Nociceptin effect on intestinal motility depends on opioidreceptor like-1 receptors and nitric oxide synthase colocalization

AIM: To study the effect of the opioid-receptor like-1(ORL1) agonist nociceptin on gastrointestinal(GI)myenteric neurotransmission and motility. METHODS: Reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were used to localize nociceptin and ORL1 in mouse tissues. Intracellular electrophysiological recordings of excitatory and inhibitory junction potentials(EJP, IJP) were made in a chambered organ bath. Intestinal motility was measured in vivo. RESULTS: Nociceptin accelerated whole and upper GI transit, but slowed colonic expulsion in vivo in an ORL1-dependent manner, as shown using [Nphe1]NOC and AS ODN pretreatment. ORL1 and nociceptin immunoreactivity were found on enteric neurons. Nociceptin reduced the EJP and the nitric oxide-sensitive slow IJP in an ORL1-dependent manner, whereas the fast IJP was unchanged. Nociceptin further reduced the spatial spreading of the EJP up to 2 cm. CONCLUSION: Compounds acting at ORL1 are good candidates for the future treatment of disorders associated with increased colonic transit, such as diarrhea or diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.

Dynamic resistance exercise increases skeletal muscle-derived FSTL1 inducing cardiac angiogenesis via DIP2A-Smad2/3 in rats following myocardial infarction

Purpose:The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of dynamic resistance exercise to generate skeletal muscle-derived follistatin like-1(FSTL1),which may induce cardioprotection in rats following myocardial infarction(MI)by inducing angiogenesis.Methods:Male,adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups(n=12 in each group):sham group(S),sedentary MI group(MI),MI+resistance exercise group(MR),MI+adeno-associated virus(AAV)-FSTL1 injection group(MA),and MI+AAV-FSTL1 injection+resistance exercise group(MAR).The AAV-FSTL1 vector was prepared by molecular biology methods and injected into the anterior tibialis muscle.The MI model was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery.Rats in the MR and MAR groups underwent 4 weeks of dynamic resistance exercise training using a weighted climbing-up ladder.Heart function was evaluated by hemodynamic measures.Collagen volume fraction of myocardium was observed and analyzed by Masson’s staining.Human umbilical vein vessel endothelial cells culture and recombinant human FSTL1 protein or transforming growth factor-b receptor 1(TGFbR1)inhibitor treatment were used to elucidate the molecular signaling mechanism of FSTL1.Angiogenesis,cell proliferation,and disco interacting protein 2 homolog A(DIP2A)location were observed by immunofluorescence staining.The expression of FSTL1,DIP2A,and the activation of signaling pathways were detected by Western blotting.Angiogenesis of endothelial cells was observed by tubule experiment.One-way analysis of variance and Student’s t test were used for statistical analysis.Results:Resistance exercise stimulated the secretion of skeletal muscle FSTL1,which promoted myocardial angiogenesis,inhibited pathological remodeling,and protected cardiac function in MI rats.Exercise facilitated skeletal muscle FSTL1 to play a role in protecting the heart.Exogenous FSTL1 promoted the human umbilical vein vessel endothelial cells proliferation and up-regulated the expression of DIP2A,while TGFbR1 inhibitor intervention down-regulated the phosphorylation level of Smad2/3 and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A,which was not conducive to angiogenesis.FSTL1 bound to the receptor,DIP2A,to regulate angiogenesis mainly through the Smad2/3 signaling pathway.FSTL1-DIP2A directly activated Smad2/3 and was not affected by TGFbR1.Conclusion:Dynamic resistance exercise stimulates the expression of skeletal muscle-derived FSTL1,which could supplement the insufficiency of cardiac FSTL1 and promote cardiac rehabilitation through the DIP2A-Smad2/3 signaling pathway in MI rats.

New antigens involved in membranous nephropathy beyond phospholipase A2 receptor

When the physiopathology of membranous nephropathy was first described,almost 30%of cases were recognized to be secondary to well-known diseases such as autoimmune diseases,tumors or infections.The remaining 70%cases were called primary membranous nephropathy as the exact mechanism or pathogenic factor involved was unknown.The discovery of the M type phospholipase A2 receptor and thrombospondin type 1 domain containing 7A as causative antigens in these“so called”primary membranous nephropathies provided new insights into the effective causes of a large proportion of these cases.Novel techniques such as laser microdissection and tandem mass spectrometry as well as immunochemistry with antibodies directed against novel proteins allowed the confirmation of new involved antigens.Finally,using confocal microscopy to localize these new antigens and immunoglobulin G and Western blot analysis of serum samples,these new antigens were detected on the glomerular membrane,and the related antibodies were detected in serum samples.The same antigens have been recognized in some cases of secondary membranous disease due to autoimmune diseases,tumors and infections.This has allowed examination of the relationship between antigens in primary membranous nephropathy and their presence in some secondary nephropathies.The aim of this study is to describe the characteristics of the new antigens discovered and their association with other diseases.