours thereafter, intestinal perfusion flow (IPF) was measured using isolated intestinal perfusion.

[Update treatment of hepatic encephalopathy].

According to morbidity data in Hungary, the number of death caused by liver diseases is still high. Liver diseases come 6th on the morbidity statistics. Nowadays, the living standards of patients appropriately treated are higher, these patients have longer living perspectives.

Mechanism of salutary effects of androstenediol on hepatic function after trauma-hemorrhage: role of endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthase.

Recent studies have shown that administration of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) after trauma-hemorrhage (T-H) improves cardiovascular and hepatic function in male animals. Although androstenediol, one of the DHEA metabolites, has been recently reported to produce salutary effects on cardiac function and splanchnic perfusion after T-H, it remains unknown whether androstenediol per se has any salutary effects on hepatic function under those conditions. To study this, male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent laparotomy and approximately 90 min of hemorrhagic shock (35-40 mmHg), followed by resuscitation with four times the shed blood volume in the form of Ringer lactate.