Methylphenidate during early consolidation affects long-term associative memory retrieval depending on baseline catecholamines.

PubMed

Wagner, Isabella C; van Buuren, Mariët; Bovy, Leonore; Morris, Richard G; Fernández, Guillén

2017-02-01

Synaptic memory consolidation is thought to rely on catecholaminergic signaling. Eventually, it is followed by systems consolidation, which embeds memories in a neocortical network. Although this sequence was demonstrated in rodents, it is unclear how catecholamines affect memory consolidation in humans. Here, we tested the effects of catecholaminergic modulation on synaptic and subsequent systems consolidation. We expected enhanced memory performance and increased neocortical engagement during delayed retrieval. Additionally, we tested if this effect was modulated by individual differences in a cognitive proxy measure of baseline catecholamine synthesis capacity. Fifty-three healthy males underwent a between-subjects, double-blind, placebo-controlled procedure across 2 days. On day 1, subjects studied and retrieved object-location associations and received 20 mg of methylphenidate or placebo. Drug intake was timed so that methylphenidate was expected to affect early consolidation but not encoding or retrieval. Memory was tested again while subjects were scanned three days later. Methylphenidate did not facilitate memory performance, and there was no significant group difference in activation during delayed retrieval. However, memory representations differed between groups depending on baseline catecholamines. The placebo group showed increased activation in occipito-temporal regions but decreased connectivity with the hippocampus, associated with lower baseline catecholamine synthesis capacity. The methylphenidate group showed stronger activation in the postcentral gyrus, associated with higher baseline catecholamine synthesis capacity. Altogether, methylphenidate during early consolidation did not foster long-term memory performance, but it affected retrieval-related neural processes depending on individual levels of baseline catecholamines.

Role of adrenal hormones in the synthesis of noradrenaline in cardiac sympathetic neurones

PubMed Central

Bhagat, B.

1969-01-01

1. Adrenalectomy or adrenal demedullation affected neither the levels of endogenous catecholamines in the rat heart nor the accumulation of 3H-noradrenaline 1 hr after its intravenous administration. 2. Twenty-four hours after intravenous administration of labelled amine, however, its retention was markedly reduced in the heart of adrenalectomized or demedullated rats. Ganglionic blockade prevented this reduction. 3. Rate calculations from the decline of catecholamine levels after blockade of synthesis with α-methyl-tyrosine showed that cardiac synthesis of noradrenaline increased about four-fold after demedullation and about three-fold after adrenalectomy. This increase in synthesis may compensate for the loss of circulating catecholamines. 4. There was no change in catechol-o-methyl-transferase activity, but monoamine oxidase activity was increased in the homogenates of the heart of adrenalectomized and demedullated rats. The increase in the cardiac monoamine oxidase activity was markedly greater in the adrenalectomized rats than in the demedullated rats. 5. It is suggested that adrenal cortex insufficiency may modulate the rate of synthesis of noradrenaline and monoamine oxidase activity in cardiac sympathetic neurones. PMID:5360339

Intraoperative hypertensive crisis due to a catecholamine-secreting esthesioneuroblastoma.

PubMed

Salmasi, Vafi; Schiavi, Adam; Binder, Zev A; Ruzevick, Jacob; Orr, Brent A; Burger, Peter C; Ball, Douglas W; Blitz, Ari M; Koch, Wayne M; Ishii, Masaru; Gallia, Gary L

2015-06-01

Although uncommon, esthesioneuroblastomas may produce clinically significant amounts of catecholamines. We report a patient with a catecholamine-secreting esthesioneuroblastoma who developed an intraoperative hypertensive crisis. A patient with a history of hypertension was referred to our skull base center for management of a residual esthesioneuroblastoma. A staged endonasal endoscopic approach was planned. At the conclusion of the first stage, a hypertensive crisis occurred. Workup revealed elevated levels of serum and urinary catecholamines. The patient was treated with alpha adrenoceptor blockade before the second stage. Serum catecholamine levels after this second stage were normal. On immunohistochemical analysis, the tumor cells were found to be positive for tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate limiting enzyme in catecholamine synthesis, and achaete-scute homologue 1, a transcription factor essential in the development of olfactory and sympathetic neurons. Catecholamine production should be considered in the differential of unexpected extreme hypertension during surgical resection of esthesioneuroblastoma. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effects of catecholamines on rat myocardial metabolism. II. Influence of catecholamines on 32p-incorporation into rat myocardial adenylic nucleotides and their turn-over.

PubMed

Merouze, P; Gaudemer, Y; Gautheron, D

1975-01-01

1. The influence of catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) on 32Pi incorporation into intracellular phosphate and adenylic nucleotides has been studied on rat myocardium slices; consequently, the turn-over of nucleotides could be determined and compared under the influence of these two hormones. 2. In order to specify the site of action of these catecholamines, several inhibitors and activators of energetic metabolism were included in the incubation medium: 3'5'-AMP, caffein, ouabain, oligomycin, rotenone + antimycin. 3. Both catecholamines favour Pi exchanges between intra and extracellular spaces; ATP turn-over is greatly increased, while ADP turn-over is slightly decreased, and 32P-incorporation into ADP is increased. 4. 3'5'-AMP and caffein are without effect on Pi penetration; however, caffein increases catecholamine effects on this penetration. ATP turn-over is slightly increased by 3'5'-AMP or caffein. 5. Ouabain decreases ATP turn-over but does not prevent the adrenaline induced acceleration. Inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation and electron transport decrease ATP-turn-over severely; this inhibition is not released by catecholamines. 6. It is concluded that the catecholamine effects observed are dependent on the oxidative phosphorylations process. The increase of Pi exchange by catecholamines may be related to the increase of extracellular space and cation translocations we observed with the hormones.

Increased GAD67 mRNA levels are correlated with in vivo GABA synthesis in the MPTP-treated catecholamine-depleted goldfish brain.

PubMed

Hibbert, Benjamin; Fung, Irene; McAuley, Rebecca; Larivière, Katherine; MacNeil, Brian; Bafi-Yeboa, Nana; Livesey, John; Trudeau, Vance

2004-09-28

The role of catecholamine neuronal input on GABAergic activity in the hypothalamus, telencephalon, optic tectum, and cerebellum was investigated in early recrudescent female goldfish (Carassius auratus). A new quantitative technique was developed and validated, permitting concomitant quantification and correlational analysis of glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65), GAD67, and GAD3 mRNA levels and in vivo GABA synthesis. Catecholamine depletion was achieved by the administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP; 50 microg/g body weight) and dopamine (DA) depletion verified by HPLC. Endogenous GABA levels were increased by intraperitoneal administration of gamma-vinyl GABA (GVG; 300 microg/g body weight), an inhibitor of the GABA catabolic enzyme GABA transaminase. Treatment with MPTP resulted in a greater than twofold increase in GABA synthesis rate in the optic tectum and telencephalon. The increase in GABA synthesis rate was highly correlated with an increase in GAD67, but not GAD65 or GAD3 mRNA levels. These results suggest that catecholaminergic input exerts inhibitory effects on GABA synthesis rates through the modulation of GAD67 in the optic tectum and telencephalon. Together with previously published observations in rodents and primates, it is suggested that catecholaminergic control of GABA synthesis must have evolved more than 200 million years ago, before the emergence of the teleost fishes.

A Potential Benefit of Albinism in Astyanax Cavefish: Downregulation of the oca2 Gene Increases Tyrosine and Catecholamine Levels as an Alternative to Melanin Synthesis

PubMed Central

Parkhurst, Amy; Jeffery, William R.

2013-01-01

Albinism, the loss of melanin pigmentation, has evolved in a diverse variety of cave animals but the responsible evolutionary mechanisms are unknown. In Astyanax mexicanus, which has a pigmented surface dwelling form (surface fish) and several albino cave-dwelling forms (cavefish), albinism is caused by loss of function mutations in the oca2 gene, which operates during the first step of the melanin synthesis pathway. In addition to albinism, cavefish have evolved differences in behavior, including feeding and sleep, which are under the control of the catecholamine system. The catecholamine and melanin synthesis pathways diverge after beginning with the same substrate, L-tyrosine. Here we describe a novel relationship between the catecholamine and melanin synthesis pathways in Astyanax. Our results show significant increases in L-tyrosine, dopamine, and norepinephrine in pre-feeding larvae and adult brains of Pachón cavefish relative to surface fish. In addition, norepinephrine is elevated in cavefish adult kidneys, which contain the teleost homologs of catecholamine synthesizing adrenal cells. We further show that the oca2 gene is expressed during surface fish development but is downregulated in cavefish embryos. A key finding is that knockdown of oca2 expression in surface fish embryos delays the development of pigmented melanophores and simultaneously increases L-tyrosine and dopamine. We conclude that a potential evolutionary benefit of albinism in Astyanax cavefish may be to provide surplus L-tyrosine as a precursor for the elevated catecholamine synthesis pathway, which could be important for adaptation to the challenging cave environment. PMID:24282555

[Bronchial reactivity and mucosal bioamines as criteria for acute bronchitis becoming chronic].

PubMed

Artem'eva, E G; Latfullin, I A

2002-01-01

To study bronchial reactivity and sensitivity with consideration of histamine, serotonin and catecholamines concentration in bronchial mucosa in patients with acute bronchitis (AB) as possible criteria of its becoming chronic. Before the treatment 116 patients with verified AB were examined using inhalation provocative tests (IPT) with histamine, serotonin and obsidian in increasing doses. Also, external respiration function was studied. IPT were repeated after the course of treatment. 87 of 116 AB patients exhibited high bronchial sensitivity and reactivity to inhalations of histamine, serotonin, obsidian. In parallel, there was a rise in the levels of histamine and serotonin and a fall in the level of catecholamines in bronchial mucosa (alveolar macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils, mast and APUD-cells). Changes in monoamines concentration in bronchial mucosa were relevant to activity of bronchial inflammation and the presence of obstructive syndrome. Persistent bronchial hyperreactivity to inhalations of histamine and obsidian along with high histamine levels and low level of catecholamines in alveolar macrophages, lymphocytes and mucus is a criterion of bronchitis transformation to chronic one.

Renalase prevents AKI independent of amine oxidase activity.

PubMed

Wang, Ling; Velazquez, Heino; Moeckel, Gilbert; Chang, John; Ham, Ahrom; Lee, H Thomas; Safirstein, Robert; Desir, Gary V

2014-06-01

AKI is characterized by increased catecholamine levels and hypertension. Renalase, a secretory flavoprotein that oxidizes catecholamines, attenuates ischemic injury and the associated increase in catecholamine levels in mice. However, whether the amine oxidase activity of renalase is involved in preventing ischemic injury is debated. In this study, recombinant renalase protected human proximal tubular (HK-2) cells against cisplatin- and hydrogen peroxide-induced necrosis. Similarly, genetic depletion of renalase in mice (renalase knockout) exacerbated kidney injury in animals subjected to cisplatin-induced AKI. Interestingly, compared with the intact renalase protein, a 20-amino acid peptide (RP-220), which is conserved in all known renalase isoforms, but lacks detectable oxidase activity, was equally effective at protecting HK-2 cells against toxic injury and preventing ischemic injury in wild-type mice. Furthermore, in vitro treatment with RP-220 or recombinant renalase rapidly activated Akt, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases and downregulated c-Jun N-terminal kinase. In summary, renalase promotes cell survival and protects against renal injury in mice through the activation of intracellular signaling cascades, independent of its ability to metabolize catecholamines, and we have identified the region of renalase required for these effects. Renalase and related peptides show potential as therapeutic agents for the prevention and treatment of AKI. Copyright © 2014 by the American Society of Nephrology.

Observations on cardiovascular and neuroendocrine disturbance in the Guillain-Barré syndrome

PubMed Central

Davies, A. G.; Dingle, H. R.

1972-01-01

Cardiovascular disturbances were found to be a common feature of patients with the Guillian-Barré syndrome who were severely paralysed, requiring assisted ventilation. Glycosuria was noted in association with these disturbances, and in five patients investigated we found impaired glucose tolerance tests at the height of the paralysis. Catecholamine and 17-hydroxycorticosteroid urinary excretions were found to be high in four patients investigated when the neuropathy was most severe, and in one patient plasma cortisol levels were high with loss of diurnal variation. With recovery from paralysis cardiovascular disturbances became less marked, catecholamine and 17-hydroxycorticosteroid urinary excretions reverted to normal, glucose tolerance improved but remained abnormal in three patients during the period of observation. It is suggested that increased levels of catecholamines and cortisol contributed to the development of impaired glucose tolerance and cardiovascular disturbances. PMID:4113954

Changes in Body Mass Index in Pheochromocytoma Patients Following Adrenalectomy.

PubMed

Spyroglou, Ariadni; Adolf, Christian; Hahner, Stefanie; Quinkler, Marcus; Ladurner, Roland; Reincke, Martin; Beuschlein, Felix

2017-03-01

Catecholamine excess from pheochromocytoma results in cardiovascular symptoms such as arterial hypertension and tachycardia and induces metabolic alterations including glucose intolerance and increase in resting metabolic rate. The objective of our study was to investigate the effect of surgical cure of pheochromocytoma on body-mass-index and the correlation of body-mass-index changes to preoperative endocrine parameters. Pheochromocytoma patients from the Munich ENSAT Registry were matched (1:2) for age and gender to patients from the German Conn's Registry, who had undergone surgery for aldosterone-producing-adenomas. Thereby, 43 pheochromocytoma patients (17 males/26 females) and 86 aldosterone-producing-adenoma patients were analyzed for body-mass-index, blood pressure, and catecholamine levels before and one year after adrenalectomy. Seventy-four percent of pheochromocytoma patients were hypertensive preoperatively and 48% one year postoperatively. Systolic blood pressure did not differ significantly in pre- and postoperative measurements whereas diastolic blood pressure was significantly reduced over time. Moreover, pheochromocytoma patients gained body weight (p<0.001) one year following adrenalectomy accompanied by significant increases in body-mass-index, whereas aldosterone-producing adenoma patients displayed a slight weight loss. Despite weight gain, diagnosis of diabetes mellitus dropped from 9 of 43 investigated pheochromocytoma patients at baseline to 4 at follow-up. A significant correlation between body-mass-index changes to the preoperative catecholamine levels was found only for urinary normetanephrines. These data suggest that normalization of chronic catecholamine excess by adrenalectomy is associated with an increase in body-mass-index, which is more pronounced in patients with high preoperative levels of urinary normetanephrines. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Evidence That High Catecholamine Levels Produced by Pheochromocytoma May be Responsible for Tako-Tsubo Cardiomyopathy.

PubMed

Sharkey, Scott W; McAllister, Nancy; Dassenko, David; Lin, David; Han, Kelly; Maron, Barry J

2015-06-01

Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a novel form of acute heart failure, characterized by regional left ventricular dysfunction without coronary artery obstruction, and usually triggered by a stressful event. Excessive circulating catecholamines have been implicated in the pathophysiology of this condition. This report documents the unusual occurrence of acute TC events in 2 male subjects of disparate ages, 16 and 66 years, for whom subsequent investigation in both led to the unexpected discovery of catecholamine-producing pheochromocytoma. Marked elevation of plasma catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine) was present in both subjects and were remarkably similar to those previously reported in female patients with TC triggered by emotional stress. These observations show a common link between TC occurrence and elevated catecholamine levels in both male and female patients and, therefore, support the hypothesis that excessive levels of catecholamines may be involved in the pathophysiology of TC independent of age or gender. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Acute coagulopathy of trauma: balancing progressive catecholamine induced endothelial activation and damage by fluid phase anticoagulation.

PubMed

Johansson, P I; Ostrowski, S R

2010-12-01

Acute coagulopathy of trauma predicts a poor clinical outcome. Tissue trauma activates the sympathoadrenal system resulting in high circulating levels of catecholamines that influence hemostasis dose-dependently through immediate effects on the two major compartments of hemostasis, i.e., the circulating blood and the vascular endothelium. There appears to be a dose-dependency with regards to injury severity and the hemostatic response to trauma evaluated in whole blood by viscoelastic assays like thrombelastography (TEG), changing from normal to hypercoagulable, to hypocoagulable and finally hyperfibrinolytic in severely injured patients. Since high catecholamine levels may directly damage the endothelium and thereby promote systemic coagulation activation, we hypothesize that the progressive hypocoagulability and ultimate hyperfibrinolysis observed in whole blood with increasing injury severity, is an evolutionary developed response that counterbalances the injury and catecholamine induced endothelial activation and damage. Given this, the rise in circulating catecholamines in trauma patients may favor a switch from hyper- to hypocoagulability in the blood to keep the progressively more procoagulant microvasculature open. The hypothesis delineated in the present paper thus infers that the state of the fluid phase, including its cellular elements, is a consequence of the degree of the tissue injury and importantly, critically related to the degree of endothelial damage, with a progressively more procoagulant endothelium inducing a gradient of increasing anticoagulation towards the fluid phase. The implications of this hypothesis may include targeted treatment strategies according to the degree of sympathoadrenal response as evaluated by whole blood viscoelastical hemostatic assays in trauma patients. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

CDCA7L and Mechanisms of Increased Male Bias in Glioma

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-05-01

interested in whether NF1 mutations affect the molecular function of CDCA7L and whether sex -specific treatments may be more effective for treating these...astrocyte phenotypes, and catecholamine levels. 2. Keywords Neurofibromatosis type 1 CDCA7L astrocytoma glioblastoma MAO catecholamines sex ...2015 NF Research Symposium as described under (6) Products. We are revising a manuscript based on his findings so far on the sex -specific activity

Intraoperative hypertensive crisis due to a catecholamine-secreting esthesioneuroblastoma

PubMed Central

Salmasi, Vafi; Schiavi, Adam; Binder, Zev A.; Ruzevick, Jacob; Orr, Brent A.; Burger, Peter C.; Ball, Douglas W.; Blitz, Ari M.; Koch, Wayne M.; Ishii, Masaru; Gallia, Gary L.

2015-01-01

Background Although uncommon, esthesioneuroblastomas may produce clinically significant amounts of catecholamines. Methods We report a patient with a catecholamine-secreting esthesioneuroblastoma who developed intraoperative hypertensive crisis. Results A patient with history of hypertension was referred to our skull base center for management of a residual esthesioneuroblastoma. A staged endonasal endoscopic approach was planned. At the conclusion of the first stage, a hypertensive crisis occurred. Work-up revealed elevated levels of serum and urinary catecholamines. The patient was treated with alpha adrenoceptor blockade prior to the second stage. Serum catecholamine levels following this second stage were normal. On immunohistochemical analysis, the tumor cells were found to be positive for tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate limiting enzyme in cathecholamine synthesis, and achaete-scute homologue 1, a transcription factor essential in the development of olfactory and sympathetic neurons. Conclusion Catecholamine production should be considered in the differential of unexpected extreme hypertension during surgical resection of esthesioneuroblastoma. PMID:25352487

The content of catecholamines in the adrenal glands and sections of the brain under hypokinesia and injection of some neurotropic agents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Melnik, B. E.; Paladiy, E. S.

1980-01-01

The dynamics of catecholamine content were studied in the adrenal glands and in various region of the brain of white rats under hypokinesia and injections of neurotropic agents. Profound changes in body catecholamine balance occured as a result of prolonged acute restriction of motor activity. Adrenalin retention increased and noradrenanalin retention decreased in the adrenal glands, hypothalamus, cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum and medulla oblongata. Observed alterations in catecholamine retention varied depending upon the type of neurotropic substance utilized. Mellipramine increased catecholamine retention in the tissues under observation while spasmolytin brought about an increase in adrenalin concentration in the adrenals and a decrease in the brain.

Natalizumab Modifies Catecholamines Levels Present in Patients with Relapsing- Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.

PubMed

Escribano, Begona M; Aguilar-Luque, Macarena; Bahamonde, Carmen; Conde, Cristina; Lillo, Rafael; Sanchez-Lopez, Fernando; Giraldo, Ana I; Cruz, Antonio H; Luque, Evelio; Gascon, Felix; Aguera, Eduardo; Tunez, Isaac

2016-01-01

The main aim of this study was to verify the effect of natalizumab on the levels of circulating catecholamines and indolamine and their possible relation with MS. For this purpose, 12 healthy individuals (control group) and 12 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients (RR-MS) were selected. The patients were treated with 300 mg of natalizumab during 56 weeks (1 dose/4 weeks) (MS-56). This selection was based on the McDonalds revision criterion and scheduled to star treatment with natalizumab. Blood samples were taken before treatment (basal level) and after 56 weeks of using natalizumab. Melatonin was measured in serum and in plasma, catecholamines (dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine), carbonylated proteins, 8-hydroxy-2'deoxyguanosine (8OH-dG) and the ratio reduced glutathione/oxidised glutathione (GSH/GSSG). The epinephrine and dopamine levels diminished in the basal group with respect to the control and did not recover normal levels with the treatment. The melatonin was decreased in RR-MS patients and went back to its normal levels with natalizumab. Norepinephrine was increased in RR-MS and decreased in MS-56 until it equalled the control group. Natalizumab normalizes altered melatonin and norepinephrine levels in MS.

[The catecholamine content of the hypothalamus during the modelling of the ulcer process in the gastroduodenal area].

PubMed

Iemel'ianenko, I V; Sultanova, I D; Voronych, N M

1995-01-01

The content of catecholamines in rat hypothalamus in experimental ulcer process in gastroduodenal region has been studied in experiments on rats. It was determined that under these conditions the content of hypothalamus adrenalin increases and the content of noradrenalin decreases. The level of dofamin and DOFA in this brain structure changes in phases. The mentioned shifts depended on the duration and character of the pathological process in the gastroduodenal region.

Inflammasome-driven catecholamine catabolism in macrophages blunts lipolysis in the aged

PubMed Central

Camell, Christina D.; Sander, Jil; Spadaro, Olga; Lee, Aileen; Nguyen, Kim Y.; Wing, Allison; Goldberg, Emily L.; Youm, Yun-Hee; Brown, Chester W.; Elsworth, John; Rodeheffer, Matthew S.; Schultze, Joachim L.; Dixit, Vishwa Deep

2017-01-01

Catecholamine-induced lipolysis, the first step in generation of energy substrates through hydrolysis of triglycerides (TGs) 1, declines with age 2,3. The defect in mobilization of free fatty acids (FFA) in elderly is accompanied with increased visceral adiposity, lower exercise capacity, failure to maintain core body temperature during cold stress, and reduced ability to survive starvation. While catecholamine signaling in adipocytes is normal in elderly, how lipolysis is impaired in aging remains unknown 2,4. Here we uncover that the adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) regulate age-related reduction in adipocyte lipolysis by lowering the bioavailability of norepinephrine (NE). Unexpectedly, unbiased whole transcriptome analyses of adipose macrophages revealed that aging upregulates genes controlling catecholamine degradation in an NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent manner. Deletion of NLRP3 in aging restored catecholamine-induced lipolysis through downregulation of growth differentiation factor-3 (GDF3) and monoamine oxidase-a (MAOA) that is known to degrade NE. Consistent with this, deletion of GDF3 in inflammasome-activated macrophages improved lipolysis by decreasing MAOA and caspase-1. Furthermore, inhibition of MAOA reversed age-related reduction in adipose tissue NE concentration and restored lipolysis with increased levels of key lipolytic enzymes, adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and hormone sensitive lipase (HSL). Our study reveals that targeting neuro-innate signaling between sympathetic nervous system and macrophages may offer new approaches to mitigate chronic inflammation-induced metabolic impairment and functional decline. PMID:28953873

Studies on brain biogenic amines in methanolic extract of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. and Corchorus olitorius Linn. seed treated mice.

PubMed

Gupta, Malaya; Mazumder, Upal Kanti; Pal, Dilipkumar; Bhattacharya, Shiladitya; Chakrabarty, Sumit

2003-01-01

The methanolic extract of both Cuscuta reflexa stem and Corchorus olitorius seed showed marked protection against convulsion induced by chemoconvulsive agents in mice. The catecholamines contained were significantly increased in the processed extract treated mice. The amount of GABA, which is most likely to be involved in seizure activity, was increased significantly in mice brain after a six week treatment. Results of the present study revealed that both the processed extracts showed a significant anticonvulsive property by altering the level of catecholamines and brain amino acids in mice.

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) attenuates the hemodynamics stimulated by caffeine through decrease of catecholamines release.

PubMed

Han, Jin-Yi; Moon, Yong-Jin; Han, Jong-Hyun; Kim, Jong-Hoon; Woo, Jae-Hoon; Yoo, Hwan-Soo; Hong, Jin Tae; Ahn, Hee-Yul; Hong, Jong-Myeon; Oh, Ki-Wan

2016-09-01

A human study of the effects on hemodynamics of caffeine and epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) was performed. Caffeine tablets (200 mg) were orally administered to healthy males aged between 25 and 35 years 30 min after oral administration of EGCG tablets (100 and 200 mg). The increase in BP induced by caffeine was inhibited when co-administrated with EGCG. We found that caffeine slightly decreased heart rate (HR) in the volunteers. Although EGCG enhanced HR reduction, the effect was not significant. In addition, caffeine increased blood catecholamine levels, but EGCG inhibited the increase in noradrenaline, adrenaline and dopamine levels induced by caffeine. Whether EGCG decreases the elevated HR and systolic perfusion pressure, and ventricular contractility induced by adrenergic agonists in the isolated rat heart was investigated. The modified Krebs-Henseleit solution was perfused through a Langendorff apparatus to the isolated hearts of rats. HR, systolic perfusion pressure, and developed maximal rates of contraction (+dP/dtmax) and relaxation (-dP/dtmax) were increased by epinephrine (EP) and isoproterenol (IP). In contrast, EGCG decreased the elevated HR, systolic perfusion pressure, and left ventricular ±dp/dtmax induced by EP and/or IP. In conclusion, EGCG could attenuate the hemodynamics stimulated by caffeine through decreasing catecholamine release.

Modulation of the caveolin-3 localization to caveolae and STAT3 to mitochondria by catecholamine-induced cardiac hypertrophy in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts

PubMed Central

Jeong, Kyuho; Kwon, Hayeong; Min, Chanhee

2009-01-01

We investigated the effect of phenylephrine (PE)- and isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac hypertrophy on subcellular localization and expression of caveolin-3 and STAT3 in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells. Caveolin-3 localization to plasma membrane was attenuated and localization of caveolin-3 to caveolae in the plasma membrane was 24.3% reduced by the catecholamine-induced hypertrophy. STAT3 and phospho-STAT3 were up-regulated but verapamil and cyclosporin A synergistically decreased the STAT3 and phospho-STAT3 levels in PE- and ISO-induced hypertrophic cells. Both expression and activation of STAT3 were increased in the nucleus by the hypertrophy. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that the catecholamine-induced hypertrophy promoted nuclear localization of pY705-STAT3. Of interest, phosphorylation of pS727-STAT3 in mitochondria was significantly reduced by catecholamine-induced hypertrophy. In addition, mitochondrial complexes II and III were greatly down-regulated in the hypertrophic cells. Our data suggest that the alterations in nuclear and mitochondrial activation of STAT3 and caveolae localization of caveolin-3 are related to the development of the catecholamine-induced cardiac hypertrophy. PMID:19299911

The effects of C-type natriuretic peptide on catecholamine release in the pacific spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias).

PubMed

Montpetit, C J; McKendry, J; Perry, S F

2001-08-01

The interaction between homologous C-type natriuretic peptide (dfCNP) and catecholamine release in cardiovascular control was assessed in the marine dogfish (Squalus acanthias). This was accomplished by evaluation of the dynamics of the dfCNP-elicited secretion of catecholamines in situ and in vivo. With an in situ saline-perfused postcardinal sinus preparation, it was demonstrated that perfusion with saline containing dfCNP (10(-9) mol x L(-1)) did not affect the secretion of either noradrenaline or adrenaline. However, the presence of dfCNP in the perfusate significantly enhanced carbachol-evoked secretion of noradrenaline. In vivo, intravascular injection of dfCNP (10(-9) mol x kg(-1)) caused a biphasic pressor-depressor response consisting of a brief increase in caudal artery blood pressure (P(CA)) followed by a prolonged reduction in P(CA). Furthermore, although systemic resistance initially increased, it was subsequently maintained at baseline values in the face of persistent decreases in both P(CA) and cardiac output. Bolus injection of dfCNP elicited significant increases in plasma noradrenaline levels that peaked within 10 min; plasma adrenaline levels were unaffected. The release of noradrenaline elicited by dfCNP was unaffected by prior blockade of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) (with the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor lisinopril) or by pretreatment with the nicotinic receptor blocker hexamethonium. The delayed decrease in P(CA) was not observed in the hexamethonium-treated fish. Prior blockade of beta-adrenoreceptors (with sotalol) or alpha-adrenoreceptors (with prazosin) either significantly reduced (sotalol) or abolished (prazosin) the increase in plasma noradrenaline levels after dfCNP injection. The results of this investigation demonstrate that the elevation of plasma noradrenaline levels observed in vivo following dfCNP injection is not caused by a direct effect of dfCNP on catecholamine secretion from axillary body chromaffin cells. Furthermore, the dfCNP-mediated increase of plasma noradrenaline appears to be unrelated to changes in P(CA) and is insensitive to blockade of the RAS or nicotinic receptors. However, stimulation of adrenergic receptors, in particular the alpha-adrenoreceptors, appears to be a key mechanism underlying the dfCNP-elicited secretion of noradrenaline. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

Hindbrain Catecholamine Neurons Activate Orexin Neurons During Systemic Glucoprivation in Male Rats.

PubMed

Li, Ai-Jun; Wang, Qing; Elsarelli, Megan M; Brown, R Lane; Ritter, Sue

2015-08-01

Hindbrain catecholamine neurons are required for elicitation of feeding responses to glucose deficit, but the forebrain circuitry required for these responses is incompletely understood. Here we examined interactions of catecholamine and orexin neurons in eliciting glucoprivic feeding. Orexin neurons, located in the perifornical lateral hypothalamus (PeFLH), are heavily innervated by hindbrain catecholamine neurons, stimulate food intake, and increase arousal and behavioral activation. Orexin neurons may therefore contribute importantly to appetitive responses, such as food seeking, during glucoprivation. Retrograde tracing results showed that nearly all innervation of the PeFLH from the hindbrain originated from catecholamine neurons and some raphe nuclei. Results also suggested that many catecholamine neurons project collaterally to the PeFLH and paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus. Systemic administration of the antiglycolytic agent, 2-deoxy-D-glucose, increased food intake and c-Fos expression in orexin neurons. Both responses were eliminated by a lesion of catecholamine neurons innervating orexin neurons using the retrogradely transported immunotoxin, anti-dopamine-β-hydroxylase saporin, which is specifically internalized by dopamine-β-hydroxylase-expressing catecholamine neurons. Using designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs in transgenic rats expressing Cre recombinase under the control of tyrosine hydroxylase promoter, catecholamine neurons in cell groups A1 and C1 of the ventrolateral medulla were activated selectively by peripheral injection of clozapine-N-oxide. Clozapine-N-oxide injection increased food intake and c-Fos expression in PeFLH orexin neurons as well as in paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus neurons. In summary, catecholamine neurons are required for the activation of orexin neurons during glucoprivation. Activation of orexin neurons may contribute to appetitive responses required for glucoprivic feeding.

Magnesium sulphate attenuates arterial pressure increase during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

PubMed

Jee, D; Lee, D; Yun, S; Lee, C

2009-10-01

Magnesium is well known to inhibit catecholamine release and attenuate vasopressin-stimulated vasoconstriction. We investigated whether i.v. magnesium sulphate attenuates the haemodynamic stress responses to pneumoperitoneum by changing neurohumoral responses during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Thirty-two patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly assigned to two groups; a control group was given saline, and a magnesium group received magnesium sulphate 50 mg kg(-1) immediately before pneumoperitoneum. Arterial pressure, heart rate, serum magnesium, plasma renin activity (PRA), and catecholamine, cortisol, and vasopressin levels were measured. Systolic and diastolic arterial pressures were greater in the control group (P<0.05) than in the magnesium group at 10, 20, and 30 min post-pneumoperitoneum. Norepinephrine or epinephrine levels [pg ml(-1), mean (SD)] were higher in the control group than in the magnesium group at 5 [211 (37) vs 138 (18)] or 10 min [59 (19) vs 39 (9)] post-pneumoperitoneum, respectively (P<0.05). In the control group, vasopressin levels [pg ml(-1), mean (SD)] were higher compared with the magnesium group at 5 [64 (18) vs 35 (9), P<0.01] and 10 min [65 (18) vs 47 (11), P<0.05] post-pneumoperitoneum. There were no significant differences between the groups in PRA and cortisol levels. I.V. magnesium sulphate before pneumoperitoneum attenuates arterial pressure increases during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This attenuation is apparently related to reductions in the release of catecholamine, vasopressin, or both.

[Catecholamines and their metabolites in children with Asperger and Kanner syndromes].

PubMed

Gorina, A S; Kolesnichenko, L S; Mikhnovich, V I

2011-01-01

Children with Asperger and Kanner syndromes in the stable state demonstrate similar decrease in plasma norepinephrine. In the aggravated state, these changes become more expressed and are characterized by a decrease in plasma tyrosine, norepinephrine, normetanephrine and by an increase in dopamine and homovanylic acid and a decrease in excretion of norepinephrine and an increase in excretion of homovanylic acid, epinephrine and MHPG. Only in children with Kanner syndrome in the aggravated state plasma MHPG increases, excretion of tyrosine decreases and excretion of normetanephrine increases. The observed imbalance in dopamine and epinephrine/norepinephrine systems justifies combined analysis of changes in catecholamines and their metabolites levels as the most informative approach in the study of the effect of autistic disorders.

Hypotension following patent ductus arteriosus ligation: the role of adrenal hormones.

PubMed

Clyman, Ronald I; Wickremasinghe, Andrea; Merritt, T Allen; Solomon, Tabitha; McNamara, Patrick; Jain, Amish; Singh, Jaideep; Chu, Alison; Noori, Shahab; Sekar, Krishnamurthy; Lavoie, Pascal M; Attridge, Joshua T; Swanson, Jonathan R; Gillam-Krakauer, Maria; Reese, Jeff; DeMauro, Sara; Poindexter, Brenda; Aucott, Sue; Satpute, Monique; Fernandez, Erika; Auchus, Richard J

2014-06-01

To test the hypothesis that an impaired adrenal response to stress might play a role in the hypotension that follows patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligation. We performed a multicenter study of infants born at <32 weeks' gestation who were about to undergo PDA ligation. Serum adrenal steroids were measured 3 times: before and after a cosyntropin (1.0 μg/kg) stimulation test (performed before the ligation), and at 10-12 hours after the ligation. A standardized approach for diagnosis and treatment of postoperative hypotension was followed at each site. A modified inotrope score (1 × dopamine [μg/kg/min] + 1 × dobutamine) was used to monitor the catecholamine support an infant received. Infants were considered to have catecholamine-resistant hypotension if their greatest inotrope score was >15. Of 95 infants enrolled, 43 (45%) developed hypotension and 14 (15%) developed catecholamine-resistant hypotension. Low postoperative cortisol levels were not associated with the overall incidence of hypotension after ligation. However, low cortisol levels were associated with the refractoriness of the hypotension to catecholamine treatment. In a multivariate analysis: the OR for developing catecholamine-resistant hypotension was OR 36.6, 95% CI 2.8-476, P = .006. Low cortisol levels (in infants with catecholamine-resistant hypotension) were not attributable to adrenal immaturity or impairment; their cortisol precursor concentrations were either low or unchanged, and their response to cosyntropin was similar to infants without catecholamine-resistant hypotension. Infants with low cortisol concentrations after PDA ligation are likely to develop postoperative catecholamine-resistant hypotension. We speculate that decreased adrenal stimulation, rather than an impaired adrenal response to stimulation, may account for the decreased production. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Hypotension following patent ductus arteriosus ligation: the role of adrenal hormones

PubMed Central

Clyman, Ronald I.; Wickremasinghe, Andrea; Merritt, T. Allen; Solomon, Tabitha; McNamara, Patrick; Jain, Amish; Singh, Jaideep; Chu, Alison; Noori, Shahab; Sekar, Krishnamurthy; Lavoie, Pascal M.; Attridge, Joshua T.; Swanson, Jonathan R.; Gillam-Krakauer, Maria; Reese, Jeff; DeMauro, Sara; Poindexter, Brenda; Aucott, Sue; Satpute, Monique; Fernandez, Erika; Auchus, Richard J.

2014-01-01

Objective To test the hypothesis that an impaired adrenal response to stress might play a role in the hypotension that follows patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligation. Study design We performed a multicenter study of infants born at <32 weeks gestation who were about to undergo PDA ligation. Serum adrenal steroids were measured three times: before and after a cosyntropin (1.0 microgram/kg) stimulation test (performed prior to the ligation), and at 10–12 hours after the ligation. A standardized approach for diagnosis and treatment of postoperative hypotension was followed at each site. A modified Inotrope Score (1 x dopamine (μg/kg/min) + 1 x dobutamine) was used to monitor the catecholamine support an infant received. Infants were considered to have catecholamine-resistant hypotension if their highest Inotrope Score was >15. Results Of 95 infants enrolled, 43 (45%) developed hypotension and 14 (15%) developed catecholamine-resistant hypotension. Low post-operative cortisol levels were not associated with the overall incidence of hypotension following ligation. However, low cortisol levels were associated with the refractoriness of the hypotension to catecholamine treatment. In a multivariate analysis: the odds ratio for developing catecholamine-resistant hypotension was OR=36.6, CI=2.8–476, p=0.006. Low cortisol levels (in infants with catecholamine-resistant hypotension) were not due to adrenal immaturity or impairment; their cortisol precursor concentrations were either low or unchanged and their response to cosyntropin was similar to infants without catecholamine-resistant hypotension. Conclusion Infants with low cortisol concentrations following PDA ligation are likely to develop postoperative catecholamine-resistant hypotension. We speculate that decreased adrenal stimulation, rather than an impaired adrenal response to stimulation, may account for the decreased production. PMID:24636853

Resting-State Peripheral Catecholamine and Anxiety Levels in Korean Male Adolescents with Internet Game Addiction.

PubMed

Kim, Nahyun; Hughes, Tonda L; Park, Chang G; Quinn, Laurie; Kong, In Deok

2016-03-01

The purpose of this study was to compare the resting-state plasma catecholamine and anxiety levels of Korean male adolescents with Internet game addiction (IGA) and those without IGA. This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted with 230 male high school students in a South Korean city. Convenience and snowball sampling methods were employed, and data were collected using (1) participant blood samples analyzed for dopamine (DA), epinephrine (Epi), and norepinephrine (NE) and (2) two questionnaires to assess IGA and anxiety levels. Using SPSS 15.0, data were analyzed by descriptive analysis, χ(2)-tests, t-tests, and Pearson's correlation tests. The plasma Epi (t = 1.962, p < 0.050) and NE (t = 2.003, p = 0.046) levels were significantly lower in the IGA group than in the non-IGA group; DA levels did not significantly differ between the groups. The mean anxiety level of the IGA group was significantly higher compared with the non-IGA group (t = -6.193, p < 0.001). No significant correlations were found between catecholamine and anxiety levels. These results showed that excessive Internet gaming over time induced decreased peripheral Epi and NE levels, thus altering autonomic regulation, and increasing anxiety levels in male high school students. Based on these physiological and psychological effects, interventions intended to prevent and treat IGA should include stabilizing Epi, NE, and anxiety levels in adolescents.

Effects of Mind-Body Training on Cytokines and Their Interactions with Catecholamines.

PubMed

Jang, Joon Hwan; Park, Hye Yoon; Lee, Ui Soon; Lee, Kyung-Jun; Kang, Do-Hyung

2017-07-01

Mind-body training (MBT) may control reactions to stress and regulate the nervous and immune systems. The present study was designed to assess the effects of MBT on plasma cytokines and their interactions with catecholamines. The study group consisted of 80 subjects who practice MBT and a control group of 62 healthy subjects. Plasma catecholamine (norepinephrine, NE; epinephrine, E; and dopamine, DA) and cytokine (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IFN-gamma, and IL-10) levels were measured, and the differences between the MBT and control groups and the interactions of cytokines with catecholamines were investigated. A significant increase in IL-10+IFN-gamma was found in females of the MBT group compared with controls. Also, a significant increase of IL-10 (anti-inflammatory cytokine) in the MBT group was shown in a specific condition in which TNF-alpha and IL-6 (pro-inflammatory cytokines) are almost absent (≤1 ng/L) compared with controls. In the MBT group, significant positive correlations were found between IL-10 and the NE/E ratio and between IL-10 and the DA/E ratio, whereas the control group did not show any such correlations. MBT may increase IL-10, under specific conditions such as a decrease of pro-inflammatory cytokines or E, which may regulate the stress response and possibly contribute to effective and beneficial interactions between the nervous and immune systems.

Real-time monitoring of electrically evoked catecholamine signals in the songbird striatum using in vivo fast-scan cyclic voltammetry.

PubMed

Smith, Amanda R; Garris, Paul A; Casto, Joseph M

2015-01-01

Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry is a powerful technique for monitoring rapid changes in extracellular neurotransmitter levels in the brain. In vivo fast-scan cyclic voltammetry has been used extensively in mammalian models to characterize dopamine signals in both anesthetized and awake preparations, but has yet to be applied to a non-mammalian vertebrate. The goal of this study was to establish in vivo fast-scan cyclic voltammetry in a songbird, the European starling, to facilitate real-time measurements of extracellular catecholamine levels in the avian striatum. In urethane-anesthetized starlings, changes in catecholamine levels were evoked by electrical stimulation of the ventral tegmental area and measured at carbon-fiber microelectrodes positioned in the medial and lateral striata. Catecholamines were elicited by different stimulations, including trains related to phasic dopamine signaling in the rat, and were analyzed to quantify presynaptic mechanisms governing exocytotic release and neuronal uptake. Evoked extracellular catecholamine dynamics, maximal amplitude of the evoked catecholamine signal, and parameters for catecholamine release and uptake did not differ between striatal regions and were similar to those determined for dopamine in the rat dorsomedial striatum under similar conditions. Chemical identification of measured catecholamine by its voltammogram was consistent with the presence of both dopamine and norepinephrine in striatal tissue content. However, the high ratio of dopamine to norepinephrine in tissue content and the greater sensitivity of the carbon-fiber microelectrode to dopamine compared to norepinephrine favored the measurement of dopamine. Thus, converging evidence suggests that dopamine was the predominate analyte of the electrically evoked catecholamine signal measured in the striatum by fast-scan cyclic voltammetry. Overall, comparisons between the characteristics of these evoked signals suggested a similar presynaptic regulation of dopamine in the starling and rat striatum. Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry thus has the potential to be an invaluable tool for investigating the neural underpinnings of behavior in birds. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Real-time monitoring of electrically evoked catecholamine signals in the songbird striatum using in vivo fast-scan cyclic voltammetry

PubMed Central

Smith, Amanda R.; Garris, Paul A.; Casto, Joseph M.

2015-01-01

Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry is a powerful technique for monitoring rapid changes in extracellular neurotransmitter levels in the brain. In vivo fast-scan cyclic voltammetry has been used extensively in mammalian models to characterize dopamine signals in both anesthetized and awake preparations, but has yet to be applied to a non-mammalian vertebrate. The goal of this study was to establish in vivo fast-scan cyclic voltammetry in a songbird, the European starling, to facilitate real-time measurements of extracellular catecholamine levels in the avian striatum. In urethane-anesthetized starlings, changes in catecholamine levels were evoked by electrical stimulation of the ventral tegmental area and measured at carbon-fiber microelectrodes positioned in the medial and lateral striata. Catecholamines were elicited by different stimulations, including trains related to phasic dopamine signaling in the rat, and were analyzed to quantify presynaptic mechanisms governing exocytotic release and neuronal uptake. Evoked extracellular catecholamine dynamics, maximal amplitude of the evoked catecholamine signal, and parameters for catecholamine release and uptake did not differ between striatal regions and were similar to those determined for dopamine in the rat dorsomedial striatum under similar conditions. Chemical identification of measured catecholamine by its voltammogram was consistent with the presence of both dopamine and norepinephrine in striatal tissue content. However, the high ratio of dopamine to norepinephrine in tissue content and the greater sensitivity of the carbon-fiber microelectrode to dopamine compared to norepinephrine favored the measurement of dopamine. Thus, converging evidence suggests that dopamine was the predominate analyte of the electrically evoked catecholamine signal measured in the striatum by fast-scan cyclic voltammetry. Overall, comparisons between the characteristics of these evoked signals suggested a similar presynaptic regulation of dopamine in the starling and rat striatum. Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry thus has the potential to be an invaluable tool for investigating the neural underpinnings of behavior in birds. PMID:25900708

Consideration of the degree of increase in urine metadrenalines provides superior specificity in the diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma than additional urine catecholamine measurement.

PubMed

Scargill, J J; Reed, P; Kane, J

2013-01-01

Measurement of fractionated plasma or urine metadrenalines is the recommended screening test in the diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma, with clinical cut-offs geared towards diagnostic sensitivity. Current practice at Salford Royal Hospital is to add urine catecholamines onto samples with raised urine metadrenalines, with the aim of adding specificity to a diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma. This practice was reviewed by identifying a series of patients with raised urine metadrenalines who had catecholamines reflectively added. A total of 358 samples were identified from 242 patients, of which 228 had urine catecholamines measured. A diagnosis of 'phaeochromocytoma' (n = 41) or 'no phaeochromocytoma' (n = 90) was obtained in 131 of 228 patients, giving raised urine metadrenalines a positive predictive value for phaeochromocytoma of 31%. The finding of increased urine catecholamines in samples with raised urine metadrenalines increased specificity for phaeochromocytoma to 70%. However, 95% diagnostic specificity for phaeochromocytoma could be achieved by the introduction of a second cut-off for urine metadrenalines geared towards maximizing specificity. Consideration of the degree of increase in urine metadrenalines is a superior method of determining the likelihood of phaeochromocytoma than measurement of urine catecholamines.

Effects of their nutrient precursors on the synthesis and release of serotonin, the catecholamines, and acetylcholine - Implications for behavioral disorders

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wurtman, Richard J.

1988-01-01

Authentic foods affect brain serotonin synthesis by modifying brain tryptophan levels, carbohydrates increasing and proteins decreasing these levels. The carbohydrate-induced rise in brain serotonin tends to diminish the likelihood that one carbohydrate-rich, protein-poor meal or snack will be followed by another. This mechanism is apparently disturbed in carbohydrate-craving obesity, which may explain why this syndrome responds well to d-fenfluramine, a serotoninergic drug. Pure nutrients like tyrosine or choline can also affect the rates at which their neurotransmitter products, the catecholamines and acetylcholine, are synthesized in and released from nerve terminals, suggesting that these compounds may find uses as drugs.

5-s-Cysteinyl-conjugates of catecholamines induce cell damage, extensive DNA base modification and increases in caspase-3 activity in neurons.

PubMed

Spencer, Jeremy P E; Whiteman, Matthew; Jenner, Peter; Halliwell, Barry

2002-04-01

A decrease in reduced glutathione levels in dopamine containing nigral cells in Parkinson's disease may result from the formation of cysteinyl-adducts of catecholamines, which in turn exert toxicity on nigral cells. We show that exposure of neurons (CSM 14.1) to 5-S-cysteinyl conjugates of dopamine, L-DOPA, DOPAC or DHMA causes neuronal damage, increases in oxidative DNA base modification and an elevation of caspase-3 activity in cells. Damage to neurons was apparent 12-48 h of post-exposure and there were increases in caspase-3 activity in neurons after 6 h. These changes were paralleled by large increases in pyrimidine and purine base oxidation products, such as 8-OH-guanine suggesting that 5-S-cysteinyl conjugates of catecholamines are capable of diffusing into cells and stimulating the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may then lead to a mechanism of cell damage involving caspase-3. Indeed, intracellular ROS were observed to rise sharply on exposure to the conjugates. These results suggest one mechanism by which oxidative stress may occur in the substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease.

Imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide, facilitates tyrosine hydroxylase transcription and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase mRNA expression to enhance catecholamine synthesis and its nicotine-evoked elevation in PC12D cells.

PubMed

Kawahata, Ichiro; Yamakuni, Tohru

2018-02-01

Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid insecticide acting as an agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the target insects. However, questions about the safety to mammals, including human have emerged. Overactivation of mammalian peripheral catecholaminergic systems leads to onset of tachycardia, hypertension, vomiting, etc., which have been observed in acutely imidacloprid-poisoned patients as well. Physiological activation of the nAChRs is known to drive catecholamine biosynthesis and secretion in mammalian adrenal chromaffin cells. Yet, the impacts of imidacloprid on the catecholaminergic function of the chromaffin cells remain to be evaluated. In this study using PC12D cells, a catecholaminergic cell line derived from the medulla chromaffin-cell tumors of rat adrenal gland, we examined whether imidacloprid itself could impact the catecholamine-synthesizing ability. Imidacloprid alone did facilitate tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) transcription via activation of α3β4 nAChR and the α7 subunit-comprising receptor. The insecticide showed the TH transcription-facilitating ability at the concentrations of 3 and 30 μM, at which acetylcholine is known to produce physiological responses, including catecholamine secretion through the nAChRs in adrenal chromaffin cells. The insecticide-facilitated TH transcription was also dependent on PKA- and RhoA-mediated signaling pathways. The insecticide coincidentally raised levels of TH and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) mRNA, and as a consequence, increased catecholamine production, although the efficacy of the neonicotinoid was lesser than that of nicotine, indicating its partial agonist-like action. Intriguingly, in cultured rat adrenal chromaffin cells, imidacloprid did increase levels of TH and PNMT protein. When the chromaffin cells were treated with nicotine in the presence of the insecticide, nicotine-elevated adrenaline production was enhanced due to facilitation of nicotine-increased TH and PNMT protein expression, and simultaneous enhancement of nicotine-elevated adrenaline secretion also took place. These findings thus suggest that imidacloprid may facilitate the physiological functions of adrenal glands in mammals. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Catecholamines and obesity: effects of exercise and training.

PubMed

Zouhal, Hassane; Lemoine-Morel, Sophie; Mathieu, Marie-Eve; Casazza, Gretchen A; Jabbour, Georges

2013-07-01

Excess body fat in obese individuals can affect the catecholamine response to various stimuli. Indeed, several studies report lower plasma catecholamine concentrations in obese subjects compared with nonobese subjects in response to submaximal or maximal exercise. This low catecholamine response reflects decreased sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity. Although the relationship between the SNS and obesity is not well established, some authors have suggested that low SNS activity may contribute to the development of obesity. A decreased catecholamine response could affect α- and β-adrenoceptor sensitivity in adipose tissue, reducing lipolysis and increasing fat stores. Few studies have examined the effects of obesity on the plasma catecholamine response at rest and during exercise in adolescents. It is interesting to note that the effects of age, sex, and degree of obesity and the impact of very intense exercise on the catecholamine response have not yet been well examined. Moreover, the hormonal concentrations measured in the majority of obesity studies did not take into account plasma volume changes. This methodological factor can also undoubtedly influence plasma catecholamine results.

Phentolamine tests and catecholamine levels in normotensive CVA patients.

PubMed

Favazza, A R

1974-11-01

Ten normotensive patients diagnosed as having a CVA had Regitine tests and urinary VMA and catecholamine determinations during the first day of hospitalization. The VMA and catecholamine levels were all within normal limits (except for one elevated VMA level) but did not correlate well with each other. The average response to phentolamine was an average drop in blood pressure of 30mm. Hg systolic and 19 mm. Hg diastolic. Mechanisms by which hypertensive states or cerebral damage might effect blood pressure are discussed. It is suggested that CNS damage might induce a vasolabile or hypersensitive state via connections and consequent alterations in the autonomic vasomotor system.

Diurnal Profiles of Melatonin Synthesis-Related Indoles, Catecholamines and Their Metabolites in the Duck Pineal Organ

PubMed Central

Lewczuk, Bogdan; Ziółkowska, Natalia; Prusik, Magdalena; Przybylska-Gornowicz, Barbara

2014-01-01

This study characterizes the diurnal profiles of ten melatonin synthesis-related indoles, the quantitative relations between these compounds, and daily variations in the contents of catecholamines and their metabolites in the domestic duck pineal organ. Fourteen-week-old birds, which were reared under a 12L:12D cycle, were killed at two-hour intervals. The indole contents were measured using HPLC with fluorescence detection, whereas the levels of catecholamines and their metabolites were measured using HPLC with electrochemical detection. All indole contents, except for tryptophan, showed significant diurnal variations. The 5-hydroxytryptophan level was approximately two-fold higher during the scotophase than during the photophase. The serotonin content increased during the first half of the photophase, remained elevated for approximately 10 h and then rapidly decreased in the middle of the scotophase. N-acetylserotonin showed the most prominent changes, with a more than 15-fold increase at night. The melatonin cycle demonstrated only an approximately 5-fold difference between the peak and nadir. The 5-methoxytryptamine content was markedly elevated during the scotophase. The 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid, 5-hydroxytryptophol, 5-methoxyindole acetic acid and 5-methoxytryptophol profiles were analogous to the serotonin rhythm. The norepinephrine and dopamine contents showed no significant changes. The DOPA, DOPAC and homovanillic acid levels were higher during the scotophase than during the photophase. Vanillylmandelic acid showed the opposite rhythm, with an elevated level during the daytime. PMID:25032843

[The influence of single moderate exercise on the sympathetic nervous system activity in patients with essential hypertension].

