Prenatal cigarette smoke exposure slightly alters neurobehavioral development in neonatal rats: Implications for developmental origins of health and disease (DoHAD).

Numerous studies indicate that smoking during pregnancy exerts harmful effects on fetal brain development. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of maternal smoking during pregnancy on the early physical and neurobehavioral development of newborn rats. Wistar rats were subjected to whole-body smoke exposure for 2 × 40 min daily from the day of mating until day of delivery.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide concentrations in the sheep mammary gland, milk, and in the lamb blood plasma after suckling.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is involved in development and reproduction. We previously described elevated PACAP levels in the milk compared to the plasma, and the presence of its specific PAC1 receptor in the mammary gland. This study aimed to determine PACAP and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) levels in female suckling lambs compared to ewe plasma and mammary gland, as well as their age-dependent alterations.

Chronic stress-induced mechanical hyperalgesia is controlled by capsaicin-sensitive neurones in the mouse.

Background: Clinical studies demonstrated peripheral nociceptor deficit in stress-related chronic pain states, such as fibromyalgia. The interactions of stress and nociceptive systems have special relevance in chronic pain, but the underlying mechanisms including the role of specific nociceptor populations remain unknown. We investigated the role of capsaicin-sensitive neurones in chronic stress-related nociceptive changes.

A novel 3-(4,5-diphenyl-1,3-oxazol-2-yl)propanal oxime compound is a potent Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 and Vanilloid 1 (TRPA1 and V1) receptor antagonist.

Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 and Vanilloid 1 (TRPA1, TRPV1) ion channels expressed on nociceptive primary sensory neurons are important regulators of pain and inflammation. TRPA1 is activated by several inflammatory mediators including formaldehyde and methylglyoxal that are products of the semicarbazide-sensitive amine-oxidase enzyme (SSAO). SZV-1287 is a new 3-(4,5-diphenyl-1,3-oxazol-2-yl)propanal oxime SSAO inhibitor, its chemical structure is similar to other oxime derivatives described as TRPA1 antagonists.

Stimulatory effect of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide 6-38, M65 and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide 6-28 on trigeminal sensory neurons.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) acts on G protein-coupled receptors: the specific PAC1 and VPAC1/VPAC2 receptors. PACAP6-38 was described as a potent PAC1/VPAC2 antagonist in several models, but recent studies reported its agonistic behaviors proposing novel receptorial mechanisms. Since PACAP in migraine is an important research tool, we investigated the effect of PACAP and its peptide fragments on trigeminal primary sensory neurons.

The selective PAC1 receptor agonist maxadilan inhibits neurogenic vasodilation and edema formation in the mouse skin.

We have earlier shown that PACAP-38 decreases neurogenic inflammation. However, there were no data on its receptorial mechanism and the involvement of its PAC1 and VPAC1/2 receptors (PAC1R, VPAC1/2R) in this inhibitory effect. Neurogenic inflammation in the mouse ear was induced by topical application of the Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) receptor activator mustard oil (MO).

Examination of PACAP38-like immunoreactivity in different milk and infant formula samples.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide with special importance in reproductive and developmental processes. PACAP is found in two bioactive forms: PACAP27 and PACAP38. Recently, we have described that PACAP38 is present in high levels in the milk of human and ruminant animals.

Effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide on human sperm motility.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP), a neuropeptide with diverse effects, was originally isolated as a hypothalamo-hypophyseal peptide. Subsequent studies showed highest levels of PACAP in the testis after the brain, suggesting that it influences the development and functioning of spermatozoa. Indeed, it has been proven that PACAP has an effect on spermatogenesis, both locally and via influencing the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-gonadal axis.

Comparative examination of inner ear in wild type and pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP)-deficient mice.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a multifunctional neuropeptide with well-known neuroprotective and neurotrophic effects. The involvement of PACAP in sensory processing has also been documented, but little is known about its effects in the auditory system. PACAP and its specific receptor (PAC1) are present in the cochlea and in brain structures involved in auditory pathways.

Mice deficient in pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) are more susceptible to retinal ischemic injury in vivo.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a neuroprotective peptide exerting protective effects in neuronal injuries. We have provided evidence that PACAP is neuroprotective in several models of retinal degeneration in vivo. Our previous studies showed that PACAP treatment ameliorated the damaging effects of chronic hypoperfusion modeled by permanent bilateral carotid artery occlusion.

Involvement of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 receptors in protease-activated receptor-2-induced joint inflammation and nociception.

Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) is a G-protein-coupled receptor activated through proteolytic cleavage. It is localized on epithelial, endothelial and inflammatory cells, as well as on transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptor-expressing neurones. It plays an important role in inflammatory/nociceptive processes.

Mustard oil induces a transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 receptor-independent neurogenic inflammation and a non-neurogenic cellular inflammatory component in mice.

A neurogenic component has been suggested to play a pivotal role in a range of inflammatory/immune diseases. Mustard oil (allyl-isothiocyanate) has been used in studies of inflammation to mediate neurogenic vasodilatation and oedema in rodent skin. The aim of the present study was to analyse mustard oil-induced oedema and neutrophil accumulation in the mouse ear focussing on the roles of neurokinin 1 (NK(1)) and vanilloid (TRPV1) receptors using normal (BALB/c, C57BL/6) as well as NK(1) and TRPV1 receptor knockout mice.

Substance P radioimmunoassay for quantitative characterization of sensory neurotransmitter release.

In the present work we report the development of a new radioimmunoassay method for measuring the substance P content liberated from isolated rat tracheae in response to electrical or chemical (capsaicin, resiniferatoxin, piperine) stimulation. The amount of substance P released by electrical stimulation has been found to be dependent on the number of pulses and chemically elicited substance P release also proved to be dose-dependent. Our findings reinforce previous data that resiniferatoxin is approximately 100 times more potent than capsaicin and the potency ratio between piperine and capsaicin is 1/50.