Objective: To study roles of cholinergic M2 and M3 receptors in the motility reduction of small intestine (SI) in spleen qi deficiency. Methods: 16 male SD rats were randomly divided in the control group and spleen qi...Objective: To study roles of cholinergic M2 and M3 receptors in the motility reduction of small intestine (SI) in spleen qi deficiency. Methods: 16 male SD rats were randomly divided in the control group and spleen qi deficiency group (model group)—8 rats each group;spleen qi deficiency model of the improper diet and overfatigue was established;the SI propelling rate (SIPR) was used to evaluate the SI motility;ELISA was used to measure concentrations of acetylcholine (ACh), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and protein kinase A (PKA) in the SI tissue;immohistochemistry was employed to detect expressions of cholinergic M2 and M3 receptors. Results: Compared with those in the control group, SIPR was reduced;expression of M2 receptors was increased;and expression of M3 receptors and concentrations of cAMP and PKA were decreased, significantly, in the model group. Conclusions: Expression imbalance of cholinergic M2 and M3 receptors might contribute to the motility reduction of the SI in spleen qi deficiency.展开更多
A technique for studying in vivo the production rate and turnover rate constant of mouse brain M-receptors was established. A single injection of 25 mg / kg of Benzilylcholine Mustard to living mice resulted in 90 % i...A technique for studying in vivo the production rate and turnover rate constant of mouse brain M-receptors was established. A single injection of 25 mg / kg of Benzilylcholine Mustard to living mice resulted in 90 % irreversible block of brain M-receptors. The time course of the receptor density was then monitored by 3H-QNB binding assay and the production rate and turnover rate constant were calculated from the time course curve with a computer program. It was found that in normal mice the turnover rate constant was about 0.035 h-1 (half-life was about 20 h) and the production rate was 30-42 fmol / (h ·mg protein). Parallel experiments revealed a significant slow down of the turnover of brain M-receptors in hypothyroid mice (turnover rate constant was 0.0257±0.0012 h-1 in hypothyroid vs. 0.0356±0.0021 h-1 in normal) while the production rate was not changed significantly. The results suggest that thyroid hormones have a regulatory action on the turnover of brain M-receptors and the elevation of brain M-receptor density together with slow down of the turnover of brain M- receptors is probably one of the important mechanisms relevant to the brain dysfunction in hypothyroidism.展开更多
For investigating the effect of acupuncture on ischemic arrhythmia and its mech-anism, adult albino rats with ligated anterior descending branch of coronary artery as experimentalmodel were treated with or without acu...For investigating the effect of acupuncture on ischemic arrhythmia and its mech-anism, adult albino rats with ligated anterior descending branch of coronary artery as experimentalmodel were treated with or without acupuncture, and others with imitative operation but without bothcoronary artery ligation and acupuncture treatment were used as control. It was found in acupuncturegroup that the fibrillation-liability of ischemic myocardium was efficiently decreased, the affinity ofAch-M receptors on membranes of ischemic myocardium was markedly increased, and the tolerance ofischemic myocardium to atropine was elevated in the experiment of atropine inducing fibrillation.These results indicate that acupuncture may play a therapeutic role on ischemic arrhythmia throughactivating the activity of muscarine-like receptors of cholinergic nervous system.展开更多
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis suffer from chronic and relapsing intestinal inflammation that favours the development of colitis associated cancer (CAC). This...Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis suffer from chronic and relapsing intestinal inflammation that favours the development of colitis associated cancer (CAC). This inflammation is initiated by aberrant activations of the innate immune responses associated to intestinal barrier defects. The conventional medical therapies consist to decrease the inflammatory response, which also decrease the risk of colon carcinoma but lead to severe side-effects. Recently, a number of animal studies have demonstrated that innate immune responses are attenuated by stimulation of the efferent arm of vagus nerve (VN) through its neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), that acts on resident macrophages α7 nicotinic receptor (α7 nAChR). ACh also acts as a signalling molecule in epithetlial cells through cholinergic receptors such as nAChR or muscarinic (mAChR) receptors. In the current study, we aimed to extend these findings to CAC prevention by treating human adenocarcinoma cell lines through targeting cholinergic receptors with nicotine (which binds nAChR) and ACh (which binds both cholinergic receptors). Using HT-29 and Caco-2 cell lines, we demonstrated that ACh-induced activation of mAChR results in cell dissociation together with changes in expression and localization of intestinal tight and adherens junction proteins. ACh-induced modulation of cell adhesion proprieties correlates with the acquisition of invasive potential. By contrast, nicotine-mediated activation of nAChR maintains epithelial cell organisation. ACh-released by VN stimulation (VNS) could effectively preserve epithelium integrity thus limiting inflammatory response and tumor development. However, attention should be paid on the nature of the cholinergic receptor solicited. Indeed, regarding to the protective effects of nAChR signalling on epithelial cells, activation of mAChR would worsen the disease and led to increase inflammation. These data have important repercussions on the therapeutic potential of VNS in IBD and CAC, which may represent “the yin and yang” of the intestinal homeostasis.展开更多
Objectives To explore the relationship between serum autoantibodies against myocardial β1-adrenergic, M2-cholinergic receptors and chronic Keshan disease (CKD). Methods The second extracellular loops of β1 and...Objectives To explore the relationship between serum autoantibodies against myocardial β1-adrenergic, M2-cholinergic receptors and chronic Keshan disease (CKD). Methods The second extracellular loops of β1 and M2 receptors on human cardiomyocytes were used as the antigens. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to determine serum autoantibodies against myocardial β1 and ME receptors in 32 CKD patients. 31 healthy subjects from endemic area were selected as the control. Results Positive rate of autoantibodies against myocardial β1 adrenergic (51.3%, 17/32) and M2 cholinergic (56.3% , 18/32) receptors were significantly higher than those in the control (9.7%, 3/ 31; 12.9%, 4/31) (both P〈 0.01). Both positive rate and titers of above autoantibodies in NYHA Ⅱ - Ⅲ CKD patients were significantly higher than those in NYHA Ⅳ, demonstrating an apparently positive correlation between serum antibodies against myocardial β1 and M2 receptors (r=0.95). Conclusions Autoantibodies against myocardial β1 and M2 receptors were found in sera of CKD patients; distribution of positive rate and titers of the autoantibodies in CKD patients in various NYHA are significantly different. classes of cardiac function展开更多