PubMed

Gajek, Jacek; Zyśko, Dorota

2002-12-01

Sympathetic nervous system may play an important role in development and maintenance of hypertension. Its activity can be assessed by plasma levels of catecholamines, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and adrenergic receptor density. Hypertensive subjects may be more prone to reveal overactivity of sympathetic nervous system, for instance as a result of physical stress. The aim of the study was to determine the activity of sympathetic nervous system in young patients with newly recognized, untreated mild hypertension. The study was carried out in 22 patients (age 38.5 +/- 10.3 years) and 20 normotensive volunteers (age 38.5 +/- 8.6 years) as a control group, matched for sex. Density of alpha 2- and beta-adrenergic receptors using 3H-yohimbine and 125I-cyanopindolol respectively, total catecholamines and plasma renin activity using radioenzymatic assay, neuropeptide Y and aldosterone using radioimmunoassay were assessed in the blood taken in the supine position and after moderate bicycle ergometer exercise. Plasma concentration of NPY at rest did not differ between the groups, but increased significantly after exercise and was greater in hypertensive patients (p < 0.05). The density of alpha 2- and beta-adrenergic receptors at rest and after exercise in hypertensive subjects was unchanged when comparing to healthy individuals. The plasma concentrations of endogenous catecholamines, plasma renin activity and aldosterone level increase during exercise in both studied groups (p < 0.05). Aldosterone level was higher in hypertensive patients at rest (p < 0.05). There was a negative correlation between baseline aldosterone and NPY levels in hypertensive patients (r = -0.44, p < 0.05). Moderate exercise in hypertensive subjects causes the hyperactivity of sympathetic nervous system expressed as increase of NPY plasma level.

Resting-State Peripheral Catecholamine and Anxiety Levels in Korean Male Adolescents with Internet Game Addiction

PubMed Central

Kim, Nahyun; Hughes, Tonda L.; Park, Chang G.; Quinn, Laurie

2016-01-01

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare the resting-state plasma catecholamine and anxiety levels of Korean male adolescents with Internet game addiction (IGA) and those without IGA. This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted with 230 male high school students in a South Korean city. Convenience and snowball sampling methods were employed, and data were collected using (1) participant blood samples analyzed for dopamine (DA), epinephrine (Epi), and norepinephrine (NE) and (2) two questionnaires to assess IGA and anxiety levels. Using SPSS 15.0, data were analyzed by descriptive analysis, χ2-tests, t-tests, and Pearson's correlation tests. The plasma Epi (t = 1.962, p < 0.050) and NE (t = 2.003, p = 0.046) levels were significantly lower in the IGA group than in the non-IGA group; DA levels did not significantly differ between the groups. The mean anxiety level of the IGA group was significantly higher compared with the non-IGA group (t =−6.193, p < 0.001). No significant correlations were found between catecholamine and anxiety levels. These results showed that excessive Internet gaming over time induced decreased peripheral Epi and NE levels, thus altering autonomic regulation, and increasing anxiety levels in male high school students. Based on these physiological and psychological effects, interventions intended to prevent and treat IGA should include stabilizing Epi, NE, and anxiety levels in adolescents. PMID:26849530

DJ-1 is a redox sensitive adapter protein for high molecular weight complexes involved in regulation of catecholamine homeostasis

PubMed Central

Piston, Dominik; Alvarez-Erviti, Lydia; Bansal, Vikas; Gargano, Daniela; Yao, Zhi; Szabadkai, Gyorgy; Odell, Mark; Puno, M Rhyan; Björkblom, Benny; Maple-Grødem, Jodi; Breuer, Peter; Kaut, Oliver; Larsen, Jan Petter; Bonn, Stefan; Møller, Simon Geir; Wüllner, Ullrich; Schapira, Anthony H V

2017-01-01

Abstract DJ-1 is an oxidation sensitive protein encoded by the PARK7 gene. Mutations in PARK7 are a rare cause of familial recessive Parkinson’s disease (PD), but growing evidence suggests involvement of DJ-1 in idiopathic PD. The key clinical features of PD, rigidity and bradykinesia, result from neurotransmitter imbalance, particularly the catecholamines dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline. We report in human brain and human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell lines that DJ-1 predominantly forms high molecular weight (HMW) complexes that included RNA metabolism proteins hnRNPA1 and PABP1 and the glycolysis enzyme GAPDH. In cell culture models the oxidation status of DJ-1 determined the specific complex composition. RNA sequencing indicated that oxidative changes to DJ-1 were concomitant with changes in mRNA transcripts mainly involved in catecholamine metabolism. Importantly, loss of DJ-1 function upon knock down (KD) or expression of the PD associated form L166P resulted in the absence of HMW DJ-1 complexes. In the KD model, the absence of DJ-1 complexes was accompanied by impairment in catecholamine homeostasis, with significant increases in intracellular DA and noraderenaline levels. These changes in catecholamines could be rescued by re-expression of DJ-1. This catecholamine imbalance may contribute to the particular vulnerability of dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurons to neurodegeneration in PARK7-related PD. Notably, oxidised DJ-1 was significantly decreased in idiopathic PD brain, suggesting altered complex function may also play a role in the more common sporadic form of the disease. PMID:29016861

Dynamin and myosin regulate differential exocytosis from mouse adrenal chromaffin cells.

PubMed

Chan, Shyue-An; Doreian, Bryan; Smith, Corey

2010-11-01

Neuroendocrine chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla represent a primary output for the sympathetic nervous system. Chromaffin cells release catecholamine as well as vaso- and neuro-active peptide transmitters into the circulation through exocytic fusion of large dense-core secretory granules. Under basal sympathetic activity, chromaffin cells selectively release modest levels of catecholamines, helping to set the "rest and digest" status of energy storage. Under stress activation, elevated sympathetic firing leads to increased catecholamine as well as peptide transmitter release to set the "fight or flight" status of energy expenditure. While the mechanism for catecholamine release has been widely investigated, relatively little is known of how peptide transmitter release is regulated to occur selectively under elevated stimulation. Recent studies have shown selective catecholamine release under basal stimulation is accomplished through a transient, restricted exocytic fusion pore between granule and plasma membrane, releasing a soluble fraction of the small, diffusible molecules. Elevated cell firing leads to the active dilation of the fusion pore, leading to the release of both catecholamine and the less diffusible peptide transmitters. Here we propose a molecular mechanism regulating the activity-dependent dilation of the fusion pore. We review the immediate literature and provide new data to formulate a working mechanistic hypothesis whereby calcium-mediated dephosphorylation of dynamin I at Ser-774 leads to the recruitment of the molecular motor myosin II to actively dilate the fusion pore to facilitate release of peptide transmitters. Thus, activity-dependent dephosphorylation of dynamin is hypothesized to represent a key molecular step in the sympatho-adrenal stress response.

Effects of space flight conditions on the function of the immune system and catecholamine production simulated in a rodent model of hindlimb unloading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aviles, Hernan; Belay, Tesfaye; Vance, Monique; Sonnenfeld, Gerald

2005-01-01

The rodent model of hindlimb unloading has been successfully used to simulate some of the effects of space flight conditions. Previous studies have indicated that mice exposed to hindlimb-unloading conditions have decreased resistance to infections compared to restrained and normally housed control mice. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to clarify the mechanisms involved in resistance to infection in this model by examining the effects of hindlimb unloading on the function of the immune system and its impact on the production of catecholamines. METHODS: Female Swiss Webster mice were hindlimb-unloaded during 48 h and the function of the immune system was assessed in spleen and peritoneal cells immediately after this period. In addition, the kinetics of catecholamine production was measured throughout the hindlimb-unloading period. RESULTS: The function of the immune system was significantly suppressed in the hindlimb-unloaded group compared to restrained and normally housed control mice. Levels of catecholamines were increased in the hindlimb-unloaded group and peaked at 12 h following the commencement of unloading. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that physiological responses of mice are altered early after hindlimb unloading and that catecholamines may play a critical role in the modulation of the immune system. These changes may affect the ability of mice to resist infections. Copyright (c) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Neonatal overfeeding increases capacity for catecholamine biosynthesis from the adrenal gland acutely and long-term in the male rat.

PubMed

Sominsky, Luba; Ong, Lin Kooi; Ziko, Ilvana; Dickson, Phillip W; Spencer, Sarah J

2018-07-15

A poor nutritional environment during early development has long been known to increase disease susceptibility later in life. We have previously shown that rats that are overfed as neonates (i.e. suckled in small litters (4 pups) relative to control conditions (12 pups)) show dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis responses to immune stress in adulthood, particularly due to an altered capacity of the adrenal to respond to an immune challenge. Here we hypothesised that neonatal overfeeding similarly affects the sympathomedullary system, testing this by investigating the biochemical function of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the first rate-limiting enzyme in the catecholamine synthesis. We also examined changes in adrenal expression of the leptin receptor and in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling. During the neonatal period, we saw age-dependent changes in TH activity and phosphorylation, with neonatal overfeeding stimulating increased adrenal TH specific activity at postnatal days 7 and 14, along with a compensatory reduction in total TH protein levels. This increased TH activity was maintained into adulthood where neonatally overfed rats exhibited increased adrenal responsiveness 30 min after an immune challenge with lipopolysaccharide, evident in a concomitant increase in TH protein levels and specific activity. Neonatal overfeeding significantly reduced the expression of the leptin receptor in neonatal adrenals at postnatal day 7 and in adult adrenals, but did not affect MAPK signalling. These data suggest neonatal overfeeding alters the capacity of the adrenal to synthesise catecholamines, both acutely and long term, and these effects may be independent of leptin signalling. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Catecholamines and in vitro growth of pathogenic bacteria: enhancement of growth varies greatly among bacterial species

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Belay, Tesfaye; Aviles, Hernan; Vance, Monique; Fountain, Kimberly; Sonnenfeld, Gerald

2003-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of catecholamines on in vitro growth of a range of bacterial species, including anaerobes. Bacteria tested included: Porphyromonas gingivalis, Bacteriodes fragilis, Shigella boydii, Shigella sonnie, Enterobacter Sp, and Salmonella choleraesuis. The results of the current study indicated that supplementation of bacterial cultures in minimal medium with norepinephrine or epinephrine did not result in increased growth of bacteria. Positive controls involving treatment of Escherichia coli with catecholamines did result in increased growth of that bacterial species. The results of the present study extend previous observations that showed differential capability of catecholamines to enhance bacterial growth in vitro.

L-threo 3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine treatment during mouse perinatal and rat postnatal development does not alter the impact of dietary copper deficiency

PubMed Central

Pyatskowit, Joshua W.; Prohaska, Joseph R.

2009-01-01

Dietary copper (Cu) deficiency was induced perinatally in Swiss Albino mice and postnatally in male Holtzman rats to investigate the effect of L-threo 3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine (DOPS) on pup survival and catecholamine levels in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Mouse dams were placed on one of four treatments 14 days after mating and rats at postnatal day 19 (P19). Treatments were Cu-adequate (Cu +) and Cu-deficient (Cu −) diets with or without DOPS (1 mg/ml) in the drinking water. Mouse pups were killed at P14 and rats at P49. Mortality in Cu − pups was 46% and not significantly improved by DOPS, 39%. A repeat study with mice adding ascorbic acid in the water with DOPS showed no improvement. Compared to Cu + animals, Cu − animals were smaller, anemic and had a 92% reduction in liver Cu. DOPS treatment made no improvement to and in some cases exacerbated the Cu deficiency. Catecholamine levels measured in heart and brain by LCEC showed decreased NE levels and increased DA levels in Cu − animals compared to controls. DOPS treatment did not alter this pattern. Although DOPS was present in treated animal’s tissues, survival in mice and catecholamine levels in mice and rats were not altered by the 1 mg/ml dose of DOPS. PMID:16117185

Behavioral and perceived stressor effects on urinary catecholamine excretion in adult Samoans.

PubMed

Bergey, Meredith R; Steele, Matthew S; Bereiter, David A; Viali, Satupaitea; McGarvey, Stephen T

2011-01-01

The effects of perceptions and behaviors related to culturally patterned socioeconomic obligations on catecholamine excretion rates were studied in a cross-sectional sample of Samoan adults. A total of 378 participants, ages 29-62 years, from 9 villages throughout Samoa, provided timed overnight urine specimens, and self-reported perceptions and behaviors associated with contributions to one's family, aiga, and chief, matai, and communal gift exchanges, fa'alavelave. Urinary norepinephrine and epinephrine excretion rates were measured by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Age (≤40 vs. >40 years) and gender-specific regression models were estimated to detect associations with catecholamine excretion. Young women who contribute more to their matai, who consider fa'alavelave to be a financial strain, and who view their contribution to their matai to be "just right," had significantly higher residence-adjusted norepinephrine excretion. Young women who contribute more to their matai, who consider fa'alavelave to be a financial strain, and who consider their contribution to their aiga not to be a burden, had higher epinephrine excretion. Older men who contribute more to their aiga and who perceive their contribution to their aiga to be "just right" had increased residence-adjusted epinephrine excretion. Individual-level perceptions and behaviors related to traditional socioeconomic obligations are a significant correlate of increased overnight catecholamine excretion rates. Higher excretion rates may be attributed to psychosocial stress arousal associated with a discordance between personal desires for upward social mobility, and family and community-based socioeconomic obligations. Changes in patterns of individual-level psychosocial stress arousal may contribute to cardiovascular disease risk in modernizing Samoans. Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Perioperative management of paraganglioma and catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy in child- a case report and review of the literature.

PubMed

Jia, Xixi; Guo, Xiangyang; Zheng, Qing

2017-10-17

Paragangliomas are catecholamine-secreting tumors of the paraganglia. Perioperative mortality of children with paraganglioma is high, but preoperative therapy and anesthetic management of paraganglioma resection are controversial in children. The literatures on catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy are limited to several case reports,with few reports of studies on children. Here we report the anesthetic management of a child with paraganglioma and catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy, and the possible perioperative anesthesia problems of the paraganglioma resection are discussed. Preoperative and intraoperative anesthetic management of Pheochromocytomas children should follow the same principles as for adults, The most important aspects are the control of blood pressure liability and maintenance of adequate blood volume. Pheochromocytomas patient may have cardiomoyopathy due to myocardial toxicity of excessive circulating catecholamines level. The perioperative management of catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy should include lowering sympathetic activation by means of α-and β-adrenergic receptor blocker and diuretics administration in case of volume overload.

Aortoarteritis: Could it be a form of catecholamine-induced vasculitis?

PubMed Central

Sarathi, Vijaya; Lila, Anurag R.; Bandgar, Tushar R.; Shah, Nalini S.

2013-01-01

Catecholamine-induced vasculitis is a well known but rarely described entity. However, aortoarteritis as a manifestation of catecholamine-induced vasculitis is not described in the literature. We have reported two patients in whom pheochromocytoma coexisted with aortoarteritis. Both patients were young females with history of bilateral pheochromocytomas in more than one first-degree relative. Both patients also had bilateral adrenal pheochromocytomas (second patient also had paraganglioma at left renal hilum) with elevation of plasma free normetanephrine levels. We conclude that there may be an association between pheochromocytoma and aortoarteritis, and that catecholamine excess may have a role in the etiopathogenesis of aortoarteritis in these patients. PMID:23776874

Evaluation and validation of a method for determining platelet catecholamine in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and arterial hypertension.

PubMed

Feres, Marcia C; Cintra, Fatima D; Rizzi, Camila F; Mello-Fujita, Luciane; Lino de Souza, Altay A; Tufik, Sergio; Poyares, Dalva

2014-01-01

Measurements of plasma and urinary catecholamine are susceptible to confounding factors that influence the results, complicating the interpretation of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity in the Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and arterial hypertension (HYP) conditions. In this study, we validated a test for platelet catecholamine and compared the catecholamine levels (adrenaline and noradrenaline) in urine, plasma and platelets in patients with OSA and HYP compared with controls. In the validation, 30 healthy, nonsmoking volunteers who were not currently undergoing treatment or medication were selected as the control group. One hundred fifty-four individuals (114 OSA, 40 non-OSA) were consecutively selected from the outpatient clinic of the Sleep Institute and underwent clinical, polysomnographic and laboratory evaluation, including the urinary, plasma and platelet levels of adrenaline (AD) and noradrenaline (NA). Patients were then allocated to groups according to the presence of OSA and/or hypertension. A logistic regression model, controlled for age and BMI, showed that urinary AD and urinary NA were risk factors in the OSA+HYP group and the HYP group; however, the model showed higher levels of platelet NA for OSA without HYP. After 1 year of CPAP (continuous upper airway pressure) treatment, patients (n = 9) presented lower levels of urinary NA (p = 0.04) and platelet NA (p = 0.05). Urinary NA and AD levels were significantly associated with the condition of hypertension with and without OSA, whereas platelet NA with OSA without comorbidity. These findings suggest that platelet catecholamine levels might reflect nocturnal sympathetic activation in OSA patients without hypertension.

The Influence of Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism on the β-Adrenergic Responsiveness of the Turkey Erythrocyte

PubMed Central

Bilezikian, John P.; Loeb, John N.; Gammon, Donald E.

1979-01-01

The mechanisms responsible for altered adrenergic tone in hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are not fully understood. To investigate these mechanisms, the β-adrenergic receptor-cyclic AMP complex of the turkey erythrocyte was studied among groups of normal, hyperthyroid, and hypothyroid turkeys. In erythrocytes obtained from hypothyroid turkeys, there were fewer β-adrenergic receptors than in normal cells as determined by the specific binding of [125I]iodohydroxybenzylpindolol, as well as associated decreases both in catecholamine-responsive adenylate cyclase activity and in cellular cyclic AMP content. In contrast, erythrocytes obtained from hyperthyroid turkeys contained the same number of β-receptors and had the same catecholamine-responsive adenylate cyclase activity as cells from normal birds. Other characteristics of the β-receptors in cells from hyperthyroid birds were indistinguishable from those present in normal erythrocytes. However, within the range of circulating catecholamine concentrations, 5-50 nM, the erythrocytes of the hyperthyroid turkeys generated substantially more cyclic AMP after exposure to isoproterenol than did normal cells. These results suggest that thyroid hormone affects β-receptor-cyclic AMP interrelationships in the turkey erythrocyte by two distinct mechanisms: (a) In hypothyroidism, both β-receptors and catecholamine-dependent cyclic AMP formation are coordinately decreased; (b) in hyperthyroidism, β-receptors are unchanged but there is an amplification of the hormonal signal so that occupation of a given number of receptors at physiological concentrations of catecholamines leads to increased levels of cyclic AMP. PMID:219032

Catecholamines and myocardial contractile function during hypodynamia and with an altered thyroid hormone balance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pruss, G. M.; Kuznetsov, V. I.; Zhilinskaya, A. A.

1980-01-01

The dynamics of catecholamine content and myocardial contractile function during hypodynamia were studied in 109 white rats whose motor activity was severely restricted for up to 30 days. During the first five days myocardial catecholamine content, contractile function, and physical load tolerance decreased. Small doses of thyroidin counteracted this tendency. After 15 days, noradrenalin content and other indices approached normal levels and, after 30 days, were the same as control levels, although cardiac functional reserve was decreased. Thyroidin administration after 15 days had no noticeable effect. A detailed table shows changes in 17 indices of myocardial contractile function during hypodynamia.

Mechanism of postarrhythmic renal vasoconstriction in the anesthetized dog.

PubMed

Katholi, R E; Oparil, S; Urthaler, F; James, T N

1979-07-01

The mechanism of postarrhythmic renal vasoconstriction was studied in 28 dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (30 mg/kg i.v.). Rapid atrial or ventricular pacing or induction of atrial fibrilation were used to produce at least 20% prompt decrease in cardiac output and mean arterial blood pressure. Return to control cardiac output and blood pressure occurred within 3 minutes after cessation of the arrhythmia, but renal blood flow remained significantly decreased (26%) with gradual recovery by 17.7 +/- 6.6 min. Infusion of phentolamine (0.25 mg/min) into the renal artery, intravenous hexamethonium (l mg/kg), adrenal demedullation, or cooling the cervical vagi prevented postarrhythmic renal vasoconstriction. In contrast, renal denervation, intravenous bretylium (10 mg/kg), intravenous atropine (0.5 mg/kg) or intrarenal SQ 20881 (0.20 mg/min) has no effect on postarrhythmic renal vasoconstriction. Intravenous propranolol (0.5 mg/kg) intensified postarrhythmic renal vasoconstriction. These data suggested that the postarrhythmic renal vasoconstrictive response required intact vagi and was due to alpha adrenergic stimulation by adrenal catecholamines. However, femoral arterial catecholamine levels were not elevated above control during postarrhythmic renal vasoconstriction. We therefore sought local vascular pathways by which catecholamines might reach the kidneys. An adrenorenal vascular network was found in each dog. Collection of catecholamines from these vessels during postarrhythmic renal vasoconstriction in six dogs revealed catecholamine concentrations threefold higher than simultaneously collected femoral arterial catecholamines levels. Because ligation of these vessels abolished postarrhythmic renal vasoconstriction in each dog, we conclude that postarrhythmic renal vasconstriction is due to adrenal catecholamines reaching the kidneys through an adreno-renal vascular network and that the response requires intact vagi.

Telomere length is inversely correlated with urinary stress hormone levels in healthy controls but not in un-medicated depressed individuals-preliminary findings.

PubMed

Fair, Brittany; Mellon, Synthia H; Epel, Elissa S; Lin, Jue; Révész, Dóra; Verhoeven, Josine E; Penninx, Brenda W; Reus, Victor I; Rosser, Rebecca; Hough, Christina M; Mahan, Laura; Burke, Heather M; Blackburn, Elizabeth H; Wolkowitz, Owen M

2017-08-01

Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is a biomarker of cellular aging affected by chronic stress. The relationship of LTL to the stress hormones, cortisol and catecholamines, is unclear, as are possible differences between healthy controls (HC) and individuals with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). This small pilot study is the first to examine the relationship between cortisol, catecholamines and LTL specifically in un-medicated MDD in comparison with HC. Participants included 16 un-medicated MDD subjects and 15 HC for assay of LTL, 12-hour overnight urinary free cortisol and catecholamine levels. LTL, cortisol and catecholamine levels did not significantly differ between groups. In HC, a hierarchical regression analysis indicated that higher levels of cortisol were correlated with shorter LTL (p=0.003) above and beyond age and sex. Higher catecholamine levels were nearly-significant with shorter LTL (p=0.055). Neither hormone was correlated with shorter LTL in MDD (p's>0.28). To assess a possible cumulative effect of stress hormone activation, a summary score was calculated for each subject based on the number of stress hormone levels above the median for that group (HC or MDD). A significant inverse graded relationship was observed between LTL and the number of activated systems in HC (p=0.001), but not in MDD (p=0.96). This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that stress hormone levels, especially cortisol, are inversely related to LTL in HC, but not in un-medicated MDD. Clarification of these relationships in larger samples could aid in understanding differential mechanisms underlying stress-related cellular aging in healthy and depressed populations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Comparative study on the effect of antiatherosclerotic diet enriched with polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids of plant and animal origin on the level of natural antibodies against catecholamines in patients with cardiovascular diseases].

PubMed

Pogozheva, A V; Rozanova, I A; Miagkova, M A; Sorokovoĭ, K V; Panchenko, O N; Trubacheva, Zh N

1998-01-01

The levels of natural antibodies against catecholamines in 138 patients with cardiovascular diseases was studied and the comparative analysis of influence of antiatherosclerotic diets with different origin of PUFA omega-3 on dynamic of these parameters was made. For the first time discovered universal action of diets with PUFA omega-3 vegetable and animal origin on parameters of humoral immunity: in case of primary excess of norm of the contents of natural antibodies to adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine as a result of treatment these parameters were reduced or did not change; and at is primary a low their level--parameters increased in most cases. The greatest immunocorrection effect was rendered by diet, enriched PUFA omega-3 of freshwater fishes fat.

Clozapine response and plasma catecholamines and their metabolites.

PubMed

Green, A I; Alam, M Y; Sobieraj, J T; Pappalardo, K M; Waternaux, C; Salzman, C; Schatzberg, A F; Schildkraut, J J

1993-02-01

The atypical neuroleptic clozapine has an unusual profile of clinical effects and a distinctive spectrum of pharmacological actions. Plasma measures of catecholamines and their metabolites have been used in the past to study the action of typical neuroleptics. We obtained longitudinal assessments of plasma measures of dopamine (pDA), norepinephrine (pNE), and their metabolites, homovanillic acid (pHVA) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (pMHPG), in eight treatment-resistant or treatment-intolerant schizophrenic patients who were treated with clozapine for 12 weeks following a prolonged drug-washout period. Our findings from the study of these eight patients suggest the following: Plasma levels of HVA and possibly NE derived from the neuroleptic-free baseline period may predict response to clozapine; plasma levels of HVA and MHPG decrease during the initial weeks of treatment in responders but not in nonresponders; and plasma levels of DA and NE increase in both responders and nonresponders to clozapine.

[Urinary excretion of catecholamines in obese subjects and in diabetics (author's transl)].

PubMed

Giorgino, R; Nardelli, G M; Scardapane, R

1976-03-01

95 obese subjects, 40 diabetics and 22 normal controls were investigated. The weight of all obese subjects was at least 20% higher than the ideal weight. Catecholamine excretion was determined a few days after hospitalization to minimize the influence of environmental changes. Spectrofluorimetric estimation of adrenaline and noradrenaline in the urine was carried out according to the method of von Euler and Lihajko. Statistical analysis of the results showed a significant increase in both adrenaline and noradrenaline excretion in the group of obeses subjects compared with the diabetics. The increased catecholamine excretion may represent the response of the adrenal medulla to the stress of the disease. Such an increase may be responsible for perpheral insulin resistence and hence acts as a diabetogenic factor. The results obtained emphasize the influence of catecholamines on insulin responsiveness, possibly constituting a major contribution to the diabetic state.

Hypoxic alligator embryos: chronic hypoxia, catecholamine levels and autonomic responses of in ovo alligators.

PubMed

Eme, John; Altimiras, Jordi; Hicks, James W; Crossley, Dane A

2011-11-01

Hypoxia is a naturally occurring environmental challenge for embryonic reptiles, and this is the first study to investigate the impact of chronic hypoxia on the in ovo development of autonomic cardiovascular regulation and circulating catecholamine levels in a reptile. We measured heart rate (f(H)) and chorioallantoic arterial blood pressure (MAP) in normoxic ('N21') and hypoxic-incubated ('H10'; 10% O(2)) American alligator embryos (Alligator mississippiensis) at 70, 80 and 90% of development. Embryonic alligator responses to adrenergic blockade with propranolol and phentolamine were very similar to previously reported responses of embryonic chicken, and demonstrated that embryonic alligator has α and β-adrenergic tone over the final third of development. However, adrenergic tone originates entirely from circulating catecholamines and is not altered by chronic hypoxic incubation, as neither cholinergic blockade with atropine nor ganglionic blockade with hexamethonium altered baseline cardiovascular variables in N21 or H10 embryos. In addition, both atropine and hexamethonium injection did not alter the generally depressive effects of acute hypoxia - bradycardia and hypotension. However, H10 embryos showed significantly higher levels of noradrenaline and adrenaline at 70% of development, as well as higher noradrenaline at 80% of development, suggesting that circulating catecholamines reach maximal levels earlier in incubation for H10 embryos, compared to N21 embryos. Chronically elevated levels of catecholamines may alter the normal balance between α and β-adrenoreceptors in H10 alligator embryos, causing chronic bradycardia and hypotension of H10 embryos measured in normoxia. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Catecholamine responses to virtual combat: implications for post-traumatic stress and dimensions of functioning.

PubMed

Highland, Krista B; Costanzo, Michelle E; Jovanovic, Tanja; Norrholm, Seth D; Ndiongue, Rochelle B; Reinhardt, Brian J; Rothbaum, Barbara; Rizzo, Albert A; Roy, Michael J

2015-01-01

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms can result in functional impairment among service members (SMs), even in those without a clinical diagnosis. The variability in outcomes may be related to underlying catecholamine mechanisms. Individuals with PTSD tend to have elevated basal catecholamine levels, though less is known regarding catecholamine responses to trauma-related stimuli. We assessed whether catecholamine responses to a virtual combat environment impact the relationship between PTSD symptom clusters and elements of functioning. Eighty-seven clinically healthy SMs, within 2 months after deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan, completed self-report measures, viewed virtual-reality (VR) combat sequences, and had sequential blood draws. Norepinephrine responses to VR combat exposure moderated the relationship between avoidance symptoms and scales of functioning including physical functioning, physical-role functioning, and vitality. Among those with high levels of avoidance, norepinephrine change was inversely associated with functional status, whereas a positive correlation was observed for those with low levels of avoidance. Our findings represent a novel use of a virtual environment to display combat-related stimuli to returning SMs to elucidate mind-body connections inherent in their responses. The insight gained improves our understanding of post-deployment symptoms and quality of life in SMs and may facilitate enhancements in treatment. Further research is needed to validate these findings in other populations and to define the implications for treatment effectiveness.

The role of BDNF, leptin, and catecholamines in reward learning in bulimia nervosa.

PubMed

Homan, Philipp; Grob, Simona; Milos, Gabriella; Schnyder, Ulrich; Eckert, Anne; Lang, Undine; Hasler, Gregor

2014-12-07

A relationship between bulimia nervosa and reward-related behavior is supported by several lines of evidence. The dopaminergic dysfunctions in the processing of reward-related stimuli have been shown to be modulated by the neurotrophin brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the hormone leptin. Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design, a reward learning task was applied to study the behavior of 20 female subjects with remitted bulimia nervosa and 27 female healthy controls under placebo and catecholamine depletion with alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine (AMPT). The plasma levels of BDNF and leptin were measured twice during the placebo and the AMPT condition, immediately before and 1 hour after a standardized breakfast. AMPT-induced differences in plasma BDNF levels were positively correlated with the AMPT-induced differences in reward learning in the whole sample (P=.05). Across conditions, plasma brain derived neurotrophic factor levels were higher in remitted bulimia nervosa subjects compared with controls (diagnosis effect; P=.001). Plasma BDNF and leptin levels were higher in the morning before compared with after a standardized breakfast across groups and conditions (time effect; P<.0001). The plasma leptin levels were higher under catecholamine depletion compared with placebo in the whole sample (treatment effect; P=.0004). This study reports on preliminary findings that suggest a catecholamine-dependent association of plasma BDNF and reward learning in subjects with remitted bulimia nervosa and controls. A role of leptin in reward learning is not supported by this study. However, leptin levels were sensitive to a depletion of catecholamine stores in both remitted bulimia nervosa and controls. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of CINP.

Biochemically Silent Abdominal Paragangliomas in Patients with Mutations in the Succinate Dehydrogenase Subunit B Gene

PubMed Central

Timmers, Henri J. L. M.; Pacak, Karel; Huynh, Thanh T.; Abu-Asab, Mones; Tsokos, Maria; Merino, Maria J.; Baysal, Bora E.; Adams, Karen T.; Eisenhofer, Graeme

2008-01-01

Context: Patients with adrenal and extra-adrenal abdominal paraganglioma (PGL) almost invariably have increased plasma and urine concentrations of metanephrines, the O-methylated metabolites of catecholamines. We report four cases of biochemically silent abdominal PGL, in which metanephrines were normal despite extensive disease. Objective: Our objective was to identify the mechanism underlying the lack of catecholamine hypersecretion and metabolism to metanephrines in biochemically silent PGL. Design: This is a descriptive study. Setting: The study was performed at a referral center. Patients: One index case and three additional patients with large abdominal PGL and metastases but with the lack of evidence of catecholamine production, six patients with metastatic catecholamine-producing PGL and a mutation of the succinate dehydrogenase subunit B (SDHB) gene, and 136 random patients with catecholamine-producing PGL were included in the study. Main Outcome Measures: Plasma, urine, and tumor tissue concentrations of catecholamines and metabolites were calculated with electron microscopy and tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry. Results: All four patients with biochemically silent PGL had an underlying SDHB mutation. In the index case, the tumor tissue concentration of catecholamines (1.8 nmol/g) was less than 0.01% that of the median (20,410 nmol/g) for the 136 patients with catecholamine-producing tumors. Electron microscopy showed the presence of normal secretory granules in all four biochemically silent PGLs. Tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity was negligible in the four biochemically silent PGLs but abundant in catecholamine-producing PGLs. Conclusions: Patients with SDHB mutations may present with biochemically silent abdominal PGLs due to defective catecholamine synthesis resulting from the absence of tyrosine hydroxylase. Screening for tumors in patients with SDHB mutations should not be limited to biochemical tests of catecholamine excess. PMID:18840642

Management of an acute catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy and circulatory collapse: a multidisciplinary approach

PubMed Central

Challis, B G; Pitfield, D; Mahroof, R M; Jamieson, N; Bhagra, C J; Vuylsteke, A; Pettit, S J; Chatterjee, K C

2017-01-01

A phaeochromocytoma (PC) is a rare, catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumour arising from the adrenal medulla. Presenting symptoms of this rare tumour are highly variable but life-threatening multiorgan dysfunction can occur secondary to catecholamine-induced hypertension or hypotension and subsequent cardiovascular collapse. High levels of circulating catecholamines can induce an acute stress cardiomyopathy, also known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Recent studies have focused on early diagnosis and estimation of the prevalence of acute stress cardiomyopathy in patients with PC, but very little is reported about management of these complex cases. Here, we report the case of a 38-year-old lady who presented with an acute Takotsubo or stress cardiomyopathy and catecholamine crisis, caused by an occult left-sided 5 cm PC. The initial presenting crisis manifested with symptoms of severe headache and abdominal pain, triggered by a respiratory tract infection. On admission to hospital, the patient rapidly deteriorated, developing respiratory failure, cardiogenic shock and subsequent cardiovascular collapse due to further exacerbation of the catecholamine crisis caused by a combination of opiates and intravenous corticosteroid. An echocardiogram revealed left ventricular apical hypokinesia and ballooning, with an estimated left ventricular ejection fraction of 10–15%. Herein, we outline the early stabilisation period, preoperative optimisation and intraoperative management, providing anecdotal guidance for the management of this rare life-threatening complication of PC. Learning points: A diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma should be considered in patients presenting with acute cardiomyopathy or cardiogenic shock without a clear ischaemic or valvular aetiology. Catecholamine crisis is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires cross-disciplinary expertise and management to ensure the best clinical outcome. After initial resuscitation, treatment of acute catecholamine-induced stress cardiomyopathy requires careful introduction of alpha-blockade followed by beta-blockade if necessary to manage β-receptor-mediated tachycardia. Prolonged α-adrenergic receptor stimulation by high levels of circulating catecholamines precipitates arterial vasoconstriction and intravascular volume contraction, which can further exacerbate hypotension. Invasive pressure monitoring can aid management of intravascular volume in these complex patients. PMID:29147570

Excessive Catecholamine Secretion and the Activation of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone-System in Patients with Pheochromocytoma: A Single Center Experience and Overview of the Literature.

PubMed

Haase, Matthias; Dringenberg, Till; Allelein, Stephanie; Willenberg, Holger S; Schott, Matthias

2017-10-01

Catecholamines stimulate renin-secretion in the juxtaglomerular cells of the kidney and a number of case reports suggest an association between pheochromocytoma and activation of the RAAS. Therefore, it could be asked whether patients suffering from pheochromocytoma with high concentrations of circulating catecholamines present with oversecretion of renin and aldosterone. We identified twelve patients with excessive catecholamine secretion due to pheochromocytoma and compared them to a group of twelve patients with essential hypertension (EH) with regard to the activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system (RAAS). The PubMed database was screened for studies that investigate the association between pheochromocytoma and activation of the RAAS. The plasma concentrations of metanephrines (19.9-fold) and normetanephrines (29.5-fold) were significantly higher in the pheochromocytoma group than in the EH group. Renin and aldosterone levels were 1.3-fold and 1.6-fold higher, respectively, as compared to the EH group, whereas the differences were not statistically significant. There was no significant correlation between plasma metanephrine or normetanephrine levels and the plasma renin concentration (r s =0.077, r s =0.049, respectively) in our patients. The data from our institution and from review of literature suggest that an association between pheochromocytoma in the context of high plasma catecholamine levels and activation of the RAAS is present. However, results have not been consistent. Thus, other causes of RAAS-activation should be considered also in the presence of pheochromocytoma or reinvestigation for aldosteronism should be offered to such patients after removal of the catecholamine-producing tumour. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Behavioral and Physiological Effects of Psychological Stress in Rats.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-11-01

and to an increase in acetyl- choline levels (1, 3, 38). Pharmacological treatments that deplete central catecholamines mimic the behavioral effects...testing, each animal was sacrificed (Halo- * thane overdose ). The stomach was removed, opened, and examined for ulcers, which were specified by the

Reactivity of catecholamine-driven Fenton reaction and its relationships with iron(III) speciation.

PubMed

Melin, Victoria; Henríquez, Adolfo; Freer, Juanita; Contreras, David

2015-03-01

Fenton reaction is the main source of free radicals in biological systems. The reactivity of this reaction can be modified by several factors, among these iron ligands are important. Catecholamine (dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine) are able to form Fe(III) complexes whose extension in the coordination number depends upon the pH. Fe(III)-catecholamine complexes have been related with the development of several pathologies. In this work, the ability of catecholamines to enhance the oxidative degradation of an organic substrate (veratryl alcohol, VA) through Fenton and Fenton-like reactions was studied. The initial VA degradation rate at different pH values and its relationship to the different iron species present in solution were determined. Furthermore, the oxidative degradation of VA after 24 hours of reaction and its main oxidation products were also determined. The catecholamine-driven Fenton and Fenton-like systems showed higher VA degradation compared to unmodified Fenton or Fenton-like systems, which also showed an increase in the oxidation state of the VA degradation product. All of this oxidative degradation takes place at pH values lower than 5.50, where the primarily responsible species would be the Fe(III) mono-complex. The presence of Fe(III) mono-complex is essential in the ability of catecholamines to increase the oxidative capacity of Fenton systems.

Hormonal responses of pilots flying high-performance aircraft during seven repetitive flight missions.

PubMed

Tarui, H; Nakamura, A

1991-12-01

Hormonal responses during seven repetitive flight missions (7RFM) were evaluated on F-4EJ fighter pilots. The following biochemical constituents were measured: 1) cortisol in saliva; 2) 17-OHCS; 3) unbound cortisol; 4) catecholamines in urine; and 5) electrolytes in urine. Samples were collected at about 30 min before the mission, 20 min after each flight, and in a nonflight day for control. The levels of saliva and urine corticosteroids slightly increased during 7RFM when compared with controls. The concentrations of urine catecholamines during 7RFM were significantly higher than those of preflight and control. These data suggest that flight stresses were moderate for the pilots flying 7RFM.

Catecholamine levels in the brain of rats exposed by inhalation to benzalkonium chloride.

PubMed

Swiercz, Radosław; Grzelińska, Zofia; Gralewicz, Sławomir; Wasowicz, Wojciech

2009-01-01

The aim of the study was to obtain quantitative data on the effect of inhalation exposure to benzalkonium chloride (BAC) on the concentration of catecholamines and their metabolites in selected brain structures. Additionally, concentration of corticosterone (CORT) in plasma was estimated. Wistar rats were subjected to a single (6-hour) or repeated (3 days, 6 h/day) exposure to BAC aerosol at ca. 30 mg/m3. The Waters integrated analytical system of HPLC was used to determine the plasma corticosterone. Qualitative and quantitative determinations of catecholamines and their metabolites: 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic (DOPAC) and homovanillic (HVA) acids were performed with the use of the Waters integrity HPLC. The determinations have shown that in the BAC-exposed rats the plasma CORT concentration was several times higher than in the control rats. A significant increase of the concentration of dopamine (DA) (striatum and diencephalon) and noradrenaline (NA) (hippocampus and cerebellum) and a significant reduction of adrenaline (A) level (cortex, hippocampus, striatum and mesencephaloon) was found to occur in the brain of rats exposed to BAC compared to control. In the animals exposed to BAC, the concentration of DOPAC, a DA metabolite, was significantly reduced, but the change occurred mainly in the striatum. This resulted in a significant decrease of the DOPAC/DA and HVA/DA metabolic ratio in this structure. It is assumed that the alterations in the concentration of catecholamines and their metabolites in the BAC-exposed rats were related to the unexpectedly strong and persistent activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis evidenced by the high plasma CORT concentration.

Catecholamine-Induced β2-adrenergic receptor activation mediates desensitization of gastric cancer cells to trastuzumab by upregulating MUC4 expression.

PubMed

Shi, Ming; Yang, Zhengyan; Hu, Meiru; Liu, Dan; Hu, Yabin; Qian, Lu; Zhang, Wei; Chen, Hongyu; Guo, Liang; Yu, Ming; Song, Lun; Ma, Yuanfang; Guo, Ning

2013-06-01

Trastuzumab is currently used for patients with Her2(+) advanced gastric cancer. However, the response rate to trastuzumab among the patients is low. The molecular mechanisms underlying trastuzumab resistance in gastric cancer are unknown. Our in vitro data show that activation of β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) triggered by catecholamine caused "targeting failure" of trastuzumab in gastric cancer cells. The antitumor activities of trastuzumab were significantly impeded by chronic catecholamine stimulation in gastric cancer cells and in the mice bearing human gastric cancer xenografts. Mechanistically, catecholamine induced upregulation of the MUC4 expression at both transcription and protein levels via activating STAT3 and ERK. The effects of catecholamine could be effectively blocked by β2-AR antagonist ICI-118,551, indicating that β2-AR-mediated signaling pathway plays a key role in upregulation of MUC4, which was previously demonstrated to interfere with the recognition and physical binding of trastuzumab to Her2 molecules. Moreover, a significant elevation of the MUC4 level was observed in the xenograft tissues in nude mice chronically treated with isoproterenol. Knockdown of MUC4 restored the binding activities of trastuzumab to Her2-overexpressing gastric cancer cells. In addition, coexpression of β2-AR and MUC4 were observed in gastric cancer tissues. Our data indicated a novel trastuzumab resistance mechanism, by which catecholamine-induced β2-AR activation mediates desensitization of gastric cancer cells to trastuzumab through upregulating the MUC4 expression.

Neural Correlates of Impaired Reward-Effort Integration in Remitted Bulimia Nervosa.

PubMed

Mueller, Stefanie Verena; Morishima, Yosuke; Schwab, Simon; Wiest, Roland; Federspiel, Andrea; Hasler, Gregor

2018-03-01

The integration of reward magnitudes and effort costs is required for an effective behavioral guidance. This reward-effort integration was reported to be dependent on dopaminergic neurotransmission. As bulimia nervosa has been associated with a dysregulated dopamine system and catecholamine depletion led to reward-processing deficits in remitted bulimia nervosa, the purpose of this study was to identify the role of catecholamine dysfunction and its relation to behavioral and neural reward-effort integration in bulimia nervosa. To investigate the interaction between catecholamine functioning and behavioral, and neural responses directly, 17 remitted bulimic (rBN) and 21 healthy individuals (HC) received alpha-methyl-paratyrosine (AMPT) over 24 h to achieve catecholamine depletion in a randomized, crossover study design. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and the monetary incentive delay (MID) task to assess reward-effort integration in relation to catecholaminergic neurotransmission at the behavioral and neural level. AMPT reduced the ability to integrate rewards and efforts effectively in HC participants. In contrast, in rBN participants, the reduced reward-effort integration was associated with illness duration in the sham condition and unrelated to catecholamine depletion. Regarding neural activation, AMPT decreased the reward anticipation-related neural activation in the anteroventral striatum. This decrease was associated with the AMPT-induced reduction of monetary earning in HC in contrast to rBN participants. Our findings contributed to the theory of a desensitized dopaminergic system in bulimia nervosa. A disrupted processing of reward magnitudes and effort costs might increase the probability of maintenance of bulimic symptoms.

Subclinical Phaeochromocytoma

PubMed Central

Mannelli, Massimo; Lenders, Jacques W.M.; Pacak, Karel; Parenti, Gabriele; Eisenhofer, Graeme

2012-01-01

Phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas are neural crest-derived tumours. Autopsy studies indicate that relatively large numbers of these tumours remain undiagnosed during life. This may reflect non-specific signs and symptoms and low medical alertness in evaluating the clinical picture or it may reflect a silent clinical presentation - the subclinical phaeochromocytoma. The associated clinical picture depends on the capacity of the tumours to release catecholamines and sometimes biologically active peptides. Hypertension is the hallmark of catecholamine release, but the amount, type and pattern of catecholamine secretion is extremely variable. Some tumours have low or intermittent secretory activity, some produce mainly or solely dopamine, while others very rarely do not synthesize or release any catecholamines (non-secretory or non-functional tumours). Such tumours may present with mild or even absent signs and symptoms of catecholamine excess. Low secretory activity may reflect small tumour size or differences in secretory phenotypes associated with the biochemical and genetic background of the tumours. Tumours due to succinate dehydrogenase subunit B mutations are often subclinical, poorly differentiated, contain low amounts of catecholamines, and are usually malignant at diagnosis. Adrenoceptor desensitization can result in a subclinical presentation, even when catecholamine levels are high. Subclinical phaeochromocytomas are often discovered as incidentalomas during radiological procedures or during routine screening for phaeochromocytoma in carriers of mutations in one of the ten currently identified tumour susceptibility genes. Undiagnosed phaeochromocytomas, whether or not subclinical and even if biologically benign, may cause extremely deleterious consequences or even death, following abrupt release of catecholamines. PMID:22863392

Subclinical phaeochromocytoma.

PubMed

Mannelli, Massimo; Lenders, Jacques W M; Pacak, Karel; Parenti, Gabriele; Eisenhofer, Graeme

2012-08-01

Phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas are neural crest-derived tumours. Autopsy studies indicate that relatively large numbers of these tumours remain undiagnosed during life. This may reflect non-specific signs and symptoms and low medical alertness in evaluating the clinical picture or it may reflect a silent clinical presentation - the subclinical phaeochromocytoma. The associated clinical picture depends on the capacity of the tumours to release catecholamines and sometimes biologically active peptides. Hypertension is the hallmark of catecholamine release, but the amount, type and pattern of catecholamine secretion is extremely variable. Some tumours have low or intermittent secretory activity, some produce mainly or solely dopamine, while others very rarely do not synthesize or release any catecholamines (non-secretory or non-functional tumours). Such tumours may present with mild or even absent signs and symptoms of catecholamine excess. Low secretory activity may reflect small tumour size or differences in secretory phenotypes associated with the biochemical and genetic background of the tumours. Tumours due to succinate dehydrogenase subunit B mutations are often subclinical, poorly differentiated, contain low amounts of catecholamines, and are usually malignant at diagnosis. Adrenoceptor desensitization can result in a subclinical presentation, even when catecholamine levels are high. Subclinical phaeochromocytomas are often discovered as incidentalomas during radiological procedures or during routine screening for phaeochromocytoma in carriers of mutations in one of the ten currently identified tumour susceptibility genes. Undiagnosed phaeochromocytomas, whether or not subclinical and even if biologically benign, may cause extremely deleterious consequences or even death, following abrupt release of catecholamines. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Neonatal hyperleptinaemia programmes adrenal medullary function in adult rats: effects on cardiovascular parameters

PubMed Central

Trevenzoli, I H; Valle, M M R; Machado, F B; Garcia, R M G; Passos, M C F; Lisboa, P C; Moura, E G

2007-01-01

Epidemiological studies have shown a strong correlation between stressful events (nutritional, hormonal or environmental) in early life and development of adult diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular failure. It is known that gestation and lactation are crucial periods for healthy growth in mammals and that the sympathoadrenal system is markedly influenced by environmental conditions during these periods. We previously demonstrated that neonatal hyperleptinaemia in rats programmes higher body weight, higher food intake and hypothalamic leptin resistance in adulthood. Using this model of programming, we investigated adrenal medullary function and effects on cardiovascular parameters in male rats in adulthood. Leptin treatment during the first 10 days of lactation (8μg 100 g−1 day−1, s.c.) resulted in lower body weight (6.5%, P < 0.05), hyperleptinaemia (10-fold, P < 0.05) and higher catecholamine content in adrenal glands (18.5%, P < 0.05) on the last day of treatment. In adulthood (150 days), the rats presented higher body weight (5%, P < 0.05), adrenal catecholamine content (3-fold, P < 0.05), tyrosine hydroxylase expression (35%, P < 0.05) and basal and caffeine-stimulated catecholamine release (53% and 100%, respectively, P < 0.05). Systolic blood pressure and heart rate were also higher in adult rats (7% and 6%, respectively, P < 0.05). Our results show that hyperleptinaemia in early life increases adrenal medullary function in adulthood and that this may alter cardiovascular parameters. Thus, we suggest that imprinting factors which increase leptin and catecholamine levels during the neonatal period could be involved in development of adult chronic diseases. PMID:17218354

Adipocyte Browning and Higher Mitochondrial Function in Periadrenal But Not SC Fat in Pheochromocytoma.

PubMed

Vergnes, Laurent; Davies, Graeme R; Lin, Jason Y; Yeh, Michael W; Livhits, Masha J; Harari, Avital; Symonds, Michael E; Sacks, Harold S; Reue, Karen

2016-11-01

Patients with pheochromocytoma (pheo) show presence of multilocular adipocytes that express uncoupling protein 1 within periadrenal (pADR) and omental (OME) fat depots. It has been hypothesized that this is due to adrenergic stimulation by catecholamines produced by the pheo tumors. To characterize the prevalence and respiratory activity of brown-like adipocytes within pADR, OME, and SC fat depots in human adult pheo patients. This was an observational cohort study. The study took place in a university hospital. We studied 46 patients who underwent surgery for benign adrenal tumors (21 pheos and 25 controls with adrenocortical adenomas). We characterized adipocyte browning in pADR, SC, and OME fat depots for histological and immunohistological features, mitochondrial respiration rate, and gene expression. We also determined circulating levels of catecholamines and other browning-related hormones. Eleven of 21 pheo pADR adipose samples, but only one of 25 pADR samples from control patients exhibited multilocular adipocytes. The pADR browning phenotype was associated with higher plasma catecholamines and raised uncoupling protein 1. Mitochondria from multilocular pADR fat of pheo patients exhibited increased rates of coupled and uncoupled respiration. Global gene expression analysis in pADR fat revealed enrichment in β-oxidation genes in pheo patients with multilocular adipocytes. No SC or OME fat depots exhibited aspects of browning. Browning of the pADR depot occurred in half of pheo patients and was associated with increased catecholamines and mitochondrial activity. No browning was detected in other fat depots, suggesting that other factors are required to promote browning in these depots.

Fractal regional myocardial blood flows pattern according to metabolism, not vascular anatomy

PubMed Central

Yipintsoi, Tada; Kroll, Keith

2015-01-01

Regional myocardial blood flows are markedly heterogeneous. Fractal analysis shows strong near-neighbor correlation. In experiments to distinguish control by vascular anatomy vs. local vasomotion, coronary flows were increased in open-chest dogs by stimulating myocardial metabolism (catecholamines + atropine) with and without adenosine. During control states mean left ventricular (LV) myocardial blood flows (microspheres) were 0.5–1 ml·g−1·min−1 and increased to 2–3 ml·g−1·min−1 with catecholamine infusion and to ∼4 ml·g−1·min−1 with adenosine (Ado). Flow heterogeneity was similar in all states: relative dispersion (RD = SD/mean) was ∼25%, using LV pieces 0.1–0.2% of total. During catecholamine infusion local flows increased in proportion to the mean flows in 45% of the LV, “tracking” closely (increased proportionately to mean flow), while ∼40% trended toward the mean. Near-neighbor regional flows remained strongly spatially correlated, with fractal dimension D near 1.2 (Hurst coefficient 0.8). The spatial patterns remain similar at varied levels of metabolic stimulation inferring metabolic dominance. In contrast, adenosine vasodilation increased flows eightfold times control while destroying correlation with the control state. The Ado-induced spatial patterns differed from control but were self-consistent, inferring that with full vasodilation the relaxed arterial anatomy dominates the distribution. We conclude that vascular anatomy governs flow distributions during adenosine vasodilation but that metabolic vasoregulation dominates in normal physiological states. PMID:26589329

Fractal regional myocardial blood flows pattern according to metabolism, not vascular anatomy.

PubMed

Yipintsoi, Tada; Kroll, Keith; Bassingthwaighte, James B

2016-02-01

Regional myocardial blood flows are markedly heterogeneous. Fractal analysis shows strong near-neighbor correlation. In experiments to distinguish control by vascular anatomy vs. local vasomotion, coronary flows were increased in open-chest dogs by stimulating myocardial metabolism (catecholamines + atropine) with and without adenosine. During control states mean left ventricular (LV) myocardial blood flows (microspheres) were 0.5-1 ml·g(-1)·min(-1) and increased to 2-3 ml·g(-1)·min(-1) with catecholamine infusion and to ∼4 ml·g(-1)·min(-1) with adenosine (Ado). Flow heterogeneity was similar in all states: relative dispersion (RD = SD/mean) was ∼25%, using LV pieces 0.1-0.2% of total. During catecholamine infusion local flows increased in proportion to the mean flows in 45% of the LV, "tracking" closely (increased proportionately to mean flow), while ∼40% trended toward the mean. Near-neighbor regional flows remained strongly spatially correlated, with fractal dimension D near 1.2 (Hurst coefficient 0.8). The spatial patterns remain similar at varied levels of metabolic stimulation inferring metabolic dominance. In contrast, adenosine vasodilation increased flows eightfold times control while destroying correlation with the control state. The Ado-induced spatial patterns differed from control but were self-consistent, inferring that with full vasodilation the relaxed arterial anatomy dominates the distribution. We conclude that vascular anatomy governs flow distributions during adenosine vasodilation but that metabolic vasoregulation dominates in normal physiological states. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

Permissive effect of dexamethasone on the increase of proenkephalin mRNA induced by depolarization of chromaffin cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Naranjo, J.R.; Mocchetti, I.; Schwartz, J.P.

1986-03-01

In cultured bovine chromaffin cells, changes in the dynamic state of enkephalin stores elicited experimentally were studied by measuring cellular proenkephalin mRNA, as well as enkephalin precursors and authentic enkephalin content of cells and culture media. In parallel, tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA and catecholamine cell content were also determined. Low concentrations (0.5-100 pM) of dexamethasone increased the cell contents of proenkephalin mRNA and enkephalin-containing peptides. High concentrations of the hormone(1 ..mu..M) were required to increase the cell contents of tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA and catecholamines. Depolarization of the cells with 10 ..mu..M veratridine resulted in a depletion of enkephalin and catecholamine storesmore » after 24 hr. The enkephalin, but not the catecholamine, content was restored by 48 hr. An increase in proenkephalin mRNA content might account for the recovery; this increase was curtailed by tetrodotoxin and enhanced by 10 pM dexamethasone. Tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA content was not significantly modified by depolarization, even in the presence of 1 ..mu..M dexamethasone. Aldosterone, progesterone, testosterone, or estradiol (1 ..mu..M) failed to change proenkephalin mRNA. Hence, dexamethasone appears to exert a specific permissive action on the stimulation of the proenkephalin gene elicited by depolarization. Though the catecholamines and enkephalins are localized in the same chromaffin granules and are coreleased by depolarization, the genes coding for the processes that are rate limiting in the production of these neuromodulators can be differentially regulated.« less

Role of catecholamines in maternal-fetal stress transfer in sheep.

