Human kisspeptins activate neuropeptide FF2 receptor.

We studied the possible activation of a neuropeptide FF2 receptor (NPFF2R) by kisspeptins, neuropeptides derived from the mouse and human metastin or Kiss-1 precursor. The hypothesis was that the human kisspeptins, which share the C-terminal dipeptide RF-NH(2) with NPFF, might activate the NPFF2R, as has previously been shown for two related peptides, prolactin-releasing peptide and RF-amide-related peptide. Using two-electrode voltage clamp of Xenopus oocytes, we found that 100 nM NPFF strongly activated the human NPFF2R expressed together with rat GIRK1/4 inward rectifier potassium channels, and that 100 nM hKisspeptin-13 and hKisspeptin-8 had about 25% relative efficacy to that of NPFF.

Effect of hypobaric hypoxia on the development of long-term posttetanic potentiation in slices of rat olfactory cortex: correction with hypoxic preconditioning.

We studied the effect of in vivo hypobaric hypoxia on the development (after 3 h) of in vitro long-term posttetanic potentiation in Wistar rats. Severe hypoxia suppressed induction of posttetanic potentiation in slices of the olfactory cortex. Preconditioning exposure (moderate hypobaric hypoxia) prevented inhibition of posttetanic potentiation induced by severe hypoxia.

The effects of corticotropin-releasing factor on anoxia-induced changes in evoked potentials in living slices of rat olfactory cortex.

Experiments were performed to address the dynamics of evoked focal potentials in slices of rat olfactory cortex during 10-min anoxia and subsequent reoxygenation. These experiments showed that perfusion with corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)--corticoliberin--at concentrations of 1, 10, and 100 nM had no effect on changes in EPSP parameters before or during anoxia. However, CRF (10 and 100 nM) significantly aided recovery of the amplitude and slope of EPSP during reoxygenation.

Ionol (BHT) produces superoxide anion.

In aqueous medium etiolated wheat seedlings release superoxide anion (O2*-). Interaction of a synthetic antioxidant, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT, ionol), with oxygen in the aqueous medium is accompanied by O2*- formation. This suggests that under certain conditions BHT behaves as a prooxidant.

The effects of corticoliberin at different concentrations on long-term potentiation in slices of rat olfactory cortex.

Experiments were performed to investigate evoked focal potentials in slices of rat olfactory cortex. The results showed that 1 microM corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF; corticoliberin) increases the frequency of posttetanic potentiation, which had a shorter delay phase than in control experiments. Posttetanic potentiation during perfusion with 0.