Interaction of dinotefuran and its analogues with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of cockroach nerve cords

To investigate the action of dinotefuran (MTI-446, 1-methyl-2-nitro-3-(tetrahydro-3-furylmethyl)guanidine), a recently developed insecticide, on insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), we determined the potencies of the compound and 15 analogues in inhibiting the specific binding of [3H]epibatidine (EPI), a nAChR agonist, and [3H]alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-BGT), a competitive nAChR antagonist, to the nerve cord membranes of American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana). Racemic dinotefuran inhibited [3H]EPI binding with an IC50 of 890 nM and [3H]alpha-BGT binding with an IC50 of 36.1 microM. Scatchard analysis indicated that the dinotefuran inhibition of [3H]EPI binding was a competitive one. Slight structural modification caused a drastic reduction in potency; only four analogues were found to be equipotent to or more potent than dinotefuran. Chloropyridinyl and chlorothiazolyl neonicotinoid insecticides displayed two or three orders of magnitude higher potency than dinotefuran. There was a good correlation between the IC50 values of tested compounds obtained with [3H]EPI and those obtained with [3H]alpha-BGT. A better correlation was observed between 3-h knockdown activities (KD50) against German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) and IC50 values obtained from [3H]EPI assays than between 24-h lethal activities (LD50) and IC50 values. While the results indicate that dinotefuran and its analogues interact with the ACh-binding site in cockroach nAChRs, it remains to be elucidated why they displayed lower potencies than those expected based on their insecticidal activities.     

Muscarinic Receptors in Equine Airways

The distribution of muscarinic receptors in equine airways was investigated using autoradiography. Frozen sections of tissue from six different levels in the bronchial tree, from the trachea to the distal bronchioles, were incubated in vitro with 1.5 nmol/L of the muscarinic receptor antagonist 1-[N-methyl-³H]scopolamine methyl chloride (³H-NMS). In addition, the subtype pattern of muscarinic receptors was investigated in equine tracheal smooth muscle using radioligand binding with methoctramine, tripinamide, 4-DAMP-methiodide and pirenzipine as competitors against the binding of 1.3 nmol/L ³H-NMS. The autoradiograms showed specific labelling indicating a high density of muscarinic receptors in smooth-muscle tissue in all levels of the airway tree investigated. Besides muscle tissue, subepithelial glands were the only structures specifically labelled. The dominating subtypes in tracheal smooth muscle investigated with radioligand binding studies were found to be M₂ and M₄, as both methoctramine (pK _d = 8.5) and tripinamide (pK _d = 8.6 and 6.7 for two different sites) showed high affinity. The density of the M₃-muscarinic receptor subtype was low, but this subtype could be detected with statistical significance when methoctramine was used as the competitor against ³H-NMS binding.     

Expression of receptor tyrosine kinases VEGFR-1 (FLT-1), VEGFR-2 (KDR), EGFR-1, PDGFRa and c-Met in canine primary brain tumours

Inhibition of tumour growth and angiogenesis by targeting key growth factor receptors is a promising therapeutic strategy for central nervous system tumours. Characterization of these growth factor receptors in canine primary brain tumours has not been done. Using quantitative real‐time TaqMan polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we evaluated the expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) for five tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor [VEGFR]‐1, VEGFR‐2, endothelial growth factor receptor [EGFR]‐1, platelet‐derived growth factor receptor a [PDGFRa], and c‐Met) relative to normal cerebral cortex in 66 spontaneous canine primary brain tumours. Increased expression of VEGFR‐1 and VEGFR‐2 mRNA was greatest in grade IV astrocytomas (glioblastoma multiforme) and grade III (anaplastic) oligodendrogliomas. EGFR‐1 mRNA expression was more consistently increased than the other receptors in all tumour types, while increased PDGFRa mRNA expression was mostly restricted to oligodendrogliomas. The similarities in increased expression of these tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors in these canine tumours, as compared to data from their human counterparts, suggest that common molecular mechanisms may be present.     

Toll-like receptor-mediated anti-inflammatory action of glaucine and oxoglaucine

Two isochinoline alkaloids, glaucine and oxoglaucine were investigated for their suggested anti-inflammatory influence concerning nitric oxide and cytokine production. Mouse peritoneal macrophages were stimulated with different Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands such as LPS for TLR4, zymosan for TLR2 and CpG for TLR9. The alkaloids inhibited TNF-α and IL-6 production induced by these ligands. In regard to IL-12 suppressive effect was registered in the case of CpG stimulation. Glaucine succeeded to enhance LPS and zymosan-induced IL-10 production. The reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increase of anti-inflammatory IL-10 are indicative for their use in different acute and chronic inflammatory diseases.     

褪黑素受体MT1和MT2在绵羊胃中的分布及表达

【目的】应用分子生物学技术探究绵羊不同胃室组织褪黑素(MT)特异性膜受体MT1和MT2的分布规律及表达模式,以初步探明绵羊不同胃室组织褪黑素调节胃消化的生物效应机制。【方法】采集绵羊瘤胃背囊、瘤胃腹囊、网胃、瓣胃和皱胃5个组织部位,用ELISA、实时荧光定量PCR、免疫组化和Western blotting方法检测褪黑素特异性膜受体MT1和MT2在绵羊胃组织不同部位的分布规律及表达模式。【结果】ELISA结果显示,绵羊各胃组织中均含有褪黑素,且皱胃中褪黑素含量最高,瓣胃次之,瘤胃背囊、瘤胃腹囊和网胃中均较低。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,MT1和MT2基因mRNA在皱胃中含量均最高,其次是瘤胃腹囊,在瘤胃背囊和网胃中含量较低。免疫组化结果显示,MT1和MT2蛋白在绵羊各胃组织中均有分布,主要表达于各胃组织的黏膜层,且在皱胃腺体中的分布呈从底部到颈部逐渐增多的趋势。Western blotting结果显示,MT1和MT2蛋白在网胃中表达均最高,瓣胃次之,在瘤胃背囊、瘤胃腹囊和皱胃中表达均较低。【结论】褪黑素在绵羊各胃组织中差异化表达从而发挥多样性生理功能,可能通过与胃组织上特异性受体MT1和MT2结合,通过信号传导系统而调控前胃受食糜刺激后发生反刍生理过程。     

植物多糖的免疫调节作用及其机制研究进展

多糖是生物体内广泛存在且具有多种生物活性的一类天然大分子物质,其对机体免疫系统具有重要调节作用。研究表明,植物多糖可通过与免疫细胞表面的多种受体结合、激活不同的信号通路来调控动物机体的免疫系统,包括:刺激巨噬细胞、T/B淋巴细胞、自然杀伤细胞的分泌或增殖;调节细胞因子的释放;促进抗体的分泌;激活补体系统等。本文主要对植物多糖对动物机体的免疫调节作用及其分子作用机制相关研究进行综述。     

Effect of Nutrient Restriction and Compensation on Weight,Serum Indexes and Gene Expression of Chest Fat Adipokines in Mongolian Lamb

To study the effect of nutrient restriction and compensation on weight,serum indexes and gene expression of chest fat adipokine in Mongolian lamb,thirty male lambs were randomly divided into control group (20.26 kg± 3.63 kg) and feed restricted group (21.29 kg±3.00 kg).The experiment lasted for 120 days,including 60 days for feed restriction and 60 days for compensatory feed.At the end of each stage,five lambs from each group were slaughtered and chest fat was collected.Serum concentration of triglycerides,non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA),total cholesterol were measured.Quantitative Real-time PCR were used to determine Adiponectin,Visfatin,PPAR-γ and ACC genes expression.The results showed that:①The lamb body weight of restricted group kept maintain level and that of control group showed a increase tendency.During the compensatory period,the average daily gain (ADG) of restricted group was significantly higher than control group (P< 0.05).②During the restriction period,serum triglycerides concentration of lambs in restricted group was significantly decreased at day 30 and 60 (P< 0.05),and NEFA concentration was significantly increased at day 30 (P< 0.05).After 60 days of nutritional compensation,all serum parameters we tested were not significantly different between restrict group and control group (P >0.05).③During the restriction period,PPAR-γ and ACC gene expression in restricted group were significantly lower than that of control group (P< 0.05),while no significant differences were found during the compensation period (P>0.05).Adiponectin and Visfatin genes expression in chest fat was not significantly changed throughout the experiment (P >0.05).We could know that nutritional restriction reduced fatty acid synthesis and adipocyte differentiation ability,adipose tissue was mobilized energy metabolism,and total cholesterol was recoveried growth on the compensation.However,the ACC and PPAR-γ genes in restricted group were significantly decreased with the body weight increased rapidly during the compensatory stage.Adiponectin and Visfatin were not significantly different between restricted and compensatory stages.     

Orexin and orexin receptor like peptides in the gastroenteric tract of Gallus domesticus: An immunohistochemical survey on presence and distribution

This study reports the immunohistochemical localization and distribution of orexin A and B-like and their receptors-like peptides in the gastroenteric tract of chicken. The immunoreactivity is distributed in endocrine cells, nerve fibers and neurons, both in the stomach and intestine, and shows a discrete conformity with the data till now reported for Mammals. Our study suggests a possible participation of orexin-like peptides in the modulation of chicken gastroenteric activities and the preservation of their main distribution compared to Mammals. Western blot analysis has confirmed the presence of prepro-orexin and both receptors in the examined tissues.     

Adiponectin links adipose tissue function and monocyte inflammatory responses during bovine metabolic stress

The periparturient period of dairy cows is characterized by intense lipid mobilization from adipose tissue leading to increased plasma concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA). High NEFA are a predisposing factor for inflammatory based diseases. A major component of these diseases is uncontrolled macrophage/monocyte inflammatory responses. Changes in the endocrine activity of adipose tissue during the periparturient period could impact macrophage function by modifying the secretion of adipokines including adiponectin. Currently, the effects of adiponectin on monocyte activation in dairy cattle are unknown. In humans and rodents, this adipokine regulates monocyte phenotype and alterations in its plasma levels are linked with the development of inflammatory diseases. The objectives of this study were to establish associations between plasma adiponectin expression dynamics and different markers of lipid mobilization during the periparturient period of dairy cows and to characterize the effects of adiponectin on the inflammatory response of bovine monocytes. Plasma adiponectin, NEFA, BHB, albumin, and subcutaneous and retroperitoneal fat depots depth were measured during the periparturient period of dairy cows. In vitro, bovine monocytes were cultured with adiponectin to assess changes in pro-inflammatory responses following LPS stimulation. Results from this study demonstrate that alterations in plasma adiponectin levels in periparturient cattle are inversely correlated with the concentrations of plasma NEFA, an important marker of lipid mobilization. Furthermore, adiponectin exposure significantly decreased monocyte expression of TNFα after LPS stimulation thus markedly reducing their inflammatory response. Reduced plasma adiponectin during the periparturient period could predispose dairy cows to the development of uncontrolled monocyte inflammatory responses.