PubMed

Rakers, Florian; Bischoff, Sabine; Schiffner, Rene; Haase, Michelle; Rupprecht, Sven; Kiehntopf, Michael; Kühn-Velten, W Nikolaus; Schubert, Harald; Witte, Otto W; Nijland, Mark J; Nathanielsz, Peter W; Schwab, Matthias

2015-11-01

We sought to evaluate whether in addition to cortisol, catecholamines also transfer psychosocial stress indirectly to the fetus by decreasing uterine blood flow (UBF) and increasing fetal anaerobic metabolism and stress hormones. Seven pregnant sheep chronically instrumented with uterine ultrasound flow probes and catheters at 0.77 gestation underwent 2 hours of psychosocial stress by isolation. We used adrenergic blockade with labetalol to examine whether decreased UBF is catecholamine mediated and to determine to what extent stress transfer from mother to fetus is catecholamine dependent. Stress induced transient increases in maternal cortisol and norepinephrine (NE). Maximum fetal plasma cortisol concentrations were 8.1 ± 2.1% of those in the mother suggesting its maternal origin. In parallel to the maternal NE increase, UBF decreased by maximum 22% for 30 minutes (P < .05). Fetal NE remained elevated for >2 hours accompanied by a prolonged blood pressure increase (P < .05). Fetuses developed a delayed and prolonged shift toward anaerobic metabolism in the presence of an unaltered oxygen supply. Adrenergic blockade prevented the stress-induced UBF decrease and, consequently, the fetal NE and blood pressure increase and the shift toward anaerobic metabolism. We conclude that catecholamine-induced decrease of UBF is a mechanism of maternal-fetal stress transfer. It may explain the influence of maternal stress on fetal development and on programming of adverse health outcomes in later life especially during early pregnancy when fetal glucocorticoid receptor expression is limited. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Acute mental stress but not enforced muscle activity transiently increases natural cytotoxicity in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

PubMed

Jonsdottir, I H; Johansson, C; Asea, A; Hellstrand, K; Hoffmann, P

1996-08-01

The influence of acute mental stress and the effect of electrically induced skeletal muscle contractions on natural cytotoxicity in vivo was investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rats Natural cytotoxicity in vivo was measured as the clearance of injected 51Cr-labelled YAC-1 lymphoma cells from the lungs, which are specifically lysed by natural killer cells. The mental stress consisted of an air jet directed towards the animals in their cage for 25 min. During the mental stress there was a significant increase in natural cytotoxicity. Thus, retained radioactivity in the lungs was decreased to 74 +/- 6% of the control levels which was set to 100% (P < 0.01). This augmentation of YAC-1-cell clearance could be blocked with the beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist Timolol. Two hours after termination of the air stress, in vivo cytotoxicity had returned to control levels. In contrast, acute physical stress, consisting of electrically induced muscle contractions for 60 min, had no significant effects on in vivo cytotoxicity, either during the stimulation or 1, 2 or 24 h after the stimulation. Further, significantly increased plasma levels of adrenaline were seen after the air jet stress, but not after muscle stimulation. There were no significant changes in plasma noradrenaline levels either after air stress or muscle stimulation. These results indicate that changes in in vivo cytotoxicity after mild mental stress are dependent on increased plasma catecholamine levels while acute physical stress without changes in catecholamine levels, does not influence in vivo cytotoxicity.

Circulating catecholamine and glucose concentrations in Japanese toads (Bufo japonicus) during the breeding season.

PubMed

Wilson, J X; Sawai, H; Kikuchi, M; Kubokawa, K; Ishii, S

1995-06-01

We investigated the relationship between catecholamine neurohormones and glucose during seasonal reproductive activity in Japanese toads (Bufo japonicus). Field studies found that plasma epinephrine concentration increased as toads migrated to their breeding ponds, where amplexus most frequently took place. Blood glucose concentration also increased as toads arrived at the ponds, even though these animals did not eat during the breeding season, and there was a positive correlation between epinephrine and glucose levels. Blood glucose concentration was higher in amplectic than in solitary males, whereas this relationship did not occur in females. For both males and females, plasma epinephrine concentration was elevated during amplexus. The plasma concentration of norepinephrine was lower than that of epinephrine and did not correlate with either the proximity of the animal to the breeding ponds or the blood glucose concentration. Laboratory experiments showed that systemic injection of [Trp7,Leu8]gonadotropin-releasing hormone (sGnRH) increased plasma epinephrine to levels characteristic of amplectic feral toads. These results suggest that a physiological role of GnRH-like peptides may be to stimulate epinephrine secretion and consequently to increase glucose production in toads under the starvation conditions associated with the breeding migration.

Relationship of Sleep Quantity and Quality with 24-Hour Urinary Catecholamines and Salivary Awakening Cortisol in Healthy Middle-Aged Adults

PubMed Central

Zhang, Jihui; Ma, Ronald C.W.; Kong, Alice P.S.; So, Wing Yee; Li, Albert M.; Lam, Sui Ping; Li, Shirley Xin; Yu, Mandy W.M.; Ho, Chung Shun; Chan, Michael H.M.; Zhang, Bin; Wing, Yun Kwok

2011-01-01

Objectives: a. Explore the stability in sleep/wake patterns of middle-aged adults over a 3-year follow-up period. b. Explore the relationship between objectively measured sleep indices, urinary catecholamines, and salivary cortisol. Design: Naturalistic follow-up for sleep/wake patterns (n = 114) by 2-week sleep log and cross-sectional design for objective sleep assessments and hormonal measures (n = 96) at follow-up period nearly 3 years after baseline measurements. Setting: Community Participants: Healthy middle-aged adults Interventions: N/A Measurements and Results: There were high correlations between baseline and follow-up period (2.6 ± 0.5 years) on sleep/wake patterns (r = 0.6–0.79) as measured by 2-week sleep log. For wave 2 cross-sectional study, objective poor sleepers (3-day actigraphy sleep efficiency < 85%) had a higher 24-h urinary norepinephrine (NE) level (205.7 ± 105 nmol/d vs 162.1 ± 55.6 nmol/d, P = 0.03) and a nearly significantly higher 24-h urinary epinephrine (E) level (P = 0.12) than good sleepers. There were no differences in 3-day mean salivary awakening cortisol and 24-h urinary catecholamines (NE and E) between short and normal/long sleepers. Linear regression results, however, showed that shorter time in bed and actual sleep time, longer sleep onset latency, and lower sleep efficiency were correlated with higher 24-h urinary E and NE (all P < 0.05) but not salivary cortisol. The effect of poor sleep quality on 24-h urinary catecholamines was stronger in males than females. Conclusions: Increased sympathetic activity as measured by 24-h urinary catecholamines might play a critical role in the pathogenesis mediating the relationship of insufficient sleep (quantity and quality) with subsequent cardiovascular and metabolic complications. Salivary awakening cortisol was not associated with sleep quantity and quality in healthy middle-aged adults. Citation: Zhang J; Ma RCW; Kong APS; So WY; Li AM; Lam SP; Li SX; Yu MWM; Ho CS; Chan MHM; Zhang B; Wing YK. Relationship of sleep quantity and quality with 24-hour urinary catecholamines and salivary awakening cortisol in healthy middle-aged adults. SLEEP 2011;34(2):225-233. PMID:21286244

Catecholaminergic systems in stress: structural and molecular genetic approaches.

PubMed

Kvetnansky, Richard; Sabban, Esther L; Palkovits, Miklos

2009-04-01

Stressful stimuli evoke complex endocrine, autonomic, and behavioral responses that are extremely variable and specific depending on the type and nature of the stressors. We first provide a short overview of physiology, biochemistry, and molecular genetics of sympatho-adrenomedullary, sympatho-neural, and brain catecholaminergic systems. Important processes of catecholamine biosynthesis, storage, release, secretion, uptake, reuptake, degradation, and transporters in acutely or chronically stressed organisms are described. We emphasize the structural variability of catecholamine systems and the molecular genetics of enzymes involved in biosynthesis and degradation of catecholamines and transporters. Characterization of enzyme gene promoters, transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms, transcription factors, gene expression and protein translation, as well as different phases of stress-activated transcription and quantitative determination of mRNA levels in stressed organisms are discussed. Data from catecholamine enzyme gene knockout mice are shown. Interaction of catecholaminergic systems with other neurotransmitter and hormonal systems are discussed. We describe the effects of homotypic and heterotypic stressors, adaptation and maladaptation of the organism, and the specificity of stressors (physical, emotional, metabolic, etc.) on activation of catecholaminergic systems at all levels from plasma catecholamines to gene expression of catecholamine enzymes. We also discuss cross-adaptation and the effect of novel heterotypic stressors on organisms adapted to long-term monotypic stressors. The extra-adrenal nonneuronal adrenergic system is described. Stress-related central neuronal regulatory circuits and central organization of responses to various stressors are presented with selected examples of regulatory molecular mechanisms. Data summarized here indicate that catecholaminergic systems are activated in different ways following exposure to distinct stressful stimuli.

Adrenergic System Activation Mediates Changes in Cardiovascular and Psychomotoric Reactions in Young Individuals after Red Bull© Energy Drink Consumption

PubMed Central

Cavka, Ana; Stupin, Marko; Panduric, Ana; Plazibat, Ana; Cosic, Anita; Rasic, Lidija; Debeljak, Zeljko; Martinovic, Goran; Drenjancevic, Ines

2015-01-01

Objectives. To assess the effect of Red Bull© on (1) blood glucose and catecholamine levels, (2) cardiovascular and respiratory function changes before, during, and after exercise, (3) reaction time, (4) cognitive functions, and (5) response to mental stress test and emotions in young healthy individuals (N=38). Methods. Heart rate (HR) and arterial blood pressure (ABP), blood glucose, adrenaline, and noradrenalin plasma levels were measured before and after Red Bull© intake. Participants were subjected to 4 different study protocols by randomized order, before and 30 minutes after consumption of 500 mL of Red Bull©. Results. Mean ABP and HR were significantly increased at rest after Red Bull© intake. Blood glucose level and plasma catecholamine levels significantly increased after Red Bull© consumption. Heart rate, respiration rate, and respiratory flow rate were significantly increased during exercise after Red Bull© consumption compared to control condition. Intake of Red Bull© significantly improved reaction time, performance in immediate memory test, verbal fluency, and subject's attention as well as performance in mental stress test. Conclusion. This study demonstrated that Red Bull© has beneficial effect on some cognitive functions and effect on cardiovascular and respiratory system at rest and during exercise by increasing activity of the sympathetic nervous system. PMID:26124829

Neural response to catecholamine depletion in remitted bulimia nervosa: Relation to depression and relapse.

PubMed

Mueller, Stefanie Verena; Mihov, Yoan; Federspiel, Andrea; Wiest, Roland; Hasler, Gregor

2017-07-01

Bulimia nervosa has been associated with a dysregulated catecholamine system. Nevertheless, the influence of this dysregulation on bulimic symptoms, on neural activity, and on the course of the illness is not clear yet. An instructive paradigm for directly investigating the relationship between catecholaminergic functioning and bulimia nervosa has involved the behavioral and neural responses to experimental catecholamine depletion. The purpose of this study was to examine the neural substrate of catecholaminergic dysfunction in bulimia nervosa and its relationship to relapse. In a randomized, double-blind and crossover study design, catecholamine depletion was achieved by using the oral administration of alpha-methyl-paratyrosine (AMPT) over 24 h in 18 remitted bulimic (rBN) and 22 healthy (HC) female participants. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured using a pseudo continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) sequence. In a follow-up telephone interview, bulimic relapse was assessed. Following AMPT, rBN participants revealed an increased vigor reduction and CBF decreases in the pallidum and posterior midcingulate cortex (pMCC) relative to HC participants showing no CBF changes in these regions. These results indicated that the pallidum and the pMCC are the functional neural correlates of the dysregulated catecholamine system in bulimia nervosa. Bulimic relapse was associated with increased depressive symptoms and CBF reduction in the hippocampus/parahippocampal gyrus following catecholamine depletion. AMPT-induced increased CBF in this region predicted staying in remission. These findings demonstrated the importance of depressive symptoms and the stress system in the course of bulimia nervosa. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Behavioral and cognitive effects of tyrosine intake in healthy human adults.

PubMed

Hase, Adrian; Jung, Sophie E; aan het Rot, Marije

2015-06-01

The amino acid tyrosine is the precursor to the catecholamine neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. Increasing tyrosine uptake may positively influence catecholamine-related psychological functioning. We conducted a systematic review to examine the effects of tyrosine on behavior and cognition. Fifteen studies were reviewed. All studies except one involved tyrosine loading during a single test session. In most behavioral studies, there were no significant effects of tyrosine on exercise performance. In contrast, cognitive studies employing neuropsychological measures found that tyrosine loading acutely counteracts decrements in working memory and information processing that are induced by demanding situational conditions such as extreme weather or cognitive load. The buffering effects of tyrosine on cognition may be explained by tyrosine's ability to neutralize depleted brain catecholamine levels. There is evidence that tyrosine may benefit healthy individuals exposed to demanding situational conditions. For future research we recommend moving from studying the acute effects of a single tyrosine load in small samples to studying the behavioral and cognitive effects of tyrosine in larger groups over multiple weeks. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Obstructive sleep apnea presenting as pseudopheochromocytoma

PubMed Central

Marmouch, Hela; Arfa, Sondes; Graja, Sameh; Slim, Tensim; Khochtali, Ines

2016-01-01

A 52-year-old female with a history of poorly controlled resistant hypertension was admitted to our hospital with severe hypertension. She had a history of fatigue and intermittent episodes of palpitations. Laboratory evaluation was significant for elevated 24-h urinary catecholamine levels (3,5 times the upper normal levels). This case was presenting with a clinical and biochemical picture indistinguishable from that of pheochromocytoma. However, neither computed tomography nor meta-iodo-benzyl-guanidine scintigraphy detected any catecholamine-producing tumor in or outside the adrenal glands. Our patient was screened with full polysomnography because of heavy snoring, daytime somnolence and obesity. It revealed severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. After three months of continuous positive airway pressure therapy, the patient experienced resolution of his presenting symptoms, improved blood pressure control and normalization of his urinary catecholamine levels. This case highlights sleep disordered breathing as a potentially reversible cause of pseudo-pheochromocytoma. PMID:27217898

Mechanisms involved in cardiac sensitization by volatile anesthetics: general applicability to halogenated hydrocarbons?

PubMed

Himmel, Herbert M

2008-01-01

An increased sensitivity of the heart to catecholamines or cardiac sensitization is a recognized risk during acute human exposure to halogenated hydrocarbons used as solvents, foam-blowing or fire-extinguishing agents, refrigerants, and aerosol propellants. Although cardiac sensitization to such "industrial" halocarbons can result in serious arrhythmia and death, research into its mechanistic basis has been limited, whereas the literature on volatile anesthetics (e.g., halothane, chloroform) is comparably extensive. A review of the literature on halocarbons and related volatile anesthetics was conducted. The available experimental evidence suggests that volatile anesthetics at physiologically relevant concentrations interact predominantly with the main repolarizing cardiac potassium channels hERG and I(Ks), as well as with calcium and sodium channels at slightly higher concentrations. On the level of the heart, inhibition of these ion channels is prone to alter both action potential shape (triangulation) and electrical impulse conduction, which may facilitate arrhythmogenesis by volatile anesthetics per se and is potentiated by catecholamines. Action potential triangulation by regionally heterogeneous inhibition of calcium and potassium channels will facilitate catecholamine-induced afterdepolarizations, triggered activity, and enhanced automaticity. Inhibition of cardiac sodium channels will reduce conduction velocity and alter refractory period; this is potentiated by catecholamines and promotes reentry arrhythmias. Other cardiac and/or neuronal mechanisms might also contribute to arrhythmogenesis. The few scattered in vitro data available for halocarbons (e.g., FC-12, halon 1301, trichloroethylene) suggest inhibition of cardiac sodium (conduction), calcium and potassium channels (triangulation), extraneuronal catecholamine reuptake, and various neuronal ion channels. Therefore, it is hypothesized that halocarbons promote cardiac sensitization by similar mechanisms as volatile anesthetics. Experimental approaches for further investigation of these sensitization mechanisms by selected halocarbons are suggested.

Growth Stimulation by Catecholamines in Plant Tissue/Organ Cultures 1

PubMed Central

Protacio, Calixto M.; Dai, Yao-ren; Lewis, Eldrin F.; Flores, Hector E.

1992-01-01

Addition of catecholamines at micromolar concentrations caused a dramatic stimulation of growth of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) thin cell layers (TCLs) and Acmella oppositifolia “hairy” root cultures. A threefold increase in the rate of ethylene evolution was observed in the catecholamine-treated explants. Aminooxyacetic acid and silver thiosulfate, inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis and action, respectively, reduced the growth-promoting effect of dopamine. However, these compounds alone could also inhibit the growth of the TCL explants. When ethylene in the culture vessel was depleted by trapping with mercuric perchlorate, dopamine-stimulated growth was still obtained, suggesting that ethylene does not mediate the dopamine effect. Dopamine potentiated the growth of TCLs grown in Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with indoleacetic acid (IAA) and kinetin. When IAA was replaced by 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, dopamine addition showed no growth-promoting effect. Instead, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid stimulated the growth of TCL explants to the same extent as that obtained with IAA plus dopamine. Because synthetic auxins do not appear to be substrates for IAA oxidizing enzymes, we hypothesized that catecholamines exert their effect by preventing IAA oxidation. Consistent with this explanation, dopamine (25 micromolar) inhibited IAA oxidase activity by 60 to 100% in crude enzyme extracts from tobacco roots and etiolated corn coleoptiles, but had no effect on peroxidase activity in the same extracts. Furthermore, addition of dopamine to TCL cultures resulted in a fourfold reduction in the oxidative degradation of [1-14C]IAA fed to the explants. Because the growth enhancement by catecholamines is observed in both IAA-requiring and IAA-independent cultures, we suggest that these aromatic amines may have a role in the regulation of IAA levels in vivo. ImagesFigure 2 PMID:16668653

Evaluation of quantitative parameters for distinguishing pheochromocytoma from other adrenal tumors.

PubMed

Ohno, Youichi; Sone, Masakatsu; Taura, Daisuke; Yamasaki, Toshinari; Kojima, Katsutoshi; Honda-Kohmo, Kyoko; Fukuda, Yorihide; Matsuo, Koji; Fujii, Toshihito; Yasoda, Akihiro; Ogawa, Osamu; Inagaki, Nobuya

2018-03-01

Adrenal tumors are increasingly found incidentally during imaging examinations. It is important to distinguish pheochromocytomas from other adrenal tumors because of the risk of hypertensive crisis. Although catecholamines and their metabolites are generally used to diagnose pheochromocytoma, false-positive test results are common. An effective screening method to distinguish pheochromocytoma from adrenal incidentalomas is needed. We analyzed 297 consecutive patients with adrenal incidentalomas. Our findings included 162 non-functioning tumors, 47 aldosterone-producing adenomas, 26 metastases, 22 cases of subclinical Cushing's syndrome, 21 pheochromocytomas, 12 cases of Cushing's syndrome, and 7 adrenocortical cancers. We checked quantitative parameters such as age, blood, and urine catecholamines and their metabolites, neuron-specific enolase, size and computed tomography (CT) attenuation values. Among catecholamine-related parameters, the sum of urine metanephrine and normetanephrine (urineMNM) levels produced the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve regarding discrimination of pheochromocytoma from other lesions. Size and CT attenuation values also differed significantly. However, size was correlated with catecholamine levels. CT attenuation was not correlated with other factors. The optimal thresholds were 19 Hounsfield units (HU) for CT attenuation (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 60%) and 0.43 mg/24 h for urineMNM (sensitivity, 89%; specificity, 96%). No pheochromocytomas were evident when CT attenuation values were under 19 HU. Even in adrenal tumors with CT attenuation values ≥ 19 HU, when urineMNM was < 0.43 mg/24 h, the frequency of pheochromocytoma was only 4.3%, when urineMNM was ≥ 0.43 mg/24 h, the frequency of pheochromocytoma was 93% and when urineMNM was > 0.77 mg/24 h the frequency of pheochromocytoma was 100%. CT attenuation value and urineMNM represented the most useful combination for diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.

Aggravation of Helicobacter pylori stomach infections in stressed military recruits.

PubMed

Jia, Keran; An, Liyun; Wang, Fukun; Shi, Lanchun; Ran, Xiangyang; Wang, Xianling; He, Zhanguo; Chen, Jing

2016-04-01

To investigate the effect of military stress on immune response and Helicobacter pylori stomach infections. In this prospective, observational study, the Symptom Checklist-90 questionnaire was completed by military recruits before and following a 3-month basic training programme. H. pylori immunoglobulin (Ig)G levels, C(14)-urea breath-test values and levels of cortisol, catecholamine, and certain humoral and cellular immune responses were measured before and after the basic training. For 60 military recruits, somatization, depression and paranoid ideation scores were significantly increased after, compared with before, basic training. Post-training H. pylori IgG detection revealed three additional cases of H. pylori infection. Post-training C(14)-urea breath-test values were significantly higher compared with before training - thus suggesting higher levels of H. pylori colonization in the stomach. Post-training cortisol and catecholamine levels were increased, while serum IgG levels were decreased; complement component (C)3 and C4 levels remained unchanged. Post-training CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell percentages and the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio were significantly reduced compared with before training. Serum interleukin (IL)-2 levels were lower and IL-10 levels were higher following training and there was a significant decrease in the IL-2/IL-10 ratio. Military stress may reduce humoral and cellular immune responses and may aggravate the severity of H. pylori infection. © The Author(s) 2016.

Aggravation of Helicobacter pylori stomach infections in stressed military recruits

PubMed Central

Jia, Keran; An, Liyun; Shi, Lanchun; Ran, Xiangyang; Wang, Xianling; He, Zhanguo; Chen, Jing

2016-01-01

Objective To investigate the effect of military stress on immune response and Helicobacter pylori stomach infections. Methods In this prospective, observational study, the Symptom Checklist-90 questionnaire was completed by military recruits before and following a 3-month basic training programme. H. pylori immunoglobulin (Ig)G levels, C14-urea breath-test values and levels of cortisol, catecholamine, and certain humoral and cellular immune responses were measured before and after the basic training. Results For 60 military recruits, somatization, depression and paranoid ideation scores were significantly increased after, compared with before, basic training. Post-training H. pylori IgG detection revealed three additional cases of H. pylori infection. Post-training C14-urea breath-test values were significantly higher compared with before training – thus suggesting higher levels of H. pylori colonization in the stomach. Post-training cortisol and catecholamine levels were increased, while serum IgG levels were decreased; complement component (C)3 and C4 levels remained unchanged. Post-training CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell percentages and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio were significantly reduced compared with before training. Serum interleukin (IL)-2 levels were lower and IL-10 levels were higher following training and there was a significant decrease in the IL-2/IL-10 ratio. Conclusion Military stress may reduce humoral and cellular immune responses and may aggravate the severity of H. pylori infection. PMID:26800706

Catecholamines and cognition after traumatic brain injury

PubMed Central

Jenkins, Peter O.; Mehta, Mitul A.

2016-01-01

Abstract Cognitive problems are one of the main causes of ongoing disability after traumatic brain injury. The heterogeneity of the injuries sustained and the variability of the resulting cognitive deficits makes treating these problems difficult. Identifying the underlying pathology allows a targeted treatment approach aimed at cognitive enhancement. For example, damage to neuromodulatory neurotransmitter systems is common after traumatic brain injury and is an important cause of cognitive impairment. Here, we discuss the evidence implicating disruption of the catecholamines (dopamine and noradrenaline) and review the efficacy of catecholaminergic drugs in treating post-traumatic brain injury cognitive impairments. The response to these therapies is often variable, a likely consequence of the heterogeneous patterns of injury as well as a non-linear relationship between catecholamine levels and cognitive functions. This individual variability means that measuring the structure and function of a person’s catecholaminergic systems is likely to allow more refined therapy. Advanced structural and molecular imaging techniques offer the potential to identify disruption to the catecholaminergic systems and to provide a direct measure of catecholamine levels. In addition, measures of structural and functional connectivity can be used to identify common patterns of injury and to measure the functioning of brain ‘networks’ that are important for normal cognitive functioning. As the catecholamine systems modulate these cognitive networks, these measures could potentially be used to stratify treatment selection and monitor response to treatment in a more sophisticated manner. PMID:27256296

Possible Increase in Serum FABP4 Level Despite Adiposity Reduction by Canagliflozin, an SGLT2 Inhibitor.

PubMed

Furuhashi, Masato; Matsumoto, Megumi; Hiramitsu, Shinya; Omori, Akina; Tanaka, Marenao; Moniwa, Norihito; Yoshida, Hideaki; Ishii, Junnichi; Miura, Tetsuji

2016-01-01

Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4/A-FABP/aP2) is secreted from adipocytes in association with catecholamine-induced lipolysis, and elevated serum FABP4 level is associated with obesity, insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. Secreted FABP4 as a novel adipokine leads to insulin resistance via increased hepatic glucose production (HGP). Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors decrease blood glucose level via increased urinary glucose excretion, though HGP is enhanced. Here we investigated whether canagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, modulates serum FABP4 level. Canagliflozin (100 mg/day) was administered to type 2 diabetic patients (n = 39) for 12 weeks. Serum FABP4 level was measured before and after treatment. At baseline, serum FABP4 level was correlated with adiposity, renal dysfunction and noradrenaline level. Treatment with canagliflozin significantly decreased adiposity and levels of fasting glucose and HbA1c but increased average serum FABP4 level by 10.3% (18.0 ± 1.0 vs. 19.8 ± 1.2 ng/ml, P = 0.008), though elevation of FABP4 level after treatment was observed in 26 (66.7%) out of 39 patients. Change in FABP4 level was positively correlated with change in levels of fasting glucose (r = 0.329, P = 0.044), HbA1c (r = 0.329, P = 0.044) and noradrenaline (r = 0.329, P = 0.041) but was not significantly correlated with change in adiposity or other variables. Canagliflozin paradoxically increases serum FABP4 level in some diabetic patients despite amelioration of glucose metabolism and adiposity reduction, possibly via induction of catecholamine-induced lipolysis in adipocytes. Increased FABP4 level by canagliflozin may undermine the improvement of glucose metabolism and might be a possible mechanism of increased HGP by inhibition of SGLT2. UMIN-CTR Clinical Trial UMIN000018151.

Prevention moderates associations between family risks and youth catecholamine levels.

PubMed

Brody, Gene H; Yu, Tianyi; Chen, Edith; Miller, Gregory E

2014-11-01

The purpose of this study was to establish, using a quasi-experimental design, whether 2 family risk factors, parental psychological dysfunction and nonsupportive parenting, during preadolescence could longitudinally predict elevated sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity 9 years later, and to determine whether participation in an efficacious family centered prevention program could moderate these associations if they emerged. Rural African American preadolescents (N = 476) were assigned randomly to the Strong African American Families (SAAF) program or to a control condition. When youths were 11 years of age (M = 11.2 years), primary caregivers provided data on their own depressive symptoms and self-esteem, and youths provided data on their receipt of nonsupportive parenting. When the youths were 20 years of age, indicators of SNS activity, the catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine, were assayed from their overnight urine voids. Parental psychological dysfunction and nonsupportive parenting forecast elevated catecholamine levels for youths in the control condition, but not for those in the SAAF condition. The demonstration that a prevention program can induce reduction of catecholamine levels is important from both theoretical and public health perspectives, because it shows that the developmental progression from family risk factors to heightened sympathetic nervous system activity is not immutable. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved.

Increased sensorimotor gating in recreational and dependent cocaine users is modulated by craving and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms.

PubMed

Preller, Katrin H; Ingold, Nina; Hulka, Lea M; Vonmoos, Matthias; Jenni, Daniela; Baumgartner, Markus R; Vollenweider, Franz X; Quednow, Boris B

2013-02-01

Cocaine dependence has been associated with blunted dopamine and norepinephrine signaling, but it is unknown if recreational cocaine use is also associated with alterations of catecholamine systems. Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle response-a measure of sensorimotor gating-is highly sensitive for manipulations of the catecholamine system. Therefore, we investigated whether relatively pure recreational users (RCU) and dependent cocaine users (DCU) display alterations of PPI, startle reactivity, and habituation. Moreover, the influences of methylenedioxymethamphetamine and cannabis co-use, craving, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms on startle measures were examined. In 64 RCU, 29 DCU, and 66 stimulant-naïve control subjects, PPI of acoustic startle response, startle reactivity, habituation, ADHD symptoms, and cocaine craving were assessed. Drug use of all participants was controlled by hair and urine toxicologies. Both RCU and DCU showed increased PPI in comparison with control participants (Cohen's d=.38 and d=.67, respectively), while RCU and DCU did not differ in PPI measures (d=.12). No significant group differences were found in startle reactivity or habituation measures. In cocaine users, PPI was positively correlated with cumulative cocaine dose used, craving for cocaine, and ADHD symptoms. Users with a diagnosis of ADHD and strong craving symptoms displayed the highest PPI levels compared with control subjects (d=.78). The augmented PPI in RCU and DCU suggests that recreational use of cocaine is associated with altered catecholamine signaling, in particular if ADHD or craving symptoms are present. Finally, ADHD might be a critical risk factor for cocaine-induced changes of the catecholamine system. Copyright © 2013 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy caused by heat stroke.

PubMed

Chen, Wei-Ta; Lin, Cheng-Hsin; Hsieh, Ming-Hsiung; Huang, Chun-Yao; Yeh, Jong-Shiuan

2012-07-01

Heat stroke is defined by central nervous system abnormalities and failure of proper maintenance of thermoregulation as a result of high core body temperature ensuing from exposure to high environmental temperatures or strenuous exercise. Common complications include acute respiratory distress syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation, acute renal injury, hepatic injury, and rhabdomyolysis. Myocardial injury may also occur during heat stroke, resulting in cardiac enzyme increase and ST-segment changes on the ECG. Such findings might behave as diagnostic pitfalls by mimicking the presentation of coronary artery occlusive myocardial infarction. A previous case report described a patient with heat stroke and ST-segment elevation, in which the definite cause of the ST-segment elevation was unclear; however, acute myocardial infarction caused by coronary artery disease was ruled out according to the clinical signs, serial ECG changes, and serum level of cardiac biomarkers. Stress-induced cardiomyopathy (Takotsubo cardiomyopathy) was suspected, but it could not be confirmed because of the lack of coronary angiography. We herein report a case of heat stroke presenting with ST-segment elevation and cardiogenic shock. Coronary angiography was performed and coronary artery occlusive myocardial infarction was ruled out because of the presence of patent coronary arteries. Left ventriculography showed midventricular and apical hypokinesis, and stress-induced cardiomyopathy was then determined to be the appropriate diagnosis. Heat stroke causes increase of serum catecholamine levels, in which oversecretion and abnormal responses to catecholamines are a possible cause of stress-induced cardiomyopathy. Catecholamines may therefore be the key in linking heat stroke and stress-induced cardiomyopathy. Copyright © 2011. Published by Mosby, Inc.

[Effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid on peripheral mechanisms regulating autonomic functions].

PubMed

Godovalova, L A

1976-01-01

Experiments with cats ascertained the potentiating action of GABA (100,300,500 mg/kg) on the pressor reactions of the small intestine vessels, the systemic arterial pressure, depressing (100 mg/kg) and facilitating (500 mg/kg) effect upon the reactions of inhibition of the small intestine motor activity evoked by the efferent stimulation of the celiac nerve. Adrenolytics (dihydroergotoxin, inderal) abolished the facilitating effects of GABA. The latter (0.01 solution) inhibited spontaneous contractions of isolated small intestine lengths. As proved histochemically GABA (500 mg/kg) reduces the catecholamines content in the suprarenals, in the solar plexus ganglia and in vessles "in vivo". It also increases the catecholamines content in the small intestine wall in experiments in vivo and reduces in vitro tests. The potentiating action of GABA on the vegetative reactions in efferent stimulation of the ciliac nerve occurs, apparently, due to an increased ejection of catecholamines by suprarenals and lowered the content of catecholamines in the solar plexus ganglia, which causes facilitated conduction of excitation in the ganglia.

Types of aggressiveness and catecholamine response in essential hypertensives and healthy controls.

PubMed

Netter, P; Neuhäuser-Metternich, S

1991-01-01

Relationships between plasma catecholamine responses, and levels and types of aggression in hyper- and normotensives were investigated by analyses of data obtained in a large psychophysiological experiment on 97 hypertensives (EH) and 98 normotensives (CO) each. Subjects were divided according to levels (high vs low) and types (repressed vs manifest) of aggressiveness according to self rating questionnaire scores. Their plasma catecholamine responses to defined stressors indicating sympathetic arousability were compared by four factor analyses of covariance adjusting for age. Repressed aggression was significantly more frequent among male EH, whereas manifest aggression was significantly more frequent among the male COs. High as compared to low hostility was associated with significantly elevated values of plasma epinephrine in EH but not in CO. The immediate norepinephrine stress response was blunted but showed a delayed increase during the subsequent period of rest in high aggressives of both the EH and CO group, a pattern particularly pronounced in repressed aggressive hypertensives. Neither cardiovascular reactions nor speed of performance were observed to be substantially different in subjects of repressed and of manifest hostility. It was concluded that aggression in general is characterized by a delayed norepinephrine stress response and that an association with high epinephrine is typical for aggressiveness in hypertensives. Repressed hostility, however, does not produce a sympathomedullary pattern substantially different from that of manifest aggression thus casting doubt on the physiological significance of repression claimed by Alexander.

Night-rest urinary catecholamine excretion in relation to aspects of free time, work and background data in a teacher group.

PubMed

Kinnunen, U; Vihko, V

1991-01-01

Free time, work and background data were related to night-rest catecholamine excretion rates in a teacher group (n = 137) during an autumn term. The explained interindividual variance increased slightly towards the end of the term. Adrenaline excretion was predicted better than noradrenaline, notedly by coffee consumption, amount of physical activity, and subjective stress feelings which explained 16% of the variance in adrenaline excretion during night rest. However, the results indicated that the differences in catecholamine excretion during night rest remained mostly unpredictable.

Occupational EMF exposure from radar at X and Ku frequency band and plasma catecholamine levels.

PubMed

Singh, Sarika; Kapoor, Neeru

2015-09-01

Workers in certain occupations such as the military may be exposed to technical radiofrequency radiation exposure above current limits, which may pose a health risk. The present investigation intended to find the effect of chronic electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure from radar on plasma catecholamines in the military workforce. In the study, 166 male personnel selected randomly were categorized into three groups: control (n = 68), exposure group-I (X-band, 8-12 GHz, n = 40), and exposure group-II (Ku-band, 12.5-18 GHz, n = 58). The three clusters were further divided into two groups according to their years of service (YOS) (up to 9 years and ≥10 years) to study the effect of years of radar exposure. Enzyme immunoassay was employed to assess catecholamine concentrations. EMF levels were recorded at different occupational distances from radar. Significant adrenaline diminution was registered in exposure group-II with no significant difference in exposure group-I when both groups were weighed against control. Nor-adrenaline and dopamine levels did not vary significantly in both exposure groups when compared to controls. Exposure in terms of YOS also did not yield any significant alteration in any of the catecholamines and in any of the exposure groups when compared with their respective control groups. The shift from baseline catecholamine values due to stress has immense significance for health and well-being. Their continual alteration may prove harmful in due course. Suitable follow-up studies are needed to further strengthen these preliminary observations and for now, exposures should be limited as much as possible with essential safeguards. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Histopathological analysis of spontaneous large necrosis of adrenal pheochromocytoma manifested as acute attacks of alternating hypertension and hypotension: a case report.

PubMed

Ohara, Nobumasa; Uemura, Yasuyuki; Mezaki, Naomi; Kimura, Keita; Kaneko, Masanori; Kuwano, Hirohiko; Ebe, Katsuya; Fujita, Toshio; Komeyama, Takeshi; Usuda, Hiroyuki; Yamazaki, Yuto; Maekawa, Takashi; Sasano, Hironobu; Kaneko, Kenzo; Kamoi, Kyuzi

2016-10-12

Pheochromocytomas are rare catecholamine-producing neuroendocrine tumors. Hypertension secondary to pheochromocytoma is often paroxysmal, and patients occasionally present with sudden attacks of alternating hypertension and hypotension. Spontaneous, extensive necrosis within the tumor that is associated with catecholamine crisis is an infrequent complication of adrenal pheochromocytoma, but its pathogenesis remains unclear. A 69-year-old Japanese man developed acute-onset episodic headaches, palpitations, and chest pains. During the episodes, both marked fluctuations in blood pressure (ranging from 40/25 to 300/160 mmHg) and high plasma levels of catecholamines were found simultaneously. Radiological findings indicated a 4-cm left adrenal pheochromocytoma. These episodic symptoms disappeared within 2 weeks with normalization of plasma catecholamine levels. Two months later, the patient underwent adrenalectomy. Microscopic examinations revealed pheocromocytoma with a large central area of coagulative necrosis. The necrotic material was immunohistochemically positive for chromogranin A. Granulation tissue was adjacent to the necrotic area, accompanied by numerous hemosiderin-laden macrophages and histiocytes with vascular proliferation. Viable tumor cells, detected along the periphery of the tumor, demonstrated pyknosis, and the Ki-67 labeling index was 2 % in the hot spot. No embolus or thrombus formation was found in the resected specimen harboring the whole tumor. The Pheochromocytoma of the Adrenal gland Scaled Score was 2 out of 20. The patient's postoperative course was unremarkable for > 7 years. Presumed causal factors for the extensive necrosis of adrenal pheochromocytoma in previously reported cases include hemorrhage into the tumor, hypotension induced by a phentolamine administration, embolic infarction, high intracapsular pressure due to malignant growth of the tumor, and catecholamine-induced vasoconstriction. In the present case, histopathological and clinical findings suggest that under conditions of chronic ischemia due to catecholamine-induced vasoconstriction, an acute infarction occurred after sudden attacks of alternating hypertension and hypotension. Over the subsequent 2 weeks, repetitive massive release of catecholamines from the infarcts into circulation likely accelerated infarction progression by causing repeated attacks of alternating hypertension and hypotension and resulted in the large necrosis. This case highlights the need for physicians to consider acute spontaneous tumor infarction accompanying episodic catecholamine crisis as a rare but severe complication of pheochromocytoma.

Effect of space flights on plasma hormone levels in man and in experimental animal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Macho, L.; Kvetňanský, R.; Vigaš, M.; Németh, S.; Popova, I.; Tigranian, R. A.; Noskov, V. B.; Serova, L.; Grigoriev, I. A.

An important increase of plasma hormone levels like insulin, TSH and aldosterone was observed in human subjects after space flights, however in the changes of plasma content of ACTH, cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline the individual variations were observed in relation to number and duration of space flight. For evaluation of the effects of these changes in plasma hormone levels on metabolic processes also the experiments with small animals subjected to space flights on a board of biosatellite of Cosmos series were running. An elevation of plasma levels of corticosterone, adrenaline, noradrenaline and insulin was found in rats after the space flights of duration from 7 to 20 days. It was demonstrated, that the increase of corticosterone in plasma is followed by the activation of enzymes involved in the aminoacid metabolism in rat liver (tyrosine aminotransferase, tryptophanpyrolase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase). After a short recovery period (2 to 6 days) the plasma corticosterone concentration and also the activity of liver enzymes returned to control levels. The exposition of animals to stress stimuli during this recovery period showed higher response of corticosterone levels in flight rats as compared to intact controls. The increase of plasma catecholamine levels was not followed by elevation of lipolysis in adipose tissue. This is due to lower response of adipose tissue to catecholamine because a decrease of the stimulation of lipolysis by noradrenaline was observed in animals after space flight. The increase of insulin was not followed by adequate decrease of glucose concentration suggesting a disturbances in glucose utilization similarly as in cosmonauts after a long-term space flight. These results showed that changes in plasma hormone levels, observed after space flight, affected the regulation of metabolic processes in tissues.

Relationships between serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor, plasma catecholamine metabolites, cytokines, cognitive function and clinical symptoms in Japanese patients with chronic schizophrenia treated with atypical antipsychotic monotherapy.

PubMed

Hori, Hikaru; Yoshimura, Reiji; Katsuki, Asuka; Atake, Kiyokazu; Igata, Ryohei; Konishi, Yuki; Nakamura, Jun

2017-08-01

Catecholamines, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cytokines may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between serum BDNF levels, plasma catecholamine metablolites, cytokines and the cognitive functions of patients with schizophrenia treated with atypical antipsychotic monotherapy. One hundred and forty-six patients with schizophrenia and 51 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were examined for peripheral biological markers and neurocognitive test. There were positive correlations between serum BDNF levels and scores for verbal memory and attention and processing speed as well as between serum BDNF levels and negative symptoms. Furthermore, there was a negative correlation between the plasma homovanillic acid (HVA) level and motor function and a positive correlation between the plasma 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) level and attention and processing speed. There were no significant correlations between interleukin-6 or tumour necrosis factor alpha and cognitive function. Moreover, there were no significant correlations between the plasma levels of HVA, MHPG, cytokines and clinical symptoms. Serum BDNF levels are positively related to the impairment of verbal memory and attention, plasma HVA levels are positively related to motor function, and plasma MHPG levels are positively related to attention in patients with schizophrenia.

Hydrocortisone Therapy in Catecholamine-Resistant Pediatric Septic Shock: A Pragmatic Analysis of Clinician Practice and Association With Outcomes.

PubMed

Nichols, Blake; Kubis, Sherri; Hewlett, Jennifer; Yehya, Nadir; Srinivasan, Vijay

2017-09-01

The 2012 Surviving Sepsis Campaign pediatric guidelines recommend stress dose hydrocortisone in children experiencing catecholamine-dependent septic shock with suspected or proven absolute adrenal insufficiency. We evaluated whether stress dose hydrocortisone therapy in children with catecholamine dependent septic shock correlated with random serum total cortisol levels and was associated with improved outcomes. Retrospective cohort study. Non-cardiac PICU. Critically ill children (1 mo to 18 yr) admitted between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2013, with catecholamine dependent septic shock who had random serum total cortisol levels measured prior to potential stress dose hydrocortisone therapy. None. The cohort was dichotomized to random serum total cortisol less than 18 mcg/dL and greater than or equal to 18 mcg/dL. Associations of stress dose hydrocortisone with outcomes: PICU mortality, PICU and hospital length of stay, ventilator-free days, and vasopressor-free days were examined. Seventy children with catecholamine-dependent septic shock and measured random serum total cortisol levels were eligible (16% PICU mortality). Although 43% (30/70) had random serum total cortisol less than 18 μg/dL, 60% (42/70) received stress dose hydrocortisone. Children with random serum total cortisol less than 18 μg/dL had lower severity of illness and lower Vasopressor Inotrope Scores than those with random serum total cortisol greater than or equal to 18 μg/dL (all p < 0.05). Children with stress dose hydrocortisone had higher severity of illness and PICU mortality than those without stress dose hydrocortisone (all p < 0.05). Mean random serum total cortisol levels were similar in children with and without stress dose hydrocortisone (21.1 vs 18.7 μg/dL; p = 0.69). In children with random serum total cortisol less than 18 μg/dL, stress dose hydrocortisone was associated with greater PICU and hospital length of stay and fewer ventilator-free days (all p < 0.05). In children with random serum total cortisol greater than 18 μg/dL, stress dose hydrocortisone was associated with greater PICU mortality and fewer ventilator-free days and vasopressor-free days (all p < 0.05). Stress dose hydrocortisone therapy in children with catecholamine-dependent septic shock correlated more with severity of illness than random serum total cortisol levels and was associated with worse outcomes, irrespective of random serum total cortisol levels.

Multifunctional Polyphenols- and Catecholamines-Based Self-Defensive Films for Health Care Applications.

PubMed

Dhand, Chetna; Harini, Sriram; Venkatesh, Mayandi; Dwivedi, Neeraj; Ng, Alice; Liu, Shouping; Verma, Navin Kumar; Ramakrishna, Seeram; Beuerman, Roger W; Loh, Xian Jun; Lakshminarayanan, Rajamani

2016-01-20

In an era of relentless evolution of antimicrobial resistance, there is an increasing demand for the development of efficient antimicrobial coatings or surfaces for food, biomedical, and industrial applications. This study reports the laccase-catalyzed room-temperature synthesis of mechanically robust, thermally stable, broad spectrum antimicrobial films employing interfacial interactions between poly(vinyl alcohol), PVA, and 14 naturally occurring catecholamines and polyphenols. The oxidative products of catecholamines and polyphenols reinforce the PVA films and also alter their surface and bulk properties. Among the catecholamines-reinforced films, optimum surface and bulk properties can be achieved by the oxidative products of epinephrine. For polyphenols, structure-property correlation reveals an increase in surface roughness and elasticity of PVA films with increasing number of phenolic groups in the precursors. Interestingly, PVA films reinforced with oxidized/polymerized products of pyrogallol (PG) and epinephrine (EP) display potent antimicrobial activity against pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains, whereas hydroquinone (HQ)-reinforced PVA films display excellent antimicrobial properties against Gram-positive bacteria only. We further demonstrate that HQ and PG films retain their antimicrobial efficacy after steam sterilization. With an increasing trend of giving value to natural and renewable resources, our results have the potential as durable self-defensive antimicrobial surfaces/films for advanced healthcare and industrial applications.

Is spaceflight-induced immune dysfunction linked to systemic changes in metabolism?

PubMed Central

Mao, Xiao Wen; Bellinger, Denise L.; Jonscher, Karen R.; Stodieck, Louis S.; Ferguson, Virginia L.; Bateman, Ted A.; Mohney, Robert P.; Gridley, Daila S.

2017-01-01

The Space Shuttle Atlantis launched on its final mission (STS-135) on July 8, 2011. After just under 13 days, the shuttle landed safely at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) for the last time. Female C57BL/6J mice flew as part of the Commercial Biomedical Testing Module-3 (CBTM-3) payload. Ground controls were maintained at the KSC facility. Subsets of these mice were made available to investigators as part of NASA’s Bio-specimen Sharing Program (BSP). Our group characterized cell phenotype distributions and phagocytic function in the spleen, catecholamine and corticosterone levels in the adrenal glands, and transcriptomics/metabolomics in the liver. Despite decreases in most splenic leukocyte subsets, there were increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related activity. Although there were increases noted in corticosterone levels in both the adrenals and liver, there were no significant changes in catecholamine levels. Furthermore, functional analysis of gene expression and metabolomic profiles suggest that the functional changes are not due to oxidative or psychological stress. Despite changes in gene expression patterns indicative of increases in phagocytic activity (e.g. endocytosis and formation of peroxisomes), there was no corresponding increase in genes related to ROS metabolism. In contrast, there were increases in expression profiles related to fatty acid oxidation with decreases in glycolysis-related profiles. Given the clear link between immune function and metabolism in many ground-based diseases, we propose a similar link may be involved in spaceflight-induced decrements in immune and metabolic function. PMID:28542224

Is spaceflight-induced immune dysfunction linked to systemic changes in metabolism?

PubMed

Pecaut, Michael J; Mao, Xiao Wen; Bellinger, Denise L; Jonscher, Karen R; Stodieck, Louis S; Ferguson, Virginia L; Bateman, Ted A; Mohney, Robert P; Gridley, Daila S

2017-01-01

The Space Shuttle Atlantis launched on its final mission (STS-135) on July 8, 2011. After just under 13 days, the shuttle landed safely at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) for the last time. Female C57BL/6J mice flew as part of the Commercial Biomedical Testing Module-3 (CBTM-3) payload. Ground controls were maintained at the KSC facility. Subsets of these mice were made available to investigators as part of NASA's Bio-specimen Sharing Program (BSP). Our group characterized cell phenotype distributions and phagocytic function in the spleen, catecholamine and corticosterone levels in the adrenal glands, and transcriptomics/metabolomics in the liver. Despite decreases in most splenic leukocyte subsets, there were increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related activity. Although there were increases noted in corticosterone levels in both the adrenals and liver, there were no significant changes in catecholamine levels. Furthermore, functional analysis of gene expression and metabolomic profiles suggest that the functional changes are not due to oxidative or psychological stress. Despite changes in gene expression patterns indicative of increases in phagocytic activity (e.g. endocytosis and formation of peroxisomes), there was no corresponding increase in genes related to ROS metabolism. In contrast, there were increases in expression profiles related to fatty acid oxidation with decreases in glycolysis-related profiles. Given the clear link between immune function and metabolism in many ground-based diseases, we propose a similar link may be involved in spaceflight-induced decrements in immune and metabolic function.

Additional Antiepileptic Mechanisms of Levetiracetam in Lithium-Pilocarpine Treated Rats

PubMed Central

Al-Shorbagy, Muhammad Y.; El Sayeh, Bahia M.; Abdallah, Dalaal M.

2013-01-01

Several studies have addressed the antiepileptic mechanisms of levetiracetam (LEV); however, its effect on catecholamines and the inflammatory mediators that play a role in epilepsy remain elusive. In the current work, lithium (Li) pretreated animals were administered LEV (500 mg/kg i.p) 30 min before the induction of convulsions by pilocarpine (PIL). Li-PIL-induced seizures were accompanied by increased levels of hippocampal prostaglandin (PG) E2, myeloperoxidase (MPO), tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-10. Moreover, it markedly elevated hippocampal lipid peroxides and nitric oxide levels, while it inhibited the glutathione content. Li-PIL also reduced hippocampal noradrenaline, as well as dopamine contents. Pretreatment with LEV protected against Li-PIL-induced seizures, where it suppressed the severity and delayed the onset of seizures in Li-PIL treated rats. Moreover, LEV reduced PGE2 and MPO, yet it did not affect the level of both cytokines in the hippocampus. LEV also normalized hippocampal noradrenaline, dopamine, glutathione, lipid peroxides, and nitric oxide contents. In conclusion, alongside its antioxidant property, LEV anticonvulsive effect involves catecholamines restoration, as well as inhibition of PGE2, MPO, and nitric oxide. PMID:24098559

The effect of salts on catecholamine fluxes and adenosine triphosphatase activity in storage vesicles from the adrenal medulla

PubMed Central

Taugner, G.

1971-01-01

1. Influx and efflux of catecholamine and adenosine triphosphatase activity in storage vesicles from the adrenal medulla were studied with dl-[14C]adrenaline in different media. 2. The lowest values for flux and adenosine triphosphatase activity were observed in sucrose media in which an ATP-dependent influx of catecholamine compensated for an efflux of the same magnitude. Efflux in the presence or absence of ATP was similar. 3. In media containing sodium succinate or glutarate adenosine triphosphatase activity was higher and the ATP-dependent influx of catecholamine was about twice that observed in iso-osmotic sucrose medium. In the presence of ATP influx and efflux of catecholamine were balanced; in its absence there was a net release of catecholamine, since efflux was more than twice the influx. Efflux in the presence or absence of ATP was similar. 4. In media containing sodium or potassium chloride and in the presence of ATP influx and adenosine triphosphatase activity were further enhanced, but in the absence of ATP there was no further increase in influx, since catecholamine was released with or without ATP at the same rate. Efflux was therefore twice as high in the presence of ATP as in its absence. 5. Sodium nitrate suppressed the ATP-dependent influx nearly completely, but caused a greatly enhanced efflux, which was twice as high in the presence of ATP as in its absence. 6. The extinction of vesicular suspensions remained unchanged in the presence of ATP under conditions where the catecholamine efflux was balanced by the influx. Under conditions where the efflux was not compensated by influx, the extinction of the suspensions decreased in the presence of ATP more than in its absence. PMID:4256794

Rapid changes in synaptic vesicle cytochemistry after depolarization of cultured cholinergic sympathetic neurons

PubMed Central

1985-01-01

Sympathetic neurons taken from rat superior cervical ganglia and grown in culture acquire cholinergic function under certain conditions. These cholinergic sympathetic neurons, however, retain a number of adrenergic properties, including the enzymes involved in the synthesis of norepinephrine (NE) and the storage of measurable amounts of NE. These neurons also retain a high affinity uptake system for NE; despite this, the majority of the synaptic vesicles remain clear even after incubation in catecholamines. The present study shows, however, that if these neurons are depolarized before incubation in catecholamine, the synaptic vesicles acquire dense cores indicative of amine storage. These manipulations are successful when cholinergic function is induced with either a medium that contains human placental serum and embryo extract or with heart-conditioned medium, and when the catecholamine is either NE or 5-hydroxydopamine. In some experiments, neurons are grown at low densities and shown to have cholinergic function by electrophysiological criteria. After incubation in NE, only 6% of the synaptic vesicles have dense cores. In contrast, similar neurons depolarized (80 mM K+) before incubation in catecholamine contain 82% dense-cored vesicles. These results are confirmed in network cultures where the percentage of dense-cored vesicles is increased 2.5 to 6.5 times by depolarizing the neurons before incubation with catecholamine. In both single neurons and in network cultures, the vesicle reloading is inhibited by reducing vesicle release during depolarization with an increased Mg++/Ca++ ratio or by blocking NE uptake either at the plasma membrane (desipramine) or at the vesicle membrane (reserpine). In addition, choline appears to play a competitive role because its presence during incubation in NE or after reloading results in decreased numbers of dense-cored vesicles. We conclude that the depolarization step preceding catecholamine incubation acts to empty the vesicles of acetylcholine, thus allowing them to reload with catecholamine. These data also suggest that the same vesicles may contain both neurotransmitters simultaneously. PMID:4008529

Synergic effect studies of the bi-enzymatic system laccase-peroxidase in a voltammetric biosensor for catecholamines.

PubMed

Leite, Oldair D; Lupetti, Karina O; Fatibello-Filho, Orlando; Vieira, Iolanda C; Barbosa, Aneli de M

2003-04-10

Several bi-enzymatic carbon paste biosensors modified with enzymes laccase from Pleurotus ostreatus fungi and peroxidase from zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) were constructed for evaluating the synergic effect of the two enzymes on the voltammetric biosensor response for various catecholamines. Initially was investigated the effect of pH from 5.0 to 7.5, temperature from 25 to 50 degrees C, initial stirring time from 30 to 150 s, scan rate from 10 to 60 mVs(-1) and potential pulse amplitude from 10 to 60 mV on the biosensor response for several catecholamines such as dopamine, adrenaline, isoprenaline and l-dopa. It was observed a biosensor signal increase employing both enzymes, indicating thus there is a synergic effect between laccase and peroxidase, verified also in spectrophotometric studies, in the determination of these catecholamines.

Accumulation of radioactivity after repeated infusion of 3H-adrenaline and 3H-noradrenaline in the rat as a model animal.

PubMed

Lepschy, M; Filip, T; Palme, R G

2014-10-01

Besides enzymatic inactivation, catecholamines bind non-enzymatically and irreversible to proteins. The physiological impact of these catecholamine adducts is still unclear. We therefore collected basic data about the distribution of catecholamine adducts in the rat after repeated intravenous administration of (3)H-adrenaline and (3)H-noradrenaline. In all animals radioactivity in blood increased until the last injection on Day 7 and decreased then slowly close to background values (plasma) or remained higher (erythrocytes). In all sampled tissues radioactivity could be found, but only in hair high amounts remained present even after 3 weeks. Half-life of rat serum albumin loaded with (3)H-adrenaline or (3)H-noradrenaline was not altered. This study provides basic knowledge about the distribution of catecholamines or their adducts, but physiological effects could not be demonstrated. However, for the first time deposition and accumulation of catecholamines (adducts) in the hair could be proven, suggesting that hair might be used for evaluating long term stress. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Gintonin enhances performance of mice in rotarod test: Involvement of lysophosphatidic acid receptors and catecholamine release.

PubMed

Lee, Byung-Hwan; Kim, Jisu; Lee, Ra Mi; Choi, Sun-Hye; Kim, Hyeon-Joong; Hwang, Sung-Hee; Lee, Myung Koo; Bae, Chun-Sik; Kim, Hyoung-Chun; Rhim, Hyewon; Lim, Kiwon; Nah, Seung-Yeol

2016-01-26

Ginseng has a long history of use as a tonic for restoration of vigor. One example of ginseng-derived tonic effect is that it can improve physical stamina under conditions of stress. However, the active ingredient and the underlying molecular mechanism responsible for the ergogenic effect are unknown. Recent studies show that ginseng contains a novel ingredient, gintonin, which consists of a unique class of herbal-medicine lysophosphatidic acids (LPAs). Gintonin activates G protein-coupled LPA receptors to produce a transient [Ca(2+)]i signal, which is coupled to diverse intra- and inter-cellular signal transduction pathways that stimulate hormone or neurotransmitter release. However, relatively little is known about how gintonin-mediated cellular modulation is linked to physical endurance. In the present study, systemic administration of gintonin, but not ginsenosides, in fasted mice increased blood glucose concentrations in a dose-dependent manner. Gintonin treatment elevated blood glucose to a maximum level after 30min. This elevation in blood glucose level could be abrogated by the LPA1/3 receptor antagonist, Ki16425, or the β-adrenergic receptor antagonist, propranolol. Furthermore, gintonin-dependent enhanced performance of fasted mice in rotarod test was likewise abrogated by Ki16425. Gintonin also elevated plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations. The present study shows that gintonin mediates catecholamine release through activation of the LPA receptor and that activation of the β-adrenergic receptor is coupled to liver glycogenolysis, thereby increasing the supply of glucose and enhancing performance in the rotarod test. Thus, gintonin acts via the LPA-catecholamine-glycogenolysis axis, representing a candidate mechanism that can explain how ginseng treatment enhances physical stamina. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The interaction of vasoactive substances during exercise modulates platelet aggregation in hypertension and coronary artery disease

PubMed Central

Petidis, Konstantinos; Douma, Stella; Doumas, Michael; Basagiannis, Ilias; Vogiatzis, Konstantinos; Zamboulis, Chrysanthos

2008-01-01

Background Acute vigorous exercise, associated with increased release of plasma catecholamines, transiently increases the risk of primary cardiac arrest. We tested the effect of acute submaximal exercise on vasoactive substances and their combined result on platelet function. Methods Healthy volunteers, hypertensive patients and patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) performed a modified treadmill exercise test. We determined plasma catecholamines, thromboxane A2, prostacyclin, endothelin-1 and platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and collagen at rest and during exercise. Results Our results during exercise showed a) platelet activation (increased thromboxane B2, TXB2), b) increased prostacyclin release from endothelium and c) decreased platelet aggregation in all groups, significantly more in healthy volunteers than in patients with CAD (with hypertensives lying in between these two groups). Conclusion Despite the pronounced activation of Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) and increased TXB2 levels during acute exercise platelet aggregation decreases, possibly to counterbalance the prothrombotic state. Since this effect seems to be mediated by the normal endothelium (through prostacyclin and nitric oxide), in conditions characterized by endothelial dysfunction (hypertension, CAD) reduced platelet aggregation is attenuated, thus posing such patients in increased risk for thrombotic complications. PMID:18505546

Effects of isotonic and isometric exercises with mist sauna bathing on cardiovascular, thermoregulatory, and metabolic functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iwase, Satoshi; Kawahara, Yuko; Nishimura, Naoki; Nishimura, Rumiko; Sugenoya, Junichi; Miwa, Chihiro; Takada, Masumi

2014-08-01

To clarify the effects of isometric and isotonic exercise during mist sauna bathing on the cardiovascular function, thermoregulatory function, and metabolism, six healthy young men (22 ± 1 years old, height 173 ± 4 cm, weight 65.0 ± 5.0 kg) were exposed to a mist sauna for 10 min at a temperature of 40 °C, and relative humidity of 100 % while performing or not performing ˜30 W of isometric or isotonic exercise. The effect of the exercise was assessed by measuring tympanic temperature, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, chest sweat rate, chest skin blood flow, and plasma catecholamine and cortisol, glucose, lactate, and free fatty acid levels. Repeated measures ANOVA showed no significant differences in blood pressure, skin blood flow, sweat rate, and total amount of sweating. Tympanic temperature increased more during isotonic exercise, and heart rate increase was more marked during isotonic exercise. The changes in lactate indicated that fatigue was not very great during isometric exercise. The glucose level indicated greater energy expenditure during isometric exercise. The free fatty acid and catecholamine levels indicated that isometric exercise did not result in very great energy expenditure and stress, respectively. The results for isotonic exercise of a decrease in lactate level and an increase in plasma free fatty acid level indicated that fatigue and energy expenditure were rather large while the perceived stress was comparatively low. We concluded that isotonic exercise may be a more desirable form of exercise during mist sauna bathing given the changes in glucose and free fatty acid levels.

Stress-related hormones in horses before and after stunning by captive bolt gun.

PubMed

Micera, Elisabetta; Albrizio, Maria; Surdo, Nicoletta C; Moramarco, Angela M; Zarrilli, Antonia

2010-04-01

In this work the slaughter-linked plasma modifications of some stress-related hormones in horses subject to standardized butchering procedures were investigated in order to highlight the compromised animal welfare during pre-slaughter handling. During pre-slaughter, animals show strong hardship behavioural patterns, probably due to being under life-threatening conditions. Blood samples from 12 male horses, ageing from 3 to 5 years, were collected before slaughtering in lairage, and during exsanguination after stunning. Catecholamines, cortisol and beta-endorphin concentrations were assessed in plasma samples by EIA. Results show that plasma beta-endorphin concentration did not increase significantly after stunning, while cortisol (P<0.05) and catecholamines (P<0.001) increased significantly. The ratio between the plasma level of norepinephrine and epinephrine decreased significantly (P<0.001) during the time considered for observation underlining a greater involvement of adrenal medulla in the stress response. Moreover these results suggest that, under stress, the release of beta-endorphin could be different from that of ACTH. 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Peripheral leukocyte subpopulations and catecholamine levels in astronauts as a function of mission duration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mills, P. J.; Meck, J. V.; Waters, W. W.; D'Aunno, D.; Ziegler, M. G.

2001-01-01

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of spaceflight duration on immune cells and their relationship to catecholamine levels. METHODS: Eleven astronauts who flew aboard five different US Space Shuttle flights ranging in duration from 4 to 16 days were studied before launch and after landing. RESULTS: Consistent with prior studies, spaceflight was associated with a significant increase in the number of circulating white blood cells (p <.01), including neutrophils (p <.01), monocytes (p <.05), CD3+CD4+ T-helper cells (p <.05), and CD19+ B cells (p <.01). In contrast, the number of CD3-CD16+56+ natural killer cells was decreased (p <.01). Plasma norepinephrine levels were increased at landing (p <.01) and were significantly correlated with the number of white blood cells (p <.01), neutrophils (p <.01), monocytes (p <.01), and B cells (p <.01). Astronauts who were in space for approximately 1 week showed a significantly larger increase on landing in plasma norepinephrine (p =.02) and epinephrine (p =.03) levels, as well as number of circulating CD3+CD4+ T-helper cells (p <.05) and CD3+CD8+ T-cytotoxic cells (p <.05) as compared with astronauts in space for approximately 2 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that the stress of spaceflight and landing may lead to a sympathetic nervous system-mediated redistribution of circulating leukocytes, an effect potentially attenuated after longer missions.

Traumatic stress causes distinctive effects on fear circuit catecholamines and the fear extinction profile in a rodent model of posttraumatic stress disorder.

PubMed

Lin, Chen-Cheng; Tung, Che-Se; Lin, Pin-Hsuan; Huang, Chuen-Lin; Liu, Yia-Ping

2016-09-01

Central catecholamines regulate fear memory across the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), amygdala (AMYG), and hippocampus (HPC). However, inadequate evidence exists to address the relationships among these fear circuit areas in terms of the fear symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). By examining the behavioral profile in a Pavlovian fear conditioning paradigm together with tissue/efflux levels of dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) and their reuptake abilities across the fear circuit areas in rats that experienced single prolonged stress (SPS, a rodent model of PTSD), we demonstrated that SPS-impaired extinction retrieval was concomitant with the changes of central DA/NE in a dissociable manner. For tissue levels, diminished DA and increased NE were both observed in the mPFC and AMYG. DA efflux and synaptosomal DA transporter were consistently reduced in the AMYG/vHPC, whereas SPS reduced NE efflux in the infralimbic cortex and synaptosomal NE transporter in the mPFC. Furthermore, a lower expression of synaptosomal VMAT2 was observed in the mPFC, AMYG, and vHPC after SPS. Finally, negative correlations were observed between retrieval freezing and DA in the mPFC/AMYG; nevertheless, the phenomena became invalid after SPS. Our results suggest that central catecholamines are crucially involved in the retrieval of fear extinction in which DA and NE play distinctive roles across the fear circuit areas. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. and ECNP. All rights reserved.

Alcohol and malnutrition in the pathogenesis of experimental alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

PubMed

Rossi, M A

1980-02-01

In this study, the morphology and the catecholamine levels of the myocardium in both well-nourished and malnourished alcohol-fed rats were examined. Alcohol has been administered to rats for 16 weeks. Rats fed a diet containing alcohol corresponding to 40 per cent. of total calorific intake and inadequate amounts of calories and nutrients developed morphological changes in the heart, while the controls did not. In addition, an increase in cardiac noradrenaline concentration and heart: body weight ratio could be observed. There were no differences in myocardial morphology and catecholamine concentration between well-nourished rats fed alcohol as 35 per cent. of the calorific intake and pair-fed controls. A dispute exists about whether alcohol is directly toxic to the heart or indirectly injurious due to associated dietary deficiency. The present results, taken together, make the theory of cardiotoxicity of alcohol an unlikely one, at least in the case of the rat; and they offer considerable support for the hypothesis that the association between chronic consumption of alcoholic beverages and cardiomyopathy is a result of a primary multifactorial nutritional deficiency, resulting from displacement of nutrient-associated calories by the "empty" calories--devoid of protein, vitamins, and minerals--of alcohol, and/or a secondary nutritional deficiency due to injurious effects of alcohol on the liver, pancreas and intestine. It is suggested that continued exposure to high levels of catecholamine, directly related to malnutrition, may play a role in the development of myocardial pathology.

Mechanism of the cardiovascular activity of dibenzoxazepine in cats.

PubMed

Lundy, P M

1978-04-01

Small i.v. doses of dibenzoxazepine (DBO) (50--400 microgram/kg) given to anesthetized cats resulted in dose related increases in heart rate (up to 70 beats/min) and blood pressure (up to 80 mm Hg). The pressor response was blocked by pretreatment of the animals with phentolamine; pretreatment for 3 days with 6-hydroxdopamine; with mecamylamine and spinal transection between C1 and C2 but not by propranolol or adrenalectomy. The increase in heart rate was blocked by pretreatment with propranolol, 6-hydroxydopamine, mecamylamine and spinal transection whereas adrenalectomy only affected the response slightly. DBO produced only negative effects on the isolated rabbit heart. Bioassay of arterial blood showed an increased level of circulating catecholamines corresponding to the cardiovascular stimulation. DBO had no tyramine-like activity on the isolated rabbit aortic strip but slightly potentiated the contraction induced by noradrenaline. These findings strongly suggest that the cardiovascular effects resulted from central stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system. A minor part of the observed sympathomimetic effects may also be the result of the ability of DBO to potentiate the effects of noradrenaline perhaps by blocking catecholamine uptake.

Biochemical diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma: two instructive case reports.

PubMed Central

Stewart, M F; Reed, P; Weinkove, C; Moriarty, K J; Ralston, A J

1993-01-01

The biochemical features of two patients with phaeochromocytomas illustrate the inadvisability of depending on a single group of analytes for the diagnosis. The first case presented as a surgical emergency with retroperitoneal haemorrhage. Biochemical diagnosis was difficult since total 24 hour urinary free catecholamine excretion was within normal limits in two out of three samples, and only marginally raised in the third with an atypical preponderance of adrenaline. Plasma catecholamine concentrations were also normal. But urinary excretion of the catecholamine metabolites, metadrenaline and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy mandelic acid (HMMA), was consistently raised. In contrast, the second patient presenting with headache and labile hypertension showed normal metabolite excretion in the face of grossly increased free noradrenaline excretion and raised plasma noradrenaline concentrations. It is therefore recommend that, as well as urinary free catecholamines, one group of their main metabolites, the 3-methoxy amines (normetadrenaline and metadrenaline) or HMMA, should routinely be measured whenever a phaeochromocytoma is suspected. PMID:8463426

Catecholamine autotoxicity. Implications for pharmacology and therapeutics of Parkinson disease and related disorders.

PubMed

Goldstein, David S; Kopin, Irwin J; Sharabi, Yehonatan

2014-12-01

Several neurodegenerative diseases involve loss of catecholamine neurons-Parkinson disease is a prototypical example. Catecholamine neurons are rare in the nervous system, and why they are vulnerable in PD and related disorders has been mysterious. Accumulating evidence supports the concept of "autotoxicity"-inherent cytotoxicity of catecholamines and their metabolites in the cells in which they are produced. According to the "catecholaldehyde hypothesis" for the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease, long-term increased build-up of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL), the catecholaldehyde metabolite of dopamine, causes or contributes to the eventual death of dopaminergic neurons. Lewy bodies, a neuropathologic hallmark of PD, contain precipitated alpha-synuclein. Bases for the tendency of alpha-synuclein to precipitate in the cytoplasm of catecholaminergic neurons have also been mysterious. Since DOPAL potently oligomerizes and aggregates alpha-synuclein, the catecholaldehyde hypothesis provides a link between alpha-synucleinopathy and catecholamine neuron loss in Lewy body diseases. The concept developed here is that DOPAL and alpha-synuclein are nodes in a complex nexus of interacting homeostatic systems. Dysfunctions of several processes, including decreased vesicular sequestration of cytoplasmic catecholamines, decreased aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, and oligomerization of alpha-synuclein, lead to conversion from the stability afforded by negative feedback regulation to the instability, degeneration, and system failure caused by induction of positive feedback loops. These dysfunctions result from diverse combinations of genetic predispositions, environmental exposures, stress, and time. The notion of catecholamine autotoxicity has several implications for treatment, disease modification, and prevention. Conversely, disease modification clinical trials would provide key tests of the catecholaldehyde hypothesis. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Catecholamine autotoxicity. Implications for pharmacology and therapeutics of Parkinson disease and related disorders☆

PubMed Central

Goldstein, David S.; Kopin, Irwin J.; Sharabi, Yehonatan

2015-01-01

Several neurodegenerative diseases involve loss of catecholamine neurons—Parkinson disease is a prototypical example. Catecholamine neurons are rare in the nervous system, and why they are vulnerable in PD and related disorders has been mysterious. Accumulating evidence supports the concept of “autotoxicity”—inherent cytotoxicity of catecholamines and their metabolites in the cells in which they are produced. According to the “catecholaldehyde hypothesis” for the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease, long-term increased build-up of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL), the catecholaldehyde metabolite of dopamine, causes or contributes to the eventual death of dopaminergic neurons. Lewy bodies, a neuropathologic hallmark of PD, contain precipitated alpha-synuclein. Bases for the tendency of alpha-synuclein to precipitate in the cytoplasm of catecholaminergic neurons have also been mysterious. Since DOPAL potently oligomerizes and aggregates alpha-synuclein, the catecholaldehyde hypothesis provides a link between alpha-synucleinopathy and catecholamine neuron loss in Lewy body diseases. The concept developed here is that DOPAL and alpha-synuclein are nodes in a complex nexus of interacting homeostatic systems. Dysfunctions of several processes, including decreased vesicular sequestration of cytoplasmic catecholamines, decreased aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, and oligomerization of alpha-synuclein, lead to conversion from the stability afforded by negative feedback regulation to the instability, degeneration, and system failure caused by induction of positive feedback loops. These dysfunctions result from diverse combinations of genetic predispositions, environmental exposures, stress, and time. The notion of catecholamine autotoxicity has several implications for treatment, disease modification, and prevention. Conversely, disease modification clinical trials would provide key tests of the catecholaldehyde hypothesis. PMID:24945828

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Danysz, A.; Proniewski, H.; Wisniewski, K.

< ; < > 8 ; 9 8 8 ; < ; 8 : to dogs (400 r), cats (400 r), gninea pigs (450 r), and mice (180-200 r). The course of radiation illness was estimated on the basis of leukocyte count. During radiation sickness the changes in pharmacologic action and toxicity of various drugs affecting the autonomic nervous system were investigated. By tests on the reactivity of mouse intestine in situ it was shown that at the peak of acute radiation sickness the toxicity of parasympathicotonics (pilocarpine, prostigmine), especially of acetylcholine, sympathicolytics (Priscol), and ganglioplegics (nicotine) decreased. The toxicitymore » of parasympathicolytic drugs (atropine) was higher. No changes of toxicity of sympathicotonics (adrenaline, iproniazid) were found, except for ephedrine, whose toxicity after irradiation significantly increased. Mouse intestinal motility tests showed a reduction 3--6 days postirradiation in the pharmacologic effects of parasympathicotonics (acetylcholine, prostigmine), especially of pilocarpine and ganglioplegics (nicotine, hexamethonium). At the same time the effects of sympathicotonic drugs (adrenaline, Sympatol) increased; on the contrary the monamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (iproniazid) showed a marked decrease in effect. With sympathicotonic drugs, pressor effects, changes of ECG, vasoconstrictive and mydriatic effects, and the contractive action on the nictitating membrane of cat were investigated. The pressor effects of adrenaline in dogs rose in the course of radiation sickness. No changes of pressor effects of noradrenaline and ephedrine were found, but the time of post-ephedrine hypertension was prolonged. In the acute stage of the illness, catecholamines evoked more significant changes in the ECG in dogs. During radiation sickness in cats, phasic changes in reactivity of the blood vessels in an isolated limb to catecholamines were observed: in the first phase, diminution; however, at the peak of the disease an increase in vasoconstrictory effects was seen. The action of iproniazid was insignificantly diminished. The mydriatic effect of catecholamines increased at the peak of radiation sickness. The reactivity of the nictitating membrane of cat did not change after smaller doses of adrenaline. In tests of parasympathicotonic drugs, the sensitivity of isolated guinea pig organs (intestine, uterus) to acetylcholine, pilocarpine, and prostigmine at the peak of radiation sickness was markedly diminished, but the sensitivity of intestinal smooth muscle to histamine remained unchanged. With parasympathicolnic drugs, an increase of mydriatic effect of atropine in irradiated mice was observed. Thus in most cases there were increased pharmacologic effects of directacting adrenergic drugs and decreased effects, but increased toxicity, of MAO inhibitors. The diminished pharmacologic effects and toxicity of parasympathicolytic drugs was also shown. The effects and toxicity of ganglioplegic drugs and toxicity of sympathicolytic drugs showed a marked decrease. The results indicrte increased susceptibility of adrenergic receptors and diminished susceptibility of cholinergic receptors on the peak of radiation sickness. It is suggested that these changes may arise from the characteristic disturbances in functional state of the vegetative nervous system, and particularly on the neurohormonal basis. To verify this, catecholamine level in the adrenals and cholinesterase activity was determined. Crtecholamine levels in the adrenals of irradiated mice varied phasically. In the first phase of radiation sickness (1--7 days) this level diminished to approximates 50% of the initial value. In the second phase it showed an increase of nearly 10 times. During radiation sickness a marked fall of acetylcholinesterase activity in the uterus, intestine, and brain of the gninea pigs was found. This supports the postulated parasympathicotonia at the peak of radiation sickness. The influence of increased acetylcholine level after prostigmine on the antiperistaltic action of adrenaline and on the toxicity« less

Disruption of the Axonal Trafficking of Tyrosine Hydroxylase mRNA Impairs Catecholamine Biosynthesis in the Axons of Sympathetic Neurons

PubMed Central

Gioio, Anthony E.

2017-01-01

Abstract Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is the enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of the catecholamine neurotransmitters. In a previous communication, evidence was provided that TH mRNA is trafficked to the axon, where it is locally translated. In addition, a 50-bp sequence element in the 3′untranslated region (3’UTR) of TH mRNA was identified that directs TH mRNA to distal axons (i.e., zip-code). In the present study, the hypothesis was tested that local translation of TH plays an important role in the biosynthesis of the catecholamine neurotransmitters in the axon and/or presynaptic nerve terminal. Toward this end, a targeted deletion of the axonal transport sequence element was developed, using the lentiviral delivery of the CRISPR/Cas9 system, and two guide RNA (gRNA) sequences flanking the 50-bp cis-acting regulatory element in rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons. Deletion of the axonal transport element reduced TH mRNA levels in the distal axons and reduced the axonal protein levels of TH and TH activity as measured by phosphorylation of SER40 in SCG neurons. Moreover, deletion of the zip-code diminished the axonal levels of dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE). Conversely, the local translation of exogenous TH mRNA in the distal axon enhanced TH levels and activity, and elevated axonal NE levels. Taken together, these results provide direct evidence to support the hypothesis that TH mRNA trafficking and local synthesis of TH play an important role in the synthesis of catecholamines in the axon and presynaptic terminal. PMID:28630892

Disruption of the Axonal Trafficking of Tyrosine Hydroxylase mRNA Impairs Catecholamine Biosynthesis in the Axons of Sympathetic Neurons.

PubMed

Aschrafi, Armaz; Gioio, Anthony E; Dong, Lijin; Kaplan, Barry B

2017-01-01

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is the enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of the catecholamine neurotransmitters. In a previous communication, evidence was provided that TH mRNA is trafficked to the axon, where it is locally translated. In addition, a 50-bp sequence element in the 3'untranslated region (3'UTR) of TH mRNA was identified that directs TH mRNA to distal axons (i.e., zip-code). In the present study, the hypothesis was tested that local translation of TH plays an important role in the biosynthesis of the catecholamine neurotransmitters in the axon and/or presynaptic nerve terminal. Toward this end, a targeted deletion of the axonal transport sequence element was developed, using the lentiviral delivery of the CRISPR/Cas9 system, and two guide RNA (gRNA) sequences flanking the 50-bp cis- acting regulatory element in rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons. Deletion of the axonal transport element reduced TH mRNA levels in the distal axons and reduced the axonal protein levels of TH and TH activity as measured by phosphorylation of SER40 in SCG neurons. Moreover, deletion of the zip-code diminished the axonal levels of dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE). Conversely, the local translation of exogenous TH mRNA in the distal axon enhanced TH levels and activity, and elevated axonal NE levels. Taken together, these results provide direct evidence to support the hypothesis that TH mRNA trafficking and local synthesis of TH play an important role in the synthesis of catecholamines in the axon and presynaptic terminal.

Fetal adaptations in insulin secretion result from high catecholamines during placental insufficiency.

PubMed

Limesand, Sean W; Rozance, Paul J

2017-08-01

Placental insufficiency and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) of the fetus affects approximately 8% of all pregnancies and is associated with short- and long-term disturbances in metabolism. In pregnant sheep, experimental models with a small, defective placenta that restricts delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the fetus result in IUGR. Low blood oxygen concentrations increase fetal plasma catecholamine concentrations, which lower fetal insulin concentrations. All of these observations in sheep models with placental insufficiency are consistent with cases of human IUGR. We propose that sustained high catecholamine concentrations observed in the IUGR fetus produce developmental adaptations in pancreatic β-cells that impair fetal insulin secretion. Experimental evidence supporting this hypothesis shows that chronic elevation in circulating catecholamines in IUGR fetuses persistently inhibits insulin concentrations and secretion. Elevated catecholamines also allow for maintenance of a normal fetal basal metabolic rate despite low fetal insulin and glucose concentrations while suppressing fetal growth. Importantly, a compensatory augmentation in insulin secretion occurs following inhibition or cessation of catecholamine signalling in IUGR fetuses. This finding has been replicated in normally grown sheep fetuses following a 7-day noradrenaline (norepinephrine) infusion. Together, these programmed effects will potentially create an imbalance between insulin secretion and insulin-stimulated glucose utilization in the neonate which probably explains the transient hyperinsulinism and hypoglycaemia in some IUGR infants. © 2017 The Authors. The Journal of Physiology © 2017 The Physiological Society.

Increased intracranial pressure elicits hypertension, increased sympathetic activity, electrocardiographic abnormalities and myocardial damage in rats.

PubMed

Shanlin, R J; Sole, M J; Rahimifar, M; Tator, C H; Factor, S M

1988-09-01

Intracranial pressure was increased in 59 rats by inflating a subdural balloon to a total mass volume of 0.3 ml. The increase in intracranial pressure ranged from 75 to greater than 500 mm Hg. With few exceptions, mean arterial pressure increased to as high as 227 mm Hg during the increase in intracranial pressure. Significant increases in plasma catecholamines, major electrocardiographic changes and a considerably shortened survival time were observed only in the rats that demonstrated an increase in mean arterial pressure greater than 50 mm Hg. A perfusion study with liquid silicone rubber (Microfil) revealed dilated irregular myocardial vessels with areas of focal constriction consistent with microvascular spasm. Histologic examination of the myocardium revealed widespread patches of contraction band necrosis and occasional contraction bands in the smooth muscle media of large coronary arteries. These observations suggest that myocardial damage after suddenly increased intracranial pressure resulted both from exposure to toxic levels of catecholamines and from myocardial reperfusion. Extension of these studies to humans suggests that a detailed assessment of myocardial function should be performed in victims of severe brain injury. Myocardial dysfunction may be a major determinant of the patient's prognosis or may render the heart unsuitable for transplantation.

Valsartan Promoting Atherosclerotic Plaque Stabilization by Upregulating Renalase: A Potential-Related Gene of Atherosclerosis.

PubMed

Zhou, Mingxue; Ma, Chao; Liu, Weihong; Liu, Hongxu; Wang, Ning; Kang, Qunfu; Li, Ping

2015-09-01

Renalase is a protein that can regulate sympathetic nerve activity by metabolizing catecholamines, while redundant catecholamines are thought to contribute to atherosclerosis (As). Catecholamine release can be facilitated by angiotensin (Ang) II by binding to Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptors. Valsartan, a special AT1 antagonist, can dilate blood vessels and reduce blood pressure, but it remained unclear whether valsartan can promote the stability of atherosclerotic plaque by affecting renalase. This study examined the tissue distribution of renalase in ApoE(-/-) mice fed with a high-fat diet and the effect of valsartan on expression of renalase. ApoE(-/-) mice were fed with a high-fat diet for 13 or 26 weeks. As a control, 10 C57BL mice were fed with a standard chow diet. After 13 weeks on the high-fat diet, the ApoE(-/-) mice were randomized (10 mice/group) and treated with valsartan, simvastatin, or distilled water (control group) for an additional 13 weeks accompanied by a high-fat diet. Knockout of ApoE caused a dramatic increase in expression of renalase in mice adipose tissue. With the disturbance of lipid metabolism induced by a high-fat diet, renalase expression decreased in the liver. Renalase can be expressed in smooth muscle cells and M2 macrophages in atherosclerotic plaque, and its expression gradually decreases in the fibrous cap during the transition from stable to vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. Valsartan, an AT1 receptor antagonist, promotes the stabilization of atherosclerotic plaque by increasing the levels of renalase in serum and the expression of renalase in the fibrous cap of atherosclerotic plaque. It also reduces triglyceride levels in serum and increases the expression of renalase in the liver. Renalase may be a potential-related gene of lipid metabolism and As, and it may be the possible molecular target of valsartan to help stabilize atherosclerotic plaque. © The Author(s) 2015.

Estradiol replacement enhances fear memory formation, impairs extinction and reduces COMT expression levels in the hippocampus of ovariectomized female mice.

PubMed

McDermott, Carmel M; Liu, Dan; Ade, Catherine; Schrader, Laura A

2015-02-01

Females experience depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety disorders at approximately twice the rate of males, but the mechanisms underlying this difference remain undefined. The effect of sex hormones on neural substrates presents a possible mechanism. We investigated the effect of ovariectomy at two ages, before puberty and in adulthood, and 17β-estradiol (E2) replacement administered chronically in drinking water on anxiety level, fear memory formation, and extinction. Based on previous studies, we hypothesized that estradiol replacement would impair fear memory formation and enhance extinction rate. Females, age 4 weeks and 10 weeks, were divided randomly into 4 groups; sham surgery, OVX, OVX+low E2 (200nM), and OVX+high E2 (1000nM). Chronic treatment with high levels of E2 significantly increased anxiety levels measured in the elevated plus maze. In both age groups, high levels of E2 significantly increased contextual fear memory but had no effect on cued fear memory. In addition, high E2 decreased the rate of extinction in both ages. Finally, catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is important for regulation of catecholamine levels, which play a role in fear memory formation and extinction. COMT expression in the hippocampus was significantly reduced by high E2 replacement, implying increased catecholamine levels in the hippocampus of high E2 mice. These results suggest that estradiol enhanced fear memory formation, and inhibited fear memory extinction, possibly stabilizing the fear memory in female mice. This study has implications for a neurobiological mechanism for PTSD and anxiety disorders. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Catecholamines of the adrenal medula and their morphological changes during adaptation to repeated immobilization stress

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kvetnansky, R.; Mitro, A.; Mikulaj, L.; Hocman, G.

1980-01-01

Changes of the adrenal medulla of rats were studied in the course of adaptation to repeated immobilization stress. An increase in the number of cells in the adrenal medulla was found in the adapted animals; this increase was confirmed by weight indices of the medulla and by cell counts per surface unit. Simultaneous karyometric measurements of the nuclei of adrenal medulla cells and an analysis of the catecholamine contents in the adrenals explain the increased activity of the adrenal medulla in the course of adaptation.

Regulation of transepithelial ion transport in the rat late distal colon by the sympathetic nervous system.

PubMed

Zhang, X; Li, Y; Zhang, X; Duan, Z; Zhu, J

2015-01-01

The colorectum (late distal colon) is innervated by the sympathetic nervous system, and many colorectal diseases are related to disorders of the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic regulation of colorectal ion transport is rarely reported. The present study aims to investigate the effect of norepinephrine (NE) in the normal and catecholamine-depleted condition to clarify the regulation of the sympathetic adrenergic system in ion transport in the rat colorectum. NE-induced ion transport in the rats colorectum was measured by short-circuit current (I(sc)) recording; the expression of beta-adrenoceptors and NE transporter (NET) were quantified by real-time PCR, and western blotting. When the endogenous catecholamine was depleted by reserpine, the baseline I(sc) in the colorectum was increased significantly comparing to controls. NE evoked downward deltaI(sc) in colorectum of treated rats was 1.8-fold of controls. The expression of beta(2)-adrenoceptor protein in the colorectal mucosa was greater than the control, though the mRNA level was reduced. However, NET expression was significantly lower in catecholamine-depleted rats compared to the controls. In conclusion, the sympathetic nervous system plays an important role in regulating basal ion transport in the colorectum. Disorders of sympathetic neurotransmitters result in abnormal ion transport, beta-adrenoceptor and NET are involved in the process.

Stress response of wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) during capture-release health assessment studies.

PubMed

Fair, Patricia A; Schaefer, Adam M; Romano, Tracy A; Bossart, Gregory D; Lamb, Stephen V; Reif, John S

2014-09-15

There is a growing concern about the impacts of stress in marine mammals as they face a greater array of threats. The stress response of free-ranging dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) was examined by measuring their physiologic response to capture and handling. Samples were collected from 168 dolphins during capture-release health assessments 2003-2007 at two study sites: Charleston, SC (CHS) and the Indian River Lagoon, FL (IRL). Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, aldosterone (ALD) and catecholamines (epinephrine (EPI), norepinephrine (NOR), dopamine (DA)), were measured in blood and cortisol in urine. Mean time to collect pre-examination samples after netting the animals was 22min; post-examination samples were taken prior to release (mean 1h 37min). EPI and DA concentrations decreased significantly with increased time to blood sampling. ACTH and cortisol levels increased from the initial capture event to the post-examination sample. EPI concentrations increased significantly with increasing time to the pre-examination sample and decreased significantly with time between the pre- and post-examination sample. Cortisol concentrations increased between the pre- and post-examination in CHS dolphins. Age- and sex-adjusted mean pre-examination values of catecholamines were significantly higher in CHS dolphins; ALD was higher in IRL dolphins. Significant differences related to age or sex included higher NOR concentrations in males; higher ALD and urine cortisol levels in juveniles than adults. Wild dolphins exhibited a typical mammalian response to acute stress of capture and restraint. Further studies that relate hormone levels to biological and health endpoints are warranted. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Role of P-glycoprotein and permeability upon the brain distribution and pharmacodynamics of etamicastat: a comparison with nepicastat.

PubMed

Loureiro, Ana I; Bonifácio, Maria João; Fernandes-Lopes, Carlos; Pires, Nuno; Igreja, Bruno; Wright, Lyndon C; Soares-da-Silva, Patrício

2015-01-01

1. This study explores the impact of permeability and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux, upon brain exposure to etamicastat, a new dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH) inhibitor and consequently brain levels of catecholamines. 2. Brain exposure to etamicastat (10 mg/kg), following intravenous administration to mice, was residual and upon oral administration of the same dose no compound was detected, concurring with the absence of effects upon brain catecholamines. The intravenous co-administration of elacridar (1.0 mg/kg), a known P-gp/BCRP dual modulator, significantly increased brain etamicastat exposure, but the levels attained were very low when compared to those of nepicastat, a centrally active DBH inhibitor. 3. In vitro permeability studies from apical-to-basal direction conducted in Caco-2 cells and MDCK-II cells showed that etamicastat apparent permeability was 1.2 × 10(-5) and 1.1 × 10(-6 )cm/s, respectively, 5- and 50-fold lower as compared to nepicastat. The secretory efflux ratio in MDCK-II cells overexpressing human P-gp showed an efflux ratio greater than 2, for both compounds, which was significantly decreased by elacridar. Despite its lower bioavailability and higher clearance, as compared to nepicastat, etamicastat showed preferential distribution to peripheral tissues and high plasma free fraction (15.5%), which may explain its effects upon peripheral DBH and catecholamine levels. 4. Though P-gp-mediated efflux may contribute to the limited brain penetration of etamicastat, the low permeability along with the pharmacokinetic properties of etamicastat may be perceived as the main contributors for its peripheral selectivity, which is advantageous for a cardiovascular drug candidate.

The sympathetic nervous system and the physiologic consequences of spaceflight: a hypothesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Robertson, D.; Convertino, V. A.; Vernikos, J.

1994-01-01

Many of the physiologic consequences of weightlessness and the cardiovascular abnormalities on return from space could be due, at least in part, to alterations in the regulation of the autonomic nervous system. In this article, the authors review the rationale and evidence for an autonomic mediation of diverse changes that occur with spaceflight, including the anemia and hypovolemia of weightlessness and the tachycardia and orthostatic intolerance on return from space. This hypothesis is supported by studies of two groups of persons known to have low catecholamine levels: persons subjected to prolonged bedrest and persons with syndromes characterized by low circulating catecholamines (Bradbury-Eggleston syndrome and dopamine beta-hydroxylase deficiency). Both groups exhibit the symptoms mentioned. The increasing evidence that autonomic mechanisms underlie many of the physiologic consequences of weightlessness suggests that new pharmacologic approaches (such as administration of beta-blockers and/or sympathomimetic amines) based on these findings may attenuate these unwanted effects.

Pheochromocytoma presenting as an acute coronary syndrome complicated by acute heart failure: The challenge of a great mimic.

PubMed

Sanna, Giuseppe Damiano; Talanas, Giuseppe; Fiore, Giuseppina; Canu, Antonella; Terrosu, Pierfranco

2016-10-01

Pheochromocytoma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor with a highly variable clinical presentation. The serious and potentially lethal cardiovascular complications of these tumors are related to the effects of secreted catecholamines. We describe a case of a 50-year-old woman urgently admitted to our hospital because of symptoms and clinical and instrumental findings consistent with an acute coronary syndrome complicated by acute heart failure. Urgent coronary angiography showed normal coronary arteries. During her hospital stay, the recurrence of episodes characterized by a sudden increase in blood pressure, cold sweating, and nausea allowed us to hypothesize a pheochromocytoma. The diagnosis was confirmed by elevated levels of urinary catecholamines and by the finding of a left adrenal mass on magnetic resonance imaging. The patient underwent left adrenalectomy. Therefore, the initial diagnosis was critically reappraised and reviewed as a cardiac manifestation of a pheochromocytoma during catecholaminergic crisis.

Effect of quinine on the release of catecholamines from bovine cultured chromaffin cells.

PubMed Central

Tang, R.; Novas, M. L.; Glavinovic, M. I.; Trifaró, J. M.

1990-01-01

1. The effects of quinine on catecholamine release from cultured bovine chromaffin cells were studied. 2. Quinine (25-400 microM) produced a dose-related inhibition of catecholamine release in response to depolarizing concentrations (12.5-50 mM) of K+. 3. The inhibition of the secretory response to high K+ produced by quinine decreased with the increase in the extracellular concentration of Ca2+. 4. Stimulation of cultured chromaffin cells with 50 mM K+ produced a significant increase in Ca2+ influx. In the presence of 100 microM quinine a 54% inhibition of the K(+)-induced Ca2+ influx was observed. 5. Quinine treatment of chromaffin cell cultures produced a small but significant decrease in membrane resting potential and a less pronounced depolarization in response to 50 mM K+. 6. The results suggest that the inhibition of the K(+)-evoked release of catecholamines produced by quinine is at least partly due to a decrease in Ca2+ influx. Ca2+ influx is lower because quinine reduces the sensitivity of the membrane potential to changes in extracellular K+ but direct effects of quinine on Ca2+ channels cannot be excluded. PMID:2158846

The lack of effect of oxytetracycline on responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation and catecholamines in vascular tissue.

PubMed Central

Kalsner, S

1976-01-01

The effects of oxytetracycline, an inhibitor of amine binding in connective tissue, on the responses of perfused rabbit ear arteries to sympathetic nerve stimulation and to intraluminally administered noradrenaline were examined. The contractions of aortic strips to catecholamines in the presence of oxytetracycline were also examined. Oxytetracycline (0.1 mM) had no discernable effect on the magnitude of constrictions, measured as reductions in flow, produced by either nerve stimulation (0.5-10 Hz) or noradrenaline (0.5-50 ng) in the ear artery. In addition, the time taken for vessels to recover towards control flow values after endogenously released or exogenously applied noradrenaline had acted was not increased by oxytetracycline. Oxytetracycline (0.1 mM) did not alter the position or shape of the concentration-response curve to noradrenaline nor did it enhance the amplitude of individual responses to catecholamines in aortic strips. It is concluded, contrary to the observations of Powis (1973), that oxytetracycline does not increase the magnitude or duration of responses to sympathetic nerve activation or to catecholamines and that binding to connective tissue is of no material consequence in terminating their action in vascular tissue. PMID:974389

The role of prefrontal catecholamines in attention and working memory

PubMed Central

Clark, Kelsey L.; Noudoost, Behrad

2014-01-01

While much progress has been made in identifying the brain regions and neurochemical systems involved in the cognitive processes disrupted in mental illnesses, to date, the level of detail at which neurobiologists can describe the chain of events giving rise to cognitive functions is very rudimentary. Much of the intense interest in understanding cognitive functions is motivated by the hope that it might be possible to understand these complex functions at the level of neurons and neural circuits. Here, we review the current state of the literature regarding how modulations in catecholamine levels within the prefrontal cortex (PFC) alter the neuronal and behavioral correlates of cognitive functions, particularly attention and working memory. PMID:24782714

In vitro Catecholamine Exposure Produces Variable Effects on the B7 Costimulatory Pathway in Human Monocytic Cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Salicru, A. N.; Crucian, B.; Sams, Clarence; Actor, J. K.; Marshall, G. D., Jr.

2006-01-01

Catecholamines have been associated with immunomodulation of the adaptive immune system towards a Th2 response in vitro. We therefore examined the role of in vitro epinephrine (EPI) and norepinephrine (NE) exposure on the B7 costimulatory expression of antigen presenting cells (APC) from human monocytic cell lines and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). THP1 monocytic cells and CD14+ cells from normal human PBMC were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and incubated with physiologic stress levels (10(exp -6) - 10(exp -8)M) of EPI or NE for 24 hours. Cells were subsequently stained with CD80 FITC, CD86 PE, and CD14 PC5 antibodies and analyzed by flow cytometry for changes in fluorescence and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI). Exposure of THP1 to EPI in vitro at concentrations of 10(exp -6), 10(exp -7) and 10(exp -8)M significantly decreased mean CD80 from 42 plus or minus 0.7% to 11 plus or minus 0.44%, 19.1 plus or minus 2.0%, and 30.7 plus or minus 2.1% expression, respectively (p less than 0.01). In addition, CD86 expression increased with EPI at 10(exp -6), 10(exp -7) and 10(exp -8) M from 9.2 plus or minus 0.52% to 41 plus or minus 3.8%, 26.4 plus or minus 1.9%, and 15.74 plus or minus 1.8% expression, respectively (p less than 0.01). Similar results for mean CD80 and CD86 percent expression were observed for CD14+ cells from PBMC with a sample size of N = 6 and for NE when substituted for EPI. The data show that in vitro exposure to catecholamines significantly decreases %CD86 expression and significantly increases %CD86 expression in THP1 cells and human CD14+ APC. Previous studies have suggested an association between increased CD86 expression and TH2 activity. Thus, these data suggest that immunomodulation by catecholamines results in part by the variable effects of the B7 costimulatory pathway in APC.

Catecholaminergic neurons projecting to the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus are essential for cardiorespiratory adjustments to hypoxia

PubMed Central

King, T. Luise; Ruyle, Brian C.; Kline, David D.; Heesch, Cheryl M.

2015-01-01

Brainstem catecholamine neurons modulate sensory information and participate in control of cardiorespiratory function. These neurons have multiple projections, including to the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), which contributes to cardiorespiratory and neuroendocrine responses to hypoxia. We have shown that PVN-projecting catecholaminergic neurons are activated by hypoxia, but the function of these neurons is not known. To test the hypothesis that PVN-projecting catecholamine neurons participate in responses to respiratory challenges, we injected IgG saporin (control; n = 6) or anti-dopamine β-hydroxylase saporin (DSAP; n = 6) into the PVN to retrogradely lesion catecholamine neurons projecting to the PVN. After 2 wk, respiratory measurements (plethysmography) were made in awake rats during normoxia, increasing intensities of hypoxia (12, 10, and 8% O2) and hypercapnia (5% CO2-95% O2). DSAP decreased the number of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive terminals in PVN and cells counted in ventrolateral medulla (VLM; −37%) and nucleus tractus solitarii (nTS; −36%). DSAP produced a small but significant decrease in respiratory rate at baseline (during normoxia) and at all intensities of hypoxia. Tidal volume and minute ventilation (VE) index also were impaired at higher hypoxic intensities (10-8% O2; e.g., VE at 8% O2: IgG = 181 ± 22, DSAP = 91 ± 4 arbitrary units). Depressed ventilation in DSAP rats was associated with significantly lower arterial O2 saturation at all hypoxic intensities. PVN DSAP also reduced ventilatory responses to 5% CO2 (VE: IgG = 176 ± 21 and DSAP = 84 ± 5 arbitrary units). Data indicate that catecholamine neurons projecting to the PVN are important for peripheral and central chemoreflex respiratory responses and for maintenance of arterial oxygen levels during hypoxic stimuli. PMID:26157062

Dietary unsaturated fatty acids differently affect catecholamine handling by adrenal chromaffin cells.

PubMed

Gomes, Andreia; Correia, Gustavo; Coelho, Marisa; Araújo, João Ricardo; Pinho, Maria João; Teixeira, Ana Luisa; Medeiros, Rui; Ribeiro, Laura

2015-05-01

Catecholamines (CA) play an important role in cardiovascular (CDV) disease risk. Namely, noradrenaline (NA) levels positively correlate whereas adrenaline (AD) levels negatively correlate with obesity and/or CDV disease. Western diets, which are tipically rich in Ω-6 fatty acids (FAs) and deficient in Ω-3 FAs, may contribute to the development of obesity, type 2 diabetes and/or coronary artery disease. Taking this into consideration and the fact that our group has already described that saturated FAs affect catecholamine handling by adrenal chromaffin cells, this work aimed to investigate the effect of unsaturated FAs upon catecholamine handling in the same model. Our results showed that chronic exposure to unsaturated FAs differently modulated CA cellular content and release, regardless of both FA series and number of carbon atoms. Namely, the Ω-6 arachidonic and linoleic acids, based on their effect on CA release and cellular content, seemed to impair NA and AD vesicular transport, whereas γ-linolenic acid selectively impaired AD synthesis and release. Within the Ω-9 FAs, oleic acid was devoid of effect, and elaidic acid behaved similarly to γ-linolenic acid. Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (Ω-3 series) impaired the synthesis and release of both NA and AD. These results deserve attention and future development, namely, in what concerns the mechanisms involved and correlative effects in vivo. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

High-dose catecholamine treatment decreases polymorphonuclear leukocyte phagocytic capacity and reactive oxygen production.

PubMed Central

Wenisch, C; Parschalk, B; Weiss, A; Zedwitz-Liebenstein, K; Hahsler, B; Wenisch, H; Georgopoulos, A; Graninger, W

1996-01-01

Flow cytometry was used to study phagocytic function (uptake of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled bacteria) and release of reactive oxygen products (dihydrorhodamine 123 converted to rhodamine 123) following phagocytosis by neutrophil granulocytes of heparinized whole blood treated with adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine, dobutamine, or orciprenaline. Reduced neutrophil phagocytosis and reactive oxygen production were seen at 12 micrograms of adrenaline per liter (72% each compared with control values); at 120 micrograms of noradrenaline (72% each), dobutamine (83 and 80%, respectively), and orciprenaline (81 and 80%, respectively) per liter; and at 100 micrograms of dopamine per liter (66 and 70%) (P < 0.05 for all). At these dosages, neutrophil chemotaxis was reduced to < 50% of control values for all catecholamines. Treatment with catecholamines at lower dosages had no significant effect on phagocytosis or generation of reactive oxygen products or chemotaxis. The phagocytic capacity of granulocytes was related to the generation of reactive oxygen products (r = 0.789; P < 0.05). The results demonstrate that catecholamines have a suppressive effect on the response of phagocytic cells to bacterial pathogens at high therapeutic levels in blood. PMID:8807207

Tuning Selectivity of Fluorescent Carbon Nanotube-Based Neurotransmitter Sensors.

PubMed

Mann, Florian A; Herrmann, Niklas; Meyer, Daniel; Kruss, Sebastian

2017-06-28

Detection of neurotransmitters is an analytical challenge and essential to understand neuronal networks in the brain and associated diseases. However, most methods do not provide sufficient spatial, temporal, or chemical resolution. Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been used as building blocks for sensors/probes that detect catecholamine neurotransmitters, including dopamine. This approach provides a high spatial and temporal resolution, but it is not understood if these sensors are able to distinguish dopamine from similar catecholamine neurotransmitters, such as epinephrine or norepinephrine. In this work, the organic phase (DNA sequence) around SWCNTs was varied to create sensors with different selectivity and sensitivity for catecholamine neurotransmitters. Most DNA-functionalized SWCNTs responded to catecholamine neurotransmitters, but both dissociation constants ( K d ) and limits of detection were highly dependent on functionalization (sequence). K d values span a range of 2.3 nM (SWCNT-(GC) 15 + norepinephrine) to 9.4 μM (SWCNT-(AT) 15 + dopamine) and limits of detection are mostly in the single-digit nM regime. Additionally, sensors of different SWCNT chirality show different fluorescence increases. Moreover, certain sensors (e.g., SWCNT-(GT) 10 ) distinguish between different catecholamines, such as dopamine and norepinephrine at low concentrations (50 nM). These results show that SWCNTs functionalized with certain DNA sequences are able to discriminate between catecholamine neurotransmitters or to detect them in the presence of interfering substances of similar structure. Such sensors will be useful to measure and study neurotransmitter signaling in complex biological settings.

Human Repsonse to Sonic Booms: A Research Program Plan

DTIC Science & Technology

1970-02-01

low- 10 1 - - - BEjgia i läysi y, tZ:,Ä\\m, voltage, fast EEG stages of sleep that occur In the last half of the night, stimulus intensities no...effect of noise v«ith a mean of 83 dB on rats and found a significant increase in heart weight after three weeks of intermit - tent exposure...catecholamines. Environmental stress is clearly related to an increase in lipid levels. Friedman et al. (1967), using 102-dB noise with intermit

Myocardial correlates of helium-cold induction and maintenance of hypothermia.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, G. L.; Prewitt, R., Jr.; Musacchia, X. J.

1971-01-01

Hypothermia was induced in the golden hamster Mesocricetus auratus, using the helium-cold method. The first group of hamsters was sacrificed immediately after induction to rectal temperature 7 C, a second group was sacrificed after being maintained at a body temperature of 7 C for 18-24 hr, and a third group consisted of unexposed controls. The hearts were excised and the ventricles analyzed for hypoxic damage, glycogen, and catecholamines. In the short-term hypothermic animals, resting tension was increased while peak isometric tension, generated tension after 10 min of anoxic exposure, glycogen, and catecholamines were all reduced. All of the functional parameters recovered in the long-term hypothermic group, while glycogen and catecholamines showed a trend toward recovery. It is concluded that myocardial hypoxia develops during induction into hypothermia when using the helium-cold method. This effect is reversible and hypoxic damage does not increase as the hypothermic exposure is prolonged.

Sympathetic neural control of indoleamine metabolism in the rat pineal gland

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lynch, H. J.; Hsuan, M.; Wurtman, R. J.

1975-01-01

The mechanisms responsible for the acceleration in rat pineal biosynthetic activity in response to prolonged exposure to darkness or to immobilization were investigated in animals whose pineals were surgically denervated. Some animals were adrenalectomized to remove one potential source of circulating catecholamines, and some were subjected to a partial chemical sympathectomy accomplished by a series of intravenous injections of 6-hydroxydopamine. Results suggest that N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity can be enhanced either by release of norepinephrine from sympathetic terminals within the pineal or from sympathetic nerve terminals elsewhere. The stress of immobilization stimulates the pineal by increasing circulating catecholamines. Photic control of pineal function requires intact pineal sympathetic innervation, since the onset of darkness apparently does not cause a sufficient rise in circulating catecholamines to stimulate the pineal. The present studies suggest that nonspecific stress triggers increased biosynthesis and secretion of melatonin; it is possible that this hormone may participate in mechanisms of adaptation.

Coexistence and gene expression of phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase, tyrosine hydroxylase, and neuropeptide tyrosine in the rat and bovine adrenal gland: effects of reserpine.

PubMed

Schalling, M; Dagerlind, A; Brené, S; Hallman, H; Djurfeldt, M; Persson, H; Terenius, L; Goldstein, M; Schlesinger, D; Hökfelt, T

1988-11-01

Expression and regulation of the catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMTase; S-adenosyl-L-methionine:phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase, EC 2.1.1.28) and tyrosine hydroxylase [TyrOHase; tyrosine 3-monooxygenase, L-tyrosine, tetrahydropteridine:oxygen oxidoreductase (3-hydroxylating), EC 1.14.16.2] and the coexisting neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY) were studied in rat and bovine adrenal medulla. By using both immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, PNMTase- and NPY-positive cells exhibited a close overlap in bovine medulla and were preferentially localized in the outer two-thirds of the medulla. Although TyrOHase and its mRNA were observed in virtually all medullary gland cells, TyrOHase mRNA levels were much higher in the PNMTase- and NPY-positive cells. After administration of the catecholamine-depleting drug reserpine to rats, a brief increase, followed by a dramatic decrease, in the level of PNMTase mRNA was observed in the adrenal medulla. In contrast, mRNA for both TyrOHase and NPY only exhibited an increase, whereby the TyrOHase mRNA peak preceded that of NPY mRNA. Different regulatory mechanisms may thus operate for these three compounds coexisting in the adrenal medulla.

Coexistence and gene expression of phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase, tyrosine hydroxylase, and neuropeptide tyrosine in the rat and bovine adrenal gland: effects of reserpine.

PubMed Central

Schalling, M; Dagerlind, A; Brené, S; Hallman, H; Djurfeldt, M; Persson, H; Terenius, L; Goldstein, M; Schlesinger, D; Hökfelt, T

1988-01-01

Expression and regulation of the catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMTase; S-adenosyl-L-methionine:phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase, EC 2.1.1.28) and tyrosine hydroxylase [TyrOHase; tyrosine 3-monooxygenase, L-tyrosine, tetrahydropteridine:oxygen oxidoreductase (3-hydroxylating), EC 1.14.16.2] and the coexisting neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY) were studied in rat and bovine adrenal medulla. By using both immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, PNMTase- and NPY-positive cells exhibited a close overlap in bovine medulla and were preferentially localized in the outer two-thirds of the medulla. Although TyrOHase and its mRNA were observed in virtually all medullary gland cells, TyrOHase mRNA levels were much higher in the PNMTase- and NPY-positive cells. After administration of the catecholamine-depleting drug reserpine to rats, a brief increase, followed by a dramatic decrease, in the level of PNMTase mRNA was observed in the adrenal medulla. In contrast, mRNA for both TyrOHase and NPY only exhibited an increase, whereby the TyrOHase mRNA peak preceded that of NPY mRNA. Different regulatory mechanisms may thus operate for these three compounds coexisting in the adrenal medulla. Images PMID:2903502

Catecholaminergic contributions to vocal communication signals.

PubMed

Matheson, Laura E; Sakata, Jon T

2015-05-01

Social context affects behavioral displays across a variety of species. For example, social context acutely influences the acoustic and temporal structure of vocal communication signals such as speech and birdsong. Despite the prevalence and importance of such social influences, little is known about the neural mechanisms underlying the social modulation of communication. Catecholamines are implicated in the regulation of social behavior and motor control, but the degree to which catecholamines influence vocal communication signals remains largely unknown. Using a songbird, the Bengalese finch, we examined the extent to which the social context in which song is produced affected immediate early gene expression (EGR-1) in catecholamine-synthesising neurons in the midbrain. Further, we assessed the degree to which administration of amphetamine, which increases catecholamine concentrations in the brain, mimicked the effect of social context on vocal signals. We found that significantly more catecholaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra (but not the central grey, locus coeruleus or subcoeruleus) expressed EGR-1 in birds that were exposed to females and produced courtship song than in birds that produced non-courtship song in isolation. Furthermore, we found that amphetamine administration mimicked the effects of social context and caused many aspects of non-courtship song to resemble courtship song. Specifically, amphetamine increased the stereotypy of syllable structure and sequencing, the repetition of vocal elements and the degree of sequence completions. Taken together, these data highlight the conserved role of catecholamines in vocal communication across species, including songbirds and humans. © 2015 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Catecholamines release mediators in the opossum oesophageal circular smooth muscle.

PubMed Central

Daniel, E E; Jager, L P; Jury, J

1987-01-01

1. Effects of catecholamines applied exogenously to the circular smooth muscle layer of the body of the oesophagus of the opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) were studied, simultaneously measuring changes in the membrane potential, the membrane conductance and the contractility of the muscle, using the double sucrose-gap technique. 2. Superfusion of the smooth muscle with Krebs solution at 27 degrees C containing dopamine (10(-6)-10(-4) M) dose-dependently caused a hyperpolarization of the smooth muscle cells and an increased membrane resistance followed after gradual repolarization by oscillations of the membrane potential, often accompanied by muscle action potentials. During the hyperpolarization, the tendency for the membrane potential to sag during prolonged application of hyperpolarizing currents was reduced and the 'off' depolarization following such currents was increased. This muscle did not develop active tension prior to treatment; it therefore did not relax during the hyperpolarizations, but contracted following the depolarized phase of oscillations. 3. The non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic nerve-mediated inhibitory junction potential (i.j.p.) showed a small reduction in amplitude during superfusion with dopamine, explicable as a result of the drug-induced hyperpolarization. The 'off' response following the i.j.p., decreased transiently when the membrane potential was hyperpolarized to its maximum value. Then it increased to values larger than control as the membrane repolarized. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP, 10(-6) M) produced a similar response but hyperpolarizations were smaller. 4. Of the tested catecholamines, isoprenaline, phenylephrine, butylated hydroxytoluene-920 (BHT-920) and clonidine were ineffective whereas the potency order for other catecholamines was dopamine greater than noradrenaline greater than or equal to adrenaline greater than DOPA. The catecholamine-induced responses were not affected by alpha- or beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists given alone or in combination. Of the dopamine receptor antagonists tested domperidone was without effect, whereas haloperidol reduced and bulbocapnine blocked the response. The findings suggested that a receptor resembling DA1-type peripheral receptor mediated the effects of dopamine on opossum oesophagus. 5. The catecholamine-induced responses and those to VIP disappeared completely in Cl-(-)free medium (isethionate replacement). 6. Conditioning depolarization of the smooth muscle cells decreased but hyperpolarization increased the amplitude of the hyperpolarization (up to 20 mV). With larger hyperpolarizations the responses decreased and disappeared at around 50 mV hyperpolarization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) PMID:3625558

Kv7(KCNQ)-K+-Channels Influence Total Peripheral Resistance in Female but Not Male Rats, and Hamper Catecholamine Release in Hypertensive Rats of Both Sexes

PubMed Central

Berg, Torill

2018-01-01

K+-channels of the Kv7/KCNQ-family hyperpolarize and stabilize excitable cells such as autonomic neurons and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Kv7 may therefore play a role in blood pressure (BP) homeostasis, and prevent a high total peripheral vascular resistance (TPR), a hallmark of hypertensive disease. The present study analyzed if Kv7 channels influence catecholamine release and TPR in normotensive (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and if they may contribute to the antihypertensive protection seen in young, female SHR. Tyramine-stimulated norepinephrine release evokes an adrenergic cardiovascular response, and also allows modulation of release to be reflected in the overflow to plasma. The experiment itself activated some secretion of epinephrine. The results show: (1) XE-991 (Kv7.1-7.4-inhibitor), but not chromanol 293B (Kv7.1-inhibitor), increased tyramine-stimulated norepinephrine overflow and epinephrine secretion in both sexes in SHR, but not WKY. (2) Surprisingly, the Kv7-openers retigabine (Kv7.2-7.5) and ICA-27243 (Kv7.2-7.3-preferring) increased catecholamine release in female SHR. (3) The rise in TPR following tyramine-stimulated norepinephrine release was increased by XE-991 but not chromanol in the female WKY only. (4) Retigabine and ICA-27243 reduced the TPR-response to tyramine in the female SHR only. These results suggested: (1) Up-regulation of Kv7.2-7.3 function in sympathetic neurons and chromaffin cells hampered catecholamine release in SHR of both sexes. (2) The increase catecholamine release observed after channel openers in the female SHR may possibly involve reduced transmission in cholinergic neurons which hamper catecholamine release. These two mechanisms may serve to counter-act the hyperadrenergic state in SHR. (3) Kv7.4, most likely in the vasculature, opposed the tension-response to norepinephrine in the female WKY. (4) Vascular Kv7.4-7.5 could be stimulated and then opposed norepinephrine-induced vasoconstriction in the female SHR. (5) Vascular Kv7 channels did not counter-act norepinephrine induced vasoconstriction in male rats, possibly due to different Kv7 channel regulation. Kv7 channels may represent a novel target for antihypertensive therapy. PMID:29515459

Kv7(KCNQ)-K+-Channels Influence Total Peripheral Resistance in Female but Not Male Rats, and Hamper Catecholamine Release in Hypertensive Rats of Both Sexes.

PubMed

Berg, Torill

2018-01-01

K + -channels of the Kv7/KCNQ-family hyperpolarize and stabilize excitable cells such as autonomic neurons and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Kv7 may therefore play a role in blood pressure (BP) homeostasis, and prevent a high total peripheral vascular resistance (TPR), a hallmark of hypertensive disease. The present study analyzed if Kv7 channels influence catecholamine release and TPR in normotensive (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and if they may contribute to the antihypertensive protection seen in young, female SHR. Tyramine-stimulated norepinephrine release evokes an adrenergic cardiovascular response, and also allows modulation of release to be reflected in the overflow to plasma. The experiment itself activated some secretion of epinephrine. The results show: (1) XE-991 (Kv7.1-7.4-inhibitor), but not chromanol 293B (Kv7.1-inhibitor), increased tyramine-stimulated norepinephrine overflow and epinephrine secretion in both sexes in SHR, but not WKY. (2) Surprisingly, the Kv7-openers retigabine (Kv7.2-7.5) and ICA-27243 (Kv7.2-7.3-preferring) increased catecholamine release in female SHR. (3) The rise in TPR following tyramine-stimulated norepinephrine release was increased by XE-991 but not chromanol in the female WKY only. (4) Retigabine and ICA-27243 reduced the TPR-response to tyramine in the female SHR only. These results suggested: (1) Up-regulation of Kv7.2-7.3 function in sympathetic neurons and chromaffin cells hampered catecholamine release in SHR of both sexes. (2) The increase catecholamine release observed after channel openers in the female SHR may possibly involve reduced transmission in cholinergic neurons which hamper catecholamine release. These two mechanisms may serve to counter-act the hyperadrenergic state in SHR. (3) Kv7.4, most likely in the vasculature, opposed the tension-response to norepinephrine in the female WKY. (4) Vascular Kv7.4-7.5 could be stimulated and then opposed norepinephrine-induced vasoconstriction in the female SHR. (5) Vascular Kv7 channels did not counter-act norepinephrine induced vasoconstriction in male rats, possibly due to different Kv7 channel regulation. Kv7 channels may represent a novel target for antihypertensive therapy.

Experience using high-dose glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) in critically ill patients.

PubMed

Slob, Elise M A; Shulman, Rob; Singer, Mervyn

2017-10-01

To audit the use of GIK in terms of safety, haemodynamic effects, and impact on catecholamine dosage. A retrospective, descriptive, evaluative audit of GIK use within the adult ICU of a London teaching hospital was conducted. Rescue therapy of GIK (up to 1.0Unitsinsulin/kg/h) was administered to improve cardiac function. Outcomes were ICU survival, change in cardiac index (CI) and blood lactate levels, events of hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia, hypokalaemia and hyperkalaemia, and discontinuation time of catecholamine inotropes. Of 85 patients treated with GIK, 13 (15.3%) survived their ICU stay and 9 (10.5%) were discharged home. In patients surviving until 72h, a trend of improved CI and lactate levels was seen, often with reductions in catecholamine dosing. Inotropes were discontinued in 35 (54%) patients. Severe hypoglycaemia (<2mmol/l), hyperglycaemia (>20mmol/l), hypokalaemia (<2.5mmol/l) and hyperkalaemia (>7mmol/l) during GIK affected 1, 6, 8 and 1 patients, respectively. These abnormalities were quickly identified. No measurable harm was noted. High-dose GIK can be safely used in critically ill patients, though blood glucose and potassium levels must be monitored frequently. GIK was associated with improved CI and blood lactate levels. Impact on survival requires prospective evaluation. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Reversal of subcellular remodelling by losartan in heart failure due to myocardial infarction

PubMed Central

Babick, Andrea; Chapman, Donald; Zieroth, Shelley; Elimban, Vijayan; Dhalla, Naranjan S

2012-01-01

This study tested the reversal of subcellular remodelling in heart failure due to myocardial infarction (MI) upon treatment with losartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Twelve weeks after inducing MI, rats were treated with or without losartan (20 mg/kg; daily) for 8 weeks and assessed for cardiac function, cardiac remodelling, subcellular alterations and plasma catecholamines. Cardiac hypertrophy and lung congestion in 20 weeks MI-induced heart failure were associated with increases in plasma catecholamine levels. Haemodynamic examination revealed depressed cardiac function, whereas echocardiographic analysis showed impaired cardiac performance and marked increases in left ventricle wall thickness and chamber dilatation at 20 weeks of inducing MI. These changes in cardiac function, cardiac remodelling and plasma dopamine levels in heart failure were partially or fully reversed by losartan. Sarcoplasmic reticular (SR) Ca2+-pump activity and protein expression, protein and gene expression for phospholamban, as well as myofibrillar (MF) Ca2+-stimulated ATPase activity and α-myosin heavy chain mRNA levels were depressed, whereas β-myosin heavy chain expression was increased in failing hearts; these alterations were partially reversed by losartan. Although SR Ca2+-release activity and mRNA levels for SR Ca2+-pump were decreased in failing heart, these changes were not reversed upon losartan treatment; no changes in mRNA levels for SR Ca2+-release channels were observed in untreated or treated heart failure. These results suggest that the partial improvement of cardiac performance in heart failure due to MI by losartan treatment is associated with partial reversal of cardiac remodelling as well as partial recovery of SR and MF functions. PMID:22947202

Effects of stress on catecholamine stores in central and peripheral tissues of long-term socially isolated rats.

PubMed

Dronjak, S; Gavrilovic, L

2006-06-01

Both the peripheral sympatho-adrenomedullary and central catecholaminergic systems are activated by various psycho-social and physical stressors. Catecholamine stores in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, adrenal glands, and heart auricles of long-term socially isolated (21 days) and control 3-month-old male Wistar rats, as well as their response to immobilization of all 4 limbs and head fixed for 2 h and cold stress (4 degrees C, 2 h), were studied. A simultaneous single isotope radioenzymatic assay based on the conversion of catecholamines to the corresponding O-methylated derivatives by catechol-O-methyl-transferase in the presence of S-adenosyl-l-(3H-methyl)-methionine was used. The O-methylated derivatives were oxidized to 3H-vanilline and the radioactivity measured. Social isolation produced depletion of hypothalamic norepinephrine (about 18%) and hippocampal dopamine (about 20%) stores and no changes in peripheral tissues. Immobilization decreased catecholamine stores (approximately 39%) in central and peripheral tissues of control animals. However, in socially isolated rats, these reductions were observed only in the hippocampus and peripheral tissues. Cold did not affect hypothalamic catecholamine stores but reduced hippocampal dopamine (about 20%) as well as norepinephrine stores in peripheral tissues both in control and socially isolated rats, while epinephrine levels were unchanged. Thus, immobilization was more efficient in reducing catecholamine stores in control and chronically isolated rats compared to cold stress. The differences in rearing conditions appear to influence the response of adult animals to additional stress. In addition, the influence of previous exposure to a stressor on catecholaminergic activity in the brainstem depends on both the particular catecholaminergic area studied and the properties of additional acute stress. Therefore, the sensitivity of the catecholaminergic system to habituation appears to be tissue-specific.

Flow-injection analysis of catecholamine secretion from bovine adrenal medulla cells on microbeads.

PubMed

Herrera, M; Kao, L S; Curran, D J; Westhead, E W

1985-01-01

Bovine adrenal medullary cells have been cultured on microbeads which are placed in a low-volume flow system for measurements of stimulation-response parameters. Electronically controlled stream switching allows stimulation of cells with pulse lengths from 1 s to many minutes; pulses may be repeated indefinitely. Catecholamines secreted are detected by an electrochemical detector downstream from the cells. This flow-injection analysis technique provides a new level of sensitivity and precision for measurement of kinetic parameters of secretion. A manual injection valve allows stimulation by higher levels of stimulant in the presence of constant low levels of stimulant. Such experiments show interesting differences between the effects of K+ and acetylcholine on cells partially desensitized to acetylcholine.

The role of the habenula-interpeduncular pathway in modulating levels of circulating adrenal hormones.

PubMed

Murray, M; Murphy, C A; Ross, L L; Haun, F

1994-01-01

The fasciculus retroflexus (FR) is the major pathway by which the medial and lateral habenular nuclei project to the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) and ventral tegmentum. Recent work has suggested that the habenula-interpeduncular system may be involved in the regulation of states of arousal. Bilateral FR lesions have been shown to disrupt chronically, and habenula transplants have been shown to restore normal sleep patterns in rats [J. NeuroscL, 12 (1992) 3282-3290]. In this study, we examined whether FR lesions and habenula cell transplants would also modify chronically the circulating plasma levels of the stress-related hormones, norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (EPI) and corticosterone. When plasma samples were obtained via retro-orbital eye-bleed during anesthesia, animals with FR lesions had significantly increased levels of plasma NE, EPI and corticosterone 2-3 months postoperatively compared to unoperated controls. Transplants of embryonic habenula cells placed near the denervated IPN in FR-lesioned animals restored levels of NE and EPI to normal, but did not attenuate elevated corticosterone levels. When plasma samples were obtained in conscious animals via indwelling arterial cannulae, FR-lesioned rats likewise exhibited increased basal levels of corticosterone but plasma levels of catecholamines were similar to those of unoperated controls. Differences in our results obtained using the two methods of blood sampling may be explained by the effects of anesthesia and stress associated with the eye-bleed method. Thus, the effect of FR lesions in increasing plasma levels of catecholamines may not reflect a difference in basal hormone levels, but a heightened sympathetic adrenomedullary response to stress. While these results indicate that the integrity of the habenular efferent pathway is important in modulating circulating levels of hormones associated with the stress response, two separate mechanisms appear to control its interactions with sympathetic-adrenal medullary and adrenocortical pathways.

Hexamethonium reverses the lethal cardiopulmonary damages in a rat model of brainstem lesions mimicking fatal enterovirus 71 encephalitis.

PubMed

Lu, Wen-Hsien; Hsieh, Kai-Sheng; Lu, Pei-Jung; Wu, Yi-Shan; Ho, Wen-Yu; Lai, Chi-Cheng; Wang, Jyh-Seng; Ger, Luo-Ping; Hsiao, Michael; Tseng, Ching-Jiunn

2013-05-01

Among enterovirus 71 infections, brainstem encephalitis progressing abruptly to cardiac dysfunction and pulmonary edema causes rapid death within several hours. However, no currently known early indicators and treatments can monitor or prevent the unexpectedly fulminant course. We investigate the possible mechanisms and treatment of fatal enterovirus 71 infections to prevent the abrupt progression to cardiac dysfunction and pulmonary edema by using an animal model. Treatment study. Research laboratory. Sprague-Dawley rats. We microinjected 6-hydroxydopamine or vitamin C into nucleus tractus solitarii of the rat and evaluated the cardiopulmonary changes after treatment with ganglionic blocker. The time course of changes in the heart and lungs of rats with brainstem lesions were investigated. Rats were administered 6-hydroxydopamine to induce brainstem lesions, causing acute hypertension in 10 minutes and acute elevations of catecholamines accompanied by acute cardiac dysfunction and increased strong expressions of connexin 43 gap junction protein in heart and lung specimens by immunohistochemical staining within 3 hours. Severe pulmonary hemorrhagic edema was produced within 6 hours, and the rats expired rapidly within 7 hours. After hexamethonium treatment, it was found that the acute hypertension induced by 6-hydroxydopamine lesions was immediately reversed and the acute high rise of catecholamine serum level was significantly attenuated within 3 hours, accompanied by preserved cardiac output and decreased expressions of connexin 43 in the heart and lungs. No pulmonary edema occurred and the rats survived for more than 14 hours. Early hexamethonium treatment attenuates acute excessive release of catecholamines to prevent cardiac dysfunction and pulmonary edema for increasing survival rate.

Modulation of key reactions of the catecholamine metabolism by extracts from Eschscholtzia californica and Corydalis cava.

PubMed

Kleber, E; Schneider, W; Schäfer, H L; Elstner, E F

1995-02-01

Aqueous-alcoholic extracts from Eschscholtzia californica inhibit the enzymatic degradation of catecholamines as well as the synthesis of adrenaline, whereas aqueous-ethanolic extracts from Corydalis cava enhance the chemical oxidation of adrenaline and the synthesis of melanine from dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA). Both extracts dramatically shorten the lag phase in the catalysis of phenolase probably due to their o-diphenol content, where the Corydalis extracts are 10 times more active than the Eschscholtzia preparations. Dopamine beta-hydroxylase and monoamine oxidase (MAO-B) are especially inhibited by Eschscholtzia extracts. Diamine oxidases are inhibited by both preparations to a similar extent. The results of this study may be interpreted as a cooperative function of the two preparations in establishing and preserving high catecholamine levels thus explaining their sedative, antidepressive and hypnotic activities.

A case of sleep apnea syndrome manifesting severe hypertension with high plasma norepinephrine levels.

PubMed

Makino, Shinya; Iwata, Masanobu; Fujiwara, Masayoshi; Ike, Shinpei; Tateyama, Hitone

2006-06-01

A 55-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with severe hypertension (274/140 mmHg). Endocrinological examination revealed that her plasma levels of norepinephrine (NE) was elevated with high levels of urinary NE, normetanephrine and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), suggesting the presence of pheochromocytoma. However, neither computed tomography nor MIBG scintigraphy detected any catecholamine-producing tumor in or outside the adrenal glands. She was screened with full polysomnography because of heavy snoring, and the diagnosis of severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) was made. She was treated with calcium channel blocker for three weeks, but severe hypertension persisted. After treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was added, her blood pressure gradually lowered week by week. Concomitantly, the levels of plasma and urinary NE, urinary normetanephrine and urinary VMA were normalized following nasal CPAP therapy for 2 weeks. Additional treatments with alpha-adrenergic blocker further decreased her home blood pressure. After a year, she continued nasal CPAP therapy and her blood pressure was nearly below 160/100 mmHg. Urinary NE level was slightly above normal range and other catecholamines stayed within the normal range. This case shows that patients with OSAS could develop severe hypertension through elevated sympathetic tone, mimicking pheochromocytoma. Nasal CPAP therapy is recommended not only to improve hypertension and catecholamine excess but also to distinguish the condition from pheochromocytoma.

Beta adrenergic blockade decreases the immunomodulatory effects of social disruption stress☆

PubMed Central

Hanke, M.L.; Powell, N.D.; Stiner, L.M.; Bailey, M.T.; Sheridan, J.F.

2012-01-01

During physiological or psychological stress, catecholamines produced by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) regulate the immune system. Previous studies report that the activation of β-adrenergic receptors (βARs) mediates the actions of catecholamines and increases pro-inflammatory cytokine production in a number of different cell types. The impact of the SNS on the immune modulation of social defeat has not been examined. The following studies were designed to determine whether SNS activation during social disruption stress (SDR) influences anxiety-like behavior as well as the activation, priming, and glucocorticoid resistance of splenocytes after social stress. CD-1 mice were exposed to one, three, or six cycles of SDR and HPLC analysis of the plasma and spleen revealed an increase in catecholamines. After six cycles of SDR the open field test was used to measure behaviors characteristic of anxiety and indicated that the social defeat induced increase in anxiety-like behavior was blocked by pre-treatment with the β-adrenergic antagonist propranolol. Pre-treatment with the β-adrenergic antagonist propranolol did not significantly alter corticosterone levels indicating no difference in activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. In addition to anxiety-like behavior the SDR induced splenomegaly and increase in plasma IL-6, TNFα, and MCP-1 were each reversed by pre-treatment with propranolol. Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis of cells from propranolol pretreated mice reduced the SDR-induced increase in the percentage of CD11b+ splenic macrophages and significantly decreased the expression of TLR2, TLR4, and CD86 on the surface of these cells. In addition, supernatants from 18 h LPS-stimulated ex vivo cultures of splenocytes from propranolol-treated SDR mice contained less IL-6. Likewise propranolol pre-treatment abrogated the glucocorticoid insensitivity of CD11b+ cells ex vivo when compared to splenocytes from SDR vehicle-treated mice. Together, this study demonstrates that the immune activation and priming effects of SDR result, in part, as a consequence of SNS activation. PMID:22841997

Reversal learning enhanced by lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD): concomitant rise in brain 5-hydroxytryptamine levels.

PubMed

King, A R; Martin, I L; Melville, K A

1974-11-01

1 Small doses of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) (12.5-50 mug/kg) consistently facilitated learning of a brightness discrimination reversal.2 2-Bromo-lysergic acid diethylamide (BOL-148), a structural analogue of LSD, with similar peripheral anti-5-hydroxytrypamine activity but no psychotomimetic properties, had no effect in this learning situation at a similar dose (25 mug/kg).3 LSD, but not BOL-148, caused a small but significant increase in brain 5-hydroxytryptamine levels, but had no effect on the levels of catecholamines in the brain at 25 mug/kg.

Catecholamines profiles at diagnosis: Increased diagnostic sensitivity and correlation with biological and clinical features in neuroblastoma patients.

PubMed

Verly, Iedan R N; van Kuilenburg, André B P; Abeling, Nico G G M; Goorden, Susan M I; Fiocco, Marta; Vaz, Frédéric M; van Noesel, Max M; Zwaan, C Michel; Kaspers, GertJan L; Merks, Johannes H M; Caron, Huib N; Tytgat, Godelieve A M

2017-02-01

Neuroblastoma (NBL) accounts for 10% of the paediatric malignancies and is responsible for 15% of the paediatric cancer-related deaths. Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) are most commonly analysed in urine of NBL patients. However, their diagnostic sensitivity is suboptimal (82%). Therefore, we performed in-depth analysis of the diagnostic sensitivity of a panel of urinary catecholamine metabolites. Retrospective study of a panel of 8 urinary catecholamine metabolites (VMA, HVA, 3-methoxytyramine [3MT], dopamine, epinephrine, metanephrine, norepinephrine and normetanephrine [NMN]) from 301 NBL patients at diagnosis. Special attention was given to subgroups, metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) non-avid tumours and VMA/HVA negative patients. Elevated catecholamine metabolites, especially 3MT, correlated with nine out of 12 NBL characteristics such as stage, age, MYCN amplification, loss of heterozygosity for 1p and bone-marrow invasion. The combination of the classical markers VMA and HVA had a diagnostic sensitivity of 84%. NMN was the most sensitive single diagnostic metabolite with overall sensitivity of 89%. When all 8 metabolites were combined, a diagnostic sensitivity of 95% was achieved. Among the VMA and HVA negative patients, were also 29% with stage 4 disease, which usually had elevation of other catecholamine metabolites (93%). Diagnostic sensitivity for patients with MIBG non-avid tumour was improved from 33% (VMA and/or HVA) to 89% by measuring the panel. Our study demonstrates that analysis of a urinary catecholamine metabolite panel, comprising 8 metabolites, ensures the highest sensitivity to diagnose NBL patients. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Catecholamime Interactions with the Cardiac Ryanodine Receptor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klipp, Robert Carl

The cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) is a Ca2+ ion channel found in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), an intracellular membranous Ca2+ storage system. It is well known that a destabilization of RyR2 can lead to a Ca2+ flux out of the SR, which results in an overload of intracellular Ca2+; this can also lead to arrhythmias and heart failure. The catecholamines play a large role in the regulation of RyR2; stimulation of the beta-adrenergic receptor on the cell membrane can lead to a hyperphosphorylation of RyR2, making it more leaky to Ca2+. We have previously shown that strong electron donors will inhibit RyR2. It is hypothesized that the catecholamines, sharing a similar structure with other proven inhibitors of RyR2, will also inhibit RyR2. Here we confirm this hypothesis and show for the first time that the catecholamines, isoproterenol and epinephrine, act as strong electron donors and inhibit RyR2 activity at the single channel level. This data suggests that the catecholamines can influence RyR2 activity at two levels. This offers promising insight into the potential development of a new class of drugs to treat heart failure and arrhythmia; ones that can both prevent the hyperphosphorylation of RyR2 by blocking the beta-adrenergic receptor, but can also directly inhibit the release of Ca2+ from RyR2.

Capsaicin-sensitive sensory neurons are involved in the plasma catecholamine response of rats to selective stressors.

PubMed Central

Zhou, X F; Livett, B G

1991-01-01

1. The effect of capsaicin pre-treatment on adrenal catecholamine (CA) secretion in response to stress is controversial. In earlier experiments performed under pentobarbitone anaesthesia, the release of CA in response to stress was complicated by the effects of the barbiturate anaesthesia. 2. In the present study we have used conscious freely moving rats with indwelling cannulae to study the effect of neonatal capsaicin pre-treatment on the plasma CA response to different types of stressors (swimming stress, hypovolaemic stress, immobilization stress and cold stress). 3. After swimming for 20 min, plasma noradrenaline (NA) levels increased by 8-fold and adrenaline by 2-fold in control rats. The increase in plasma NA levels in the capsaicin group was attenuated at 10 min of swimming compared with the vehicle group (P < 0.05). 4. With hypovolaemic stress, there were no differences in plasma CA levels, blood pressure and heart rate between the capsaicin group and the vehicle group. There were also no differences in plasma CA levels after immobilization stress between the two groups. 5. With cold stress, plasma NA levels increased 5-fold and adrenaline levels by 3-fold over basal at 45 min in the vehicle pre-treated rats. This increase was not observed in the capsaicin group. 6. Immunoreactive substance P was depleted by only 68% in the splanchnic nerve following capsaicin pre-treatment. If the remaining 32% was biologically active substance P then it could account for the maintenance of the response to hypovolaemic and immobilization stress. However, it might be possible that the responses to hypovolaemic and immobilization stresses could be attenuated if a more complete depletion were achieved. 7. These results in conscious rats indicate that capsaicin-sensitive sensory neurons are required for plasma CA response to selective stressors. They are required for CA output in response to cold stress and to the early phase of swimming stress, but not to hypovolaemic stress and immobilization stress. PMID:1841948

Hibernation, stress, intestinal functions, and catecholoamine turnover rate in hamsters and gerbils

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Musacchia, X. J.

1973-01-01

Bioenergetic studies on hamsters during depressed metabolic states are reported. External support of blood glucose extended the survival times of hibernating animals. Radioresistance increased in hibernating as well as in hypothermic hamsters. Marked changes in hamster catecholamine turnover rates were observed during acclimatization to high temperature stress. High radioresistance levels of the gerbil gastrointestinal system were attributed in part to the ability of the gut to maintain functional integrity.

Overnight Changes of Immune Parameters and Catecholamines Are Associated With Mood and Stress

PubMed Central

Rief, Winfried; Mills, Paul J.; Ancoli-Israel, Sonia; Ziegler, Michael G.; Pung, Meredith A.; Dimsdale, Joel E.

2011-01-01

Objectives To test the hypothesis that a nocturnal decrease of secretion of inflammation markers and catecholamines would be associated with mood and stress variables even after controlling for objective sleep variables. Methods A total of 130 healthy volunteers participated in this study, spending 2 nights in the Gillin Laboratory of Sleep and Chronobiology at the University of California, San Diego, General Clinical Research Center. Blood samples were obtained before sleep (10:30 PM) and after awakening (6:30 AM) on the first day, and these samples were assayed for inflammatory biomarkers and catecholamines. On the second night, polysomnographic records were scored for objective sleep variables, e.g., total sleep time and wake after sleep onset. Self-rating scales for mood, stress, depression, and daily hassles were administered the second day. Results The nocturnal decrease in interleukin-6 was smaller in people who reported more negative mood or fatigue and greater in those who reported more uplift events (e.g., with Profile of Mood States fatigue rp = −.25 to −.30). People with high stress or high depression levels had smaller nocturnal decreases of epinephrine. That relationship was even stronger when partial correlations were used to control for morning level and sleep variables. The associations between nocturnal changes of C-reactive protein, soluble tumor necrosis factor-receptor I, and norepinephrine with psychological states were nonremarkable. Conclusions The analyses of nocturnal change scores (difference scores) add substantial information compared with the traditional analyses of morning levels of immune variables and catecholamines alone. Subjective well-being is significantly associated with a greater nocturnal decrease of interleukin-6 and epinephrine. More research on nocturnal adaptation processes is warranted. PMID:20841563

Overnight changes of immune parameters and catecholamines are associated with mood and stress.

PubMed

Rief, Winfried; Mills, Paul J; Ancoli-Israel, Sonia; Ziegler, Michael G; Pung, Meredith A; Dimsdale, Joel E

2010-10-01

To test the hypothesis that a nocturnal decrease of secretion of inflammation markers and catecholamines would be associated with mood and stress variables even after controlling for objective sleep variables. A total of 130 healthy volunteers participated in this study, spending 2 nights in the Gillin Laboratory of Sleep and Chronobiology at the University of California, San Diego, General Clinical Research Center. Blood samples were obtained before sleep (10:30 PM) and after awakening (6:30 AM) on the first day, and these samples were assayed for inflammatory biomarkers and catecholamines. On the second night, polysomnographic records were scored for objective sleep variables, e.g., total sleep time and wake after sleep onset. Self-rating scales for mood, stress, depression, and daily hassles were administered the second day. The nocturnal decrease in interleukin-6 was smaller in people who reported more negative mood or fatigue and greater in those who reported more uplift events (e.g., with Profile of Mood States fatigue r(p) = -.25 to -.30). People with high stress or high depression levels had smaller nocturnal decreases of epinephrine. That relationship was even stronger when partial correlations were used to control for morning level and sleep variables. The associations between nocturnal changes of C-reactive protein, soluble tumor necrosis factor-receptor I, and norepinephrine with psychological states were nonremarkable. The analyses of nocturnal change scores (difference scores) add substantial information compared with the traditional analyses of morning levels of immune variables and catecholamines alone. Subjective well-being is significantly associated with a greater nocturnal decrease of interleukin-6 and epinephrine. More research on nocturnal adaptation processes is warranted.

Lower catecholamine activity is associated with greater levels of anger in adults.

PubMed

Schwartz, Joseph A; Portnoy, Jill

2017-10-01

Previous research has revealed a consistent association between heart rate at rest and during stress and behavioral problems, potentially implicating autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning in the etiological development of antisocial behavior. A complementary line of research has focused on the potential independent and interactive role of the two subsystems that comprise the ANS, the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), on behavioral problems. The current study aims to contribute to the existing literature by examining the influence of heart rate (HR) reactivity, high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV) reactivity, and catecholamine activity on a comprehensive measure of anger in a large, nationally-representative sample of adults from the United States. Results from a series of structural equation models (SEMs) revealed that catecholamine activity was most consistently linked to anger, while associations involving HR and HF-HRV reactivity were nonsignificant. Additional analyses revealed that HF-HRV did not significantly moderate the association between catecholamine activity and anger. These findings highlight the importance of SNS activity in the development of more reactive forms of aggression such as anger. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Regulation of galactokinase gene expression in Tetrahymena thermophila. II. Identification of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine as a primary effector of adrenergic control of galactokinase expression.

PubMed

Ness, J C; Morse, D E

1985-08-25

Intracellular concentrations of catecholamines were determined in wild-type and mutant Tetrahymena thermophila, using the highly sensitive techniques of high-performance liquid chromatography and electro-chemical detection. Catecholamines were determined in these cell strains grown under various steady-state conditions, including those which initiate and maintain repression of galactokinase gene expression. Wild-type cells grown in defined minimal medium supplemented with 1% glycerol, exhibiting derepressed galactokinase synthesis, were found to contain considerable quantities of dopa (3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) and dopamine, but no detectable levels of either norepinephrine or epinephrine. Analyses of wild-type cells revealed a strong positive correlation between the internal concentration of dopa and expression of the galactokinase gene, both of which are regulated by exogenous carbohydrates, catecholamine agonists, or dibutyryl-cAMP; an analogous relationship between intracellular dopamine concentrations and galactokinase activity was not found. In addition, a correlation between intracellular dopa content and the phenotypic expression of galactokinase in various mutants deficient in the catecholamine biosynthetic pathway or in glucokinase further confirms the role of dopa as a primary effector in the regulation of galactokinase gene expression.

Magnetron sputtered diamond-like carbon microelectrodes for on-chip measurement of quantal catecholamine release from cells

PubMed Central

Gao, Yuanfang; Chen, Xiaohui; Gupta, Sanju; Gillis, Kevin D.; Gangopadhyay, Shubhra

2008-01-01

Carbon electrodes are widely used in electrochemistry due to their low cost, wide potential window, and low and stable background noise. Carbon-fiber electrodes (CFE) are commonly used to electrochemically measure “quantal” catecholamine release via exocytosis from individual cells, but it is difficult to integrate CFEs into lab-on-a-chip devices. Here we report the development of nitrogen doped diamond-like carbon (DLC:N) microelectrodes on a chip to monitor quantal release of catecholamines from cells. Advantages of DLC:N microelectrodes are that they are batch producible at low cost, and are harder and more durable than graphite films. The DLC:N microelectrodes were prepared by a magnetron sputtering process with nitrogen doping. The 30 μm by 40 μm DLC:N microelectrodes were patterned onto microscope glass slides by photolithography and lift-off technology. The properties of the DLC:N microelectrodes were characterized by AFM, Raman spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Quantal catecholamine release was recorded amperometrically from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells on the DLC:N microelectrodes. Amperometric spikes due to quantal release of catecholamines were similar in amplitude and area as those recorded using CFEs and the background current and noise levels of microchip DLC:N electrodes were also comparable to CFEs. Therefore, DLC:N microelectrodes are suitable for microchip-based high-throughput measurement of quantal exocytosis with applications in basic research, drug discovery and cell-based biosensors. PMID:18493856

Plasma levels of catecholamine metabolites predict the response to sulpiride or fluvoxamine in major depression.

PubMed

Ueda, N; Yoshimura, R; Shinkai, K; Nakamura, J

2002-09-01

We investigated the relationships between the changes in plasma catecholamine metabolites obtained from depressed patients before and after administration of sulpiride, a benzamide compound, or fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), and between clinical responses to treatment with each of these drugs. Responders to sulpiride had significantly lower plasma homovanillic acid (pHVA) levels before administration of sulpiride than did non-responders or controls (responders: 4.5 +/- 3.1 ng/ml, non-responders: 11.1 +/- 5.9 ng/ml, controls: 10.9 +/- 5.3 ng/ml). Positive relationships were observed between changes in pHVA levels and improvement rates in the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (Ham-D). In contrast, responders to fluvoxamine had significantly higher plasma free 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (pMHPG) levels before administration of fluvoxamine than did non-responders or controls (responders: 8.5 +/- 1.8 ng/ml, non-responders: 5.9 +/- 2.I ng/ml, controls: 5.2 +/- 2.9 ng/ml). Negative relationships were observed between changes in pMHPG levels and improvement rates in Ham-D. These results suggest that lower pretreatment pHVA levels and higher pretreatment levels of pMHPG might be predictors of response to sulpiride and fluvoxamine, respectively, and that sulpiride might produce a functional increase in the dopaminergic system, resulting in improvement in some depressive symptoms; fluvoxamine, on the other hand, might produce a functional decrease in the noradrenergic system via serotonergic neurons, resulting in improvement of those symptoms.

Influence of age and splanchnic nerve on the action of melatonin in the adrenomedullary catecholamine content and blood glucose level in the avian group.

PubMed

Mahata, S K; Mandal, A; Ghosh, A

1988-01-01

A single intraperitoneal (IP) melatonin injection (0.5 mg/100 g body wt.) caused an increase in norepinephrine (NE) fluorescence and elevation of NE content in newly-hatched pigeons (Columba livia), but a reduction of NE fluorescence and depletion of NE content in the adrenal medulla of newly-hatched crows (Corvus splendens) after 0.5 h of treatment. In contrast, in adults melatonin caused increase in NE fluorescence and elevation of NE content only in the parakeet (Psittacula krameri). Half an hour of IP melatonin treatment (0.5 mg/100 g body wt.) induced release of epinephrine (E) from the adrenal medulla of newly-hatched pigeon and parakeet. In contrast, in the adults melatonin caused more than a two-fold increase in E in the pigeon, and a significant increase in the crow. Single IP melatonin injection (0.5 mg/100 g body wt.) caused hypoglycemia in the newly-hatched parakeet and adult pigeon, and hyperglycemia in newly-hatched pigeon after 0.5 h of treatment. Melatonin failed to regulate glucose homoeostasis in newly-hatched and adult crow. Splanchnic denervation of the left adrenal gland was performed in the adult pigeon. The right adrenal served as the innervated gland. Melatonin-induced modulation of catecholamines following a single IP injection (0.5 mg/100 g body wt.) revealed significant increases in NE fluorescence and NE content at 4 and 12 h after treatment in the denervated gland only, which gradually approached normal levels 9 days after treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Calorigenic effect of glucagon and catecholamines in king penguin chicks.

PubMed

Barre, H; Rouanet, J L

1983-06-01

The calorigenic action of glucagon and catecholamine infusion was evaluated in winter-acclimatized king penguin chicks at 20 and 0 degrees C ambient temperature (Ta). At Ta = 20 degrees C the mean increase in metabolic rate was 0.73 W . kg-1 for epinephrine (80 micrograms . kg-1), 0.42 W . kg-1 for norepinephrine (150 micrograms . kg-1), and 1.16 W . kg-1 for glucagon (0.75 micrograms . kg-1); i.e., respectively 30, 17, and 47% of the control value. The maximum response to glucagon reached 89% over control. At Ta = 0 degrees C, for the same glucagon infusion, the mean increase in specific metabolic rate was 0.84 W . kg-1, 27% of control rate. In the cold, glucagon infusion inhibited shivering and substituted its calorigenic action, resulting in a less apparent effect. In contrast with the negligible effect of catecholamines, glucagon infused at low doses exerted a powerful calorigenic action in young king penguins and could be considered as a possible nonshivering thermogenesis mediator.

Cardiac catecholamines in rats fed copper deficient or copper adequate diets containing fructose or starch

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Scholfield, D.J.; Fields, M.; Beal, T.

1989-02-09

The symptoms of copper (Cu) deficiency are known to be more severe when rats are fed a diet with fructose (F) as the principal carbohydrate. Mortality, in males, due to cardiac abnormalities usually occurs after five weeks of a 62% F, 0.6 ppm Cu deficient diet. These effects are not observed if cornstarch (CS) is the carbohydrate (CHO) source. Studies with F containing diets have shown increased catecholamine (C) turnover rates while diets deficient in Cu result in decreased norepinephrine (N) levels in tissues. Dopamine B-hydroxylase (EC 1.14.17.1) is a Cu dependent enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of dopamine (D)more » to N. An experiment was designed to investigate the effects of CHO and dietary Cu on levels of three C in cardiac tissue. Thirty-two male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed Cu deficient or adequate diets with 60% of calories from F or CS for 6 weeks. N, epinephrine (E) and D were measured by HPLC. Statistical analysis indicates that Cu deficiency tends to decrease N levels, while having the reverse effect on E. D did not appear to change. These findings indicate that Cu deficiency but not dietary CHO can affect the concentration of N and E in rat cardiac tissue.« less

Linking physiological and cellular responses to thermal stress: β-adrenergic blockade reduces the heat shock response in fish.

PubMed

Templeman, Nicole M; LeBlanc, Sacha; Perry, Steve F; Currie, Suzanne

2014-08-01

When faced with stress, animals use physiological and cellular strategies to preserve homeostasis. We were interested in how these high-level stress responses are integrated at the level of the whole animal. Here, we investigated the capacity of the physiological stress response, and specifically the β-adrenergic response, to affect the induction of the cellular heat shock proteins, HSPs, following a thermal stress in vivo. We predicted that blocking β-adrenergic stimulation during an acute heat stress in the whole animal would result in reduced levels of HSPs in red blood cells (RBCs) of rainbow trout compared to animals where adrenergic signaling remained intact. We first determined that a 1 h heat shock at 25 °C in trout acclimated to 13 °C resulted in RBC adrenergic stimulation as determined by a significant increase in cell swelling, a hallmark of the β-adrenergic response. A whole animal injection with the β2-adrenergic antagonist, ICI-118,551, successfully reduced this heat-induced RBC swelling. The acute heat shock caused a significant induction of HSP70 in RBCs of 13 °C-acclimated trout as well as a significant increase in plasma catecholamines. When heat-shocked fish were treated with ICI-118,551, we observed a significant attenuation of the HSP70 response. We conclude that circulating catecholamines influence the cellular heat shock response in rainbow trout RBCs, demonstrating physiological/hormonal control of the cellular stress response.

Developmental programming of O2 sensing by neonatal intermittent hypoxia via epigenetic mechanisms

PubMed Central

Nanduri, Jayasri; Prabhakar, Nanduri R.

2014-01-01

Recurrent apnea with intermittent hypoxia (IH) is a major clinical problem in infants born preterm. Carotid body chemo-reflex and catecholamine secretion from adrenal medullary chromaffin cells (AMC) are important for maintenance of cardio-respiratory homeostasis during hypoxia. This article highlights studies on the effects of IH on O2 sensing by the carotid body and AMC in neonatal rodents. Neonatal IH augments hypoxia-evoked carotid body sensory excitation and catecholamine secretion from AMC which are mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent recruitment of endothelin-1 and Ca2+ signaling, respectively. The effects of neonatal IH persist into adulthood. Evidence is emerging that neonatal IH initiates epigenetic mechanisms involving DNA hypermethylation contributing to long-lasting increase in ROS levels. Since adult human subjects born preterm exhibit higher incidence of sleep-disordered breathing and hypertension, DNA hypomethylating agents might offer a novel therapeutic intervention to decrease long-term cardio-respiratory morbidity caused by neonatal IH. PMID:22846496

Mechanisms involved in 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate-mediated inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in skeletal muscle.

PubMed

Gonçalves, Dawit A P; Lira, Eduardo C; Baviera, Amanda M; Cao, Peirang; Zanon, Neusa M; Arany, Zoltan; Bedard, Nathalie; Tanksale, Preeti; Wing, Simon S; Lecker, Stewart H; Kettelhut, Isis C; Navegantes, Luiz C C

2009-12-01

Although it is well known that catecholamines inhibit skeletal muscle protein degradation, the molecular underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study was undertaken to investigate the role of beta(2)-adrenoceptors (AR) and cAMP in regulating the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) in skeletal muscle. We report that increased levels of cAMP in isolated muscles, promoted by the cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine was accompanied by decreased activity of the UPS, levels of ubiquitin-protein conjugates, and expression of atrogin-1, a key ubiquitin-protein ligase involved in muscle atrophy. In cultured myotubes, atrogin-1 induction after dexamethasone treatment was completely prevented by isobutylmethylxanthine. Furthermore, administration of clenbuterol, a selective beta(2)-agonist, to mice increased muscle cAMP levels and suppressed the fasting-induced expression of atrogin-1 and MuRF-1, atrogin-1 mRNA being much more responsive to clenbuterol. Moreover, clenbuterol increased the phosphorylation of muscle Akt and Foxo3a in fasted rats. Similar responses were observed in muscles exposed to dibutyryl-cAMP. The stimulatory effect of clenbuterol on cAMP and Akt was abolished in muscles from beta(2)-AR knockout mice. The suppressive effect of beta(2)-agonist on atrogin-1 was not mediated by PGC-1alpha (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1alpha known to be induced by beta(2)-agonists and previously shown to inhibit atrogin-1 expression), because food-deprived PGC-1alpha knockout mice were still sensitive to clenbuterol. These findings suggest that the cAMP increase induced by stimulation of beta(2)-AR in skeletal muscles from fasted mice is possibly the mechanism by which catecholamines suppress atrogin-1 and the UPS, this effect being mediated via phosphorylation of Akt and thus inactivation of Foxo3.

No Elevated Plasma Catecholamine Levels during Sleep in Newly Diagnosed, Untreated Hypertensives

PubMed Central

Rasch, Björn; Dodt, Christoph; Sayk, Friedhelm; Mölle, Matthias; Born, Jan

2011-01-01

The sympatho-adrenergic system is highly involved in regulating sleep, wake and arousal states, and abnormalities in this system are regarded as a key factor in the development and progression of arterial hypertension. While hypertension is associated with a hyperadrenergic state during wakefulness, the effect of hypertension on plasma-catecholamine levels during sleep is not yet known. Twelve young participants with newly diagnosed, untreated hypertension and twelve healthy controls slept for 7 hours in the sleep laboratory. Before and after sleep, subjects rested in a supine position for 3-h periods of wakefulness. We sampled blood at a fast rate (1/10 min) and monitored blood pressure and heart rate continuously. We show that plasma NE and E levels did not differ between hypertensives and normotensive during sleep as well as before and after sleep. Blood pressure was higher in hypertensives, reaching the largest group difference in the morning after sleep. Unlike in the normotensives, in the hypertensive participants the morning rise in blood pressure did not correlate with the rise in catecholamine levels at awakening. Our results suggest that hypertension in its early stages is not associated with a strong hyperadrenergic state during sleep. In showing a diminished control of blood pressure through sympatho-adrenergic signals in hypertensive participants, our data point towards a possible involvement of dysfunctional sleep-related blood pressure regulation in the development of hypertension. PMID:21695061

Adrenal haemangioblastoma presenting as phaeochromocytoma: a rare manifestation of extraneural hemangioblastoma.

PubMed

Deb, Prabal; Pal, Seerat; Dutta, Vibha; Srivastava, Anand; Bhargava, Akshay; Yadav, Krishan Kumar

2012-09-01

Adrenal haemangioblastoma presenting clinically as pheochromocytoma is a rare manifestation of extraneural haemangioblastoma. We present an unusual case of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease that had adrenal and cerebellar haemangioblastoma with multiple renal cysts, and a review of the literature. Unlike the usual manifestations of secondary polycythemia or increased intracranial pressure and hydrocephalus due to cerebellar lesion, this 36-year-old male presented with hypertension. Investigations revealed right suprarenal mass with raised urinary catecholamines and serum vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) levels, apparently confirming the clinical diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma. Histopathology of the biopsy specimen showed features of haemangioblastoma, which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry using antibodies to neuron specific enolase and aquaporin-1. Based on this, the patient was screened for possible features of VHL, which revealed cerebellar haemangioblastoma and multiple renal cysts with angiomatous lesion. Postoperative follow-up showed normal levels of catecholamines without any symptoms of phaeochromocytoma. Adrenal haemangioblastoma is a rare entity with only four cases reported in the literature. Surgical removal is the treatment of choice. However, screening for other possible features of VHL, even in the absence of clinical features, is essential to exclude other potential lesions.

Brain RVD-haemopressin, a haemoglobin-derived peptide, inhibits bombesin-induced central activation of adrenomedullary outflow in the rat.

PubMed

Tanaka, Kenjiro; Shimizu, Takahiro; Yanagita, Toshihiko; Nemoto, Takayuki; Nakamura, Kumiko; Taniuchi, Keisuke; Dimitriadis, Fotios; Yokotani, Kunihiko; Saito, Motoaki

2014-01-01

Haemopressin and RVD-haemopressin, derived from the haemoglobin α-chain, are bioactive peptides found in brain and are ligands for cannabinoid CB1 receptors. Activation of brain CB1 receptors inhibited the secretion of adrenal catecholamines (noradrenaline and adrenaline) induced by i.c.v. bombesin in the rat. Here, we investigated the effects of two haemoglobin-derived peptides on this bombesin-induced response Anaesthetised male Wistar rats were pretreated with either haemoglobin-derived peptide, given i.c.v., 30 min before i.c.v. bombesin and plasma catecholamines were subsequently measured electrochemically after HPLC. Direct effects of bombesin on secretion of adrenal catecholamines were examined using bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. Furthermore, activation of haemoglobin α-positive spinally projecting neurons in the rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN, a regulatory centre of central adrenomedullary outflow) after i.c.v. bombesin was assessed by immunohistochemical techniques. Bombesin given i.c.v. dose-dependently elevated plasma catecholamines whereas incubation with bombesin had no effect on spontaneous and nicotine-induced secretion of catecholamines from chromaffin cells. The bombesin-induced increase in catecholamines was inhibited by pretreatment with i.c.v. RVD-haemopressin (CB1 receptor agonist) but not after pretreatment with haemopressin (CB1 receptor inverse agonist). Bombesin activated haemoglobin α-positive spinally projecting neurons in the PVN. The haemoglobin-derived peptide RVD-haemopressin in the brain plays an inhibitory role in bombesin-induced activation of central adrenomedullary outflow via brain CB1 receptors in the rat. These findings provide basic information for the therapeutic use of haemoglobin-derived peptides in the modulation of central adrenomedullary outflow. © 2013 The British Pharmacological Society.

Serum levels of fatty acid binding protein 4 and fat metabolic markers in relation to catecholamines following exercise.

PubMed

Iso, Tatsuya; Sunaga, Hiroaki; Matsui, Hiroki; Kasama, Shu; Oshima, Naomi; Haruyama, Hikari; Furukawa, Nozomi; Nakajima, Kiyomi; Machida, Tetsuo; Murakami, Masami; Yokoyama, Tomoyuki; Kurabayashi, Masahiko

2017-11-01

Lipolysis is stimulated by activation of adrenergic inputs to adipose tissues. Our recent study showed that serum concentrations of fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) are robustly elevated in patients with acute myocardial infarction and ventricular tachyarrhythmia, that display a marked activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). However, it remains unknown whether circulating FABP4 concentrations are associated with exercise-induced SNS activation. Thirty one healthy volunteers underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a cycle ergometer up to the workload levels below and above anaerobic threshold, low- and high-intensity exercise, respectively. Serial blood samplings were performed before and after exercise. High-intensity exercise significantly increased serum concentrations of FABP4 and catecholamines, and their concentrations declined fast thereafter in a similar fashion. These changes were accompanied by little, if any, changes in other metabolic markers. Regardless of adiposity, percent change from baseline to peak FABP4 levels (%FABP4) was comparable in all subjects. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that %FABP4 was highly correlated with that in norepinephrine. Our study reveals the significant correlation between circulating FABP4 and norepinephrine levels during exercise testing. Together with the fact that FABP4 is secreted from adipocytes via β-adrenergic-mediated lipolytic mechanisms, this study suggests FABP4 as a potential biomarker for adrenergic overdrive. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The effect of preoperative magnesium supplementation on blood catecholamine concentrations in patients undergoing CABG.

PubMed

Pasternak, K; Dabrowski, W; Dobija, J; Wrońskal, J; Rzecki, Z; Biernacka, J

2006-06-01

It is well known that magnesium (Mg) plays an important role in many physiological processes such as regulation of blood catecholamine concentrations, particularly epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE). The complex character of extracorporeal circulation (ECC) with intraoperative normovolemic haemodilution (NH) may alter blood Mg levels, which is likely to result in disorders of E and NE. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of preoperative Mg supplementation on E and NE in patients undergoing CABG. Forty male patients undergoing CABG under general anaesthesia were included. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: A--the patients receiving pre-operative magnesium supplementation and B--patients without pre-operative magnesium supplementation. The Mg, E and NE blood concentrations were measured in five stages: 1) before anesthesia after the radial artery cannulation, 2) during NH and ECC, 3) immediately after surgery, 4) in the morning of the 1st postoperative day, 5) in the morning of the 2nd postoperative day. The Mg levels were determined by spectrophotometric methods, E and NE were measured by radioimmunoassay methods. The CABG caused a decrease of Mg and an increase of E and NE in both groups, but the changes were significantly higher in group B. 1) CABG causes a decrease of Mg and an increase of E and NE; 2) Preoperative, oral supplementation of Mg substantially reduces intra- and postoperative disorders.

Activation of phenylalanine hydroxylase by phenylalanine does not require binding in the active site.

PubMed

Roberts, Kenneth M; Khan, Crystal A; Hinck, Cynthia S; Fitzpatrick, Paul F

2014-12-16

Phenylalanine hydroxylase (PheH), a liver enzyme that catalyzes the hydroxylation of excess phenylalanine in the diet to tyrosine, is activated by phenylalanine. The lack of activity at low levels of phenylalanine has been attributed to the N-terminus of the protein's regulatory domain acting as an inhibitory peptide by blocking substrate access to the active site. The location of the site at which phenylalanine binds to activate the enzyme is unknown, and both the active site in the catalytic domain and a separate site in the N-terminal regulatory domain have been proposed. Binding of catecholamines to the active-site iron was used to probe the accessibility of the active site. Removal of the regulatory domain increases the rate constants for association of several catecholamines with the wild-type enzyme by ∼2-fold. Binding of phenylalanine in the active site is effectively abolished by mutating the active-site residue Arg270 to lysine. The k(cat)/K(phe) value is down 10⁴ for the mutant enzyme, and the K(m) value for phenylalanine for the mutant enzyme is >0.5 M. Incubation of the R270K enzyme with phenylalanine also results in a 2-fold increase in the rate constants for catecholamine binding. The change in the tryptophan fluorescence emission spectrum seen in the wild-type enzyme upon activation by phenylalanine is also seen with the R270K mutant enzyme in the presence of phenylalanine. Both results establish that activation of PheH by phenylalanine does not require binding of the amino acid in the active site. This is consistent with a separate allosteric site, likely in the regulatory domain.

Activation of Phenylalanine Hydroxylase by Phenylalanine Does Not Require Binding in the Active Site

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Phenylalanine hydroxylase (PheH), a liver enzyme that catalyzes the hydroxylation of excess phenylalanine in the diet to tyrosine, is activated by phenylalanine. The lack of activity at low levels of phenylalanine has been attributed to the N-terminus of the protein’s regulatory domain acting as an inhibitory peptide by blocking substrate access to the active site. The location of the site at which phenylalanine binds to activate the enzyme is unknown, and both the active site in the catalytic domain and a separate site in the N-terminal regulatory domain have been proposed. Binding of catecholamines to the active-site iron was used to probe the accessibility of the active site. Removal of the regulatory domain increases the rate constants for association of several catecholamines with the wild-type enzyme by ∼2-fold. Binding of phenylalanine in the active site is effectively abolished by mutating the active-site residue Arg270 to lysine. The kcat/Kphe value is down 104 for the mutant enzyme, and the Km value for phenylalanine for the mutant enzyme is >0.5 M. Incubation of the R270K enzyme with phenylalanine also results in a 2-fold increase in the rate constants for catecholamine binding. The change in the tryptophan fluorescence emission spectrum seen in the wild-type enzyme upon activation by phenylalanine is also seen with the R270K mutant enzyme in the presence of phenylalanine. Both results establish that activation of PheH by phenylalanine does not require binding of the amino acid in the active site. This is consistent with a separate allosteric site, likely in the regulatory domain. PMID:25453233

Hydroxylation increases the neurotoxic potential of BDE-47 to affect exocytosis and calcium homeostasis in PC12 cells.

PubMed

Dingemans, Milou M L; de Groot, Aart; van Kleef, Regina G D M; Bergman, Ake; van den Berg, Martin; Vijverberg, Henk P M; Westerink, Remco H S

2008-05-01

Oxidative metabolism, resulting in the formation of hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) metabolites, may enhance the neurotoxic potential of brominated flame retardants. Our objective was to investigate the effects of a hydroxylated metabolite of 2,2',4,4'-tetra-bromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47; 6-OH-BDE-47) on changes in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and vesicular catecholamine release in PC12 cells. We measured vesicular catecholamine release and [Ca2+]i using amperometry and imaging of the fluorescent Ca2+-sensitive dye Fura-2, respectively. Acute exposure of PC12 cells to 6-OH-BDE-47 (5 microM) induced vesicular catecholamine release. Catecholamine release coincided with a transient increase in [Ca2+]i, which was observed shortly after the onset of exposure to 6-OH-BDE-47 (120 microM). An additional late increase in [Ca2+]i was often observed at > or =1 microM 6-OH-BDE-47. The initial transient increase was absent in cells exposed to the parent compound BDE-47, whereas the late increase was observed only at 20 microM. Using the mitochondrial uncoupler carbonyl cyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone (FCCP) and thapsigargin to empty intracellular Ca2+ stores, we found that the initial increase originates from emptying of the endoplasmic reticulum and consequent influx of extracellular Ca2+, whereas the late increase originates primarily from mitochondria. The hydroxylated metabolite 6-OH-BDE-47 is more potent in disturbing Ca2+ homeostasis and neurotransmitter release than the parent compound BDE-47. The present findings indicate that bioactivation by oxidative metabolism adds considerably to the neurotoxic potential of PBDEs. Additionally, based on the observed mechanism of action, a cumulative neurotoxic effect of PBDEs and ortho-substituted polychlorinated biphenyls on [Ca2+]i cannot be ruled out.

Involvement of multiple distinct Bordetella receptor proteins in the utilization of iron liberated from transferrin by host catecholamine stress hormones

PubMed Central

Armstrong, Sandra K.; Brickman, Timothy J.; Suhadolc, Ryan J.

2012-01-01

Summary Bordetella bronchiseptica is a pathogen that can acquire iron using its native alcaligin siderophore system, but can also use the catechol xenosiderophore enterobactin via the BfeA outer membrane receptor. Transcription of bfeA is positively controlled by a regulator that requires induction by enterobactin. Catecholamine hormones also induce bfeA transcription and B. bronchiseptica can use the catecholamine norepinephrine for growth on transferrin. In this study, B. bronchiseptica was shown to use catecholamines to obtain iron from both transferrin and lactoferrin in the absence of siderophore. In the presence of siderophore, norepinephrine augmented transferrin utilization by B. bronchiseptica, as well as siderophore function in vitro. Genetic analysis identified BfrA, BfrD and BfrE as TonB dependent outer membrane catecholamine receptors. The BfeA enterobactin receptor was found to not be involved directly in catecholamine utilization; however, the BfrA, BfrD and BfrE catecholamine receptors could serve as receptors for enterobactin and its degradation product 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid. Thus, there is a functional link between enterobactin-dependent and catecholamine-dependent transferrin utilization. This investigation characterizes a new B. bronchiseptica mechanism for iron uptake from transferrin that uses host stress hormones that not only deliver iron directly to catecholamine receptors, but also potentiate siderophore activity by acting as iron shuttles. PMID:22458330

Sex-related differences in fuel utilization and hormonal response to exercise: implications for individuals with type 1 diabetes.

PubMed

Brockman, Nicole K; Yardley, Jane E

2018-06-01

Sex-related differences in metabolic and neuroendocrine response to exercise in individuals without diabetes have been well established. Men and women differ in fuel selection during exercise, in which women rely to a greater extent on fat oxidation, whereas males rely mostly on carbohydrate oxidation for energy production. The difference in fuel selection appears to be mediated by sex-related differences in hormonal (including catecholamines, growth hormone, and estrogen) response to different types and intensities of exercise. In general, men exhibit an amplified counter-regulatory response to exercise, with elevated levels of catecholamines compared with women. However, women exhibit greater sensitivity to the lipolytic action of the catecholamines and deplete less of their glycogen stores than men during exercise, which suggests that women may experience a greater defense in blood glucose control after exercise than men. Conversely, little is known about sex-related differences in response to exercise in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D). A single study investigating sex-related differences in response to moderate aerobic exercise in individuals with T1D found sex-related differences in catecholamine response and fuel selection, but changes in blood glucose were not measured. To our knowledge, there are no studies investigating sex-related differences in blood glucose responses to different types and intensities of exercise in individuals with T1D. This review summarizes sex-related differences in exercise responses that could potentially impact blood glucose levels during exercise in individuals with T1D and highlights the need for further research.

[Hormonal changes during relaxation].

PubMed

Gallois, P; Forzy, G; Dhont, J L

1984-01-01

Among 10 subjects who practiced autogenic training (AT) and 10 subjects who practiced transcendental meditation (TM), compared to 10 control subjects during 40 minutes, have been observed the following results: --decrease in cortisol plasma level (reaching a minima of 2 g/100 ml), --decrease in prolactin plasma level, --the basal plasma level of cortisol and prolactin were significantly lower in the TM group. Lastly, the urinary catecholamines (UC) increase after 40 minutes of rest in the control group, whereas the UC decrease in the TA group and most certainly in the TM group. All these variations indicate a humoral modification which seems to be the opposite of the state induced by stress.

EXTENT AND MAGNITUDE OF CATECHOLAMINE SURGE IN PEDIATRIC BURNED PATIENTS

PubMed Central

Kulp, Gabriela A; Herndon, David N.; Lee, Jong O.; Suman, Oscar E.; Jeschke, Marc G

2009-01-01

Increased catecholamine (CA) levels after severe burn are associated with stress, inflammation, hypermetabolism and impaired immune function. The CA secretion profiles in burned patients are not well described. Mechanisms, duration and extent of CA surge are unknown. The purpose of this large unicenter study was to evaluate the extent and magnitude of CA surge following severe burn in pediatric patients. Patients admitted between 1996 and 2008 were enrolled in this study. Twenty-four-hour urine collections were performed during acute hospitalization and up to 2 years post burn. Results from the samples collected from 12 normal, healthy volunteers were compared with the data from the burned patients. Relevant demographic and clinical information was obtained from Medical Records. Student’s t-test and one way ANOVA were used to analyze the data where appropriate. Significance was accepted at p<0.05. Four-hundred thirteen patients were enrolled in this study, 17 patients died during acute hospitalization. Burn caused a marked stress and inflammatory response, indicated by massive tachycardia and elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines. In burned patients, CA levels are consistently and significantly modulated after burn when compared to the levels in normal, healthy volunteers. CA levels were significantly higher in males compared to females, correlated with burn size in burns over 40% and were increased in older children. There were differences over time in survivors vs. non-survivors, with CA levels significantly higher in non-survivors at 2 time points. Inflammatory cytokines show a similar profile during the study period. Our study gives clinicians a useful insight into the extent and magnitude of CA elevation to better design treatment strategies. PMID:20407405

Seasonal variation in plasma catecholamines and adipose tissue lipolysis in adult female green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas).

PubMed

Hamann, Mark; Limpus, Colin J; Whittier, Joan M

2003-02-15

We investigated three aspects of potential interrenal regulation of reproduction in female green sea turtles, Chelonia mydas. First, seasonal trends in plasma catecholamines were examined from female C. mydas at different stages of their reproductive cycles. Second, variation in catecholamine levels during a nesting season were analysed in relation to restraint time, and ecological variables such as nesting habitat, body size, and reproductive investment. Third, catecholamine and corticosterone (CORT) induced lipolysis was investigated with adipose tissue collected from gravid green turtles, using in vitro incubations. Plasma epinephrine (EPI) was lowest in non-vitellogenic (1.55 +/- 0.26 ng/ml) and post-breeding (1.57 +/- 0.22 ng/ml) females, and highest in courting females (2.87 +/- 0.28). Concentrations of norepinephrine (NE) and EPI were relatively constant throughout a nesting season, and not significantly related to restraint time, reproductive investment or nesting habitat. In vitro concentrations of CORT (>3 ng/ml) and NE (2 ng/ml) induced significant release of glycerol after 6h of incubation. Epinephrine tended to induce an antilipolytic affect at low concentrations (0.25 ng/ml) and a net lipolytic response at higher concentrations (>1 ng/ml). Our data suggest that EPI may play a role in regulating body condition during vitellogenesis, and maintaining energy stores during prolonged aphagia during courtship and nesting in female green sea turtles. Furthermore, we provide preliminary evidence that suggests that catecholamine production may be either down regulated or de-sensitised in gravid female C. mydas. Copyright 2003 Elsevier Science (USA)

Stress, Allostatic Load, Catecholamines, and Other Neurotransmitters in Neurodegenerative Diseases

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

As populations age, the prevalence of geriatric neurodegenerative diseases will increase. These diseases generally are multifactorial, arising from complex interactions among genes, environment, concurrent morbidities, treatments, and time. This essay provides a concept for the pathogenesis of Lewy body diseases such as Parkinson disease, by considering them in the context of allostasis and allostatic load. Allostasis reflects active, adaptive processes that maintain apparent steady states, via multiple, interacting effectors regulated by homeostatic comparators—“homeostats.” Stress can be defined as a condition or state in which a sensed discrepancy between afferent information and a setpoint for response leads to activation of effectors, reducing the discrepancy. “Allostatic load” refers to the consequences of sustained or repeated activation of mediators of allostasis. From the analogy of an idling car, the revolutions per minute of the engine can be maintained at any of a variety of levels (allostatic states). Just as allostatic load (cumulative wear and tear) reflects design and manufacturing variations, byproducts of combustion, and time, eventually leading to engine breakdown, allostatic load in catecholaminergic neurons might eventually lead to Lewy body diseases. Central to the argument is that catecholaminergic neurons leak vesicular contents into the cytoplasm continuously during life and that catecholamines in the neuronal cytoplasm are autotoxic. These neurons therefore depend on vesicular sequestration to limit autotoxicity of cytosolic transmitter. Parkinson disease might be a disease of the elderly because of allostatic load, which depends on genetic predispositions, environmental exposures, repeated stress-related catecholamine release, and time. PMID:22297542

Stress, Allostatic Load, Catecholamines, and Other Neurotransmitters in Neurodegenerative Diseases

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

As populations age, the prevalence of geriatric neurodegenerative diseases will increase. These diseases generally are multifactorial, arising from complex interactions among genes, environment, concurrent morbidities, treatments, and time. This essay provides a concept for the pathogenesis of Lewy body diseases such as Parkinson disease, by considering them in the context of allostasis and allostatic load. Allostasis reflects active, adaptive processes that maintain apparent steady states, via multiple, interacting effectors regulated by homeostatic comparators—“homeostats.” Stress can be defined as a condition or state in which a sensed discrepancy between afferent information and a setpoint for response leads to activation of effectors, reducing the discrepancy. “Allostatic load” refers to the consequences of sustained or repeated activation of mediators of allostasis. From the analogy of an idling car, the revolutions per minute of the engine can be maintained at any of a variety of levels (allostatic states). Just as allostatic load (cumulative wear and tear) reflects design and manufacturing variations, byproducts of combustion, and time, eventually leading to engine breakdown, allostatic load in catecholaminergic neurons might eventually lead to Lewy body diseases. Central to the argument is that catecholaminergic neurons leak vesicular contents into the cytoplasm continuously during life and that catecholamines in the neuronal cytoplasm are autotoxic. These neurons therefore depend on vesicular sequestration to limit autotoxicity of cytosolic transmitter. Parkinson disease might be a disease of the elderly because of allostatic load, which depends on genetic predispositions, environmental exposures, repeated stress-related catecholamine release, and time. PMID:21615193

Reversal learning enhanced by lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)

PubMed Central

King, A.R.; Martin, I.L.; Arabella Melville, K.

1974-01-01

1 Small doses of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) (12.5-50 μg/kg) consistently facilitated learning of a brightness discrimination reversal. 2 2-Bromo-lysergic acid diethylamide (BOL-148), a structural analogue of LSD, with similar peripheral anti-5-hydroxytrypamine activity but no psychotomimetic properties, had no effect in this learning situation at a similar dose (25 μg/kg). 3 LSD, but not BOL-148, caused a small but significant increase in brain 5-hydroxytryptamine levels, but had no effect on the levels of catecholamines in the brain at 25 μg/kg. PMID:4458849

A microfluidic platform for chemical stimulation and real time analysis of catecholamine secretion from neuroendocrine cells.

PubMed

Ges, Igor A; Brindley, Rebecca L; Currie, Kevin P M; Baudenbacher, Franz J

2013-12-07

Release of neurotransmitters and hormones by calcium-regulated exocytosis is a fundamental cellular process that is disrupted in a variety of psychiatric, neurological, and endocrine disorders. As such, there is significant interest in targeting neurosecretion for drug and therapeutic development, efforts that will be aided by novel analytical tools and devices that provide mechanistic insight coupled with increased experimental throughput. Here, we report a simple, inexpensive, reusable, microfluidic device designed to analyze catecholamine secretion from small populations of adrenal chromaffin cells in real time, an important neuroendocrine component of the sympathetic nervous system and versatile neurosecretory model. The device is fabricated by replica molding of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using patterned photoresist on silicon wafer as the master. Microfluidic inlet channels lead to an array of U-shaped "cell traps", each capable of immobilizing single or small groups of chromaffin cells. The bottom of the device is a glass slide with patterned thin film platinum electrodes used for electrochemical detection of catecholamines in real time. We demonstrate reliable loading of the device with small populations of chromaffin cells, and perfusion/repetitive stimulation with physiologically relevant secretagogues (carbachol, PACAP, KCl) using the microfluidic network. Evoked catecholamine secretion was reproducible over multiple rounds of stimulation, and graded as expected to different concentrations of secretagogue or removal of extracellular calcium. Overall, we show this microfluidic device can be used to implement complex stimulation paradigms and analyze the amount and kinetics of catecholamine secretion from small populations of neuroendocrine cells in real time.

Alternatively activated macrophages do not synthesize catecholamines or contribute to adipose tissue adaptive thermogenesis

PubMed Central

Fischer, Katrin; Ruiz, Henry H.; Jhun, Kevin; Finan, Brian; Oberlin, Douglas J.; van der Heide, Verena; Kalinovich, Anastasia V.; Petrovic, Natasa; Wolf, Yochai; Clemmensen, Christoffer; Shin, Andrew C.; Divanovic, Senad; Brombacher, Frank; Glasmacher, Elke; Keipert, Susanne; Jastroch, Martin; Nagler, Joachim; Schramm, Karl-Werner; Medrikova, Dasa; Collden, Gustav; Woods, Stephen C.; Herzig, Stephan; Homann, Dirk; Jung, Steffen; Nedergaard, Jan; Cannon, Barbara; Tschöp, Matthias H.

2017-01-01

Adaptive thermogenesis is the process of heat generation in response to cold stimulation and is under the control of the sympathetic nervous system whose chief effector is the catecholamine norepinephrine (NE). NE enhances thermogenesis through beta3 adrenergic receptors to activate brown adipose tissue and by “browning” white adipose tissue. Recent studies reported that the alternative activation of macrophages in response to IL-4 stimulation induces the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a key enzyme in the catecholamine synthesis pathway, and to provide an alternative source of locally produced catecholamines during the thermogenic process. We here report that the deletion of Th in hematopoetic cells of adult mice neither alters energy expenditure upon cold exposure nor reduces browning in inguinal adipose tissue. Bone marrow-derived macrophages did not release NE in response to stimulation with Interleukin-4 (IL-4), and conditioned media from IL-4 stimulated macrophages failed to induce expression of thermogenic genes, such as the one for uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) in adipocytes cultured with the conditioned media. Further, chronic IL-4 treatment failed to increase energy expenditure in WT, Ucp1-/- and Il4ra-/- mice. Consistent with these findings, adipose tissue-resident macrophages did not express TH. Thus, we conclude that alternatively activated macrophages do not synthesize relevant amounts of catecholamines and hence are not likely to play a direct role in adipocyte metabolism or adaptive thermogenesis. PMID:28414329

The novel iron chelator, 2-pyridylcarboxaldehyde 2-thiophenecarboxyl hydrazone, reduces catecholamine-mediated myocardial toxicity.

PubMed

Mladĕnka, Premysl; Kalinowski, Danuta S; Haskova, Pavlína; Bobrovová, Zuzana; Hrdina, Radomír; Simůnek, Tomás; Nachtigal, Petr; Semecký, Vladimĺr; Vávrová, Jaroslava; Holeckova, Magdaléna; Palicka, Vladimir; Mazurová, Yvona; Jansson, Patric J; Richardson, Des R

2009-01-01

Iron (Fe) chelators are used clinically for the treatment of Fe overload disease. Iron also plays a role in the pathology of many other conditions, and these potentially include the cardiotoxicity induced by catecholamines such as isoprenaline (ISO). The current study examined the potential of Fe chelators to prevent ISO cardiotoxicity. This was done as like other catecholamines, ISO contains the classical catechol moiety that binds Fe and may form redox-active and cytotoxic Fe complexes. Studies in vitro used the cardiomyocyte cell line, H9c2, which was treated with ISO in the presence or absence of the chelator, desferrioxamine (DFO), or the lipophilic ligand, 2-pyridylcarboxaldehyde 2-thiophenecarboxyl hydrazone (PCTH). Both of these chelators were not cardiotoxic and significantly reduced ISO cardiotoxicity in vitro. However, PCTH was far more effective than DFO, with the latter showing activity only at a high, clinically unachievable concentration. Further studies in vitro showed that interaction of ISO with Fe(II)/(III) did not increase cytotoxic radical generation, suggesting that this mechanism was not involved. Studies in vivo were initiated using rats pretreated intravenously with DFO or PCTH before subcutaneous administration of ISO (100 mg/kg). DFO at a clinically used dose (50 mg/kg) failed to reduce catecholamine cardiotoxicity, while PCTH at an equimolar dose totally prevented catecholamine-induced mortality and reduced cardiotoxicity. This study demonstrates that PCTH reduced ISO-induced cardiotoxicity in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating that Fe plays a role, in part, in the pathology observed.

Alternatively activated macrophages do not synthesize catecholamines or contribute to adipose tissue adaptive thermogenesis.

PubMed

Fischer, Katrin; Ruiz, Henry H; Jhun, Kevin; Finan, Brian; Oberlin, Douglas J; van der Heide, Verena; Kalinovich, Anastasia V; Petrovic, Natasa; Wolf, Yochai; Clemmensen, Christoffer; Shin, Andrew C; Divanovic, Senad; Brombacher, Frank; Glasmacher, Elke; Keipert, Susanne; Jastroch, Martin; Nagler, Joachim; Schramm, Karl-Werner; Medrikova, Dasa; Collden, Gustav; Woods, Stephen C; Herzig, Stephan; Homann, Dirk; Jung, Steffen; Nedergaard, Jan; Cannon, Barbara; Tschöp, Matthias H; Müller, Timo D; Buettner, Christoph

2017-05-01

Adaptive thermogenesis is the process of heat generation in response to cold stimulation. It is under the control of the sympathetic nervous system, whose chief effector is the catecholamine norepinephrine (NE). NE enhances thermogenesis through β3-adrenergic receptors to activate brown adipose tissue and by 'browning' white adipose tissue. Recent studies have reported that alternative activation of macrophages in response to interleukin (IL)-4 stimulation induces the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a key enzyme in the catecholamine synthesis pathway, and that this activation provides an alternative source of locally produced catecholamines during the thermogenic process. Here we report that the deletion of Th in hematopoietic cells of adult mice neither alters energy expenditure upon cold exposure nor reduces browning in inguinal adipose tissue. Bone marrow-derived macrophages did not release NE in response to stimulation with IL-4, and conditioned media from IL-4-stimulated macrophages failed to induce expression of thermogenic genes, such as uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1), in adipocytes cultured with the conditioned media. Furthermore, chronic treatment with IL-4 failed to increase energy expenditure in wild-type, Ucp1 -/- and interleukin-4 receptor-α double-negative (Il4ra -/- ) mice. In agreement with these findings, adipose-tissue-resident macrophages did not express TH. Thus, we conclude that alternatively activated macrophages do not synthesize relevant amounts of catecholamines, and hence, are not likely to have a direct role in adipocyte metabolism or adaptive thermogenesis.

Preservation of urine free catecholamines and their free O-methylated metabolites with citric acid as an alternative to hydrochloric acid for LC-MS/MS-based analyses.

PubMed

Peitzsch, Mirko; Pelzel, Daniela; Lattke, Peter; Siegert, Gabriele; Eisenhofer, Graeme

2016-01-01

Measurements of urinary fractionated metadrenalines provide a useful screening test to diagnose phaeochromocytoma. Stability of these compounds and their parent catecholamines during and after urine collection is crucial to ensure accuracy of the measurements. Stabilisation with hydrochloric acid (HCl) can promote deconjugation of sulphate-conjugated metadrenalines, indicating a need for alternative preservatives. Urine samples with an intrinsically acidic or alkaline pH (5.5-6.9 or 7.1-8.7, respectively) were used to assess stability of free catecholamines and their free O-methylated metabolites over 7 days of room temperature storage. Stabilisation with HCl was compared with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid/metabisulphite and monobasic citric acid. Catecholamines and metabolites were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Free catecholamines and their O-methylated metabolites were stable in acidic urine samples over 7 days of room temperature storage, independent of the presence or absence of any stabilisation method. In contrast, free catecholamines, but not the free O-methylated metabolites, showed rapid degradation within 24 h and continuing degradation over 7 days in urine samples with an alkaline pH. Adjustment of alkaline urine samples to a pH of 3-5 with HCl or 4.8-5.4 with citric acid completely blocked degradation of catecholamines. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid/metabisulphite, although reducing the extent of degradation of catecholamines in alkaline urine, was largely ineffectual as a stabiliser. Citric acid is equally effective as HCl for stabilisation of urinary free catecholamines and minimises hazards associated with use of strong inorganic acids while avoiding deconjugation of sulphate-conjugated metabolites during simultaneous LC-MS/MS measurements of free catecholamines and their free O-methylated metabolites.

Acute Myocardial Infarction following Naltrexone Consumption; a Case Report.

PubMed

Dadpour, Bita; Gholoobi, Arash; Tajoddini, Shahrad; Habibi, Amir

2017-01-01

Cardiovascular effects of opioid withdrawal have long been studied. It was reported that patients with underlying ischemic heart disease and atherosclerotic vessels may be complicated by a sudden physical and emotional stress due to withdrawal syndrome. But some other believes sudden increase in catecholamine level as a sympathetic overflow might effect on heart with and without underlying ischemia. In the current study, a patient on methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) who experienced myocardial infarction (MI) after taking naltrexone was described.

The effects of mind-body training on stress reduction, positive affect, and plasma catecholamines.

PubMed

Jung, Ye-Ha; Kang, Do-Hyung; Jang, Joon Hwan; Park, Hye Yoon; Byun, Min Soo; Kwon, Soo Jin; Jang, Go-Eun; Lee, Ul Soon; An, Seung Chan; Kwon, Jun Soo

2010-07-26

This study was designed to assess the association between stress, positive affect and catecholamine levels in meditation and control groups. The meditation group consisted of 67 subjects who regularly engaged in mind-body training of "Brain-Wave Vibration" and the control group consisted of 57 healthy subjects. Plasma catecholamine (norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E), and dopamine (DA)) levels were measured, and a modified form of the Stress Response Inventory (SRI-MF) and the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) were administered. The meditation group showed higher scores on positive affect (p=.019) and lower scores on stress (p<.001) compared with the control group. Plasma DA levels were also higher in the meditation (p=.031) than in the control group. The control group demonstrated a negative correlation between stress and positive affects (r=-.408, p=.002), whereas this correlation was not observed in the meditation group. The control group showed positive correlations between somatization and NE/E (r=.267, p=.045) and DA/E (r=.271, p=.042) ratios, whereas these correlations did not emerge in the meditation group. In conclusion, these results suggest that meditation as mind-body training is associated with lower stress, higher positive affect and higher plasma DA levels when comparing the meditation group with the control group. Thus, mind-body training may influence stress, positive affect and the sympathetic nervous system including DA activity. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of hemorrhagic hypotension on tyrosine concentrations in rat spinal cord and plasma

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Conlay, L. A.; Maher, T. J.; Roberts, C. H.; Wurtman, R. J.

1988-01-01

Tyrosine is the precursor for catecholamine neurotransmitters. When catecholamine-containing neurons are physiologically active (as sympathoadrenal cells are in hypotension), tyrosine administration increases catecholamine synthesis and release. Since hypotension can alter plasma amino acid composition, the effects of an acute hypotensive insult on tyrosine concentrations in plasma and spinal cord were examined. Rats were cannulated and bled until the systolic blood pressure was 50 mmHg, or were kept normotensive for 1 h. Tyrosine and other large neutral amino acids (LNAA) known to compete with tyrosine for brain uptake were assayed in plasma and spinal cord. The rate at which intra-arterial (H-3)tyrosine disappeared from the plasma was also estimated in hemorrhaged and control rats. In plasma of hemorrhaged animals, both the tyrosine concentration and the tyrosine/LNAA ratio was elevated; moreover, the disappearance of (H-3)tyrosine was slowed. Tyrosine concentrations also increased in spinal cords of hemorrhaged-hypotensive rats when compared to normotensive controls. Changes in plasma amino acid patterns may thus influence spinal cord concentrations of amino acid precursors for neurotransmitters during the stress of hemorrhagic shock.

Role of catecholamines and nitric oxide on pigment displacement of the chromatophores of freshwater snakehead teleost fish, Channa punctatus.

PubMed

Biswas, Saikat P; Jadhao, Arun G; Palande, Nikhil V

2014-04-01

We are reporting for the first time that the catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) inhibit the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on melanosome dispersion in freshly isolated scales of the freshwater snakehead fish, Channa punctatus. We studied the effect of NO and catecholamines on the pigment displacement by observing the changes in the melanophore index. The scales when treated with solution containing NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) showed dispersion of melanosomes, whereas NO synthase blocker N-omega-Nitro-L-arginine suppresses this action of SNP. Treatment with adrenaline and noradrenaline on the isolated scales caused aggregation of melanosomes. Scales treated with solution containing catecholamines and SNP resulted in aggregation of melanosomes suggesting that catecholamines mask the effect of SNP. These results suggest that the catecholamines are inhibiting the effect of NO and causing the aggregation of the melanosomes may be via surface receptors.

Activity of the sympathoadrenal system in cosmonauts during 25-day space flight on station Mir

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kvetňanský, R.; Noskov, V. B.; Blazicek, P.; Gharib, C.; Popova, I. A.; Gauquelin, G.; Macho, L.; Guell, A.; Grigoriev, A. I.

The activity of the sympathoadrenal system in cosmonauts was studied by measuring plasma and urinary catecholamines and their metabolites and conjugates. The appliance Plasma 02 was used for collecting, processing, and storing blood and urine samples from the cosmonauts during the course of a 25-day flight on board the station Mir. Plasma and urine concentrations of adrenaline (A), noradrenaline (NA), and dopamine (DA) as well as urinary levels of vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and homovanillic acid (HVA), and plasma levels of catecholamine sulphates were determined before, during and after the space flight. Plasma NA levels were slightly elevated on day 9 and plasma A on day 20, whereas plasma DA levels were unchanged. However, most of the changes were within the normal range of control values. Sulphates of plasma catecholamines did not change during flight but they were significantly elevated after landing. Urinary levels of A, NA, DA, VMA, and HVA were comparable with preflight values but were elevated at the different intervals studied after landing. The results obtained suggest that in the short period of about 9 days of the cosmonaut's stay in space the sympathoadrenal system was slightly activated indicating a mild stressful influence of the initial period of flight. This short-term space flight compared to long-term flight did not as markedly activate the sympathoadrenal system during the process of re-adaptation to Earth's gravity after landing. Our data suggest that weightlessness is not a stressful factor activating the sympathoadrenal system but it sensitizes the responsiveness of this system during the re-adaptation period after space flight.

Chronic lithium treatment up-regulates cell surface Na(V)1.7 sodium channels via inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 in adrenal chromaffin cells: enhancement of Na(+) influx, Ca(2+) influx and catecholamine secretion after lithium withdrawal.

PubMed

Yanagita, Toshihiko; Maruta, Toyoaki; Nemoto, Takayuki; Uezono, Yasuhito; Matsuo, Kiyotaka; Satoh, Shinya; Yoshikawa, Norie; Kanai, Tasuku; Kobayashi, Hideyuki; Wada, Akihiko

2009-09-01

In cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells expressing Na(V)1.7 isoform of voltage-dependent Na(+) channels, we have previously reported that lithium chloride (LiCl) inhibits function of Na(+) channels independent of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) (Yanagita et al., 2007). Here, we further examined the effects of chronic lithium treatment on Na(+) channels. LiCl treatment (1-30 mM, > or = 12 h) increased cell surface [(3)H]saxitoxin ([(3)H]STX) binding by approximately 32% without altering the affinity of [(3)H]STX binding. This increase was prevented by cycloheximide and actinomycin D. SB216763 and SB415286 (GSK-3 inhibitors) also increased cell surface [(3)H]STX binding by approximately 31%. Simultaneous treatment with LiCl and SB216763 or SB415286 did not produce an increased effect on [(3)H]STX binding compared with either treatment alone. LiCl increased Na(+) channel alpha-subunit mRNA level by 32% at 24 h. LiCl accelerated alpha-subunit gene transcription by 35% without altering alpha-subunit mRNA stability. In LiCl-treated cells, LiCl inhibited veratridine-induced (22)Na(+) influx as in untreated cells. However, washout of LiCl after chronic treatment enhanced veratridine-induced (22)Na(+) influx, (45)Ca(2+) influx and catecholamine secretion by approximately 30%. Washout of LiCl after 24 h treatment shifted concentration-response curve of veratridine upon (22)Na(+) influx upward, without altering its EC(50) value. Ptychodiscus brevis toxin-3 allosterically enhanced veratridine-induced (22)Na(+) influx by two-fold in untreated and LiCl-treated cells. Whole-cell patch-clamp analysis indicated that I-V curve and steady-state inactivation/activation curves were comparable between untreated and LiCl-treated cells. Thus, GSK-3 inhibition by LiCl up-regulated cell surface Na(V)1.7 via acceleration of alpha-subunit gene transcription, enhancing veratridine-induced Na(+) influx, Ca(2+) influx and catecholamine secretion.

Beta adrenergic blockade decreases the immunomodulatory effects of social disruption stress.

PubMed

Hanke, M L; Powell, N D; Stiner, L M; Bailey, M T; Sheridan, J F

2012-10-01

During physiological or psychological stress, catecholamines produced by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) regulate the immune system. Previous studies report that the activation of β-adrenergic receptors (βARs) mediates the actions of catecholamines and increases pro-inflammatory cytokine production in a number of different cell types. The impact of the SNS on the immune modulation of social defeat has not been examined. The following studies were designed to determine whether SNS activation during social disruption stress (SDR) influences anxiety-like behavior as well as the activation, priming, and glucocorticoid resistance of splenocytes after social stress. CD-1 mice were exposed to one, three, or six cycles of SDR and HPLC analysis of the plasma and spleen revealed an increase in catecholamines. After six cycles of SDR the open field test was used to measure behaviors characteristic of anxiety and indicated that the social defeat induced increase in anxiety-like behavior was blocked by pre-treatment with the β-adrenergic antagonist propranolol. Pre-treatment with the β-adrenergic antagonist propranolol did not significantly alter corticosterone levels indicating no difference in activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. In addition to anxiety-like behavior the SDR induced splenomegaly and increase in plasma IL-6, TNFα, and MCP-1 were each reversed by pre-treatment with propranolol. Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis of cells from propranolol pretreated mice reduced the SDR-induced increase in the percentage of CD11b(+) splenic macrophages and significantly decreased the expression of TLR2, TLR4, and CD86 on the surface of these cells. In addition, supernatants from 18h LPS-stimulated ex vivo cultures of splenocytes from propranolol-treated SDR mice contained less IL-6. Likewise propranolol pre-treatment abrogated the glucocorticoid insensitivity of CD11b(+) cells ex vivo when compared to splenocytes from SDR vehicle-treated mice. Together, this study demonstrates that the immune activation and priming effects of SDR result, in part, as a consequence of SNS activation. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effects of water immersion on plasma catecholamines in normal humans

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Epstein, M.; Johnson, G.; Denunzio, A. G.

1983-01-01

An investigation was conducted in order to determine whether water immersion to the neck (NI) alters plasma catecholamines in normal humans. Eight normal subjects were studied during a seated control study (C) and during 4 hr of NI, and the levels of norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) as determined by radioenzymatic assay were measured hourly. Results show that despite the induction of a marked natriuresis and diuresis indicating significant central hypervolemia, NI failed to alter plasma NE or E levels compared with those of either C or the corresponding prestudy 1.5 hr. In addition, the diuresis and natriuresis was found to vary independently of NE. These results indicate that the response of the sympathetic nervous system to acute volume alteration may differ from the reported response to chronic volume expansion.

Fatigue and stress studies : an improved semi-automated procedure for flurometric determination of plasma catecholamines.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1966-04-01

A semiautomated technique is described for the estimation of total catecholamines in plasma by the trihydroxyindole procedure. The method utilizes conventional alumina-column chromatography for isolation of the amines. Catecholamine oxidation, tautom...

Beta-blockers influence the short-term and long-term prognostic information of natriuretic peptides and catecholamines in chronic heart failure independent from specific agents.

PubMed

Frankenstein, Lutz; Nelles, Manfred; Slavutsky, Maxim; Schellberg, Dieter; Doesch, Andreas; Katus, Hugo; Remppis, Andrew; Zugck, Christian

2007-10-01

In chronic heart failure (CHF), the physiologic effects of natriuretic peptides and catecholamines are interdependent. Furthermore, reports state an agent-dependent effect of individual beta-blockers on biomarkers. Data on the short-term and long-term predictive power comparing these biomarkers as well as accounting for the influence of beta-blocker treatment both on the marker or the resultant prognostic information are scarce. We included 513 consecutive patients with systolic CHF, measured atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP), noradrenaline, and adrenaline, and monitored them for 90 +/- 25 months. Death or the combination of death and cardiac transplantation at 1 year, 5 years, and overall follow-up were considered end points. Compared with patients not taking beta-blockers, patients taking beta-blockers had significantly lower levels of catecholamines but not natriuretic peptides. Only for adrenaline was the amount of this effect related to the specific beta-blocker chosen. Receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated superior prognostic accuracy for NTproBNP both at the 1- and 5-year follow-up compared with ANP, noradrenaline, and adrenaline. In multivariate analysis including established risk markers (New York Heart Association functional class, left ventricular ejection fraction, peak oxygen uptake, and 6-minute walk test), of all neurohumoral parameters, only NTproBNP remained an independent predictor for both end points. Long-term beta-blocker therapy is associated with decreased levels of plasma catecholamines but not natriuretic peptides. This effect is independent from the actual beta-blocker chosen for natriuretic peptides and noradrenaline. In multivariate analysis, both for short-term and long-term prediction of mortality or the combined end point of death and cardiac transplantation, only NTproBNP remained independent from established clinical risk markers.

On-column reduction of catecholamine quinones in stainless steel columns during liquid chromatography.

PubMed

Xu, R; Huang, X; Kramer, K J; Hawley, M D

1995-10-10

The chromatographic behavior of quinones derived from the oxidation of dopamine and N-acetyldopamine has been studied using liquid chromatography (LC) with both a diode array detector and an electrochemical detector that has parallel dual working electrodes. When stainless steel columns are used, an anodic peak for the oxidation of the catecholamine is observed at the same retention time as a cathodic peak for the reduction of the catecholamine quinone. In addition, the anodic peak exhibits a tail that extends to a second anodic peak for the catecholamine. The latter peak occurs at the normal retention time of the catecholamine. The origin of this phenomenon has been studied and metallic iron in the stainless steel components of the LC system has been found to reduce the quinones to their corresponding catecholamines. The simultaneous appearance of a cathodic peak for the reduction of catecholamine quinone and an anodic peak for the oxidation of the corresponding catecholamine occurs when metallic iron in the exit frit reduces some of the quinones as the latter exits the column. This phenomenon is designated as the "concurrent anodic-cathodic response." It is also observed for quinones of of 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid and probably occurs with o- or p-quinones of other dihydroxyphenyl compounds. The use of nonferrous components in LC systems is recommended to eliminate possible on-column reduction of quinones.

Mechanisms of lower body negative pressure-induced syncope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davrath, Linda Ruble

Although extensively investigated, the mechanisms of post-spaceflight orthostatic intolerance have not been elucidated. The working hypothesis was that a markedly reduced left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) would be achieved during progressive, presyncopal-limited LBNP and would cause bradycardia and a fall in blood pressure, thus triggering syncope. Eight healthy men, age 25.1 ± 1.3 years, volunteered for the study. Subjects were exposed to graded levels of LBNP on two separate occasions. Changes in left ventricular end-diastolic volume and LVESV were measured, using two-dimensional echocardiography, at each stage of LBNP from rest to presyncope. Plasma venous blood samples were withdrawn at the end of each stage of the LBNP protocol for the measurement of plasma venous catecholamines and plasma renin activity (PRA). Catecholamines were analyzed by HPLC with electro-chemical detection, and PRA was determined by radioimmunoassay. All subjects reached presyncope during the LBNP. LVESV decreased by 28% at presyncope with no evidence of ventricular cavity obliteration. Norepinephrine (NE) increased by 44% from rest to presyncope, but no epinephrine surge was detected (35% increase from rest to presyncope). These data indicate that it is possible to initiate syncope with only a 28% decrease in LVESV, and that sympatho-inhibition and bradycardia are not required elements for syncope to occur. To investigate the effect of moderate sodium restriction on cardiovascular hemodynamics and orthostatic tolerance, presyncopal LBNP testing was performed. Urinary sodium excretion was significantly higher on the normal-sodium diet when compared with the sodium-restricted diet, but urinary potassium was not different. Cumulative stress index (655 ± 460 on normal-sodium diet vs. 639 ± 388 on sodium-restricted diet) scores were not different. Cardiac volumes, blood pressure and total peripheral resistance were not different at any stage of the LBNP between the diets, nor were plasma catecholamine levels. Heart rate was significantly higher at presyncope on the sodium-restricted diet. Plasma renin activity was significantly higher during sodium restriction at rest, and during all stages of LBNP. Moderate dietary sodium restriction was not accompanied by apparent plasma volume reduction (hematocrit, body weight change), and did not appear to be detrimental to orthostatic function.

Effect of 3-Day Bed Rest on the Basal Sympathetic Activity and Responsiveness of this System to Physiological Stimuli In Athletes and Sedentary Subjects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smorawinski, Jerzy; Adrian, Jacek; Kaciuba-Uscilko, Hanna; Nazar, Krystyna; Greenleaf, John E.; Dalton, P. Bonnie (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

The aims of this study were: (1) to examine the effect of three days of bed rest (BR) on basal plasma epinephrine [E] and norepinephrine [NE] and the catecholamine responses to various physiological stimuli, and (2) to find out whether previous physical activity modifies effects of BR. In the first series, 29 young men (11 sedentary students, 8 endurance and 10 strength trained athletes) were submitted to oral glucose tolerance test in supine position and to active orthostatic test before and after 3 days of BR. Plasma [E] and [NE] were measured after overnight fast (basal condition), at 60, 120 and 180 min after glucose ingestion (70 a), and at the 8th min of unsupported standing. In the second series, other 22 subjects (12 sedentary students, 10 endurance and 10 strength trained athletes) were submitted to 2 min cold pressor test (CPT) and exercise. Plasma E and NE were determined in the supine position after overnight fast and at 60th and 120th s of hand cooling. Then, after breakfast followed by 2-3 hour sitting, the subjects performed cycle ergometer exercise with workload increasing until volitional exhaustion. Plasma [E] and [NE] were determined at the end of each load. Plasma catecholamines were determined made radioenzymatically. After BR, basal plasma [NE] was decreased in endurance and strength athletes (p<0.01) but not in sedentary subjects. In neither group BR affected the basal [E]. Responses of both catecholamines to glucose load were diminished after BR in all three groups (p<0.05) but the effect was most pronounced in the endurance athletes. All subjects tolerated well 8-min standing although their heart rate response was increased after BR. Plasma catecholamine responses standing were not significantly affected by BR in either group but the plasma [NE] and [E] during standing were lowered after BR in endurance athletes (p<0.01). BR did not affect blood pressure and catecholamine responses to CPT. The pre- and post-exercise plasma catecholamines were similar before and after BR although the subjects achieved lower maximal loads after BR. In endurance athletes the threshold for plasma NA rise occurred at lower work intensity after than before BR (p<0.05).

Catecholamine plasma levels, IFN-γ serum levels and antibodies production induced by rabies vaccine in dogs selected for their paw preference.

PubMed

Siniscalchi, Marcello; Cirone, Francesco; Guaricci, Antonio Ciro; Quaranta, Angelo

2014-01-01

To explore the possible role of the sympathetic nervous activity in the asymmetrical crosstalk between the brain and immune system, catecholamine (E, NE) plasma levels, Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) serum levels and production of antibodies induced by rabies vaccine in dogs selected for their paw preference were measured. The results showed that the direction of behavioural lateralization influenced both epinephrine levels and immune response in dogs. A different kinetic of epinephrine levels after immunization was observed in left-pawed dogs compared to both right-pawed and ambidextrous dogs. The titers of antirabies antibodies were lower in left-pawed dogs than in right-pawed and ambidextrous dogs. Similarly, the IFN-γ serum levels were lower in left-pawed dogs than in the other two groups. Taken together, these findings showed that the left-pawed group appeared to be consistently the different group stressing the fundamental role played by the sympathetic nervous system as a mechanistic basis for the crosstalk between the brain and the immune system.

A microfluidic platform for chemical stimulation and real time analysis of catecholamine secretion from neuroendocrine cells

PubMed Central

Ges, Igor A.; Brindley, Rebecca L.; Currie, Kevin P.M.; Baudenbacher, Franz J.

2013-01-01

Release of neurotransmitters and hormones by calcium-regulated exocytosis is a fundamental cellular process that is disrupted in a variety of psychiatric, neurological, and endocrine disorders. As such, there is significant interest in targeting neurosecretion for drug and therapeutic development, efforts that will be aided by novel analytical tools and devices that provide mechanistic insight coupled with increased experimental throughput. Here, we report a simple, inexpensive, reusable, microfluidic device designed to analyze catecholamine secretion from small populations of adrenal chromaffin cells in real time, an important neuroendocrine component of the sympathetic nervous system and versatile neurosecretory model. The device is fabricated by replica molding of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using patterned photoresist on silicon wafer as the master. Microfluidic inlet channels lead to an array of U-shaped “cell traps”, each capable of immobilizing single or small groups of chromaffin cells. The bottom of the device is a glass slide with patterned thin film platinum electrodes used for electrochemical detection of catecholamines in real time. We demonstrate reliable loading of the device with small populations of chromaffin cells, and perfusion / repetitive stimulation with physiologically relevant secretagogues (carbachol, PACAP, KCl) using the microfluidic network. Evoked catecholamine secretion was reproducible over multiple rounds of stimulation, and graded as expected to different concentrations of secretagogue or removal of extracellular calcium. Overall, we show this microfluidic device can be used to implement complex stimulation paradigms and analyze the amount and kinetics of catecholamine secretion from small populations of neuroendocrine cells in real time. PMID:24126415

Inactivation of catecholamines by superoxide gives new insights on the pathogenesis of septic shock

PubMed Central

Macarthur, Heather; Westfall, Thomas C.; Riley, Dennis P.; Misko, Thomas P.; Salvemini, Daniela

2000-01-01

A major feature of septic shock is the development of a vascular crisis characterized by nonresponsiveness to sympathetic vasoconstrictor agents and the subsequent irreversible fall in blood pressure. In addition, sepsis, like other inflammatory conditions, results in a large increase in the production of free radicals, including superoxide anions (O2⨪) within the body. Here we show that O2⨪ reacts with catecholamines deactivating them in vitro. Moreover, this deactivation would appear to account for the hyporeactivity to exogenous catecholamines observed in sepsis, because administration of a superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic to a rat model of septic shock to remove excess O2⨪ restored the vasopressor responses to norepinephrine. This treatment with the SOD mimetic also reversed the hypotension in these animals; suggesting that deactivation of endogenous norepinephrine by O2⨪ contributes significantly to this aspect of the vascular crisis. Indeed, the plasma concentrations of both norepinephrine and epinephrine in septic rats treated with the SOD mimetic were significantly higher than in untreated rats. Interestingly, the plasma concentrations for norepinephrine and epinephrine were inversely related to the plasma concentrations of adrenochromes, the product of the autoxidation of catecholamines initiated by O2⨪. We propose, therefore, that the use of a SOD mimetic represents a new paradigm for the treatment of septic shock. By removing O2⨪, exogenous and endogenous catecholamines are protected from autoxidation. As a result, both hyporeactivity and hypotension are reversed, generation of potentially toxic adrenochromes is reduced, and survival rate is improved. PMID:10944234

Acute stress cardiomyopathy and deaths associated with electronic weapons.

PubMed

Cevik, Cihan; Otahbachi, Mohammad; Miller, Elizabeth; Bagdure, Satish; Nugent, Kenneth M

2009-03-06

Deaths associated with the use of electronic weapons almost always occur in young men involved in either civil disturbances or criminal activity. These situations are associated with high levels of circulating catecholamines and frequently associated with drug intoxication. The mechanism for these deaths is unclear. Clinical studies indicate that these high voltage electrical pulses do not cause cardiac arrhythmia. Acute stress cardiomyopathy provides an alternative explanation for deaths associated with electronic weapons and may provide a better explanation for the usual time course associated with taser deaths. Patients with acute stress cardiomyopathy usually have had an emotional or physical stress, have high circulating levels of catecholamines, present with an acute coronary syndrome but have normal coronary vessels without significant thrombus formation. They have unusual left ventricular dysfunction with so-called apical ballooning. This presentation has been attributed to the direct effects of catecholamines on myocardial cell function. Alternative explanations include vasospasm in the coronary microcirculation and/or acute thrombosis followed by rapid thrombolysis. Similar events could occur during the high stress situations associated with the use of electronic weapons. These events also likely explain restraint-related deaths which occur in independent of any use of electronic weapons. Forensic pathologists have the opportunity to provide important details about the pathogenesis of these deaths through histological studies and careful evaluation of coronary vessels.

Immunohistochemistry of catecholamines in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system with special regard to fatal hypothermia and hyperthermia.

PubMed

Ishikawa, Takaki; Yoshida, Chiemi; Michiue, Tomomi; Perdekamp, Markus Grosse; Pollak, Stefan; Maeda, Hitoshi

2010-05-01

Catecholamines are involved in various stress responses. Previous studies have suggested applicability of the postmortem blood levels to investigations of physical stress responses or toxic/hyperthermic neuronal dysfunction during death process. The present study investigated cellular immunopositivity for adrenaline (Adr), noradrenaline (Nad) and dopamine (DA) in the hypothalamus, adenohypophysis and adrenal medulla with special regard to fatal hypothermia (cold exposure) and hyperthermia (heat stroke) to examine forensic pathological significance. Medicolegal autopsy cases (n=290, within 3 days postmortem) were examined. The proportions of catecholamine (Adr, Nad and DA)-positive cells (% positivity) in each tissue were quantitatively estimated using immunostaining. Hyperthermia cases (n=12) showed a lower neuronal DA-immunopositivity in the hypothalamus than hypothermia cases (n=20), while Nad- and DA-immunopositivities in the adrenal medulla were higher for hyperthermia than for hypothermia. Rates of Nad-immunopositivity in the adrenal medulla were very low for hypothermia. No such difference between hypothermia and hyperthermia was seen in the adenohypophysis. In hypothermia cases, cellular Nad-immunopositivity in the adrenal medulla correlated with the Nad level in cerebrospinal fluid (r=0.591, p<0.01). These observations suggest a characteristic immunohistochemical pattern of systemic stress response to fatal hypothermia and hyperthermia, involving the hypothalamus and adrenal medulla. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Psychological stress-induced changes in salivary alpha-amylase and adrenergic activity.

PubMed

Kang, Younhee

2010-12-01

The aim of the study was to examine the relationships among salivary alpha-amylase, plasma catecholamines, blood pressure, and heart rate during psychological stress. This study used a pretest-post-test experimental design with a control group, using repeated measures. A total of 33 participants was divided into the experimental group (n = 16) that underwent a college academic final test as the psychological stress and the control group (n = 17) that did not undergo the test. The levels of salivary alpha-amylase and plasma catecholamines, blood pressure, and heart rate were measured seven times and stress and anxiety were measured once and twice, respectively, as subjective stress markers. Significant changes in the level of salivary alpha-amylase were found in response to psychological stress. However, the correlations of salivary alpha-amylase with the plasma catecholamines, blood pressure, and heart rate were only partially found to be statistically significant. In conclusion, it was shown that salivary alpha-amylase was sensitive to stress throughout this study. Thus, salivary alpha-amylase may be used to measure stress uninvasively in both clinical settings and nursing research where the effects of stress might be scrutinized. Furthermore, the mechanisms of illnesses that are induced by stress could be explored. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Tyrosine - Effects on catecholamine release

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Acworth, Ian N.; During, Matthew J.; Wurtman, Richard J.

1988-01-01

Tyrosine administration elevates striatal levels of dopamine metabolites in animals given treatments that accelerate nigrostriatal firing, but not in untreated rats. We examined the possibility that the amino acid might actually enhance dopamine release in untreated animals, but that the technique of measuring striatal dopamine metabolism was too insensitive to demonstrate such an effect. Dopamine release was assessed directly, using brain microdialysis of striatal extracellular fluid. Tyrosine administration (50-200 mg/kg IP) did indeed cause a dose related increase in extracellular fluid dopamine levels with minor elevations in levels of DOPAC and HVA, its major metabolites, which were not dose-related. The rise in dopamine was short-lived, suggesting that receptor-mediated feedback mechanisms responded to the increased dopamine release by diminishing neuronal firing or sensitivity to tyrosine. These observations indicate that measurement of changes in striatal DOPAC and HVA, if negative, need not rule out increases in nigrostriatal dopamine release.

Emotional, neurohormonal, and hemodynamic responses to mental stress in Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy.

PubMed

Smeijers, Loes; Szabó, Balázs M; van Dammen, Lotte; Wonnink, Wally; Jakobs, Bernadette S; Bosch, Jos A; Kop, Willem J

2015-06-01

Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is characterized by apical ballooning of the left ventricle and symptoms and signs mimicking acute myocardial infarction. The high catecholamine levels in the acute phase of TTC and common emotional triggers suggest a dysregulated stress response system. This study examined whether patients with TTC show exaggerated emotional, neurohormonal, and hemodynamic responses to mental stress. Patients with TTC (n = 18; mean age 68.3 ± 11.7, 78% women) and 2 comparison groups (healthy controls, n = 19; mean age 60.0 ± 7.6, 68% women; chronic heart failure, n = 19; mean age 68.8 ± 10.1, 68% women) performed a structured mental stress task (anger recall and mental arithmetic) and low-grade exercise with repeated assessments of negative emotions, neurohormones (catecholamines: norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hormones: adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH], cortisol), echocardiography, blood pressure, and heart rate. TTC was associated with higher norepinephrine (520.7 ± 125.5 vs 407.9 ± 155.3 pg/ml, p = 0.021) and dopamine (16.2 ± 10.3 vs 10.3 ± 3.9 pg/ml, p = 0.027) levels during mental stress and relatively low emotional arousal (p <0.05) compared with healthy controls. During exercise, norepinephrine (511.3 ± 167.1 vs 394.4 ± 124.3 pg/ml, p = 0.037) and dopamine (17.3 ± 10.0 vs 10.8 ± 4.1 pg/ml, p = 0.017) levels were also significantly higher in patients with TTC compared with healthy controls. In conclusion, catecholamine levels during mental stress and exercise were elevated in TTC compared with healthy controls. No evidence was found for a dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis or hemodynamic responses. Patients with TTC showed blunted emotional arousal to mental stress. This study suggests that catecholamine hyper-reactivity and not emotional hyper-reactivity to stress is likely to play a role in myocardial vulnerability in TTC. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of betel quid on catecholamine secretion from adrenal chromaffin cells.

PubMed

Wang, C K; Hwang, L S

1997-10-01

Health damage and environmental pollution are serious problems caused by betel quid chewing in Taiwan. Many people acquire the habit of chewing betel quid due to its physiological effects, including increased stamina and a general feeling of well-being. In this study, a sympathetic model system of adrenal chromaffin cells and sensory evaluation were used to examine the physiological effects of betel quid and the interaction of all the ingredients (areca fruit, Piper betle inflorescence and red time paste) in betel quid. Physiological effects of cardioacceleration, a slightly drunk feeling, sweating and salivation occurred during the chewing of betel quid (a mixture of areca fruit, Piper betle inflorescence and red lime paste) and a mixture of areca fruit and red lime paste. Both induced much more basal catecholamine secretion from adrenal chromaffin cells than did other ingredients and combinations of ingredients. It was evident that the responses in the sympathetic model system were closely correlated with the physiological feeling of well-being. The inhibitory effects of all the chewing juices on catecholamine secretion evoked by carbachol and a high concentration of potassium (high K+) showed that they perhaps affected the calcium influx through voltage-sensitive channels or the steps involved in secretion after calcium entry to stimulate basal catecholamine secretion from chromaffin cells.

Changes in sleep quality of athletes under normobaric hypoxia equivalent to 2,000-m altitude: a polysomnographic study.

PubMed

Hoshikawa, Masako; Uchida, Sunao; Sugo, Takayuki; Kumai, Yasuko; Hanai, Yoshiteru; Kawahara, Takashi

2007-12-01

This study evaluated the sleep quality of athletes in normobaric hypoxia at a simulated altitude of 2,000 m. Eight male athletes slept in normoxic condition (NC) and hypoxic conditions equivalent to those at 2,000-m altitude (HC). Polysomnographic recordings of sleep included the electroencephalogram (EEG), electrooculogram, chin surface electromyogram, and electrocardiogram. Thoracic and abdominal motion, nasal and oral airflow, and arterial blood oxygen saturation (Sa(O(2))) were also recorded. Standard visual sleep stage scoring and fast Fourier transformation analyses of the EEG were performed on 30-s epochs. Subjective sleepiness and urinary catecholamines were also monitored. Mean Sa(O(2)) decreased and respiratory disturbances increased with HC. The increase in respiratory disturbances was significant, but the increase was small and subclinical. The duration of slow-wave sleep (stage 3 and 4) and total delta power (<3 Hz) of the all-night non-rapid eye movement sleep EEG decreased for HC compared with NC. Subjective sleepiness and amounts of urinary catecholamines did not differ between the conditions. These results indicate that acute exposure to normobaric hypoxia equivalent to that at 2,000-m altitude decreased slow-wave sleep in athletes, but it did not change subjective sleepiness or amounts of urinary catecholamines.

Sympathovagal imbalance in hyperthyroidism.

PubMed

Burggraaf, J; Tulen, J H; Lalezari, S; Schoemaker, R C; De Meyer, P H; Meinders, A E; Cohen, A F; Pijl, H

2001-07-01

We assessed sympathovagal balance in thyrotoxicosis. Fourteen patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism were studied before and after 7 days of treatment with propranolol (40 mg 3 times a day) and in the euthyroid state. Data were compared with those obtained in a group of age-, sex-, and weight-matched controls. Autonomic inputs to the heart were assessed by power spectral analysis of heart rate variability. Systemic exposure to sympathetic neurohormones was estimated on the basis of 24-h urinary catecholamine excretion. The spectral power in the high-frequency domain was considerably reduced in hyperthyroid patients, indicating diminished vagal inputs to the heart. Increased heart rate and mid-frequency/high-frequency power ratio in the presence of reduced total spectral power and increased urinary catecholamine excretion strongly suggest enhanced sympathetic inputs in thyrotoxicosis. All abnormal features of autonomic balance were completely restored to normal in the euthyroid state. beta-Adrenoceptor antagonism reduced heart rate in hyperthyroid patients but did not significantly affect heart rate variability or catecholamine excretion. This is in keeping with the concept of a joint disruption of sympathetic and vagal inputs to the heart underlying changes in heart rate variability. Thus thyrotoxicosis is characterized by profound sympathovagal imbalance, brought about by increased sympathetic activity in the presence of diminished vagal tone.

Metabolomic profiling of brain tissues of mice chronically exposed to heroin.

PubMed

Li, Ren-Shi; Takeda, Tomoki; Ohshima, Takashi; Yamada, Hideyuki; Ishii, Yuji

2017-02-01

The chronic neurotoxicity of heroin on the nervous system is poorly understood. To address this issue, we comprehensively assessed the alteration of brain metabolomics caused by chronic heroin exposure and the withdrawal of heroin. Male C57BL/6J mice (n = 10) were given heroin (15 μmol/kg, i.p., twice a day) for 12 days while the withdrawal group received saline-treatment instead of heroin for the last two days. The control group received saline. We developed an UPLC-TOF/MS-based metabolomic approach to analyze the metabolites and carry out a metabolic pathway analysis in the brain. The major metabolites contributing to the discrimination were identified as amino acids, tricarboxylic-acid cycle intermediates, neurotransmitters, nucleotides and other compounds. A marked reduction in histidine and a slight but significant increase in phenylalanine and tryptophan were observed after heroin was withdrawn while the increased level of catecholamines was restored to baseline. Interestingly, N-acetylserotonin - a precursor of melatonin - was increased with the withdrawal of heroin while melatonin was markedly reduced along with the sub-chronic exposure to heroin. This shows that heroin disrupts not only the energy metabolism but also the biosynthesis of both catecholamines and melatonin in the mouse brain. Therefore, these substances are candidate biomarkers for chronic heroin-abuse. Copyright © 2016 The Japanese Society for the Study of Xenobiotics. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fear, pain and stress hormones during childbirth.

PubMed

Alehagen, Siw; Wijma, Barbro; Lundberg, Ulf; Wijma, Klaas

2005-09-01

To investigate the course of fear, pain and stress hormones during labor, and the associations between fear, pain, stress hormones and duration of labor in nulliparous women with and without epidural analgesia (EDA). One day during gestation weeks 37-39, urinary and salivary samples were collected to measure catecholamines and cortisol. Hourly during labor, the participants answered the Delivery Fear Scale and a pain intensity scale, and urinary and salivary samples were collected to measure stress hormones. The course of fear, pain and stress hormones differed throughout labor in women with and without EDA. Pain and cortisol increased throughout labor in women without EDA. Women who received EDA had more fear, but not more pain, before the administration of the EDA than women who did not receive EDA. Pain, fear and catecholamines decreased when women received EDA, but fear and pain increased again later in labor. Fear and pain correlated, as well as levels of fear in the different phases of labor. During phase one of labor epinephrine and duration of the phase were negatively correlated. The course of fear, pain and concentrations of stress hormones differed, highly influenced by the administration of EDA. Fear and pain correlated more pronounced than stress hormones and fear, pain and duration of labor.

Postnatal development of EEG patterns, catecholamine contents and myelination, and effect of hyperthyroidism in Suncus brain.

PubMed

Takeuchi, T; Sitizyo, K; Harada, E

1998-03-01

The postnatal development of the central nervous system (CNS) in house musk shrew in the early stage of maturation was studied. The electroencephalogram (EEG) and visual evoked potential (VEP) in association with catecholamine contents and myelin basic protein (MBP) immunoreactivity were carried out from the 1st to the 20th day of postnatal age. Different EEG patterns which were specific to behavioral states (awake and drowsy) were first recorded on the 5th day, and the total power which was obtained by power spectrum analysis increased after this stage. The latencies of all peaks in VEP markedly shortened between the 5th and the 7th day. Noradrenalin (NA) content of the brain showed a slight increase after the 3rd day, and reached maximum levels on the 7th day, which was delayed a few days compared to dopamine (DA). In hyperthyroidism, the peak latency of VEP was shortened and biosynthesis of NA in cerebral cortex and DA in hippocampus was accelerated. The most obvious change in MBP-immunoreactivity of the telencephalon occurred from the 7th to the 10th day. These morphological changes in the brain advanced at the identical time-course to those in the electrophysiological development and increment of DA and NA contents.

Urban commuting: crowdedness and catecholamine excretion.

PubMed

Lundberg, U

1976-09-01

Male passengers regularly commuting by train on the Stockholm-Nynäshamn line were investigated on two morning trips to Stockholm. These trips were made under different levels of crowding, before (Trip 1) and after (Trip 2) a period of gas rationing during the oil crisis in 1974. However, seats were available for almost everyone during both trips. One group of subjects boarded the train at its first stop (Nynäshamn), the other midway on its route (Västerhaninge). Physiological reactions were assessed from the rate of catecholamine excretion in urine and subjective experiences were measured by self-ratings. The results showed that feelings of discomfort grew more intense as the train approached Stockholm and the number of passengers increased. Perceived crowdedness increased as the square of the number of passengers. During both trips the subjects from Nynäshamn (longer trip) had a lower rate of adrenaline and noradrenaline excretion on the train than those from Västerhaninge. Furthermore, it was found that the rate of adrenaline excretion was higher for both groups during Trip 2, when the train was more crowded. The results support previous findings indicating that the stress involved in travelling by train varies more with the social and ecological conditions of the trip than with its length or duration.

Dynamics of change of lipid and monoamine metabolisms and the blood coagulation system during experimental atherosclerosis caused by restriction of movement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gvishiani, G. S.; Kobakhidze, N. G.

1980-01-01

Shifts in lipid, catecholamine, and blood coagulation systems following various periods (1, 2, 3, and 4 months) of experimentally induced atherosclerosis were studied. The same indices were studied in the tissues of the myocardium, liver, and brain stem-reticular formation after decapitation of the animals at the end of the experiment. Periodic motion restriction caused an increase in blood beta-lipoproteins in the rabbits at the beginning of the experiment. An increase in general cholesterol content and a decrease in the lecithincholesterol index were established at the end of the experiment. Myocardial beta-lipoprotein and brain stem reticular formation general cholesterol contents were elevated; catecholamine content was increased at the end of the experiment. In the initial months, free adrenaline basically increased, while in later months blood adrenaline decreased and blood noradrenaline increased.

Programming effects of antenatal corticosteroids exposure in male sexual behavior.

PubMed

Oliveira, Mário; Leão, Pedro; Rodrigues, Ana-João; Pêgo, José-Miguel; Cerqueira, João-José; Sousa, Nuno

2011-07-01

Brain regions implicated in sexual behavior begin to differentiate in the last trimester of gestation. Antenatal therapy with corticosteroids is often used in clinical practice during this period to accelerate lung maturation in preterm-risk pregnancies. Clinical and animal studies highlighted major behavioral impairments induced later in life by these treatments, especially when synthetic corticosteroids are used. To evaluate the implications of acute prenatal treatment with natural vs. synthetic corticosteroids on adult male rat sexual behavior and its neurochemical correlates. Twelve pregnant Wistar rats were injected with dexamethasone (DEX-1 mg/kg), corticosterone (CORT-25 mg/kg), or saline on late gestation (pregnancy days 18 and 19). Following this brief exposure to corticosteroids, we assessed the sexual behavior of the adult male progeny and subsequently associated these behaviors with the levels of catecholamines and mRNA of dopamine and androgen receptors (AR) in brain regions relevant for sexual behavior. Sexual behavior of adult male offspring was assessed by exposure to receptive females. This was associated with serum testosterone levels and levels of catecholamines (determined by high-performance liquid chromatography) and dopamine and AR mRNA expression (real-time polymerase chain reaction [PCR]) in brain regions implicated in sexual behavior. Prenatal DEX exposure resulted in a decreased number and increased mounts and intromissions latencies in adulthood. These findings were associated with decreased levels of serum testosterone and increased hypothalamic expression of AR mRNA. DEX animals also displayed lower dopamine levels and higher dopamine receptor mRNA expression both in hypothalamus and nucleus accumbens (NAcc). The milder phenotype of CORT animals was associated only with decreased dopamine levels in NAcc. Antenatal corticotherapy programs adult male sexual behavior through changes in specific neuronal and endocrine mediators. Importantly, equipotent doses of CORT trigger less detrimental consequences than DEX, emphasizing the differential impact of activation of the different corticosteroid receptors. © 2011 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

Fish in hot water: hypoxaemia does not trigger catecholamine mobilization during heat shock in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

PubMed

Currie, S; Ahmady, E; Watters, M A; Perry, S F; Gilmour, K M

2013-06-01

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed to an acute heat shock (1 h at 25 °C after raising water temperature from 13 °C to 25 °C over 4 h) mount a significant catecholamine response. The present study investigated the proximate mechanisms underlying catecholamine mobilization. Trout exposed to heat shock in vivo exhibited a significant reduction in arterial O(2) tension, but arterial O(2) concentration was not affected by heat shock, nor was catecholamine release during heat shock prevented by prior and concomitant exposure to hyperoxia (to prevent the fall in arterial O(2) tension). Thus, catecholamine mobilization probably was not triggered by impaired blood O(2) transport. Heat-shocked trout also exhibited an elevation of arterial CO(2) tension coupled with a fall in arterial pH, but these factors are not expected to trigger catecholamine release. The changes in blood O(2) and CO(2) tension occurred despite a significant hyperventilatory response to heat shock. Future studies should investigate whether catecholamine mobilization during heat shock in rainbow trout is triggered by a specific effect of high temperature activating the sympathetic nervous system via a thermosensitive transient receptor potential channel. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Trajectory classes of cannabis use and heavy drinking among rural African American adolescents: multi-level predictors of class membership.

PubMed

Barton, Allen W; Brody, Gene H; Zapolski, Tamika C B; Goings, Trenette C; Kogan, Steven M; Windle, Michael; Yu, Tianyi

2018-02-17

To inform research on the etiology and prevention of substance use among rural African American youth by (a) identifying developmental trajectory classes of cannabis use and heavy drinking across adolescence and young adulthood and (b) examining associations between trajectory class membership and multi-level assessments of risk factors. A prospective study spanning 9 years with assessments of cannabis use and heavy drinking, the catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine, perceived stress and psychosocial risk factors. Rural communities in the southeastern United States. African American youth (n = 518). Participants were assessed for cannabis use and heavy drinking at seven assessments beginning at 16 years of age and continuing to 25 years of age. At age 19, participants provided overnight urine voids that were assayed for catecholamines, a biological marker of life stress resulting from sympathetic nervous system activation. At ages 16 and 19, participants provided information on malleable psychosocial risk factors. Latent class growth models revealed three distinct trajectory classes for cannabis use and for heavy drinking. Higher levels of circulating stress hormones and perceived stress were associated with classes reporting greater substance use over time (all Ps < 0.05). A composite of selected risk factors discriminated class membership (all Ps < 0.05). Trajectory classes characterized by rapid usage increases in early adulthood exhibited the greatest increase in deviant peer affiliations between ages 16 and 19 years. Rural African American youth's cannabis use and heavy drinking across adolescence and young adulthood demonstrate distinct developmental courses; a small number of risk factors and measures of biological and perceived stress differentiate class membership prognostically. Variability over time in these measures, specifically an increase in deviant peer affiliation, may help to account for steep increases in young adulthood. © 2018 Society for the Study of Addiction.

Alpha 2-adrenoceptor blockade, pituitary-adrenal hormones, and agonistic interactions in rats.

PubMed

Haller, J; Barna, I; Kovács, J L

1994-08-01

The effects of adrenergic activation on aggressiveness and the aggression induced endocrine changes were tested in rats. Alpha 2 adrenoceptor blockers were used for enhancing activation of the adrenergic system, and changes in aggressiveness were tested in resident-intruder contests. Three experiments were conducted. In experiment 1, saline injected rats responded to the presence of an opponent by aggression and the increase in plasma ACTH and corticosterone. Intraperitoneal administration of 1 mg/kg CH-38083 (an alpha 2 adrenoceptor antagonist) produced a several fold increase in clinch fighting and mutual upright scores, and also further enhanced the plasma ACTH and corticosterone response. In experiment 2, the effect of three doses (0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg) of three different alpha 2 adrenoceptor blockers CH-38083, idazoxan and yohimbine were tested. All the substances increased aggression at 0.5 and 1 mg/kg; at 2 mg/kg the effect of idazoxan and yohimbine disappeared, while with CH-38083 an additional increase was obtained. In yohimbine treated animals the enhancement of aggression was reduced already at 1 mg/kg. In experiment 3, indomethacin, a potent inhibitor of the catecholamine-induced ACTH release completely abolished the effects of the alpha 2 adrenoceptor antagonist CH-38083: the intensity of agonistic interactions, as well as ACTH and corticosterone plasma concentrations, returned to control levels. The possible role of catecholamines and the stress hormones in the activation of aggression is discussed.

Training-induced increase in nitric oxide metabolites in chronic heart failure and coronary artery disease: an extra benefit of water-based exercises?

PubMed

Laurent, Mourot; Daline, Teffaha; Malika, Bouhaddi; Fawzi, Ounissi; Philippe, Vernochet; Benoit, Dugue; Catherine, Monpère; Jacques, Regnard

2009-04-01

Rehabilitation programs involving immersed exercises are more and more frequently used, with severe cardiac patients as well. This study investigated whether a rehabilitation program including water-based exercises has additional effects on the cardiovascular system compared with a traditional land-based training in heart disease patients. Twenty-four male stable chronic heart failure patients and 24 male coronary artery disease patients with preserved left ventricular function participated in the study. Patients took part in the rehabilitation program performing cycle endurance exercises on land. They also performed gymnastic exercises either on land (first half of the participants) or in water (second half). Resting plasma concentration of nitric oxide metabolites (nitrate and nitrite) and catecholamine were evaluated, and a symptom-limited exercise test on a cycle ergometer was performed before and after the rehabilitation program. In the groups performing water-based exercises, the plasma concentration of nitrates was significantly increased (P = 0.035 for chronic heart failure and P = 0.042 for coronary artery disease), whereas it did not significantly change in the groups performing gymnastic exercise on land. No changes in plasma catecholamine concentration occurred. In every group, the cardiorespiratory capacity of patients was significantly increased after rehabilitation. The water-based exercises seemed to effectively increase the basal level of plasma nitrates. Such changes may be related to an enhancement of endothelial function and may be of importance for the health of the patients.

Reserpine-induced Reduction in Norepinephrine Transporter Function Requires Catecholamine Storage Vesicles

PubMed Central

Mandela, Prashant; Chandley, Michelle; Xu, Yao-Yu; Zhu, Meng-Yang; Ordway, Gregory A.

2010-01-01

Treatment of rats with reserpine, an inhibitor of the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT), depletes norepinephrine (NE) and regulates NE transporter (NET) expression. The present study examined the molecular mechanisms involved in regulation of the NET by reserpine using cultured cells. Exposure of rat PC12 cells to reserpine for a period as short as 5 min decreased [3H]NE uptake capacity, an effect characterized by a robust decrease in the Vmax of the transport of [3H]NE. As expected, reserpine did not displace the binding of [3H]nisoxetine from the NET in membrane homogenates. The potency of reserpine for reducing [3H]NE uptake was dramatically lower in SK-N-SH cells that have reduced storage capacity for catecholamines. Reserpine had no effect on [3H]NE uptake in HEK-293 cells transfected with the rat NET (293-hNET), cells that lack catecholamine storage vesicles. NET regulation by reserpine was independent of trafficking of the NET from the cell surface. Pre-exposure of cells to inhibitors of several intracellular signaling cascades known to regulate the NET, including Ca2+/Ca2+-calmodulin dependent kinase and protein kinases A, C and G, did not affect the ability of reserpine to reduce [3H]NE uptake. Treatment of PC12 cells with the catecholamine depleting agent, α-methyl-p-tyrosine, increased [3H]NE uptake and eliminated the inhibitory effects of reserpine on [3H]NE uptake. Reserpine non-competitively inhibits NET activity through a Ca2+-independent process that requires catecholamine storage vesicles, revealing a novel pharmacological method to modify NET function. Further characterization of the molecular nature of reserpine's action could lead to the development of alternative therapeutic strategies for treating disorders known to be benefitted by treatment with traditional competitive NET inhibitors. PMID:20176067

The action of volatile anaesthetics on stimulus-secretion coupling in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells.

PubMed Central

Pocock, G.; Richards, C. D.

1988-01-01

1. The action of four volatile anaesthetics, ethrane, halothane, isoflurane and methoxyflurane on stimulus-secretion coupling has been studied in isolated bovine adrenal medullary cells. All four agents inhibited the secretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline evoked by 500 microM carbachol at concentrations within the anaesthetic range. Total catecholamine secretion induced by stimulation with 77 mM potassium was also inhibited but at higher concentrations. All four agents inhibited the 45Ca influx evoked by stimulation with 500 microM carbachol and the 45Ca influx in response to K+-depolarization. 2. When total catecholamine secretion in response to potassium or carbachol was modulated by varying extracellular calcium or by adding halothane or methoxyflurane to the incubation medium, the amount of catecholamine secretion for a given Ca2+ entry was the same. 3. The action of methoxyflurane on the relationship between intracellular free Ca and exocytosis was examined using electropermeabilised cells, which were suspended in solutions containing a range of concentrations of ionised calcium between 10(-8) and 10(-4)M. The anaesthetic had no effect on the activation of exocytosis by intracellular free calcium. 4. Halothane and methoxyflurane inhibited the carbachol-induced secretion of catecholamines in a non-competitive manner. 5. Halothane and methoxyflurane inhibited the increase in 22Na influx evoked by carbachol. For halothane and methoxyflurane this inhibition of Na influx appears to be sufficient to account for the inhibition of the evoked catecholamine secretion. 6. We conclude that the volatile anaesthetics ethrane, halothane, isoflurane and methoxyflurane inhibit the secretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline induced by carbachol at concentrations that lie within the range encountered during general anaesthesia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) PMID:2464384

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Moroz, B.B.; Grozdov, S.P.; Petrovnina, E.N.

A considerable amopunt of catecholamine oxidation products, and in some cases adrenaline, were found in the blood of rabbits exposed to 800 r of x radiation. A high concentration of adrenaline was observed in the left ventricle during the first hours after exposure and during the acute period. Intravenous injection of 0.2 mg of adrenaline resulted in a strong increase in oxidation products. Injections of ephedrine did not eliminate adrenaline oxidation in irradiated rabbits, wile additions of ascorbic acid restored the oxidation products. The experiments confirmed that catecholamine oxidation follows a chinoidal type oxidation and that the oxidation products aremore » of reverse oxidation« less

Refeeding-Induced Brown Adipose Tissue Glycogen Hyper-Accumulation in Mice Is Mediated by Insulin and Catecholamines

PubMed Central

Carmean, Christopher M.; Bobe, Alexandria M.; Yu, Justin C.; Volden, Paul A.; Brady, Matthew J.

2013-01-01

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) generates heat during adaptive thermogenesis through a combination of oxidative metabolism and uncoupling protein 1-mediated electron transport chain uncoupling, using both free-fatty acids and glucose as substrate. Previous rat-based work in 1942 showed that prolonged partial fasting followed by refeeding led to a dramatic, transient increase in glycogen stores in multiple fat depots. In the present study, the protocol was replicated in male CD1 mice, resulting in a 2000-fold increase in interscapular BAT (IBAT) glycogen levels within 4–12 hours (hr) of refeeding, with IBAT glycogen stores reaching levels comparable to fed liver glycogen. Lesser effects occurred in white adipose tissues (WAT). Over the next 36 hr, glycogen levels dissipated and histological analysis revealed an over-accumulation of lipid droplets, suggesting a potential metabolic connection between glycogenolysis and lipid synthesis. 24 hr of total starvation followed by refeeding induced a robust and consistent glycogen over-accumulation similar in magnitude and time course to the prolonged partial fast. Experimentation demonstrated that hyperglycemia was not sufficient to drive glycogen accumulation in IBAT, but that elevated circulating insulin was sufficient. Additionally, pharmacological inhibition of catecholamine production reduced refeeding-induced IBAT glycogen storage, providing evidence of a contribution from the central nervous system. These findings highlight IBAT as a tissue that integrates both canonically-anabolic and catabolic stimulation for the promotion of glycogen storage during recovery from caloric deficit. The preservation of this robust response through many generations of animals not subjected to food deprivation suggests that the over-accumulation phenomenon plays a critical role in IBAT physiology. PMID:23861810

The modulatory effects of noradrenaline on vagal control of heart rate in the dogfish, Squalus acanthias.

PubMed

Agnisola, Claudio; Randall, David J; Taylor, Edwin W

2003-01-01

The possible interactions between inhibitory vagal control of the heart and circulating levels of catecholamines in dogfish (Squalus acanthias) were studied using an in situ preparation of the heart, which retained intact its innervation from centrally cut vagus nerves. The response to peripheral vagal stimulation typically consisted of an initial cardiac arrest, followed by an escape beat, leading to renewed beating at a mean heart rate lower than the prestimulation rate (partial recovery). Cessation of vagal stimulation led to a transient increase in heart rate, above the prestimulation rate. This whole response was completely abolished by 10(-4) M atropine (a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist). The degree of vagal inhibition was evaluated in terms of both the initial, maximal cardiac interval and the mean heart rate during partial recovery, both expressed as a percentage of the prestimulation heart rate. The mean prestimulation heart rate of this preparation (36+/-4 beats min(-1)) was not affected by noradrenaline but was significantly reduced by 10(-4) M nadolol (a beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist), suggesting the existence of a resting adrenergic tone arising from endogenous catecholamines. The degree of vagal inhibition of heart rate varied with the rate of stimulation and was increased by the presence of 10(-8) M noradrenaline (the normal in vivo level in routinely active fish), while 10(-7) M noradrenaline (the in vivo level measured in disturbed or deeply hypoxic fish) reduced the cardiac response to vagal stimulation. In the presence of 10(-7) M noradrenaline, 10(-4) M nadolol further reduced the vagal response, while 10(-4) M nadolol + 10(-4) M phentolamine had no effect, indicating a complex interaction between adrenoreceptors, possibly involving presynaptic modulation of vagal inhibition.

Influence of photoperiods on glycemic and adrenal catecholaminergic responses to melatonin administrations in adult male roseringed parakeets, Psittacula krameri Neumann.

PubMed

Maitra, S K; Dey, M; Dey, R; Bhattacharya, S; Sengupta, A

2000-11-01

Effects of daily (one hour prior to onset of darkness) injection of melatonin (25 micrograms/100 g body wt. for 30 days) on concentrations of blood glucose and adrenal catecholamines were studied in adult male roseringed parakeets, P. krameri under both natural (NP; about 12L:12D) and artificial long (LP; 16L:8D; lights were available in between 0600 and 2200 hrs) or short (SP; 8L:16D; lights were available between 0600 and 1400 hrs) photoperiodic conditions. The results indicate that neither LP, nor SP as such exerts any significant effect on blood glucose titre of control (vehicle of hormone administered) birds. Treatment with melatonin, however, induced hyperglycemia in both NP and LP bird groups, but hypoglycemia in SP birds. Unlike glycemic levels, amount of epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) in adrenals of control birds exhibited significant changes under altered photoperiods. A decrease in E and an increase in NE were noted in adrenals of both LP and SP birds. Exogenous melatonin in NP birds also caused a decrease in E and concomittant rise in NE levels. On the other hand, treatment of melatonin in both LP and SP bird groups resulted in an increase in the quantity of both E and NE compared to respective values in adrenals of melatonin injected NP birds. However, relative to the amount of E and NE in adrenals of placebo treated LP and SP birds, significant effect of melatonin treatment was observed only in SP birds. The results suggest that influences of exogenous melatonin on the levels of both blood glucose and adrenal catecholamines are largely modulated by short rather than long photoperiods.

ROLE OF NEUROTRANSMITTERS AND PROTEIN SYNTHESIS IN SHORT- AND LONG-TERM MEMORY

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bennett, E.L.; Rosenzweig, M.R.; Flood, J.F.

1978-10-01

Anisomycin is an effective inhibitor of cerebral protein synthesis in mice and is also an effective amnestic agent for both passive and active behavioral tasks. From use of anisomycin in combination with a variety of stimulant and depressant drugs, we conclude that the level of arousal following acquisition plays an important role in determining the duration and the rate of the biosynthetic phase of memory formation. While we have interpreted the experiments with anisomycin as evidence for an essential role of protein in memory storage, others have suggested that side effects of inhibitors of protein synthesis on catecholamine metabolism aremore » the main cause of amnesia. Several experiments were therefore done to compare the effects of anisemycin and catecholamine inhibitors on memory. We conclude that anisomycin's principal amnestic mechanism does not involve inhibition of the catecholamine system. The results strengthen our conclusion that protein synthesis is an essential component for longterm memory trace formation. Also, it is suggested that proteins synthesized in the neuronal cell body are used, in conjunction with other molecules, to produce permanent and semi-permanent anatomical changes.« less

Cardiovascular manifestations of phaeochromocytoma.

PubMed

Prejbisz, Aleksander; Lenders, Jacques W M; Eisenhofer, Graeme; Januszewicz, Andrzej

2011-11-01

Clinical expression of phaeochromocytoma may involve numerous cardiovascular manifestations, but usually presents as sustained or paroxysmal hypertension associated with other signs and symptoms of catecholamine excess. Most of the life-threatening cardiovascular manifestations of phaeochromocytoma, such as hypertensive emergencies, result from a rapid and massive release of catecholamines from the tumour. More rarely, patients with phaeochromocytoma present with low blood pressure or even shock that may then precede multisystem crisis. Sinus tachycardia, with palpitations as the presenting symptom, is the most prevalent abnormality of cardiac rhythm in phaeochromocytoma, but tumours can also be associated with more serious ventricular arrhythmias or conduction disturbances. Reversible dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are well established cardiac manifestations of phaeochromocytoma, with more recent attention to an increasing number of cases with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. This review provides an update on the cause, clinical presentation and treatment of the cardiovascular manifestations of phaeochromocytoma. As the cardiovascular complications of phaeochromocytoma can be life-threatening, all patients who present with manifestations that even remotely suggest excessive catecholamine secretion should be screened for the disease.

Cardiovascular effects of simulated zero-gravity in humans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonde-Petersen, F.; Suzuki, Y.; Sadámoto, T.; Juel Christensen, N.

Head-down and heat-up tilted bedrest (5 degrees) and head out water immersion (HOWI) for 6 hr were compared. Parameters: Cardiac output (rebreathing method), blood pressure (arm cuff), forearm blood flow (venous occlusion plethysmography), total peripheral (TPR), and forearm vascular (FVR) resistances, Hct, Hb, relativē plasma volume (PV) changes, and plasma catecholamines (single-isotope assay). During HOWI there was as expected a decrement in TPR, FVR, Mean arterial pressure (MAP, from 100 to 80 mmHg), Hct, and PV, and—as a new finding—catecholamines, which were 30-50% lower compared with both + 5 and - 5 degrees bedrest. During head down tilt, MAP was elevated (to 100-110 mmHg) and catecholamines did not fall, while TPR and FVR slowly decreased over 6 hr. HOWI is a stronger stimulus than - 5 degrees bedrest, probably because HOWI elevates central venous pressure more markedly emptying the peripheral veins, while bedrest permits a distension of veins, which induces an increase in sympathetic nervous activity.

Persistent Catechol-O-methyltransferase-dependent Pain Is Initiated by Peripheral β-Adrenergic Receptors.

PubMed

Ciszek, Brittney P; O'Buckley, Sandra C; Nackley, Andrea G

2016-05-01

Patients with chronic pain disorders exhibit increased levels of catecholamines alongside diminished activity of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), an enzyme that metabolizes catecholamines. The authors found that acute pharmacologic inhibition of COMT in rodents produces hypersensitivity to mechanical and thermal stimuli via β-adrenergic receptor (βAR) activation. The contribution of distinct βAR populations to the development of persistent pain linked to abnormalities in catecholamine signaling requires further investigation. Here, the authors sought to determine the contribution of peripheral, spinal, and supraspinal βARs to persistent COMT-dependent pain. They implanted osmotic pumps to deliver the COMT inhibitor OR486 (Tocris, USA) for 2 weeks. Behavioral responses to mechanical and thermal stimuli were evaluated before and every other day after pump implantation. The site of action was evaluated in adrenalectomized rats receiving sustained OR486 or in intact rats receiving sustained βAR antagonists peripherally, spinally, or supraspinally alongside OR486. The authors found that male (N = 6) and female (N = 6) rats receiving sustained OR486 exhibited decreased paw withdrawal thresholds (control 5.74 ± 0.24 vs. OR486 1.54 ± 0.08, mean ± SEM) and increased paw withdrawal frequency to mechanical stimuli (control 4.80 ± 0.22 vs. OR486 8.10 ± 0.13) and decreased paw withdrawal latency to thermal heat (control 9.69 ± 0.23 vs. OR486 5.91 ± 0.11). In contrast, adrenalectomized rats (N = 12) failed to develop OR486-induced hypersensitivity. Furthermore, peripheral (N = 9), but not spinal (N = 4) or supraspinal (N = 4), administration of the nonselective βAR antagonist propranolol, the β2AR antagonist ICI-118,511, or the β3AR antagonist SR59230A blocked the development of OR486-induced hypersensitivity. Peripheral adrenergic input is necessary for the development of persistent COMT-dependent pain, and peripherally-acting βAR antagonists may benefit chronic pain patients.

High Hydrostatic Pressure Extract of Ginger Exerts Antistress Effects in Immobilization-Stressed Rats.

PubMed

Moon, Sohee; Lee, Mak-Soon; Jung, Sunyoon; Kang, Bori; Kim, Seog-Young; Park, Seonyoung; Son, Hye-Yeon; Kim, Chong-Tai; Jo, Young-Hee; Kim, In-Hwan; Kim, Young Soon; Kim, Yangha

2017-09-01

Stress contributes to physiological changes such as weight loss and hormonal imbalances. The aim of the present study was to investigate antistress effects of high hydrostatic pressure extract of ginger (HPG) in immobilization-stressed rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 24) were divided into three groups as follows: control (C), immobilization stress (2 h daily, for 2 weeks) (S), and immobilization stress (2 h daily, for 2 weeks) plus oral administration of HPG (150 mg/kg body weight/day) (S+G). Immobilization stress reduced the body weight gain and thymus weight by 50.2% and 31.3%, respectively, compared to the control group. The levels of serum aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and corticosterone were significantly higher in the stress group, compared to the control group. Moreover, immobilization stress elevated the mRNA levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (Th), dopamine beta-hydroxylase (Dbh), and cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc), which are related to catecholamine and corticosterone synthesis in the adrenal gland. HPG administration also increased the body weight gain and thymus weight by 12.7% and 16.6%, respectively, compared to the stress group. Furthermore, the mRNA levels of Th, Dbh, phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase, and P450scc were elevated by the HPG treatment when compared to the stress group. These results suggest that HPG would have antistress effects partially via the reversal of stress-induced physiological changes and suppression of mRNA expression of genes related to corticosterone and catecholamine synthetic enzymes.

ADHD impacted by sulfotransferase (SULT1A) inhibition from artificial food colors and plant-based foods.

PubMed

Eagle, Ken

2014-08-01

Five recent reviews have analyzed trials on the association between artificial food colors and ADHD; the 50 underlying studies and the reviews in aggregate were inconclusive. Recent work has shown human in vivo SULT1A inhibition leading to incremental catecholamines, and an inverted-U relationship between brain catecholamines and proper functioning of the prefrontal cortex where ADHD behavior can arise. This study re-examined the same underlying trials for evidence that SULT1A inhibitors were in the placebos and other inactive foods, that these "inactive" materials were symptomatic, and that ADHD symptoms exhibited an inverted-U response to SULT1A inhibition. Nearly all the underlying diets, and many placebos and delivery vehicles, were found to contain SULT1A inhibitors. Eight publications provided evidence of ADHD symptoms caused by the "inactive" materials containing SULT1A inhibitors. Ten studies showed additional SULT1A inhibitors reducing the symptoms of some subjects. SULT1A inhibitors in foods, including natural substances and artificial food colors, have a role in ADHD that can both worsen or improve symptoms. Mechanistically, SULT1A enzymes normally deactivate catecholamines, especially dopamine formed in the intestines; SULT1A inhibition can influence brain catecholamines through the intermediary of plasma tyrosine levels, which are influenced by dopamine inhibition of intestinal tyrosine hydroxylase. Biochemical measurements focused on SULT1A activity and plasma tyrosine concentrations are proposed for future work. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ikarisoside A inhibits acetylcholine-induced catecholamine secretion and synthesis by suppressing nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-ion channels in cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells.

PubMed

Li, Xiaojia; Toyohira, Yumiko; Horisita, Takafumi; Satoh, Noriaki; Takahashi, Keita; Zhang, Han; Iinuma, Munekazu; Yoshinaga, Yukari; Ueno, Susumu; Tsutsui, Masato; Sata, Takeyoshi; Yanagihara, Nobuyuki

2015-12-01

Ikarisoside A is a natural flavonol glycoside derived from plants of the genus Epimedium, which have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as tonics, antirheumatics, and aphrodisiacs. Here, we report the effects of ikarisoside A and three other flavonol glycosides on catecholamine secretion and synthesis in cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells. We found that ikarisoside A (1-100 μM), but not icariin, epimedin C, or epimedoside A, concentration-dependently inhibited the secretion of catecholamines induced by acetylcholine, a physiological secretagogue and agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Ikarisoside A had little effect on catecholamine secretion induced by veratridine and 56 mM K(+). Ikarisoside A (1-100 μM) also inhibited (22)Na(+) influx and (45)Ca(2+) influx induced by acetylcholine in a concentration-dependent manner similar to that of catecholamine secretion. In Xenopus oocytes expressing α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, ikarisoside A (0.1-100 μM) directly inhibited the current evoked by acetylcholine. It also suppressed (14)C-catecholamine synthesis and tyrosine hydroxylase activity induced by acetylcholine at 1-100 μM and 10-100 μM, respectively. The present findings suggest that ikarisoside A inhibits acetylcholine-induced catecholamine secretion and synthesis by suppression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-ion channels in bovine adrenal medullary cells.

Stress hyperglycaemia as a result of a catecholamine producing tumour in an infant.

PubMed

de Grauw, Anne Mariëtte; Mul, Dick; van Noesel, Max M; Buddingh, Emilie P

2015-09-04

Hyperglycaemia commonly occurs in children presenting at the emergency department. In the absence of diabetic symptoms, this stress-related hyperglycaemia is considered a benign condition. We present a malignant cause of hyperglycaemia in an 11-month-old girl with concomitant symptoms of a neuroendocrine malignancy. One month earlier, she had undergone an episode of stress-related hyperglycaemia concurrent with fever during an upper respiratory tract infection. Current glucose level was 234 mg/dL (13 mmol/L) and the glycosylated haemoglobin level was 44 mmol/mol (6.2%) without metabolic acidosis. We observed periods of hyperglycaemia, sweating, flushing, hypertension and tachypnoea. Urinalysis showed high amounts of catecholamine intermediates. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a mass originating in the right adrenal gland. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of neuroblastoma. Hyperglycaemia in this patient was the first presenting symptom of a metabolically active neuroblastoma. 2015 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

Sympathetic activity and early mobilization in patients in intensive and intermediate care with severe brain injuries: a preliminary prospective randomized study.

PubMed

Rocca, A; Pignat, J-M; Berney, L; Jöhr, J; Van de Ville, D; Daniel, R T; Levivier, M; Hirt, L; Luft, A R; Grouzmann, E; Diserens, K

2016-09-13

Patients who experience severe brain injuries are at risk of secondary brain damage, because of delayed vasospasm and edema. Traditionally, many of these patients are kept on prolonged bed rest in order to maintain adequate cerebral blood flow, especially in the case of subarachnoid hemorrhage. On the other hand, prolonged bed rest carries important morbidity. There may be a clinical benefit in early mobilization and our hypothesis is that early gradual mobilization is safe in these patients. The aim of this study was to observe and quantify the changes in sympathetic activity, mainly related to stress, and blood pressure in gradual postural changes by the verticalization robot (Erigo®) and after training by a lower body ergometer (MOTOmed-letto®), after prolonged bed rest of minimum 7 days. Thirty patients with severe neurological injuries were randomized into 3 groups with different protocols of mobilization: Standard, MOTOmed-letto® or Erigo® protocol. We measured plasma catecholamines, metanephrines and blood pressure before, during and after mobilization. Blood pressure does not show any significant difference between the 3 groups. The analysis of the catecholamines suggests a significant increase in catecholamine production during Standard mobilization with physiotherapists and with MOTOmed-letto® and no changes with Erigo®. This preliminary prospective randomized study shows that the mobilization of patients with severe brain injuries by means of Erigo® does not increase the production of catecholamines. It means that Erigo® is a well-tolerated method of mobilization and can be considered a safe system of early mobilization of these patients. Further studies are required to validate our conclusions. The study was registered in the ISRCTN registry with the trial registration number ISRCTN56402432 . Date of registration: 08.03.2016. Retrospectively registered.

Oral administration of quercetin is unable to protect against isoproterenol cardiotoxicity.

PubMed

Ríha, Michal; Vopršalová, Marie; Pilařová, Veronika; Semecký, Vladimír; Holečková, Magdalena; Vávrová, Jaroslava; Palicka, Vladimir; Filipský, Tomáš; Hrdina, Radomír; Nováková, Lucie; Mladěnka, Přemysl

2014-09-01

Catecholamines are endogenous amines that participate in the maintenance of cardiovascular system homeostasis. However, excessive release or exogenous administration of catecholamines is cardiotoxic. The synthetic catecholamine, isoprenaline (isoproterenol, ISO), with non-selective β-agonistic activity has been used as a viable model of acute myocardial toxicity for many years. Since the pathophysiology of ISO-cardiotoxicity is complex, the aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of oral quercetin pretreatment on myocardial ISO toxicity. Wistar-Han rats were randomly divided into four groups: solvent or quercetin administered orally by gavage in a dose of 10 mg kg(-1) daily for 7 days were followed by s.c. water for injection or ISO in a dose of 100 mg kg(-1). Haemodynamic, ECG and biochemical parameters were measured; effects on blood vessels and myocardial histology were assessed, and accompanying pharmacokinetic analysis was performed. Quercetin was unable to protect the cardiovascular system against acute ISO cardiotoxicity (stroke volume decrease, cardiac troponin T release, QRS-T junction elevation and histological impairment). The sole positive effect of quercetin on catecholamine-induced cardiotoxicity was the normalization of increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure caused by ISO. Quercetin did not reverse the increased responsiveness of rat aorta to vasoconstriction in ISO-treated animals, but it decreased the same parameter in the control animals. Accompanying pharmacokinetic analysis showed absorption of quercetin and its metabolite 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid formed by bacterial microflora. In conclusion, a daily oral dose of 10 mg kg(-1) of quercetin for 7 days did not ameliorate acute ISO-cardiovascular toxicity in rats despite minor positive cardiovascular effects.

Catecholamines - urine

MedlinePlus

Dopamine - urine test; Epinephrine - urine test; Adrenalin - urine test; Urine metanephrine; Normetanephrine; Norepinephrine - urine test; Urine catecholamines; VMA; HVA; Metanephrine; Homovanillic ...

Provocative tests of parathyroid and C cell function in adrenalectomized and chemically sympathectomized rats.

PubMed

Heath, H

1980-10-01

Recent in vitro and in vivo evidence shows that secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin (CT) is stimulated by beta-adrenergic agonists and inhibited by beta-adrenergic antagonists. To assess the possible roles of adrenal medullary or adrenergic nerve terminal catecholamines in calcium homeostasis, we have examined serum calcium (Ca), immunoreactive PTH (iPTH), and immunoreactive CT (iCT) in control, adrenalectomized (ADRX), and chemically sympathectomized [6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)] rats. Animals were studied in the fed and fasted states, after ip injection of CA and after ip injection of EDTA. In comparison with fasted rats, fed control rats tended to have increased serum Ca and iCT, but decreased or unchanged iPTH. Neither adrenalectomy nor 6-OHDA treatment notably altered this pattern. Serum iCT concentrations rose markedly after ip Ca, and peak iCT responses remained normal in ADRX and 6-OHDA-treated rats. Similarly, rises of iPTH levels after EDTA-induced hypocalcemia were normal in ADRX and 6-OHDA-treated rats. The only possible abnormality concerned basal serum iCT levels after 6-OHDA treatment, which were lower than control in five of six experiments, albeit not always significantly. We conclude that deprivation of either adrenal medullary or adrenergic nerve terminal catecholamines does not interfere with plasma Ca regulation or the homeostatic responses of PTH and CT in the rat.

Increased release of norepinephrine and dopamine from canine kidney during bilateral carotid occlusion

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bradley, T.; Hjemdahl, P.; DiBona, G.F.

1987-02-01

The renal overflow of norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) to plasma from the innervated kidney was studied at rest and during sympathetic nervous system activation by bilateral carotid artery occlusion (BCO) in vagotomized dogs under barbiturate or barbiturate/nitrous oxide anesthesia. BCO elevated arterial pressure and the arterial plasma concentration of NE, DA, and epinephrine (Epi). Renal vascular resistance (renal arterial pressure kept constant) increased by 15 +/- 7% and the net renal venous outflows (renal veno-arterial concentration difference x renal plasma flow) of NE and DA were enhanced. To obtain more correct estimates of the renal contribution to the renalmore » venous catecholamine outflow, they corrected for the renal extraction of arterial catecholamines, assessed as the extractions of (/sup 3/H)NE, (/sup 3/H)DA, or endogenous Epi. The (/sup 3/H)NE corrected renal NE overflow to plasma increased from 144 +/- 40 to 243 +/- 64 pmol-min/sup -1/ during BCO, which, when compared with a previous study of the (/sup 3/H)NE corrected renal NE overflow to plasma evoked by electrical renal nerve stimulation, corresponds to a 40% increase in nerve impulse frequency from approx. 0.6 Hz. If the renal catecholamine extraction was not taken into account the effect of BCO was underestimated. The renal DA overflow to plasma was about one-fifth of the NE overflow both at rest and during BCO, indicating that there was no preferential activation of noradrenergic or putative dopaminergic nerves by BCO.« less

Physical exercise introduced after weaning enhances pancreatic islet responsiveness to glucose and potentiating agents in adult MSG-obese rats.

PubMed

Ribeiro, R A; Bonfleur, M L; Vanzela, E C; Zotti, A I; Scomparin, D X; Boschero, A C; Balbo, S L

2014-08-01

Physical exercise represents an alternative way to prevent and/or ameliorate chronic metabolic diseases. Disruption of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity contributes to adiposity in obese subjects. Here, we verified the preventive effect of swimming training upon adiposity, adrenal catecholamine storage, and pancreatic islet function in obese monosodium glutamate (MSG)-treated rats. Male neonatal Wistar rats received MSG (4 mg/g body weight) during the first 5 days of life and, at weaning, half of the rats were submitted to swimming training, 30 min/day, 3 days a week, until 90 days of age (exercised rats: MSGex). Half of the rats were used as controls (sedentary group, MSGsd). Exercise training (ET) decreased insulinemia and fat deposition in MSGex, and increased adrenal catecholamine content, compared with MSGsd rats. Insulinemia during the ivGTT was lower in MSGex rats, despite a lack of difference in glycemia. Swimming training enhanced insulin release in islets challenged by 2.8-8.3 mmol/l glucose, whereas, at supraphysiological glucose concentrations (11.1-16.7 mmol/l), MSGex islets secreted less insulin than MSGsd. No differences in insulin secretion were observed following l-arginine (Arg) or K(+) stimuli. In contrast, islets from MSGex rats secreted more insulin when exposed to carbachol (100 μmol/l), forskolin (10 μmol/l), or IBMX (1 mmol/l) at 8.3 mmol/l glucose. Additionally, MSGex islets presented a better epinephrine inhibition upon insulin release. These results demonstrate that ET prevented the onset of obesity in MSG rats, probably by enhancing adrenal catecholamine levels. ET ameliorates islet responsiveness to several compounds, as well as insulin peripheral action. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Potential Involvement of P2 Receptors in the Pathological Processes of Hyperthyroidism: A Pilot Study.

PubMed

Hong, Wu; Li, Guodong; Nie, Yijun; Zou, Lifang; Zhang, Xi; Liu, Shuangmei; Li, Guilin; Xu, Hong; Zhang, Chun-Ping; Liang, Shangdong

2016-05-01

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism manifest mainly as changes in the nervous and metabolic systems. Whether P2X receptors (ionotropic ATP purinergic receptors, including P2X3 receptor and P2X7 receptor) are involved in the alterations of these disorders still remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to assess the association of hyperthyroidism with the expression of P2X3 and P2X7 receptors and the concentrations of ATP in blood leukocytes and catecholamine. Twelve healthy subjects and twelve patients diagnosed with hyperthyroidism were recruited. Serum free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels had been detected by chemiluminescence method. Meanwhile, the catecholamine levels (including adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine) in plasma, ATP level and P2X receptors (including P2X3 receptor and P2X7 receptor) in peripheral blood had been detected by high performance liquid chromatography, bioluminescence method, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine were significantly higher in the hyperthyroidism group compared with the control group. The concentration of ATP in the hyperthyroidism group was significantly higher than its in the control group. The expression of P2X3 mRNA and P2X7 mRNA in hyperthyroidism group were significantly increased compared with those in control group. In a conclusion, there is a relationship between the elevated expression of P2X3 receptor and P2X7 receptor in peripheral blood leukocytes and high serum epinephrine and norepinephrine levels in hyperthyroidism patients. © 2016 by the Association of Clinical Scientists, Inc.

Oxytocin in corticosterone-induced chronic stress model: Focus on adrenal gland function.

PubMed

Stanić, Dušanka; Plećaš-Solarović, Bosiljka; Mirković, Duško; Jovanović, Predrag; Dronjak, Slađana; Marković, Bojan; Đorđević, Tea; Ignjatović, Svetlana; Pešić, Vesna

2017-06-01

Chronic stress conditions can lead to considerable and extensible changes in physiological and psychological performances, and in emergence of risk for various somatic diseases. On the other hand, the neuropeptide oxytocin is reported to increase the resistance of the organism to stress and modulate activity of autonomic nervous system. Chronic corticosterone administration is used as a rat model for a state observed in terms of chronic stress exposure, when negative feedback mechanism of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activity is disrupted. In our study, we aimed to investigate whether chronic administration of oxytocin (10 IU/400μL/day for 14days, s.c.) influenced adrenal gland morphology and activity in adult male Wistar rats during long-term corticosterone administration via drinking water (100mg/L for 21days). We examined the influence of treatments on the levels of adrenal gland hormones, corticosterone, adrenaline and noradrenaline, as well as their response to an acute stress challenge evoked by 15-min forced swimming. In addition, the expression of two main monoamine transporters, the noradrenaline transporter (NAT) and vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) in adrenal medulla was measured in the rats exposed to acute stress. Our results showed that oxytocin treatment prevented corticosterone-induced decrease in body weight gain, attenuated adrenal gland atrophy by increasing glandular weight, and the area of the zona fasciculate and reticularis. Chronic corticosterone intake blunted the response of all measured hormones to acute stress, whereas concomitant oxytocin treatment reversed adrenaline and noradrenaline response to acute stress. Furthermore, in adrenal medulla, oxytocin produced significant vasodilatation and stimulated expression of both catecholamine transporters detected both on mRNA and protein level. Our data suggest that oxytocin, by reducing atrophy of adrenal gland, and by increasing catecholamine storage capacity, may be beneficial in conditions accompanied with high glucocorticoid levels, such as chronic stress exposure. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of adrenergic stimulation on ventilation in man

PubMed Central

Heistad, Donald D.; Wheeler, Robert C.; Mark, Allyn L.; Schmid, Phillip G.; Abboud, Francois M.

1972-01-01

The mechanism by which catecholamines affect ventilation in man is not known. Ventilatory responses to catecholamines were observed in normal subjects before and after adrenergic receptor blockade. Intravenous infusions of norepinephrine and isoproterenol caused significant increases in minute volume and decreases in end-tidal PCo2 which were blocked by the administration of propranolol, a beta adrenergic receptor blocker. The hyperventilatory response to hypoxia was not altered by propranolol. Intravenous infusion of phenylephrine caused a small but significant decrease in minute volume which was antagonized by phentolamine, an alpha adrenergic receptor blocker. Angiotensin, a nonadrenergic pressor agent, also decreased minute volume significantly. 100% oxygen was administered to suppress arterial chemoreceptors. Increases in minute volume and decreases in arterial PCo2 in response to norepinephrine and isoproterenol were blocked by breathing 100% oxygen. The decrease in minute volume during phenylephrine was not altered by 100% oxygen. The results indicate that: (a) beta adrenergic receptors mediate the hyperventilatory response to norepinephrine and isoproterenol but not to hypoxia. (b) the pressor agents phenylephrine and angiotensin decrease ventilation, and (c) suppression of chemoreceptors blocks the ventilatory response to norepinephrine and isoproterenol but not to phenylephrine. Implications concerning the interaction of adrenergic receptors and chemoreceptors with respect to the hyperventilatory response to catecholamines are discussed. PMID:4336940

N-(4-Trifluoromethylphenyl)amide group of the synthetic histamine receptor agonist inhibits nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated catecholamine secretion.

PubMed

Kim, Dong-Chan; Park, Yong-Soo; Jun, Dong-Jae; Hur, Eun-Mi; Kim, Sun-Hee; Choi, Bo-Hwa; Kim, Kyong-Tai

2006-02-28

The therapeutic targeting of nicotinic receptors requires the identification of drugs that selectively activate or inhibit a limited range of nicotine acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). In this study, we identified N-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)amide group of the synthetic histamine receptor ligands, histamine-trifluoromethyltoluide, that act as potent inhibitors of nAChRs in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. Catecholamine secretion induced by the nAChRs agonist, 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium iodide (DMPP), was significantly inhibited by histamine-trifluoromethyltoluide. Real time carbon-fiber amperometry confirmed the ability of histamine-trifluoromethyltoluide to inhibit DMPP-induced exocytosis in single chromaffin cells. We also found that histamine-trifluoromethyltoluide inhibited DMPP-induced [Ca(2+)](i) and [Na(+)](i) increases, as well as DMPP-induced inward currents in the absence of extracellular calcium. Histamine-trifluoromethyltoluide had no effect on [(3)H]nicotine binding or on calcium increases induced by high K(+), bradykinin, veratridine, histamine, and benzoylbenzoyl ATP. Among the synthetic histamine receptor ligands, clobenpropit exhibited similarity. In addition, 4'-nitroacetanilide also significantly attenuated nAChR-mediated catecholamine secretion. In conclusion, the N-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)amide group of the histamine-trifluoromethyltoluide might be the critical moiety in the inhibition of nAChR-mediated CA secretion.

Influence of neonatal and adult hyperthyroidism on behavior and biosynthetic capacity for norepinephrine, dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine in rat brain.

PubMed

Rastogi, R B; Singhal, R L

1976-09-01

In neonatal rats, administration of l-triiodothyronine (10 mug/100 g/day) for 30 days presented signs of hyperthyroidism which included accelerated development of a variety of physical and behavioral characteristics accompanying maturation. The spontaneous motor activity was increased by 69%. Exposure of developing rats to thyroid hormone significantly increased the endogenous concentration of striatal tyrosine and the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase as well as the levels of dopamine in several brain regions. The concentration of striatal homovanillic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, the chief metabolites of dopamine, was also increased and the magnitude of change was greater than the rise in dopamine. Despite increases in the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase and the availability of the substrate tyrosine, the steady-state levels of norepinephrine remained unaltered in various regions of brain except in cerebellum. Futhermore, neonatal hyperthyroidism significantly increased the levels of midbrain tryptophan and tryptophan hydroxylase activity but produced no change in 5-hydroxytryptamine levels of several discrete brain regions, except hypothalamus and cerebellum where its concentration was slightly decreased. However, the 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels were enhanced in hypothalamus, ponsmedulla, midbrain, striatum and hippocampus. The elevated levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid did not seem to be due to increased intraneuronal deamination of 5-hydroxytryptamine since monoamine oxidase activity was not affected in cerebral cortex and midbrain of hyperthyroid rats. The data demonstrate that hyperthyroidism significantly increased the synthesis as well as the utilization of catecholamines and 5-hydroxytryptamine in maturing brain. Since the mature brain is known to respond differently to thyroid hormone action than does the developing brain, the effect of L-triiodothyronine treatment on various putative neurohumors also was examined in adult rats. Whereas administration of l-triiodothyronine (10 mug/100 g/day) for 30 days to 120-day-old rats increased the levels of tyrosine by 23% and of tryptophan by 43%, no appreciable change was noted in tryptophan hydroxylase activity. In contrast to neonatal hyperthyroidism, excess of thyroid hormone in adult rats failed to produce any change in motor activity and tended to decrease striatal tyrosine hydroxylase activity only slightly. The concentration of dopamine remained unchanged in all regions of the brain except in midbrain where it rose by 19%. Whereas norepinephrine concentration was altered in hypothalamus, pons-medulla and midbrain, the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine and its metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, were significantly decreased in striatum and cerebellum. Since dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurons are the critical components of the motor system, the possibility exists that elevated behavioral activity in young L-triiodothyronine-treated animals might be associated with increased turnover of catecholamines in neuronal tissue.

Abrupt withdrawal of beta-blocking agents in patients with arterial hypertension. Effect on blood pressure, heart rate and plasma catecholamines and prolactin.

PubMed

Lederballe Pedersen, O; Mikkelsen, E; Lanng Nielsen, J; Christensen, N J

1979-04-17

Chronic treatment with beta-blockers was interrupted abruptly in six patients with arterial hypertension. Three patients, who had experienced symptoms during a previous withdrawal, again complained of transient palpitations, tremor, sweating, headache and general malaise. A significant increase in standing blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) was noted after 24 h. The standing HR reached a maximum after 48 h and had decreased significantly on the 7th day (p less than 0.005). There was a strong tendency to greater increase in standing BP and HR in the patients who experienced symptoms than in those who did not. Plasma concentrations of noradrenaline, adrenaline and prolactin did not change significantly. Thus, beta-blocker withdrawal symptoms are reproducible and are indicative of a transient sympathetic hyperresponse. The increased activity is not likely to be caused by increased production of circulating catecholamines, but rather by increased sensitivity of the beta-receptor.

Hyperthyroidism: diagnosis and management of Graves' disease.

PubMed

Schilling, J S

1997-06-01

Hyperthyroidism, or thyrotoxicosis, results when the body's tissues are exposed to excessive levels of thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism affects 2% of women but only one-tenth as many men. Graves' disease is the most common form of hyperthyroidism, often occurring in young adults. It is an autoimmune disorder with an important genetic component. Hyperthyroidism's hallmarks include goiter and myriad signs and symptoms related to increased metabolic activity in virtually all body tissues. Increased sensitivity to circulating catecholamines adds to the clinical picture. Diagnosed by patient history, physical examination, and laboratory tests, Graves' disease is treated with antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine, and/or surgery, plus supportive therapy. A good treatment outcome can be expected; long-term follow-up is indicated.

Rapid Effects of Hearing Song on Catecholaminergic Activity in the Songbird Auditory Pathway

PubMed Central

Matragrano, Lisa L.; Beaulieu, Michaël; Phillip, Jessica O.; Rae, Ali I.; Sanford, Sara E.; Sockman, Keith W.; Maney, Donna L.

2012-01-01

Catecholaminergic (CA) neurons innervate sensory areas and affect the processing of sensory signals. For example, in birds, CA fibers innervate the auditory pathway at each level, including the midbrain, thalamus, and forebrain. We have shown previously that in female European starlings, CA activity in the auditory forebrain can be enhanced by exposure to attractive male song for one week. It is not known, however, whether hearing song can initiate that activity more rapidly. Here, we exposed estrogen-primed, female white-throated sparrows to conspecific male song and looked for evidence of rapid synthesis of catecholamines in auditory areas. In one hemisphere of the brain, we used immunohistochemistry to detect the phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a rate-limiting enzyme in the CA synthetic pathway. We found that immunoreactivity for TH phosphorylated at serine 40 increased dramatically in the auditory forebrain, but not the auditory thalamus and midbrain, after 15 min of song exposure. In the other hemisphere, we used high pressure liquid chromatography to measure catecholamines and their metabolites. We found that two dopamine metabolites, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid, increased in the auditory forebrain but not the auditory midbrain after 30 min of exposure to conspecific song. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that exposure to a behaviorally relevant auditory stimulus rapidly induces CA activity, which may play a role in auditory responses. PMID:22724011

Presence of corticotrophin-releasing factor and/or tyrosine hydroxylase in cells of a neural brain-testicular pathway that are labelled by a transganglionic tracer.

PubMed

James, P; Rivier, C; Lee, S

2008-02-01

Our laboratory has shown that male testosterone levels are not solely controlled by the release of hypothalamic gonadotrophin-releasing hormone and pituitary luteinising hormone, but are also regulated by a multisynaptic pathway connecting the brain and the testis that interferes with the testosterone response to gonadotrophins. This pathway, which is independent of the pituitary gland, is activated by an i.c.v. injection of either the stress-related peptide corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) or of beta-adrenoceptor agonists, both of which alter androgen release and decrease levels of the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor and the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein within Leydig cells. Our original studies used the retrograde transganglionic tracer pseudorabies virus (PRV) to map progression of the virus from the testes to upper brain levels. The present study aimed to extend this work by identifying the regions where CRF and catecholamine neurones represented components of the stress-activated, brain-testicular pathway that prevents testosterone increases. To this end, anaesthetised adult male rats received an intra-testicular injection of PRV. Using immunofluorescence, we identified co-labelling of PRV and either CRF or tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the enzyme responsible for biogenic amine synthesis. Co-labelling of PRV and CRF was found in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) and the central amygdala. Co-labelling of PRV and TH was found in the PVN, substantia nigra, A7/Kölliker-Fuse area, area of A5, locus coeruleus, nucleus of solitary tract, area of C3, area of C2 and the area of C1/A1. These results indicate that most cell groups of the ventral noradrenergic pathway have neurones that are a part of the brain-testicular pathway. This suggests that the stress hormones CRF and catecholamines may act as neurotransmitters that signal the pathway to inhibit increases in plasma testosterone levels.

Computational Psychiatry of ADHD: Neural Gain Impairments across Marrian Levels of Analysis

PubMed Central

Hauser, Tobias U.; Fiore, Vincenzo G.; Moutoussis, Michael; Dolan, Raymond J.

2016-01-01

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), one of the most common psychiatric disorders, is characterised by unstable response patterns across multiple cognitive domains. However, the neural mechanisms that explain these characteristic features remain unclear. Using a computational multilevel approach, we propose that ADHD is caused by impaired gain modulation in systems that generate this phenotypic increased behavioural variability. Using Marr's three levels of analysis as a heuristic framework, we focus on this variable behaviour, detail how it can be explained algorithmically, and how it might be implemented at a neural level through catecholamine influences on corticostriatal loops. This computational, multilevel, approach to ADHD provides a framework for bridging gaps between descriptions of neuronal activity and behaviour, and provides testable predictions about impaired mechanisms. PMID:26787097

THE EFFECT OF ADRENAL MEDULLECTOMY ON METABOLIC RESPONSES TO CHRONIC INTERMITTENT HYPOXIA

PubMed Central

Shin, Mi-Kyung; Han, Woobum; Bevans-Fonti, Shannon; Jun, Jonathan C.; Punjabi, Naresh M.; Polotsky, Vsevolod Y.

2014-01-01

Obstructive sleep apnea causes intermittent hypoxia (IH) and is associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. IH increases plasma catecholamine levels, which may increase insulin resistance and suppress insulin secretion. The objective of this study was to determine if adrenal medullectomy (MED) prevents metabolic dysfunction in IH. MED or sham surgery was performed in 60 male C57BL/6J mice, which were then exposed to IH or control conditions (intermittent air) for 6 weeks. IH increased plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine levels, increased fasting blood glucose and lowered basal and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. MED decreased baseline epinephrine and prevented the IH induced increase in epinephrine, whereas the norepinephrine response remained intact. MED improved glucose tolerance in mice exposed to IH, attenuated the impairment in basal and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, but did not prevent IH-induced fasting hyperglycemia or insulin resistance. We conclude that the epinephrine release from the adrenal medulla during IH suppresses insulin secretion causing hyperglycemia. PMID:25179887

Inhibitory effect of strychnine on acetylcholine receptor activation in bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells.

PubMed Central

Kuijpers, G A; Vergara, L A; Calvo, S; Yadid, G

1994-01-01

1. Strychnine, which is known as a potent and selective antagonist of the inhibitory glycine receptor in the central nervous system, inhibits the nicotinic stimulation of catecholamine release from bovine cultured adrenal chromaffin cells in a concentration-dependent (1-100 microM) manner. At 10 microM nicotine, the IC50 value for strychnine is approximately 30 microM. Strychnine also inhibits the nicotine-induced membrane depolarization and increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration. 2. The inhibitory action of strychnine is reversible and is selective for nicotinic stimulation, with no effect observed on secretion elicited by a high external K+ concentration, histamine or angiotensin II. 3. Strychnine competes with nicotine in its effect, but not modify the apparent positive cooperatively of the nicotine binding sites. In the absence of nicotine, strychnine has no effect on catecholamine release. Glycine does not affect catecholamine release nor the inhibitory action of strychnine on this release. 4. These results suggest that strychnine interacts with the agonist binding site of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in chromaffin cells, thus exerting a pharmacological effect independently of the glycine receptor. PMID:7834198

Plasma free metanephrines are superior to urine and plasma catecholamines and urine catecholamine metabolites for the investigation of phaeochromocytoma.

PubMed

Hickman, Peter E; Leong, Michelle; Chang, Julia; Wilson, Susan R; McWhinney, Brett

2009-02-01

To compare the relative diagnostic efficacy of several different tests used to establish a diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma, in patients with a proven diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma, and in hospital patients with significant disease of other types. We prospectively compared biochemical markers of catecholamine output and metabolism in plasma and urine in 22 patients with histologically proven phaeochromocytoma, 15 intensive care unit (ICU) patients, 30 patients on chronic haemodialysis and both hypertensive (n = 10) and normotensive (n = 16) controls. Receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted. At the point of maximum efficiency, plasma free metanephrines showed 100% sensitivity and 97.6% specificity, compared with plasma catecholamines (78.6% and 70.7%), urine catecholamines (78.6% and 87.8%), urine metanephrines (85.7% and 95.1%), and urine hydroxymethoxymandelic acid (HMMA or VMA) (93.0% and 75.8%). All patients with phaeochromocytoma had plasma free metanephrine concentrations at least 27% above the upper limit of the reference range. Only three other patients (two on haemodialysis and one in ICU) had PFM concentrations more than 50% above the upper limit of the reference range. In patients with phaeochromocytoma, plasma free metanephrines displayed superior diagnostic sensitivity and specificity compared with other biochemical markers of catecholamine output and metabolism.

The catecholamine response to spaceflight: role of diet and gender.

PubMed

Stein, T P; Wade, C E

2001-09-01

Compared with men, women appear to have a decreased sympathetic nervous system (SNS) response to stress. The two manifestations where the sexual dimorphism has been the most pronounced involve the response of the SNS to fluid shifts and fuel metabolism during exercise. The objectives of this study were to investigate whether a similar sexual dimorphism was found in the response to spaceflight. To do so, we compared catecholamine excretion by male and female astronauts from two similar shuttle missions, Spacelab Life Sciences 1 (SLS1, 1991) and 2 (SLS2, 1993) for evidence of sexual dimorphism. To evaluate the variability of the catecholamine response in men, we compared catecholamine excretion from the two SLS missions against the 1996 Life and Microgravity Sciences Mission (LMS) and the 1973 Skylab missions. No gender- or mission-dependent changes were found with epinephrine. Separating out the SLS1/2 data by gender shows that norepinephrine excretion was essentially unchanged with spaceflight in women (98 +/- 10%; n = 3) and substantially decreased with the men (41 +/- 9%; n = 4, P < 0.05). Data are a percentage of mean preflight value +/- SE. Comparisons among males demonstrated significant mission effects on norepinephrine excretion. After flight, there was a transient increase in norepinephrine but no evidence of any gender-specific effects. We conclude that norepinephrine excretion during spaceflight is both mission and gender dependent. Men show the greater response, with at least three factors being involved, a response to microgravity, energy balance, and the ratio of carbohydrate to fat in the diet.

Intracoronary infusion of catecholamines causes focal arrhythmias in pigs.

PubMed

Doppalapudi, Harish; Jin, Qi; Dosdall, Derek J; Qin, Hao; Walcott, Gregory P; Killingsworth, Cheryl R; Smith, William M; Ideker, Raymond E; Huang, Jian

2008-09-01

Acute ischemia causes myriad changes including increased catecholamines. We tested the hypothesis that elevated catecholamines alone are arrhythmogenic. A 504 electrode sock was placed over both ventricles in six open-chest pigs. During control infusion of saline through a catheter in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), no sustained arrhythmias occurred, and the refractory period estimated by the activation recovery interval (ARI) was 175 +/- 14 ms in the LAD bed below the catheter. After infusion of isoproterenol at 0.1 microg/kg/min through the catheter, the ARI in this bed was significantly reduced to 109 +/- 10 ms. A sharp gradient of refractoriness of 43 +/- 10 ms was at the border of the perfused bed. Sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia occurred after drug infusion in the perfused bed or near its boundary in all animals with a cycle length of 329 +/- 26 ms and a focal origin. The maximum slope of the ARI restitution curve at the focal origins of the tachyarrhythmias was always <1 (0.62 +/- 0.15). Similar results with a focal arrhythmia origin occurred in two additional pigs in which intramural mapping was performed with 36 plunge needle electrodes in the left ventricular perfused bed. Regional elevation of a catecholamine, which is one of the alterations produced by acute ischemia, can by itself cause tachyarrhythmias. These arrhythmias are closely associated with a shortened refractory period and a large gradient of the spatial distribution of refractoriness but not with a steep restitution curve.

Calcium-dependent transferrin receptor recycling in bovine chromaffin cells.

PubMed

Knight, Derek E

2002-04-01

The release of regulated secretory granules is known to be calcium dependent. To examine the Ca2+-dependence of other exocytic fusion events, transferrin recycling in bovine chromaffin cells was examined. Internalised 125I-transferrin was released constitutively from cells with a half-time of about 7 min. Secretagogues that triggered catecholamine secretion doubled the rate of 125I-transferrin release, the time courses of the two triggered secretory responses being similar. The triggered 125I-transferrin release came from recycling endosomes rather than from sorting endosomes or a triggered secretory vesicle pool. Triggered 125I-transferrin release, like catecholamine secretion from the same cells, was calcium dependent but the affinities for calcium were very different. The extracellular calcium concentrations that gave rise to half-maximal evoked secretion were 0.1 mm for 125I-transferrin and 1.0 mm for catecholamine, and the intracellular concentrations were 0.1 microm and 1 microm, respectively. There was significant 125I-transferrin recycling in the virtual absence of intracellular Ca2+, but the rate increased when Ca2+ was raised above 1 nm, and peaked at 1 microm when the rate had doubled. Botulinum toxin type D blocked both transferrin recycling and catecholamine secretion. These results indicate that a major component of the vesicular transport required for the constitutive recycling of transferrin in quiescent cells is calcium dependent and thus under physiological control, and also that some of the molecular machinery involved in transferrin recycling/fusion processes is shared with that for triggered neurosecretion.

Analysis of catecholamines in urine by unique LC/MS suitable ion-pairing chromatography.

PubMed

Bergmann, Marianne L; Sadjadi, Seyed; Schmedes, Anne

2017-07-01

The catecholamines, epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) are small polar, hydrophilic molecules, posing significant challenges to liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method development. Specifically, these compounds show little retention on conventional reversed-phase liquid chromatography columns. This work presents development and validation of an LC-MS/MS method for determining catecholamines in urine, based on a new approach to ion-pairing chromatography (IPC), in which the ion-pairing reagent (IPR), 1-Heptane Sulfonic Acid (HSA), is added to the extracted samples instead of the mobile phases. A Hamilton STARlet workstation carried out the solid phase extraction of urine samples. The extracted samples were diluted with 60mmol/L HSA and injected on a Kinetex core-shell biphenyl column with conventional LC-MS/MS suitable mobile phases. Chromatographic separation of E and NE was achieved successfully with very stable retention times (RT). In 484 injections, the RTs were steady with a CV of less than ±4%. Furthermore, HSA was separated from E and NE, allowing HSA to be diverted to waste instead of entering the mass spectrometer ion chamber. The method was validated with good analytical performance, and even though the analysis for urinary catecholamines is increasingly being replaced by plasma free metanephrines in diagnosing pheochromocytomas, this work represents the application of a new analytical technique that can be transferred to other small polar molecules, that are difficult to chromatograph on traditional reversed phase columns. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA: A CATECHOLAMINE AND OXIDATIVE STRESS DISORDER

PubMed Central

Pacak, Karel

2012-01-01

The WHO classification of endocrine tumors defines pheochromocytoma as a tumor arising from chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla — an intra-adrenal paraganglioma. Closely related tumors of extra-adrenal sympathetic and parasympathetic paraganglia are classified as extra-adrenal paragangliomas. Almost all pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas produce catecholamines. The concentrations of catecholamines in pheochromocytoma tissues are enormous, potentially creating a volcano that can erupt at any time. Significant eruptions result in catecholamine storms called “attacks” or “spells”. Acute catecholamine crisis can strike unexpectedly, leaving traumatic memories of acute medical disaster that champions any intensive care unit. A very well-defined genotype-biochemical phenotype relationship exists, guiding proper and cost-effective genetic testing of patients with these tumors. Currently, the production of norepinephrine and epinephrine is optimally assessed by the measurement of their O-methylated metabolites, normetanephrine or metanephrine, respectively. Dopamine is a minor component, but some paragangliomas produce only this catecholamine or this together with norepinephrine. Methoxytyramine, the O-methylated metabolite of dopamine, is the best biochemical marker of these tumors. In those patients with equivocal biochemical results, a modified clonidine suppression test coupled with the measurement of plasma normetanephrine has recently been introduced. In addition to differences in catecholamine enzyme expression, the presence of either constitutive or regulated secretory pathways contributes further to the very unique mutation-dependent catecholamine production and release, resulting in various clinical presentations. Oxidative stress results from a significant imbalance between levels of prooxidants, generated during oxidative phosphorylation, and antioxidants. The gradual accumulation of prooxidants due to metabolic oxidative stress results in proto-oncogene activation, tumor suppressor gene inactivation, DNA damage, and genomic instability. Since the mitochondria serves as the main source of prooxidants, any mitochondrial impairment leads to severe oxidative stress, a major outcome of which is tumor development. In terms of cancer pathogenesis, pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas represent tumors where the oxidative phosphorylation defect due to the mutation of succinate dehydrogenase is the cause, not a consequence, of tumor development. Any succinate dehydrogenase pathogenic mutation results in the shift from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis in the cytoplasm (also called anaerobic glycolysis if hypoxia is the main cause of such a shift). This phenomenon, also called the Warburg effect, is well demonstrated by a positive [18F]-fluorodeoxyglycose positron emission tomography scan. Microarray studies, genome-wide association studies, proteomics and protein arrays, metabolomics, transcriptomics, and bioinformatics approaches will remain powerful tools to further uncover the pathogenesis of these tumors and their unique markers, with the ultimate goal to introduce new therapeutic options for those with metastatic or malignant pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. Soon oxidative stress will be tightly linked to a multistep cancer process in which the mutation of various genes (perhaps in a logistic way) ultimately results in uncontrolled growth, proliferation, and metastatic potential of practically any cell. Targeting the mTORC, IGF-1, HIF and other pathways, topoisomerases, protein degradation by proteosomes, balancing the activity of protein kinases and phosphatases or even synchronizing the cell cycle before any exposure to any kind of therapy will soon become a reality. Facing such a reality today will favor our chances to “beat” this disease tomorrow. PMID:21615192

Reserpine-induced reduction in norepinephrine transporter function requires catecholamine storage vesicles.

PubMed

Mandela, Prashant; Chandley, Michelle; Xu, Yao-Yu; Zhu, Meng-Yang; Ordway, Gregory A

2010-01-01

Treatment of rats with reserpine, an inhibitor of the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT), depletes norepinephrine (NE) and regulates NE transporter (NET) expression. The present study examined the molecular mechanisms involved in regulation of the NET by reserpine using cultured cells. Exposure of rat PC12 cells to reserpine for a period as short as 5min decreased [(3)H]NE uptake capacity, an effect characterized by a robust decrease in the V(max) of the transport of [(3)H]NE. As expected, reserpine did not displace the binding of [(3)H]nisoxetine from the NET in membrane homogenates. The potency of reserpine for reducing [(3)H]NE uptake was dramatically lower in SK-N-SH cells that have reduced storage capacity for catecholamines. Reserpine had no effect on [(3)H]NE uptake in HEK-293 cells transfected with the rat NET (293-hNET), cells that lack catecholamine storage vesicles. NET regulation by reserpine was independent of trafficking of the NET from the cell surface. Pre-exposure of cells to inhibitors of several intracellular signaling cascades known to regulate the NET, including Ca(2+)/Ca(2+)-calmodulin dependent kinase and protein kinases A, C and G, did not affect the ability of reserpine to reduce [(3)H]NE uptake. Treatment of PC12 cells with the catecholamine depleting agent, alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine, increased [(3)H]NE uptake and eliminated the inhibitory effects of reserpine on [(3)H]NE uptake. Reserpine non-competitively inhibits NET activity through a Ca(2+)-independent process that requires catecholamine storage vesicles, revealing a novel pharmacological method to modify NET function. Further characterization of the molecular nature of reserpine's action could lead to the development of alternative therapeutic strategies for treating disorders known to be benefitted by treatment with traditional competitive NET inhibitors. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ascending caudal medullary catecholamine pathways drive sickness-induced deficits in exploratory behavior: brain substrates for fatigue?

PubMed

Gaykema, Ronald P A; Goehler, Lisa E

2011-03-01

Immune challenges can lead to marked behavioral changes, including fatigue, reduced social interest, anorexia, and somnolence, but the precise neuronal mechanisms that underlie sickness behavior remain elusive. Part of the neurocircuitry influencing behavior associated with illness likely includes viscerosensory nuclei located in the caudal brainstem, based on findings that inactivation of the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) can prevent social withdrawal. These brainstem nuclei contribute multiple neuronal projections that target different components of autonomic and stress-related neurocircuitry. In particular, catecholaminergic neurons in the ventrolateral medulla (VLM) and DVC target the hypothalamus and drive neuroendocrine responses to immune challenge, but their particular role in sickness behavior is not known. To test whether this catecholamine pathway also mediates sickness behavior, we compared effects of DVC inactivation with targeted lesion of the catecholamine pathway on exploratory behavior, which provides an index of motivation and fatigue, and associated patterns of brain activation assessed by immunohistochemical detection of c-Fos protein. LPS treatment dramatically reduced exploratory behavior, and produced a pattern of increased c-Fos expression in brain regions associated with stress and autonomic adjustments paraventricular hypothalamus (PVN), bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST), central amygdala (CEA), whereas activation was reduced in regions involved in exploratory behavior (hippocampus, dorsal striatum, ventral tuberomammillary nucleus, and ventral tegmental area). Both DVC inactivation and catecholamine lesion prevented reductions in exploratory behavior and completely blocked the inhibitory LPS effects on c-Fos expression in the behavior-associated regions. In contrast, LPS-induced activation in the CEA and BST was inhibited by DVC inactivation but not by catecholamine lesion. The findings support the idea that parallel pathways from immune-sensory caudal brainstem sources target distinct populations of forebrain neurons that likely mediate different aspects of sickness. The caudal medullary catecholaminergic projections to the hypothalamus may significantly contribute to brain mechanisms that induce behavioral "fatigue" in the context of physiological stressors. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ascending caudal medullary catecholamine pathways drive sickness-induced deficits in exploratory behavior: brain substrates for fatigue?

PubMed Central

Gaykema, Ronald P.A.; Goehler, Lisa E.

2010-01-01

Immune challenges can lead to marked behavioral changes, including fatigue, reduced social interest, anorexia, and somnolence, but the precise neuronal mechanisms that underlie sickness behavior remain elusive. Part of the neurocircuitry influencing behavior associated with illness likely includes viscerosensory nuclei located in the caudal brainstem, based on findings that inactivation of the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) can prevent social withdrawal. These brainstem nuclei contribute multiple neuronal projections that target different components of autonomic and stress-related neurocircuitry. In particular, catecholaminergic neurons in the ventrolateral medulla (VLM) and DVC target the hypothalamus and drive neuroendocrine responses to immune challenge, but their particular role in sickness behavior is not known. To test whether this catecholamine pathway also mediates sickness behavior, we compared effects of DVC inactivation with targeted lesion of the catecholamine pathway on exploratory behavior, which provides an index of motivation and fatigue, and associated patterns of brain activation assessed by immunohistochemical detection of c-Fos protein. LPS treatment dramatically reduced exploratory behavior, and produced a pattern of increased c-Fos expression in brain regions associated with stress and autonomic adjustments paraventricular hypothalamus (PVN), bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST), central amygdala (CEA), whereas activation was reduced in regions involved in exploratory behavior (hippocampus, dorsal striatum, ventral tuberomammillary nucleus, and ventral tegmental area). Both DVC inactivation and catecholamine lesion prevented reductions in exploratory behavior and completely blocked the inhibitory LPS effects on c-Fos expression in the behavior-associated regions. In contrast, LPS-induced activation in the CEA and BST was inhibited by DVC inactivation but not by catecholamine lesion. The findings support the idea that parallel pathways from immune-sensory caudal brainstem sources target distinct populations of forebrain neurons that likely mediate different aspects of sickness. The caudal medullary catecholaminergic projections to the hypothalamus may significantly contribute to brain mechanisms that induce behavioral “fatigue” in the context of physiological stressors. PMID:21075199

Neuropeptide y gates a stress-induced, long-lasting plasticity in the sympathetic nervous system.

PubMed

Wang, Qian; Wang, Manqi; Whim, Matthew D

2013-07-31

Acute stress evokes the fight-or-flight reflex, which via release of the catecholamine hormones affects the function of every major organ. Although the reflex is transient, it has lasting consequences that produce an exaggerated response when stress is reexperienced. How this change is encoded is not known. We investigated whether the reflex affects the adrenal component of the sympathetic nervous system, a major branch of the stress response. Mice were briefly exposed to the cold-water forced swim test (FST) which evoked an increase in circulating catecholamines. Although this hormonal response was transient, the FST led to a long-lasting increase in the catecholamine secretory capacity measured amperometrically from chromaffin cells and in the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase. A variety of approaches indicate that these changes are regulated postsynaptically by neuropeptide Y (NPY), an adrenal cotransmitter. Using immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, and NPY(GFP) BAC mice, we find that NPY is synthesized by all chromaffin cells. Stress failed to increase secretory capacity in NPY knock-out mice. Genetic or pharmacological interference with NPY and Y1 (but not Y2 or Y5) receptor signaling attenuated the stress-induced change in tyrosine hydroxylase expression. These results indicate that, under basal conditions, adrenal signaling is tonically inhibited by NPY, but stress overrides this autocrine negative feedback loop. Because acute stress leads to a lasting increase in secretory capacity in vivo but does not alter sympathetic tone, these postsynaptic changes appear to be an adaptive response. We conclude that the sympathetic limb of the stress response exhibits an activity-dependent form of long-lasting plasticity.

Endocrine responses in long-duration manned space flight.

PubMed

Leach, C S; Rambaut, P C

1975-01-01

The bioassay of body fluids experiment is designed to evaluate the biochemical adaptation resulting from extended exposure to space flight environment by identifying changes in hormonal and associated fluid and electrolyte parameters reflected in the blood and urine of the participating crewmen. The combined stresses of space flight include weightlessness, acceleration, confinement, restraint, long-term maintenance of high levels of performance, and possible desynchronosis. Endocrine measurements to assess the physiological cost of these stresses have been considered from two aspects. Fluid and electrolyte balance have been correlated with weight loss, changes in the excretion of aldosterone and vasopressin and fluid compartments. The second area involves the estimation of the physiological cost of maintaining a given level of performance during space flight by analysis of urinary catecholamines and cortisol. Inter-individual variability was demonstrated in most experimental indices measured; however, constant patterns have emerged which include: body weight change; increases in plasma renin activity; elevations in urinary catecholamines, ADH, aldosterone and cortisol concentrations. Plasma cortisol decreases in immediate postflight samples with subsequent increase in 24-hour urines. The measured changes are consistent with the prediction that a relative increase in thoracic blood volume upon transition to the zero-gravity environment is interpreted as a true volume expansion resulting in an osmotic diuresis. This diuresis in association with other factors ultimately results in a reduction in intravascular volume, leading to an increase in renin and a secondary aldosteronism. Once these compensatory mechanisms are effective in reestablishing positive water balance, the crewmen are considered to be essentially adapted to the null-gravity environment. Although the physiological cost of this adaptation must reflect the electrolyte deficit and perhaps other factors, it is assumed that the compensated state is adequate for the demands of the environment; however, this new homeostatic set is not believed to be without physiological cost and could, except with proper precautions, reduce the functional reserve of exposed individuals.

Influences of graded dose of melatonin on the levels of blood glucose and adrenal catecholamines in male roseringed parakeets (Psittacula krameri ) under different photoperiods.

PubMed

Maitra, S K; Dey, M; Dutta, S; Bhattacharya, S; Dey, R; Sengupta, A

2000-12-01

Effects of daily evening (just before the onset of darkness in a 24 h light dark cycle) administration of graded doses (25, 50, or 100 microg/100 g body wt./day for 30 days) of melatonin on the concentrations of blood glucose and adrenal catecholamines were studied in sexually active male roseringed parakeets under natural (NP; approximately 12L: 12D) and artificial long (LP; 16L: 8D) and short (SP; 8L: 16D) photoperiods. Blood samples and adrenal glands were collected from each bird during the mid-day on the following day of the last treatment. The concentrations of glucose in blood and epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) in the adrenals were measured. The results of the study indicated that exogenous melatonin induces hypo- or hyperglycemia depending on the dose of hormone administered as well as to the length of photoperiod to which birds were exposed. The levels of E and NE in the adrenals were shown also to vary in relation to photoperiod and the dose of melatonin administered. But the nature of the influence of melatonin becomes different under altered photoperiodic conditions. It appears that short photoperiods are more effective than long photoperiods as a modulator of glycemic and adrenal catecholaminergic responses to exogenous melatonin. A statistically significant correlation between the levels of blood glucose and that of E and NE in the adrenals was found in the control birds, but not in the melatonin treated birds. The results suggested that the responses of blood glucose and adrenal catecholamines to the treatment with melatonin in the roseringed parakeets may not be dependent on each other.

Tyrosine content, influx and accumulation rate, and catecholamine biosynthesis measured in vivo, in the central nervous system and in peripheral organs of the young rat. Influence of neonatal hypo- and hyperthyroidism.

PubMed

Diarra, A; Lefauconnier, J M; Valens, M; Georges, P; Gripois, D

1989-10-01

The influence of neonatal hypo- and hyperthyroidism on different aspects of tyrosine metabolism in the hypothalamus, striatum, brainstem, adrenal glands, heart and brown adipose tissue (BAT) were studied in 14-day old rats. The synthesis rate of catecholamines (CA) was also determined in vivo after the injection of labelled tyrosine. Hypothyroidism increases tyrosinaemia and endogenous tyrosine concentration in the hypothalamus and BAT. Hyperthyroidism decreases tyrosinaemia and endogenous tyrosine levels in the striatum, adrenals and heart. The accumulation rate of tyrosine determined 30 min after an intravenous injection of the labelled amino acid has been determined in the organs, together with the influx of the amino acid, determined within 20s. Hypothyroidism increases tyrosine accumulation rate in all the organs studied, and tyrosine clearance is decreased in the striatum and brainstem; together with an increased tyrosinaemia, this leads to a normal influx. The influx of tyrosine is increased in the hypothalamus. Hyperthyroidism decreases tyrosine accumulation rate in all the organs except the adrenals. These results indicate that the thyroid status of the young rat can influence tyrosine uptake mechanisms, without modifying an organ's tyrosine content. The fact that hypothyroidism increases tyrosine influx in the hypothalamus without modifying it in the brainstem and striatum reflects an heterogeneous reactivity to the lack of thyroid hormones in different brain structures. Neonatal hypothyroidism decreases the CA synthesis rate in the striatum, the heart and the interscapular brown adipose tissue, while synthesis was enhanced in the brainstem and the adrenals. It is likely that these variations in CA synthesis are due to thyroid hormone modulation of tyrosine hydroxylase activity, the enzyme which catalyses the rate limiting step in CA biosynthesis.

Effects of agmatine on secretion of interferon tau and catecholamines and expression of genes related to production of polyamines by ovine trophectoderm cells.

PubMed

Lenis, Yasser Y; Wang, Xiaoqiu; Tang, Wanjin; Wu, Guoyao; Bazer, Fuller W

2016-10-01

Embryonic survival requires histotrophic nutrition, including molecules secreted or transported into the uterine lumen by uterine epithelia. L-Arginine (Arg) is a common substrate for synthesis of nitric oxide, ornithine, proline, glutamate, creatinine, urea, polyamines and agmatine. Agmatine (Agm) is a product of arginine decarboxylation and it is a substrate for agmatinase for synthesis of putrescine and other polyamines in the ovine conceptus. Polyamines are essential for conceptus development. Therefore, this study compared effects of Arg and Agm on the behavior of ovine trophectoderm (oTr1) cells cultured in vitro. Arg, but not Agm, increased proliferation and migration of oTr1 cells, but neither Arg nor Agm affected cell adhesion. The total amount of IFNT in culture medium of oTr1 cells was increased by Arg, but Agm increased the IFNT production per oTr1 cell. Arg and Agm plus Arg decreased secretion of dopamine and norepinephrine by oTr1 cells. Agm upregulates expression of mRNAs SLC7A1, agmatinase and OAZ2 while the combination of Arg and Agm decreased expression of mRNAs for ODC1, SLC7A1, OAZ1 and OAZ3 by oTr1 cells. Although Agm does not stimulate proliferation, migration or adhesion of oTr1 cells or their secretion of catecholamines, Agm did increase transcription of SLC7A1, agmatinase and OAZ2 genes which would increase the capacity of oTr1 cells to produce polyamines. Collectively, our findings suggest a role for Arg and Agm in the regulation of transport of basic amino acids (including Arg), polyamine synthesis, and secretion of catecholamines by oTr1 cells.

Catecholamine excretion rates in relation to life-styles in the male population of Otmoor, Oxfordshire.

PubMed

Reynolds, V; Jenner, D A; Palmer, C D; Harrison, G A

1981-01-01

The paper gives the results of the number of analyses of aspects of life-style and dietary patterns of members of the Otmoor population, in relation to their catecholamine excretion rates. The data reported here are restricted to males. Feelings of boredom were associated with low adrenaline excretion rates. Reported physical tiredness was associated with low adrenaline levels, while mental tiredness seems to be related to high adrenaline levels. People who regarded themselves as having a competitive personality, as being faced by a large number of life challenges, as having to meet self-set deadlines, as choosing to focus on more than one task at the same time, or as being under time pressure had high rates. Cigarette smoking and coffee consumption were related to high adrenaline excretion rates. Taken together these variables can explain 16-20% of variance in adrenaline excretion. Smoking and coffee consumption are of primary importance. The results of similar analyses of noradrenaline are reported.

Mechanisms of cardiac cell damage due to catecholamines: significance of drugs regulating central sympathetic outflow.

PubMed

Rupp, H; Dhalla, K S; Dhalla, N S

1994-01-01

A chronically increased rate of catecholamine release has various deleterious actions. Isoproterenol injections (80 mg/kg body weight) resulted in depressed Ca2+ transport in the sarcolemma (ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake, Na(+)-dependent Ca2+ uptake) and sarcoplasmic reticulum (Ca2+ uptake) of rat heart. The formation of malondialdehyde owing to lipid peroxidation was increased. Pretreatment with vitamin E (10-25 mg/kg/day) strongly inhibited the membrane damage. The toxic effects of catecholamines arise most probably from their oxidation, and it is therefore important either to reduce the central sympathetic outflow or to prevent the oxidation. An inappropriately high sympathetic outflow is a typical feature of Western affluent societies, and is linked to psychosocial stress and hypercaloric nutrition. However, established pharmacologic interventions to reduce sympathetic outflow have proven not practicable because of marked side effects. Using radiotelemetry for monitoring cardiovascular parameters of spontaneously hypertensive rats treated with clonidine or moxonidine, we showed that clonidine, unlike moxonidine, resulted in rebound hypertension after drug withdrawal. Because the rebound blood pressure and the typical side effects of clonidine associated with low patient compliance are mainly mediated by alpha-adrenoceptors, it can be inferred that the I1-imidazoline agonist moxonidine does not exhibit the side effects commonly seen with clonidine and therefore represents a promising approach for reducing an inappropriately high central sympathetic outflow.

Potentiometric and NMR complexation studies of phenylboronic acid PBA and its aminophosphonate analog with selected catecholamines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ptak, Tomasz; Młynarz, Piotr; Dobosz, Agnieszka; Rydzewska, Agata; Prokopowicz, Monika

2013-05-01

Boronic acids are a class of intensively explored compounds, which according to their specific properties have been intensively explored in last decades. Among them phenylboronic acids and their derivatives are most frequently examined as receptors for diverse carbohydrates. In turn, there is a large gap in basic research concerning complexation of catecholamines by these compounds. Therefore, we decided to undertake studies on interaction of chosen catecholamines, namely: noradrenaline (norephinephrine), dopamine, L-DOPA, DOPA-P (phosphonic analog of L-DOPA) and catechol, with simple phenyl boronic acid PBA by means of potentiometry and NMR spectroscopy. For comparison, the binding properties of recently synthesized phenylboronic receptor 1 bearing aminophosphonate function in meta-position were investigated and showed promising ability to bind catecholamines. The protonation and stability constants of PBA and receptor 1 complexes were examined by potentiometry. The obtained results demonstrated that PBA binds the catecholamines with the following affinity order: noradrenaline ⩾ dopamine ≈ L-DOPA > catechol > DOPA-P, while its modified analog 1 reveals slightly different preferences: dopamine > noradrenaline > catechol > L-DOPA > DOPA-P.

Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Leak in Circulating B-Lymphocytes as a Biomarker in Heart Failure.

PubMed

Kushnir, Alexander; Santulli, Gaetano; Reiken, Steven R; Coromilas, Ellie; Godfrey, Sarah J; Brunjes, Danielle L; Colombo, Paolo C; Yuzefpolskaya, Melana; Sokol, Seth I; Kitsis, Richard N; Marks, Andrew R

2018-03-28

Background -Advances in congestive heart failure (CHF) management depend on biomarkers for monitoring disease progression and therapeutic response. During systole, intracellular Ca2 + is released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) into the cytoplasm through type 2 ryanodine receptor/Ca2 + release channels (RyR2). In CHF, chronically elevated circulating catecholamine levels cause pathologic remodeling of RyR2 resulting in diastolic SR Ca2 + leak, and decreased myocardial contractility. Similarly, skeletal muscle contraction requires SR Ca2 + release through type-1 ryanodine receptors (RyR1), and chronically elevated catecholamine levels in CHF cause RyR1 mediated SR Ca2 + leak, contributing to myopathy and weakness. Circulating B-lymphocytes express RyR1 and catecholamine responsive signaling cascades, making them a potential surrogate for defects in intracellular Ca2 + handling due to leaky RyR channels in CHF. Methods -Whole blood was collected from patients with CHF, CHF status-post left-ventricular assist devices (LVAD), and controls. Blood was also collected from mice with ischemic CHF, ischemic CHF + S107 (a drug that specifically reduces RyR channel Ca2 + leak), and WT controls. Channel macromolecular complex was assessed by immunostaining RyR1 immunoprecipitated from lymphocyte enriched preparations. RyR1 Ca2 + leak was assessed using flow cytometry to measure Ca2 + fluorescence in B-lymphocytes, in the absence and presence of RyR1 agonists that empty RyR1 Ca2 + stores within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Results -Circulating B-lymphocytes from humans and mice with CHF exhibited remodeled RyR1 and decreased ER Ca2 + stores, consistent with chronic intracellular Ca2 + leak. This Ca2 + leak correlated with circulating catecholamine levels. The intracellular Ca2 + leak was significantly reduced in mice treated with the Rycal S107. CHF patients treated with LVAD exhibited a heterogeneous response. Conclusions -In CHF, B-lymphocytes exhibit remodeled leaky RyR1 channels and decreased ER Ca2 + stores consistent with chronic intracellular Ca2 + leak. RyR1 mediated Ca2 + leak in B-lymphocytes assessed using flow cytometry provides a surrogate measure of intracellular Ca2 + handling and systemic sympathetic burden, presenting a novel biomarker for monitoring response to pharmacologic and mechanical CHF therapy.

Brain catecholamine depletion and motor impairment in a Th knock-in mouse with type B tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency.

PubMed

Korner, Germaine; Noain, Daniela; Ying, Ming; Hole, Magnus; Flydal, Marte I; Scherer, Tanja; Allegri, Gabriella; Rassi, Anahita; Fingerhut, Ralph; Becu-Villalobos, Damasia; Pillai, Samyuktha; Wueest, Stephan; Konrad, Daniel; Lauber-Biason, Anna; Baumann, Christian R; Bindoff, Laurence A; Martinez, Aurora; Thöny, Beat

2015-10-01

Tyrosine hydroxylase catalyses the hydroxylation of L-tyrosine to l-DOPA, the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of catecholamines. Mutations in the TH gene encoding tyrosine hydroxylase are associated with the autosomal recessive disorder tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency, which manifests phenotypes varying from infantile parkinsonism and DOPA-responsive dystonia, also termed type A, to complex encephalopathy with perinatal onset, termed type B. We generated homozygous Th knock-in mice with the mutation Th-p.R203H, equivalent to the most recurrent human mutation associated with type B tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency (TH-p.R233H), often unresponsive to l-DOPA treatment. The Th knock-in mice showed normal survival and food intake, but hypotension, hypokinesia, reduced motor coordination, wide-based gate and catalepsy. This phenotype was associated with a gradual loss of central catecholamines and the serious manifestations of motor impairment presented diurnal fluctuation but did not improve with standard l-DOPA treatment. The mutant tyrosine hydroxylase enzyme was unstable and exhibited deficient stabilization by catecholamines, leading to decline of brain tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactivity in the Th knock-in mice. In fact the substantia nigra presented an almost normal level of mutant tyrosine hydroxylase protein but distinct absence of the enzyme was observed in the striatum, indicating a mutation-associated mislocalization of tyrosine hydroxylase in the nigrostriatal pathway. This hypomorphic mouse model thus provides understanding on pathomechanisms in type B tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency and a platform for the evaluation of novel therapeutics for movement disorders with loss of dopaminergic input to the striatum. © The Author (2015). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Guarantors of Brain. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Cross-functioning between the extraneuronal monoamine transporter and multidrug resistance protein 1 in the uptake of adrenaline and export of 5-(glutathion-S-yl)adrenaline in rat cardiomyocytes.

PubMed

Costa, Vera Marisa; Ferreira, Lusa Maria; Branco, Paula Srio; Carvalho, Flix; Bastos, Maria Lourdes; Carvalho, Rui Albuquerque; Carvalho, Mrcia; Remio, Fernando

2009-01-01

Isolated heart cells are highly susceptible to the toxicity of catecholamine oxidation products, namely, to catecholamine-glutathione adducts. Although cellular uptake and/or efflux of these products may constitute a crucial step, the knowledge about the involvement of transporters is still very scarce. This work aimed to contribute to the characterization of membrane transport mechanisms, namely, extraneuronal monoamine transporter (EMT), the multidrug resistant protein 1 (MRP1), and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in freshly isolated cardiomyocytes from adult rats. These transporters may be accountable for uptake and/or efflux of adrenaline and an adrenaline oxidation product, 5-(glutathion-S-yl)adrenaline, in cardiomyocyte suspensions. Our results showed that 5-(glutathion-S-yl)adrenaline efflux was mediated by MRP1. Additionally, we demonstrated that the adduct formation occurs within the cardiomyocytes, since EMT inhibition reduced the intracellular adduct levels. The classical uptake2 transport in rat myocardial cells was inhibited by the typical EMT inhibitor, corticosterone, and surprisingly was also inhibited by low concentrations of another drug, a well-known P-gp inhibitor, GF120918. The P-gp activity was absent in the cells since P-gp-mediated efflux of quinidine was not blocked by GF120918. In conclusion, this work showed that freshly isolated cardiomyocytes from adult rats constitute a good model for the study of catecholamines and catecholamines metabolites membrane transport. The cardiomyocytes maintain EMT and MRP1 fully active, and these transporters contribute to the formation and efflux of 5-(glutathion-S-yl)adrenaline. In the present experimental conditions, P-gp activity is absent in the isolated cardiomyocytes.

Neuroendocrine mediators up-regulate alpha1b- and alpha1d-adrenergic receptor subtypes in human monocytes.

PubMed

Rouppe van der Voort, C; Kavelaars, A; van de Pol, M; Heijnen, C J

1999-03-01

Beta2- and alpha2-adrenergic receptors (AR) are thought to be the main AR subtypes to exert the effects of catecholamines on the immune system. However, in the present study, we demonstrate that another subtype of AR can be induced in human monocytes. Expression of alpha1b- and alpha1d-AR mRNA can be obtained by culturing freshly isolated human peripheral blood monocytes with the neuroendocrine mediators dexamethasone or the beta2-AR agonist terbutaline. Using the human monocytic cell line THP-1, we demonstrate that increased levels of alpha1b- and alpha1d-mRNA are accompanied by increased levels of receptor protein as determined by Western blot analysis and radioligand binding assays. This study describes for the first time regulated expression of alpha1-AR subtypes in human monocytes.

Epidural Spinal Cord Stimulation of Lumbosacral Networks Modulates Arterial Blood Pressure in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury-Induced Cardiovascular Deficits.

PubMed

Aslan, Sevda C; Legg Ditterline, Bonnie E; Park, Michael C; Angeli, Claudia A; Rejc, Enrico; Chen, Yangsheng; Ovechkin, Alexander V; Krassioukov, Andrei; Harkema, Susan J

2018-01-01

Disruption of motor and autonomic pathways induced by spinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to persistent low arterial blood pressure and orthostatic intolerance. Spinal cord epidural stimulation (scES) has been shown to enable independent standing and voluntary movement in individuals with clinically motor complete SCI. In this study, we addressed whether scES configured to activate motor lumbosacral networks can also modulate arterial blood pressure by assessing continuous, beat-by-beat blood pressure and lower extremity electromyography during supine and standing in seven individuals with C5-T4 SCI. In three research participants with arterial hypotension, orthostatic intolerance, and low levels of circulating catecholamines (group 1), scES applied while supine and standing resulted in increased arterial blood pressure. In four research participants without evidence of arterial hypotension or orthostatic intolerance and normative circulating catecholamines (group 2), scES did not induce significant increases in arterial blood pressure. During scES, there were no significant differences in electromyographic (EMG) activity between group 1 and group 2. In group 1, during standing assisted by scES, blood pressure was maintained at 119/72 ± 7/14 mmHg (mean ± SD) compared with 70/45 ± 5/7 mmHg without scES. In group 2 there were no arterial blood pressure changes during standing with or without scES. These findings demonstrate that scES configured to facilitate motor function can acutely increase arterial blood pressure in individuals with SCI-induced cardiovascular deficits.

Regulation of IL-17 Family Members by Adrenal Hormones During Experimental Sepsis in Mice

PubMed Central

Bosmann, Markus; Meta, Fabien; Ruemmler, Robert; Haggadone, Mikel D.; Sarma, J. Vidya; Zetoune, Firas S.; Ward, Peter A.

2014-01-01

Severe sepsis is a life-threatening disease that causes major morbidity and mortality. Catecholamines and glucocorticoids often have been used for the treatment of sepsis. Several recent studies have suggested a potential role of IL-17 during the development and progression of sepsis in small animal models. In this study, the cross-talk of catecholamines and glucocorticoids with members of the IL-17 family was investigated during sepsis in C57BL/6 mice. The concentrations in plasma of IL-17A, IL-17F, and the IL-17AF heterodimer all were increased greatly in mice after endotoxemia or cecal ligation and puncture as compared with sham mice. Surprisingly, when compared with IL-17A (487 pg/mL), the concentrations of IL-17F (2361 pg/mL) and the heterodimer, IL-17AF (5116 pg/mL), were much higher 12 hours after endotoxemia. After surgical removal of the adrenal glands, mice had much higher mortality after endotoxemia or cecal ligation and puncture. The absence of endogenous adrenal gland hormones (cortical and medullary) was associated with 3- to 10-fold higher concentrations of IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-17AF, and IL-23. The addition of adrenaline, noradrenaline, hydrocortisone, or dexamethasone to lipopolysaccharide-activated peritoneal macrophages dose-dependently suppressed the expression and release of IL-17s. The production of IL-17s required activation of c-Jun-N-terminal kinase, which was antagonized by both catecholamines and glucocorticoids. These data provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of immune modulation by catecholamines and glucocorticoids during acute inflammation. PMID:23499051

The catecholamine response to spaceflight: role of diet and gender

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stein, T. P.; Wade, C. E.

2001-01-01

Compared with men, women appear to have a decreased sympathetic nervous system (SNS) response to stress. The two manifestations where the sexual dimorphism has been the most pronounced involve the response of the SNS to fluid shifts and fuel metabolism during exercise. The objectives of this study were to investigate whether a similar sexual dimorphism was found in the response to spaceflight. To do so, we compared catecholamine excretion by male and female astronauts from two similar shuttle missions, Spacelab Life Sciences 1 (SLS1, 1991) and 2 (SLS2, 1993) for evidence of sexual dimorphism. To evaluate the variability of the catecholamine response in men, we compared catecholamine excretion from the two SLS missions against the 1996 Life and Microgravity Sciences Mission (LMS) and the 1973 Skylab missions. RESULTS: No gender- or mission-dependent changes were found with epinephrine. Separating out the SLS1/2 data by gender shows that norepinephrine excretion was essentially unchanged with spaceflight in women (98 +/- 10%; n = 3) and substantially decreased with the men (41 +/- 9%; n = 4, P < 0.05). Data are a percentage of mean preflight value +/- SE. