scholarly journals Identification, localization and functional in vitro and in vivo activity of oxytocin receptor in the rat penis

2005 ◽  
Vol 184 (3) ◽  
pp. 567-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
X H Zhang ◽  
S Filippi ◽  
L Vignozzi ◽  
A Morelli ◽  
R Mancina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Corpus Cavernosum ◽  
Oxytocin Receptor ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Binding Studies ◽  
Selective Agonist ◽  
Rabbit Corpus Cavernosum ◽  
Stimulation Of ◽  
Male Genital

We recently found that the oxytocin receptor (OTR) is expressed in the human and rabbit corpus cavernosum and mediates contractility in vitro. The present study extended our investigations to the rat, and explored whether OTR regulates penile detumescence in vivo. Real-time RT-PCR quantitatively characterized the distribution of OTR mRNA in the male genital tract. Specific transcripts for OTR were expressed in all the tissues investigated. Penile expression of OTR was comparable to that observed in testis and prostate. Western blot analysis detected a single band of the expected molecular mass for OTR in all tissues examined, including rat penis. Expression of OTR protein in rat penile extracts was further confirmed by binding studies, using the OTR selective radiolabeled ligand 125I-OTA (Kd=17 ± 6.5 pM, Bmax=15.7 ± 5 fmoles/mg protein). OTR was immunolocalized to the endothelial and smooth muscle compartments of cavernous spaces and blood vessels. In rat corpus cavernosum strips, oxytocin (OT) and an OTR selective agonist ([Thr4,Gly7]OT) induced identical increases in tension, while different vasopressin agonists were less active. In vivo, OT intra-cavernous injection (ICI) dose-dependently inhibited intracavernous pressure (ICP) increase elicited by either electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve or ICI of papaverine with similar IC50s (117.7 ± 37 mU). The OTR antagonist, atosiban, counteracted the contractile effect of OT both in vitro and in vivo. Atosiban alone significantly increased ICP at lower stimulation frequencies (2 Hz=P<0.001 and 4 Hz=P<0.05 vs control), but not at the maximal frequency (16 Hz). Our data showed that OTR is present in the rat penis and mediates contractility both in vitro and in vivo, therefore suggesting a role for OT in maintaining penile detumescence.

scholarly journals Smooth muscle myosin expression, isoform composition, and functional activities in rat corpus cavernosum altered by the streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes

2012 ◽  
Vol 302 (1) ◽  
pp. E32-E42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinhua Zhang ◽  
Nirmala D. Kanika ◽  
Arnold Melman ◽  
Michael E. DiSanto
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Alternative Splicing ◽  
Corpus Cavernosum ◽  
Smooth Muscle Myosin ◽  
Organ Bath ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Functional Activities ◽  
Muscle Myosin

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a quite common chronic disease, and the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) is three times higher in this large population. Although diabetes-related ED has been studied extensively, the actin-myosin contractile apparatus was not examined. The mRNAs encoding smooth muscle myosin (SMM) heavy chains (MHC) and essential light chains (LC17) exist as several different alternatively spliced isoforms with distinct contractile properties. Recently, we provided novel data that blebbistatin (BLEB), a specific myosin II inhibitor, potently relaxed corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (CCSM). In this study, we examine whether diabetes alters SMM expression, alternative splicing, and/or functional activities, including sensitivity to BLEB. By using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced 2-mo diabetic rats, functional activities were tested in vivo by intracavernous pressure (ICP) recording during cavernous nerve stimulation and in vitro via organ bath contractility studies. SMM isoform composition was analyzed by competitive RT-PCR and total SMM, myocardin, and embryonic SMM (SMemb) expression by real-time RT-PCR. Results revealed that the blood glucose level of STZ rats was 407.0 vs. 129.5 mg/dl (control). STZ rats exhibited ED confirmed by significantly increased CCSM contractile response to phenylephrine and decreased ICP response. For STZ rats, SM-B, LC17a and SM2 isoforms, total SMM, and myocardin expression increased, whereas SM-A, LC17b, and SM1 isoforms were decreased, with SMemb unchanged. BLEB was significantly more effective in relaxing STZ CCSM both in vitro and in vivo. Thus we demonstrated a novel diabetes-specific effect on alternative splicing of the SMM heavy chain and essential light chain genes to a SMM isoform composition favoring a heightened contractility and ED. A switch to a more contractile phenotype was supported further by total SMM expression increase. Moreover, the change in CCSM phenotype was associated with an increased sensitivity to BLEB, which may serve as a novel pharmacotherapy for ED.

