Increased insulin secretion by muscarinic M1 and M3 receptor function from rat pancreatic islets in vitro.

Parasympathetic system plays an important role in insulin secretion from the pancreas. Cholinergic effect on pancreatic beta cells exerts primarily through muscarinic receptors. In the present study we investigated the specific role of muscarinic M1 and M3 receptors in glucose induced insulin secretion from rat pancreatic islets in vitro.

Muscarinic M1 and M3 receptor binding alterations in pancreas during pancreatic regeneration of young rats.

The importance of muscarinic receptors in proliferation of different cell types and in insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells has been extensively studied. However, the role of pancreatic muscarinic receptors during pancreatic regeneration has not yet been studied. For the first time, the functional status of the muscarinic M1 and M3 receptors in regeneration of the pancreas is investigated here.

Alterations in the muscarinic M1 and M3 receptor gene expression in the brain stem during pancreatic regeneration and insulin secretion in weanling rats.

Muscarinic M1 and M3 receptor changes in the brain stem during pancreatic regeneration were investigated. Brain stem acetylcholine esterase activity decreased at the time of regeneration. Sympathetic activity also decreased as indicated by the norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (EPI) content of adrenals and also in the plasma.

Hypothyroidism and nutritional status alter 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) receptors in isolated liver nuclei of Anabas testudineus (Bloch).

T3 receptors are ligand-dependent transcriptional activators that can stimulate gene expression resulting in growth and development. In this study T3 binding sites on isolated liver nuclei are demonstrated in the teleost Anabas testudineus. The effect of hypothyroidism and feeding of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on T3 receptor number and binding affinity was also studied.

Pregnancy following cardiac valve replacement surgery.

Objectives: To study the outcome of pregnancy in women with artificial heart valves and to compare the maternal and perinatal outcome in mechanical and bioprosthetic valves.

Method: Retrospective analysis of 34 pregnancies in 29 women who conceived after cardiac valve replacement was carried out.

Results: The majority of women (76.