A cannabinoid ligand, anandamide, exacerbates endotoxin-induced uveitis in rabbits.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of anandamide or arachidonylethanolamide (AEA), an endogenous cannabinoid receptor agonist, on intraocular inflammation in an endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) model in rabbits.

Methods: Forty New Zealand albino male rabbits were used (5 groups, 8 animals in each). After establishment of sufficient anesthesia, animals were taken under surgery for intravitreal injections.

Enhancement effects of nicotine on neurogenic relaxation responses in the corpus cavernosum in rabbits: the role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes.

Nicotine acts as an agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which belong to a superfamily of neurotransmitter-gated ion channels. We previously demonstrated that nicotine increases the electrical field stimulation (EFS)-evoked nitrergic relaxation responses via activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The aim of the present study is to investigate the subtypes of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in rabbit corpus cavernosum.

Role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes on nicotine-induced neurogenic contractile response alternation in the rabbit gastric fundus.

Nicotine is a nonspecific agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. We previously demonstrated that nicotine increases the electrical field stimulation (EFS)-evoked contractile responses possibly by facilitating neurotransmitters release from nerve terminals by a mechanism dependent on the influx of Ca(2+) from voltage gated Ca(2+) channels via activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. The aim of this study is to investigate subtypes of presynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors involved in nicotine induced EFS-evoked contractile response alternation in the rabbit gastric fundus.

Hydrogen peroxide and antioxidizing enzymes involved in modulation of transient facilitatory effects of nicotine on neurogenic contractile responses in rat gastric fundus.

Nicotine acts as an agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors play a role in the modulation of neurotransmitter release in both the central and the peripheral nervous system. Moderate reactive oxygen species levels modulate the regulation of physiological functions e.

Nicotine potentiates the electrical field stimulation-evoked contraction of non-pregnant rabbit myometrium.

The women who smoke have lower fertility rates which might be due to harmful effects of nicotine on tubal function and menstrual cycle. Although the uterine contractility of the non-pregnant uterus plays an important role in the human reproduction process, the influence of nicotine on the contractile responses in uterus is not known. Nicotine increases the release of neurotransmitters following nerve stimulation both in the central and peripheral nervous system through acting on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAchRs).

Nicotine potentiates the neurogenic contractile response of rabbit bladder tissue via nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: nitric oxide and prostaglandins have no role in this process.

Nicotine, a nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) agonist, has a role in modulation of the neurotransmitter release following nerve stimulation in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. The aim of this study was to determine whether electrical field stimulation (EFS)-evoked contractions are altered in rabbit bladder in the presence of nicotine and, if an alteration occurs, to investigate the effects of nitric oxide and prostaglandins on nicotine-induced alternation in isolated rabbit bladder. EFS-evoked contractile responses from rabbit bladder obtained were recorded with isometric force displacement transducers.

Effects of mexiletine on electrical field stimulation-induced contractile responses in the ipsilateral and contralateral vasa deferentia after unilateral testicular torsion/detorsion.

Aim: To investigate testicular torsion-induced changes on the electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced contractions in rabbit vasa deferentia and to evaluate the effect of mexiletine.

Methods: 18 male New Zealand albino rabbits were used in this experiment. Rabbits were divided into three groups: (1) control group (n = 6); (2) torsion group (n = 6), and (3) mexiletine group (n = 6).

Effects of cannabinoid receptor activation on rabbit bisected vas deferens strips.

1. In the present study, the effects of anandamide and WIN 55,212-2, cannabinoid receptor agonists, were investigated on electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced biphasic twitch responses obtained from the epididymal and prostatic portions of rabbit vas deferens strips. 2.

Effects of amifostine on glycerol-pretreated rabbit kidneys.

Glycerol-induced acute renal failure is an experimental model for myoglobinuric nephropathy. Amifostine is a cytoprotective agent which scavenges the free radicals. Since there is enhanced production of reactive oxygen metabolites in glycerol-induced acute renal failure, we wanted to examine whether amifostine has a protective role against vascular reactivity and histological changes in kidneys isolated from glycerol-pretreated rabbits.

The effects of melatonin on electrical field stimulation-evoked biphasic twitch responses in the ipsilateral and contralateral rat vasa deferentia after unilateral testicular torsion/detorsion.

It is not known whether there is an impairment in vas deferens motility after unilateral testicular torsion/detorsion. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether the electrical field stimulation (EFS)-evoked biphasic contractions are altered in ipsilateral and contralateral rat vasa deferentia obtained from animals exposed to the unilateral testicular torsion/detorsion procedure. We also evaluated the effects of melatonin (MLT), which is a strong antioxidant, on these contractile responses.

Effects of platelet-activating factor on nitrergic transmission in rabbit corpus cavernosum.

Aim: The information currently available suggests that nonadrenergic noncholinergic (NANC) transmitters, particularly nitric oxide, are involved in the relaxation of penile erectile tissues. Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a chemical mediator and is involved in many physiological and pathophysiological events. It is well known that several of the vascular actions of PAF are mediated by the generation of nitric oxide.