scholarly journals KMUP-1 relaxes rabbit corpus cavernosum smooth muscle in vitro and in vivo : involvement of cyclic GMP and K+ channels

2002 ◽  
Vol 135 (5) ◽  
pp. 1159-1166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong-Jyh Lin ◽  
Bin-Nan Wu ◽  
Yi-Ching Lo ◽  
Kuo-Pyng Shen ◽  
Young-Tso Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Cyclic Gmp ◽  
Corpus Cavernosum ◽  
K Channels ◽  
Rabbit Corpus Cavernosum

Microvesicles Bind Soluble Fibrinogen, Adhere to Immobilized Fibrinogen and Coaggregate with Platelets

1998 ◽  
Vol 79 (02) ◽  
pp. 389-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils Olav Solum ◽  
Frank Brosstad ◽  
Turid Pedersen ◽  
Marit Kveine ◽  
Pål André Holme
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Alkaline Phosphatase ◽  
Receptor Complex ◽  
Binding Studies ◽  
Stimulation Of

SummaryIn the present study we have investigated whether platelet derived microvesicles can bind soluble fibrinogen, bind to immobilized fibrinogen, and coaggregate with platelets. Flow cytometry was used for studies on binding of soluble fibrinogen and coaggregation, whereas ELISA wells were used to study binding of microvesicles to immobilized fibrinogen. Biotinylated microvesicles produced by stimulation with A23187, thrombin or SFLLRN of platelets which had been surface-labelled with biotin, were used both for the coaggregation experiments and for the binding studies with immobilized fibrinogen. Unlabelled microvesicles and biotinylated fibrinogen were employed when studying binding of soluble fibrinogen to the microvesicles. For the flow cytometry, the biotinylated proteins were reacted with avidin or streptavidin which was PE-conjugated, whereas the same substances were conjugated with alkaline phosphatase for the ELISA studies. The microvesicles formed after stimulation of platelets by SFLLRN or A23187 clearly bound the soluble, biotinylated fibrinogen. Moreover, isolated biotinylated microvesicles added to washed platelets prior to activation, were associated to the microaggregates that formed after stimulation. A significant binding of biotinylated microvesicles to immobilized fibrinogen could also be detected. The binding of micro-vesicles to soluble and immobilized fibrinogen and association to platelets was clearly specific and at least partly dependent on the GPIIb-IIIa complex, as all of these phenomena could be prevented or reduced by addition of the c7E3 Fab which blocks the activated form of this receptor complex. From these in vitro results it is clear that microvesicles can bind to immobilized fibrinogen, bind soluble fibrinogen and are able to coaggregate with platelets. It may be speculated that these results also reflect a haemostatic role of microvesicles in vivo.

scholarly journals Oxytocin release in magnocellular nuclei: neurochemical mediators and functional significance during gestation

2010 ◽  
Vol 299 (2) ◽  
pp. R452-R458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven L. Bealer ◽  
William E. Armstrong ◽  
William R. Crowley
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Response Characteristic ◽  
Systemic Circulation ◽  
Oxytocin Receptor ◽  
Paracrine Effects ◽  
Oxytocin Release ◽  
Stimulation Of