AIM:To investigate the involvement of pericyte-Müller glia interaction in retinal damage repair and assess the influence of suppressing the platelet-derived growth factor receptorβ(PDGFRβ)signaling pathway in r...AIM:To investigate the involvement of pericyte-Müller glia interaction in retinal damage repair and assess the influence of suppressing the platelet-derived growth factor receptorβ(PDGFRβ)signaling pathway in retinal pericytes on photoreceptor loss and Müller glial response.METHODS:Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to intense light to induce retinal injury.Neutralizing antibody against PDGFRβwere deployed to block the signaling pathway in retinal pericytes through intravitreal injection.Retinal histology and Müller glial reaction were assessed following light injury.In vitro,normal and PDGFRβ-blocked retinal pericytes were cocultured with Müller cell line(rMC-1)to examine morphological and protein expression changes upon supplementation with light-injured supernatants of homogenized retinas(SHRs).RESULTS:PDGFRβblockage 24h prior to intense light exposure resulted in a significant exacerbation of photoreceptor loss.The upregulation of GFAP and p-STAT3,observed after intense light exposure,was significantly inhibited in the PDGFRβblockage group.Fur ther upregulation of cytokines monocyte chemoattractant protein 1(MCP-1)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)was also observed following PDGFRβinhibition.In the in vitro coculture system,the addition of light-injured SHRs induced pericyte deformation and upregulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)expression,while Müller cells exhibited neuron-like morphology and expressed Nestin.However,PDGFRβblockage in retinal pericytes abolished these cellular responses to light-induced damage,consistent with the in vivo PDGFRβblockage findings.CONCLUSION:Pericyte-Müller glia interaction plays a potential role in the endogenous repair process of retinal injury.Impairment of this interaction exacerbates photoreceptor degeneration in light-induced retinal injury.展开更多
AIM: To compare expression of nicotinic cholinergic receptors(CHRNs) in healthy and squamous cell carcinoma-affected esophagus and determine the prognostic value.METHODS: We performed RT-q PCR to measure the expressio...AIM: To compare expression of nicotinic cholinergic receptors(CHRNs) in healthy and squamous cell carcinoma-affected esophagus and determine the prognostic value.METHODS: We performed RT-q PCR to measure the expression of CHRNs in 44 esophageal samples from healthy individuals and in matched normal surrounding mucosa, and in tumors from 28 patientsdiagnosed with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC). Next, we performed correlation analysis for the detected expression of these receptors with the habits and clinico-pathological characteristics of all study participants. In order to investigate the possible correlations between the expression of the different CHRN subunits in both healthy esophagus and tissues from ESCC patients, correlation matrices were generated. Subsequently, we evaluated whether the detected alterations in expression of the various CHRNs could precede histopathological modifications during the esophageal carcinogenic processes by using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Finally, we evaluated the impact of CHRNA5 and CHRNA7 expression on overall survival by using multivariate analysis.RESULTS: CHRNA3, CHRNA5, CHRNA7 and CHRNB4, but not CHRNA1, CHRNA4, CHRNA9 or CHRNA10, were found to be expressed in normal(healthy) esophageal mucosa. In ESCC, CHRNA5 and CHRNA7 were overexpressed as compared with patient-matched surrounding non-tumor mucosa(ESCC-adjacent mucosa; P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0091, respectively). Positive correlations were observed between CHRNA3 and CHRNB4 expression in all samples analyzed. Additionally, CHRNB4 was found to be differentially expressed in the healthy esophagus and the normalappearing ESCC-adjacent mucosa, allowing for distinguishment between these tissues with a sensitivity of 75.86% and a specificity of 78.95%(P = 0.0002). Finally, CHRNA5 expression was identified as an independent prognostic factor in ESCC; patients with high CHRNA5 expression showed an increased overall survival, in comparison with those with low expression. The corresponding age- and tumor stage-adjusted hazard ratio was 0.2684(95%CI: 0.075-0.97, P = 0.0448).CONCLUSION: Expression of CHRNs is homogeneous along healthy esophagus and deregulated in ESCC, suggesting a pathogenic role for these receptors in ESCC development and progression.展开更多
Whether M3 cholinergic receptor signal transduction pathway is involved in regulation of the activation of NF-κB and the expression of chemokine MOB-1, MCP-1genes in pancreatic acinar cells was investigated. Rat panc...Whether M3 cholinergic receptor signal transduction pathway is involved in regulation of the activation of NF-κB and the expression of chemokine MOB-1, MCP-1genes in pancreatic acinar cells was investigated. Rat pancreatic acinar cells were isolated, cultured and treated with carbachol, atropine and PDTC in vitro. The MOB-1 and MCP-1 mRNA expression was detected by using RT-PCR. The activation of NF-κB was monitored by using electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The results showed that as compared with control group, M3 cholinergic receptor agonist (10 -3 mol/L, 10 -4 mol/L carbachol) could induce a concentration-dependent and time-dependent increase in the expression of MOB-1, MCP-1 mRNA in pancreatic acinar cells. After treatment with 10 -3 mol/L carbachol for 2 h, the expression of MOB-1, MCP-1 mRNA was strongest. The activity of NF-κB in pancreatic acinar cells was significantly increased (P<0.01) after treated with M3 cholinergic receptor agonist (10 -3 mol/L carbachol) in vitro for 30 min. Either M3 cholinergic receptor antagonist (10 -5 mol/L atropine) or NF-κB inhibitor (10 -2 mol/L PDTC) could obviously inhibit the activation of NF-κB and the chemokine MOB-1, MCP-1 mRNA expression induced by carbachol (P<0.05). This inhibitory effect was significantly increased by atropine plus PDTC (P<0.01). The results of these studies indicated that M3 cholinergic receptor signal transduction pathway was likely involved in regulation of the expression of chemokine MOB-1 and MCP-1genes in pancreatic acinar cells in vitro through the activation of NF-κB.展开更多
Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is a progressive cognitive disorder that develops predominantly in elderly patients and is characterized by cognitive impairments affecting memory,learning,and attention(Selkoe,2002).