When released from dendrites within the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei (intranuclear release) during suckling, oxytocin exerts autocrine and paracrine effects on oxytocin neurons that are necessary for the unique timing and episodic pattern of oxytocin release into the systemic circulation that is characteristic of lactation. Recent reports have shown that stimulation of central noradrenergic and histaminergic receptors are both necessary for intranuclear release of oxytocin in response to suckling. In addition, in vitro studies indicate that excitatory amino acids may also be critical for central oxytocin secretion, although in vivo experiments have not provided direct support for this hypothesis. In addition to a critical role in intranuclear oxytocin release during lactation, norepinephrine has also been shown to stimulate central oxytocin during gestation. Stimulation of central oxytocin receptors during gestation appears critical for normal systemic oxytocin secretion in responses to suckling during the subsequent period of lactation. Oxytocin receptor blockade during pregnancy alters normal timing of systemic oxytocin release during suckling and reduces milk delivery. Several adaptations occur in the central oxytocin system that are necessary for determining the unique response characteristic observed during parturition and gestation. Central oxytocin receptor stimulation during gestation has been implicated in pregnancy-related morphological changes in magnocellular oxytocin neurons, disinhibition of oxytocin neurons to GABA, and adaptations in membrane response characteristics of oxytocin neurons. In conclusion, intranuclear oxytocin release during gestation and lactation are critical for establishing, and then evoking the unique pattern of systemic oxytocin secretion in response to the suckling offspring necessary for adequate milk delivery. Furthermore, activation of central noradrenergic receptors appears to be critical for release of central oxytocin in both of these reproductive states.

Comparative Evaluation of In Vitro and In Vivo Assays for the Detection of Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus as a Contaminant of Live Poultry Vaccines

1998 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 629-634
Author(s):  
Emiliana Falcone ◽  
Edoardo Vignolo ◽  
Livia Di Trani ◽  
Simona Puzelli ◽  
Maria Tollis
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Bronchitis Virus ◽  
Serological Response ◽  
Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus ◽  
Animal Testing ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
In Vivo Test ◽  
Infectious Bronchitis

A reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay specific for identifying avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in poultry vaccines, and the serological response to IBV induced by the inoculation of chicks with a Newcastle disease vaccine spiked with the Massachusetts strain of IBV, were compared for their ability to detect IBV as a contaminant of avian vaccines. The sensitivity of the IBV-RT-PCR assay provided results which were at least equivalent to the biological effect produced by the inoculation of chicks, allowing this assay to be considered a valid alternative to animal testing in the quality control of avian immunologicals. This procedure can easily be adapted to detect a number of contaminants for which the in vivo test still represents the only available method of detection.

Thrombopoietin-Induced Stimulation of Megakaryocyte- Enriched Bone Marrow Cultures

1979 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. L. Kellar ◽  
B. L. Evatt ◽  
C. R. McGrath ◽  
R. B. Ramsey
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Dna Synthesis ◽  
Bone Marrow Cells ◽  
Rabbit Plasma ◽  
Bone Marrow Cultures ◽  
Plasma Fractions ◽  
Marrow Cultures ◽  
Stimulation Of

Liquid cultures of bone marrow cells enriched for megakaryocytes were assayed for incorporation of 3H-thymidine (3H-TdR) into acid-precipitable cell digests to determine the effect of thrombopoietin on DNA synthesis. As previously described, thrombopoietin was prepared by ammonium sulfate fractionation of pooled plasma obtained from thrombocytopenic rabbits. A control fraction was prepared from normal rabbit plasma. The thrombopoietic activity of these fractions was determined in vivo with normal rabbits as assay animals and the rate of incorporation of 75Se-selenomethionine into newly formed platelets as an index of thrombopoietic activity of the infused material. Guinea pig megakaryocytes were purified using bovine serum albumin gradients. Bone marrow cultures containing 1.5-3.0x104 cells and 31%-71% megakaryocytes were incubated 18 h in modified Dulbecco’s MEM containing 10% of the concentrated plasma fractions from either thrombocytopenic or normal rabbits. In other control cultures, 0.9% NaCl was substituted for the plasma fractions. 3H-TdR incorporation was measured after cells were incubated for 3 h with 1 μCi/ml. The protein fraction containing thrombopoietin-stimulating activity caused a 25%-31% increase in 3H-TdR incorporation over that in cultures which were incubated with the similar fraction from normal plasma and a 29% increase over the activity in control cultures to which 0.9% NaCl had been added. These data suggest that thrombopoietin stimulates DNA synthesis in megakaryocytes and that this tecnique may be useful in assaying thrombopoietin in vitro.

scholarly journals Interaction of periodontitis and orthodontic tooth movement—an in vitro and in vivo study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birgit Rath-Deschner ◽  
Andressa V. B. Nogueira ◽  
Svenja Beisel-Memmert ◽  
Marjan Nokhbehsaim ◽  
Sigrun Eick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alveolar Bone ◽  
Tooth Movement ◽  
Mechanical Strain ◽  
Orthodontic Tooth Movement ◽  
Fusobacterium Nucleatum ◽  
In Vivo Study ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Periodontal Inflammation

Abstract Objectives The aim of this in vitro and in vivo study was to investigate the interaction of periodontitis and orthodontic tooth movement on interleukin (IL)-6 and C-X-C motif chemokine 2 (CXCL2). Materials and methods The effect of periodontitis and/or orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) on alveolar bone and gingival IL-6 and CXCL2 expressions was studied in rats by histology and RT-PCR, respectively. The animals were assigned to four groups (control, periodontitis, OTM, and combination of periodontitis and OTM). The IL-6 and CXCL2 levels were also studied in human gingival biopsies from periodontally healthy and periodontitis subjects by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Additionally, the synthesis of IL-6 and CXCL2 in response to the periodontopathogen Fusobacterium nucleatum and/or mechanical strain was studied in periodontal fibroblasts by RT-PCR and ELISA. Results Periodontitis caused an increase in gingival levels of IL-6 and CXCL2 in the animal model. Moreover, orthodontic tooth movement further enhanced the bacteria-induced periodontal destruction and gingival IL-6 gene expression. Elevated IL-6 and CXCL2 gingival levels were also found in human periodontitis. Furthermore, mechanical strain increased the stimulatory effect of F. nucleatum on IL-6 protein in vitro. Conclusions Our study suggests that orthodontic tooth movement can enhance bacteria-induced periodontal inflammation and thus destruction and that IL-6 may play a pivotal role in this process. Clinical relevance Orthodontic tooth movement should only be performed after periodontal therapy. In case of periodontitis relapse, orthodontic therapy should be suspended until the periodontal inflammation has been successfully treated and thus the periodontal disease is controlled again.

scholarly journals Contamination of erythropoietin by endotoxin: in vivo and in vitro effects on murine erythropoiesis

Blood ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 146-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
KS Zuckerman ◽  
PJ Quesenberry ◽  
J Levin ◽  
R Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Significant Inhibition ◽  
Erythropoietic Activity ◽  
Limulus Amebocyte Lysate ◽  
Endogenous Erythropoietin ◽  
Significant Change ◽  
In Vitro Effects ◽  
Stimulation Of

Abstract Endotoxin was detected in all erythropoietin preparations tested and was removed from four lots, without loss of erythropoietic activity, by adsorption with limulus amebocyte lysate. Comparison of adsorbed (endotoxin-depleted) and nonadsorbed (endotoxin-containing) erythropoietin preparations demonstrated significant inhibition of CFU- e and BFU-e in vitro by nonadsorbed erythropoietin at concentrations higher than 0.25 U/ml and 2.0 U/ml, respectively. CFU-e and BFU-e were inhibited significantly by readdition in vitro of 10(-5)-10(-3) mug of endotoxin per unit of limulus-adsorbed erythropoietin. Administration of saline or 6 U of nonadsorbed or adsorbed erythropoietin twice a day for 4 days of CF1 mice resulted in reticulocyte counts of 2.1%, 9.9%, and 15.9%, respectively. Nonadsorbed erythropoietin resulted in a 29% decrease in erythropoiesis, a 42% decrease in CFU-e, and a 16% increase in granulopoiesis in the marrow, whereas adsorbed erythropoietin caused a 28% increase in erythropoiesis, no significant change in CFU-e and a 19% decrease in granulopoiesis in the marrow. Both preparations resulted in marked increases in splenic erythropoiesis and granulopoiesis. The effects of adsorbed erythropoietin are similar to those produced following stimulation of hematopoiesis by endogenous erythropoietin. Hemopoietic changes induced by nonadsorbed erythropoietin in vivo and in vitro are affected substantially by contamination of the erythropoietin preparations with endotoxin.

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