Puerarin, a major isoflavonoid derived from the Chinese medical herb radix puerariae (Gegen), has been reported to inhibit neuronal apoptosis and play an anti-inflammatory role in focal cerebral ischemia model rats....Puerarin, a major isoflavonoid derived from the Chinese medical herb radix puerariae (Gegen), has been reported to inhibit neuronal apoptosis and play an anti-inflammatory role in focal cerebral ischemia model rats. Recent findings regarding stroke pathophysiology have recognized that anti-inflammation is an important target for the treatment of ischemic stroke. The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway is a highly robust neural-immune mechanism for inflammation control. This study was to investigate whether activating the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway can be involved in the mechanism of inhibiting the inflammatory response during puerarin-induced cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats. Results showed that puerarin pretreatment (intravenous injection) re- duced the ischemic infarct volume, improved neurological deficit after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion and decreased the levels of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-a in brain tissue. Pretreatment with puerarin (intravenous injection) attenuated the inflammatory response in rats, which was accompanied by janus-activated kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-KB) inhibition. These observa- tions were inhibited by the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (a7nAchR) antagonist a-bungarotoxin (a-BGT). In addition, puerarin pretreatment increased the expression of a7nAchR mRNA in ischemic cerebral tissue. These data demonstrate that puerarin pretreatment strongly protects the brain against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury and inhibits the inflammatory re- sponse. Our results also indicated that the anti-inflammatory effect of puerarin may partly be medi- ated through the activation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the pathway(s)mediating rat antral circular smooth muscle contractile responses to the cholinomimetic agent,bethanechol and the subtypes of muscarinic receptors mediating the cholinergic contraction...AIM:To investigate the pathway(s)mediating rat antral circular smooth muscle contractile responses to the cholinomimetic agent,bethanechol and the subtypes of muscarinic receptors mediating the cholinergic contraction. METHODS:Circular smooth muscle strips from the antrum of Sprague-Dawley rats were mounted in muscle baths in Krebs buffer.Isometric tension was recorded.Cumulative concentration-response curves were obtained for(+)-cis- dioxolane(cD),a nonspecific muscarinic agonist,at 10^(-8)- 10^(-4)mol/L,in the presence of tetrodotoxin(TTX,10^(-7)mol/L). Results were normalized to cross sectional area.A repeat concentration-response curve was obtained after incubation of the muscle for 90 min with antagonists for M1(pirenzepine), M2(methoctramine)and M3(darifenadn)muscarinic receptor subtypes.The sensitivity to PTX was tested by the ip injection of 100 mg/kg of PTX 5 d before the experiment.The antral circular smooth muscles were removed from PTX-treated and non-treated rats as strips and dispersed smooth muscle cells to identify whether PTX-linked pathway mediated the contractility to bethanechol. RESULTS:A dose-dependent contractile response observed with bethanechol,was not affected by TTx.The pretreatment of rats with pertussis toxin decreased the contraction induced by bethanechol.Lack of calcium as well as the presence of the L-type calcium channel blocker,nifedipine,also inhibited the cholinergic contraction,with a reduction in response from 2.5±0.4 g/mm^2 to 1.2±0.4 g/mm^2(P<0.05).The dose- response curves were shifted to the right by muscarinic antagonists in the following order of affinity:darifenacin (M_3)>methocramine(M_2)>pirenzepine(M_1). CONCLUSION:The muscarinic receptors-dependent contraction of rat antral circular smooth muscles was linked to the signal transduction pathway(s)involving pertussis-toxin sensitive GTP-binding proteins and to extracellular calcium via L-type voltage gated calcium channels.The presence of the residual contractile response after the treatment with nifedipine,suggests that an additional pathway could mediate the cholinergic contraction.The involvement of more than one muscarinic receptor(functionally predominant type 3 over type 2)also suggests more than one pathway mediating the cholinergic contraction in rat antrum.展开更多
Myasthenia gravis(MG)is an autoimmune disorder that affects the neuromuscular junction.The primary pathology in MG involves the presence of autoantibodies to acetylcholine receptors(AChRs),which results in qualitative...Myasthenia gravis(MG)is an autoimmune disorder that affects the neuromuscular junction.The primary pathology in MG involves the presence of autoantibodies to acetylcholine receptors(AChRs),which results in qualitative and quantitative reductions in the availability of functional AChRs.Cardiac muscles are also affected,resulting in various perioperative cardiac complications.Antistriational antibodies are commonly reported in MG cases with cardiac involvement.In the presence of thymoma,the prevalence of cardiac manifestations in patients with MG increases to approximately 10%-15%.Cardiac involvement in MG may range from asymptomatic electrocardiogram changes to ventricular tachycardia,myocarditis,conduction disorders,heart failure,and sudden death.Increased incidence of atrial fibrillation,ventricular and supraventricular extra systoles,and prolonged QTc have also been reported in patients with MG.Clinicians should consider the evaluation of autonomic dysfunction and risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with MG.展开更多
Berberine(BBR) is an isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from Rhizoma coptidis and has been used for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) in China. The development of T2 DM is often associated with insulin resistan...Berberine(BBR) is an isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from Rhizoma coptidis and has been used for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) in China. The development of T2 DM is often associated with insulin resistance and impaired glucose uptake in peripheral tissues. In this study, we examined whether BBR attenuated glucose uptake dysfunction through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in Hep G2 cells. Cellular glucose uptake, quantified by the 2-[N-(7-Nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)-amino]-2-deoxy-D-glucose(2-NBDG), was inhibited by 21% after Hep G2 cells were incubated with insulin(10-6 mol/L) for 36 h. Meanwhile, the expression of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor(α7n ACh R) protein was reduced without the change of acetylcholinesterase(ACh E) activity. The level of interleukin-6(IL-6) in the culture supernatant, the ratio of phosphorylated I-kappa-B kinase-β(IKKβ) Ser181/IKKβ and the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) p65 protein were also increased. However, the treatment with BBR enhanced the glucose uptake, increased the expression of α7n ACh R protein and inhibited ACh E activity. These changes were also accompanied with the decrease of the ratio of p IKKβ Ser181/IKKβ, NF-κB p65 expression and IL-6 level. Taken together, these results suggest that BBR could enhance glucose uptake, and relieve insulin resistance and inflammation in Hep G2 cells. The mechanism may be related to the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway and the inhibition of ACh E activity.展开更多
Summary: In this study, we tested the hypothesis that volatile anesthetic enhancement of muscle relaxation is the result of combined drug effects on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The poly A m RNA from muscle ...Summary: In this study, we tested the hypothesis that volatile anesthetic enhancement of muscle relaxation is the result of combined drug effects on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The poly A m RNA from muscle by isolation were microinjected into Xenopus oocytes for receptor expression. Concentration-effect curves for the inhibition of Ach-induced currents were established for vecuronium, rocuranium, and isoflurane. Subsequently, inhibitory effects of NDMRs were studied in the presence of the isoflurane at a concentration equivalent to half the concentration producing a 50 % inhibition alone. All tested drugs produced rapid and readily reversible concentration-dependent inhibition. The 50 % inhibitory concentration values were 889 μmol/L (95 % CI: 711-1214 μmol), 33.4 μmol (95 % CI: 27.1-41.7 nmol) and 9.2 nmol (95 % CI: 7.9-12.3 nmol) for isoflurane, rocuranium and vecuronium, respectively. Coapplication of isoflurane significantly enhanced the inhibitory effects of rocuranium and vecuronium, and it was especially so at low concentration of NMDRs. Isoflurane increases the potency of NDMRs, possibly by enhancing antagonist affinity at the receptor site.展开更多
The cholinergic system is involved in a broad spectrum of brain function, and its failure has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease. Acetylcholine transduces signals through muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine re...The cholinergic system is involved in a broad spectrum of brain function, and its failure has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease. Acetylcholine transduces signals through muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, both of which influence synaptic plasticity and cognition. However, the mechanisms that relate the rapid gating of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors to persistent changes in brain function have remained elusive. Recent evidence indicates that nicotinic acetylcholine receptors activities affect synaptic morphology and density, which result in persistent rearrangements of neural connectivity. Further investigations of the relationships between nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and rearrangements of neural circuitry in the central nervous system may help understand the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.展开更多
Autoradiography of nicotinic acetytcholine receptors(N-ACHR)with the application ofhistochemical staining location of cholinesterase was used to observe the effect of soman onjunctional and extrajunctional N-AChR.Test...Autoradiography of nicotinic acetytcholine receptors(N-ACHR)with the application ofhistochemical staining location of cholinesterase was used to observe the effect of soman onjunctional and extrajunctional N-AChR.Testing with the diaphragms and extensor digitorum longusmuscles of mice and rats,we found that soman mainly increased the number of extrajunctionalN-AChR.It did not alter the number of junctional N-AChR significantly,nor did it have any pro-nouneed effects on the gtycoprotein property and isoelectfic point(pI)of junctional andextrajunctional N-AChR.The change of extrajunctional N-AChR number caused by somanis similar to the phenomenon of increased extrajunctional N-AChR number and sensitivity resultingfrom denervation,but the mechanism of action is different from the latter.The increase ofN-AChR number is one of the important characteristics of soman poisoning which make it differ-ent from other nerve agents.To maintain the metabofic balance of N-AChR may be an importantnew approach to the treatment of soman poisoning.展开更多
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediate a wide variety of physiological function. GPCR signaling is negatively regulated by the receptor desensitization, a procedure initiated by a group of kinases, including GPCR...G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediate a wide variety of physiological function. GPCR signaling is negatively regulated by the receptor desensitization, a procedure initiated by a group of kinases, including GPCR kinases (GRKs). Studies using genetargeted mice revealed that deficiency of a particular GRK member led to dysfunction of a highly selective group of GPCRs. In particular, for example, GRK5 deficiency specifically disrupts M2/M4-mediated muscarinic cholinergic function. Emerging evidence indicates that ?-amyloid accumulation may lead to GRK5 deficiency, while the latter impairs desensitization of M2/M4 receptors. Within memory circuits, M2 is primarily presynaptic autoreceptor serving as a negative feedback to inhibit acetylcholine release. The impaired desensitization of M2 receptor by GRK5 deficiency leads to hyperactive M2, which eventually suppresses acetylcholine release and results in an overall cholinergic hypofunctioning. Since the cholinergic hypofunctioning is known to cause ?-amyloid accumulation, the GRK5 deficiency appears to connect the cholinergic hypofunctioning and ?-amyloid accumulation together into a self-amplifying cycle, which accelerates both changes. Given that the ? -amyloid accumulation and the cholinergic hypofucntioning are the hallmark changes in the ?-amyloid hypothesis and the cholinergic hypothesis, respectively, the GRK5 deficiency appears to bring the two major hypotheses in Alzheimer’s disease together, whereas the GRK5 deficiency is the pivotal link. Therefore, any strategies that can break this cycle would be therapeutically beneficial for Alzheimer’s patients.展开更多
文摘Objective: To study roles of cholinergic M2 and M3 receptors in the motility reduction of small intestine (SI) in spleen qi deficiency. Methods: 16 male SD rats were randomly divided in the control group and spleen qi deficiency group (model group)—8 rats each group;spleen qi deficiency model of the improper diet and overfatigue was established;the SI propelling rate (SIPR) was used to evaluate the SI motility;ELISA was used to measure concentrations of acetylcholine (ACh), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and protein kinase A (PKA) in the SI tissue;immohistochemistry was employed to detect expressions of cholinergic M2 and M3 receptors. Results: Compared with those in the control group, SIPR was reduced;expression of M2 receptors was increased;and expression of M3 receptors and concentrations of cAMP and PKA were decreased, significantly, in the model group. Conclusions: Expression imbalance of cholinergic M2 and M3 receptors might contribute to the motility reduction of the SI in spleen qi deficiency.
文摘A technique for studying in vivo the production rate and turnover rate constant of mouse brain M-receptors was established. A single injection of 25 mg / kg of Benzilylcholine Mustard to living mice resulted in 90 % irreversible block of brain M-receptors. The time course of the receptor density was then monitored by 3H-QNB binding assay and the production rate and turnover rate constant were calculated from the time course curve with a computer program. It was found that in normal mice the turnover rate constant was about 0.035 h-1 (half-life was about 20 h) and the production rate was 30-42 fmol / (h ·mg protein). Parallel experiments revealed a significant slow down of the turnover of brain M-receptors in hypothyroid mice (turnover rate constant was 0.0257±0.0012 h-1 in hypothyroid vs. 0.0356±0.0021 h-1 in normal) while the production rate was not changed significantly. The results suggest that thyroid hormones have a regulatory action on the turnover of brain M-receptors and the elevation of brain M-receptor density together with slow down of the turnover of brain M- receptors is probably one of the important mechanisms relevant to the brain dysfunction in hypothyroidism.
基金This project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, 3870563.
文摘For investigating the effect of acupuncture on ischemic arrhythmia and its mech-anism, adult albino rats with ligated anterior descending branch of coronary artery as experimentalmodel were treated with or without acupuncture, and others with imitative operation but without bothcoronary artery ligation and acupuncture treatment were used as control. It was found in acupuncturegroup that the fibrillation-liability of ischemic myocardium was efficiently decreased, the affinity ofAch-M receptors on membranes of ischemic myocardium was markedly increased, and the tolerance ofischemic myocardium to atropine was elevated in the experiment of atropine inducing fibrillation.These results indicate that acupuncture may play a therapeutic role on ischemic arrhythmia throughactivating the activity of muscarine-like receptors of cholinergic nervous system.
文摘Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis suffer from chronic and relapsing intestinal inflammation that favours the development of colitis associated cancer (CAC). This inflammation is initiated by aberrant activations of the innate immune responses associated to intestinal barrier defects. The conventional medical therapies consist to decrease the inflammatory response, which also decrease the risk of colon carcinoma but lead to severe side-effects. Recently, a number of animal studies have demonstrated that innate immune responses are attenuated by stimulation of the efferent arm of vagus nerve (VN) through its neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), that acts on resident macrophages α7 nicotinic receptor (α7 nAChR). ACh also acts as a signalling molecule in epithetlial cells through cholinergic receptors such as nAChR or muscarinic (mAChR) receptors. In the current study, we aimed to extend these findings to CAC prevention by treating human adenocarcinoma cell lines through targeting cholinergic receptors with nicotine (which binds nAChR) and ACh (which binds both cholinergic receptors). Using HT-29 and Caco-2 cell lines, we demonstrated that ACh-induced activation of mAChR results in cell dissociation together with changes in expression and localization of intestinal tight and adherens junction proteins. ACh-induced modulation of cell adhesion proprieties correlates with the acquisition of invasive potential. By contrast, nicotine-mediated activation of nAChR maintains epithelial cell organisation. ACh-released by VN stimulation (VNS) could effectively preserve epithelium integrity thus limiting inflammatory response and tumor development. However, attention should be paid on the nature of the cholinergic receptor solicited. Indeed, regarding to the protective effects of nAChR signalling on epithelial cells, activation of mAChR would worsen the disease and led to increase inflammation. These data have important repercussions on the therapeutic potential of VNS in IBD and CAC, which may represent “the yin and yang” of the intestinal homeostasis.
文摘Objectives To explore the relationship between serum autoantibodies against myocardial β1-adrenergic, M2-cholinergic receptors and chronic Keshan disease (CKD). Methods The second extracellular loops of β1 and M2 receptors on human cardiomyocytes were used as the antigens. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to determine serum autoantibodies against myocardial β1 and ME receptors in 32 CKD patients. 31 healthy subjects from endemic area were selected as the control. Results Positive rate of autoantibodies against myocardial β1 adrenergic (51.3%, 17/32) and M2 cholinergic (56.3% , 18/32) receptors were significantly higher than those in the control (9.7%, 3/ 31; 12.9%, 4/31) (both P〈 0.01). Both positive rate and titers of above autoantibodies in NYHA Ⅱ - Ⅲ CKD patients were significantly higher than those in NYHA Ⅳ, demonstrating an apparently positive correlation between serum antibodies against myocardial β1 and M2 receptors (r=0.95). Conclusions Autoantibodies against myocardial β1 and M2 receptors were found in sera of CKD patients; distribution of positive rate and titers of the autoantibodies in CKD patients in various NYHA are significantly different. classes of cardiac function
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81900862)。
文摘AIM:To investigate the involvement of pericyte-Müller glia interaction in retinal damage repair and assess the influence of suppressing the platelet-derived growth factor receptorβ(PDGFRβ)signaling pathway in retinal pericytes on photoreceptor loss and Müller glial response.METHODS:Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to intense light to induce retinal injury.Neutralizing antibody against PDGFRβwere deployed to block the signaling pathway in retinal pericytes through intravitreal injection.Retinal histology and Müller glial reaction were assessed following light injury.In vitro,normal and PDGFRβ-blocked retinal pericytes were cocultured with Müller cell line(rMC-1)to examine morphological and protein expression changes upon supplementation with light-injured supernatants of homogenized retinas(SHRs).RESULTS:PDGFRβblockage 24h prior to intense light exposure resulted in a significant exacerbation of photoreceptor loss.The upregulation of GFAP and p-STAT3,observed after intense light exposure,was significantly inhibited in the PDGFRβblockage group.Fur ther upregulation of cytokines monocyte chemoattractant protein 1(MCP-1)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)was also observed following PDGFRβinhibition.In the in vitro coculture system,the addition of light-injured SHRs induced pericyte deformation and upregulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)expression,while Müller cells exhibited neuron-like morphology and expressed Nestin.However,PDGFRβblockage in retinal pericytes abolished these cellular responses to light-induced damage,consistent with the in vivo PDGFRβblockage findings.CONCLUSION:Pericyte-Müller glia interaction plays a potential role in the endogenous repair process of retinal injury.Impairment of this interaction exacerbates photoreceptor degeneration in light-induced retinal injury.
基金Supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico(CNPq,Brazil),Fundacao de AmparoàPesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro(FAPERJ),Ministério da Saúde(INCA) and Swiss Bridge Foundation
文摘AIM: To compare expression of nicotinic cholinergic receptors(CHRNs) in healthy and squamous cell carcinoma-affected esophagus and determine the prognostic value.METHODS: We performed RT-q PCR to measure the expression of CHRNs in 44 esophageal samples from healthy individuals and in matched normal surrounding mucosa, and in tumors from 28 patientsdiagnosed with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC). Next, we performed correlation analysis for the detected expression of these receptors with the habits and clinico-pathological characteristics of all study participants. In order to investigate the possible correlations between the expression of the different CHRN subunits in both healthy esophagus and tissues from ESCC patients, correlation matrices were generated. Subsequently, we evaluated whether the detected alterations in expression of the various CHRNs could precede histopathological modifications during the esophageal carcinogenic processes by using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Finally, we evaluated the impact of CHRNA5 and CHRNA7 expression on overall survival by using multivariate analysis.RESULTS: CHRNA3, CHRNA5, CHRNA7 and CHRNB4, but not CHRNA1, CHRNA4, CHRNA9 or CHRNA10, were found to be expressed in normal(healthy) esophageal mucosa. In ESCC, CHRNA5 and CHRNA7 were overexpressed as compared with patient-matched surrounding non-tumor mucosa(ESCC-adjacent mucosa; P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0091, respectively). Positive correlations were observed between CHRNA3 and CHRNB4 expression in all samples analyzed. Additionally, CHRNB4 was found to be differentially expressed in the healthy esophagus and the normalappearing ESCC-adjacent mucosa, allowing for distinguishment between these tissues with a sensitivity of 75.86% and a specificity of 78.95%(P = 0.0002). Finally, CHRNA5 expression was identified as an independent prognostic factor in ESCC; patients with high CHRNA5 expression showed an increased overall survival, in comparison with those with low expression. The corresponding age- and tumor stage-adjusted hazard ratio was 0.2684(95%CI: 0.075-0.97, P = 0.0448).CONCLUSION: Expression of CHRNs is homogeneous along healthy esophagus and deregulated in ESCC, suggesting a pathogenic role for these receptors in ESCC development and progression.
文摘Whether M3 cholinergic receptor signal transduction pathway is involved in regulation of the activation of NF-κB and the expression of chemokine MOB-1, MCP-1genes in pancreatic acinar cells was investigated. Rat pancreatic acinar cells were isolated, cultured and treated with carbachol, atropine and PDTC in vitro. The MOB-1 and MCP-1 mRNA expression was detected by using RT-PCR. The activation of NF-κB was monitored by using electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The results showed that as compared with control group, M3 cholinergic receptor agonist (10 -3 mol/L, 10 -4 mol/L carbachol) could induce a concentration-dependent and time-dependent increase in the expression of MOB-1, MCP-1 mRNA in pancreatic acinar cells. After treatment with 10 -3 mol/L carbachol for 2 h, the expression of MOB-1, MCP-1 mRNA was strongest. The activity of NF-κB in pancreatic acinar cells was significantly increased (P<0.01) after treated with M3 cholinergic receptor agonist (10 -3 mol/L carbachol) in vitro for 30 min. Either M3 cholinergic receptor antagonist (10 -5 mol/L atropine) or NF-κB inhibitor (10 -2 mol/L PDTC) could obviously inhibit the activation of NF-κB and the chemokine MOB-1, MCP-1 mRNA expression induced by carbachol (P<0.05). This inhibitory effect was significantly increased by atropine plus PDTC (P<0.01). The results of these studies indicated that M3 cholinergic receptor signal transduction pathway was likely involved in regulation of the expression of chemokine MOB-1 and MCP-1genes in pancreatic acinar cells in vitro through the activation of NF-κB.
基金supported by a grant KAKENHI 15K06786the Center of Innovation Science and Technology based Radical Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program(COI STREAM)of the Ministry of Education,Culture,Sports,Science and Technology(MEXT),Japan
文摘Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is a progressive cognitive disorder that develops predominantly in elderly patients and is characterized by cognitive impairments affecting memory,learning,and attention(Selkoe,2002).
基金supported by the Young Scientists Foundation of Hubei Provincial Health Department,No.QJX2012-16
文摘Puerarin, a major isoflavonoid derived from the Chinese medical herb radix puerariae (Gegen), has been reported to inhibit neuronal apoptosis and play an anti-inflammatory role in focal cerebral ischemia model rats. Recent findings regarding stroke pathophysiology have recognized that anti-inflammation is an important target for the treatment of ischemic stroke. The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway is a highly robust neural-immune mechanism for inflammation control. This study was to investigate whether activating the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway can be involved in the mechanism of inhibiting the inflammatory response during puerarin-induced cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats. Results showed that puerarin pretreatment (intravenous injection) re- duced the ischemic infarct volume, improved neurological deficit after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion and decreased the levels of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-a in brain tissue. Pretreatment with puerarin (intravenous injection) attenuated the inflammatory response in rats, which was accompanied by janus-activated kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-KB) inhibition. These observa- tions were inhibited by the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (a7nAchR) antagonist a-bungarotoxin (a-BGT). In addition, puerarin pretreatment increased the expression of a7nAchR mRNA in ischemic cerebral tissue. These data demonstrate that puerarin pretreatment strongly protects the brain against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury and inhibits the inflammatory re- sponse. Our results also indicated that the anti-inflammatory effect of puerarin may partly be medi- ated through the activation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.
文摘AIM:To investigate the pathway(s)mediating rat antral circular smooth muscle contractile responses to the cholinomimetic agent,bethanechol and the subtypes of muscarinic receptors mediating the cholinergic contraction. METHODS:Circular smooth muscle strips from the antrum of Sprague-Dawley rats were mounted in muscle baths in Krebs buffer.Isometric tension was recorded.Cumulative concentration-response curves were obtained for(+)-cis- dioxolane(cD),a nonspecific muscarinic agonist,at 10^(-8)- 10^(-4)mol/L,in the presence of tetrodotoxin(TTX,10^(-7)mol/L). Results were normalized to cross sectional area.A repeat concentration-response curve was obtained after incubation of the muscle for 90 min with antagonists for M1(pirenzepine), M2(methoctramine)and M3(darifenadn)muscarinic receptor subtypes.The sensitivity to PTX was tested by the ip injection of 100 mg/kg of PTX 5 d before the experiment.The antral circular smooth muscles were removed from PTX-treated and non-treated rats as strips and dispersed smooth muscle cells to identify whether PTX-linked pathway mediated the contractility to bethanechol. RESULTS:A dose-dependent contractile response observed with bethanechol,was not affected by TTx.The pretreatment of rats with pertussis toxin decreased the contraction induced by bethanechol.Lack of calcium as well as the presence of the L-type calcium channel blocker,nifedipine,also inhibited the cholinergic contraction,with a reduction in response from 2.5±0.4 g/mm^2 to 1.2±0.4 g/mm^2(P<0.05).The dose- response curves were shifted to the right by muscarinic antagonists in the following order of affinity:darifenacin (M_3)>methocramine(M_2)>pirenzepine(M_1). CONCLUSION:The muscarinic receptors-dependent contraction of rat antral circular smooth muscles was linked to the signal transduction pathway(s)involving pertussis-toxin sensitive GTP-binding proteins and to extracellular calcium via L-type voltage gated calcium channels.The presence of the residual contractile response after the treatment with nifedipine,suggests that an additional pathway could mediate the cholinergic contraction.The involvement of more than one muscarinic receptor(functionally predominant type 3 over type 2)also suggests more than one pathway mediating the cholinergic contraction in rat antrum.
文摘Myasthenia gravis(MG)is an autoimmune disorder that affects the neuromuscular junction.The primary pathology in MG involves the presence of autoantibodies to acetylcholine receptors(AChRs),which results in qualitative and quantitative reductions in the availability of functional AChRs.Cardiac muscles are also affected,resulting in various perioperative cardiac complications.Antistriational antibodies are commonly reported in MG cases with cardiac involvement.In the presence of thymoma,the prevalence of cardiac manifestations in patients with MG increases to approximately 10%-15%.Cardiac involvement in MG may range from asymptomatic electrocardiogram changes to ventricular tachycardia,myocarditis,conduction disorders,heart failure,and sudden death.Increased incidence of atrial fibrillation,ventricular and supraventricular extra systoles,and prolonged QTc have also been reported in patients with MG.Clinicians should consider the evaluation of autonomic dysfunction and risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with MG.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81373872)
文摘Berberine(BBR) is an isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from Rhizoma coptidis and has been used for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) in China. The development of T2 DM is often associated with insulin resistance and impaired glucose uptake in peripheral tissues. In this study, we examined whether BBR attenuated glucose uptake dysfunction through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in Hep G2 cells. Cellular glucose uptake, quantified by the 2-[N-(7-Nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)-amino]-2-deoxy-D-glucose(2-NBDG), was inhibited by 21% after Hep G2 cells were incubated with insulin(10-6 mol/L) for 36 h. Meanwhile, the expression of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor(α7n ACh R) protein was reduced without the change of acetylcholinesterase(ACh E) activity. The level of interleukin-6(IL-6) in the culture supernatant, the ratio of phosphorylated I-kappa-B kinase-β(IKKβ) Ser181/IKKβ and the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) p65 protein were also increased. However, the treatment with BBR enhanced the glucose uptake, increased the expression of α7n ACh R protein and inhibited ACh E activity. These changes were also accompanied with the decrease of the ratio of p IKKβ Ser181/IKKβ, NF-κB p65 expression and IL-6 level. Taken together, these results suggest that BBR could enhance glucose uptake, and relieve insulin resistance and inflammation in Hep G2 cells. The mechanism may be related to the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway and the inhibition of ACh E activity.
文摘Summary: In this study, we tested the hypothesis that volatile anesthetic enhancement of muscle relaxation is the result of combined drug effects on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The poly A m RNA from muscle by isolation were microinjected into Xenopus oocytes for receptor expression. Concentration-effect curves for the inhibition of Ach-induced currents were established for vecuronium, rocuranium, and isoflurane. Subsequently, inhibitory effects of NDMRs were studied in the presence of the isoflurane at a concentration equivalent to half the concentration producing a 50 % inhibition alone. All tested drugs produced rapid and readily reversible concentration-dependent inhibition. The 50 % inhibitory concentration values were 889 μmol/L (95 % CI: 711-1214 μmol), 33.4 μmol (95 % CI: 27.1-41.7 nmol) and 9.2 nmol (95 % CI: 7.9-12.3 nmol) for isoflurane, rocuranium and vecuronium, respectively. Coapplication of isoflurane significantly enhanced the inhibitory effects of rocuranium and vecuronium, and it was especially so at low concentration of NMDRs. Isoflurane increases the potency of NDMRs, possibly by enhancing antagonist affinity at the receptor site.
基金supported by the Takeda Science Foundation and JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number 19590247
文摘The cholinergic system is involved in a broad spectrum of brain function, and its failure has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease. Acetylcholine transduces signals through muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, both of which influence synaptic plasticity and cognition. However, the mechanisms that relate the rapid gating of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors to persistent changes in brain function have remained elusive. Recent evidence indicates that nicotinic acetylcholine receptors activities affect synaptic morphology and density, which result in persistent rearrangements of neural connectivity. Further investigations of the relationships between nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and rearrangements of neural circuitry in the central nervous system may help understand the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.
文摘Autoradiography of nicotinic acetytcholine receptors(N-ACHR)with the application ofhistochemical staining location of cholinesterase was used to observe the effect of soman onjunctional and extrajunctional N-AChR.Testing with the diaphragms and extensor digitorum longusmuscles of mice and rats,we found that soman mainly increased the number of extrajunctionalN-AChR.It did not alter the number of junctional N-AChR significantly,nor did it have any pro-nouneed effects on the gtycoprotein property and isoelectfic point(pI)of junctional andextrajunctional N-AChR.The change of extrajunctional N-AChR number caused by somanis similar to the phenomenon of increased extrajunctional N-AChR number and sensitivity resultingfrom denervation,but the mechanism of action is different from the latter.The increase ofN-AChR number is one of the important characteristics of soman poisoning which make it differ-ent from other nerve agents.To maintain the metabofic balance of N-AChR may be an importantnew approach to the treatment of soman poisoning.
文摘G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediate a wide variety of physiological function. GPCR signaling is negatively regulated by the receptor desensitization, a procedure initiated by a group of kinases, including GPCR kinases (GRKs). Studies using genetargeted mice revealed that deficiency of a particular GRK member led to dysfunction of a highly selective group of GPCRs. In particular, for example, GRK5 deficiency specifically disrupts M2/M4-mediated muscarinic cholinergic function. Emerging evidence indicates that ?-amyloid accumulation may lead to GRK5 deficiency, while the latter impairs desensitization of M2/M4 receptors. Within memory circuits, M2 is primarily presynaptic autoreceptor serving as a negative feedback to inhibit acetylcholine release. The impaired desensitization of M2 receptor by GRK5 deficiency leads to hyperactive M2, which eventually suppresses acetylcholine release and results in an overall cholinergic hypofunctioning. Since the cholinergic hypofunctioning is known to cause ?-amyloid accumulation, the GRK5 deficiency appears to connect the cholinergic hypofunctioning and ?-amyloid accumulation together into a self-amplifying cycle, which accelerates both changes. Given that the ? -amyloid accumulation and the cholinergic hypofucntioning are the hallmark changes in the ?-amyloid hypothesis and the cholinergic hypothesis, respectively, the GRK5 deficiency appears to bring the two major hypotheses in Alzheimer’s disease together, whereas the GRK5 deficiency is the pivotal link. Therefore, any strategies that can break this cycle would be therapeutically beneficial for Alzheimer’s patients.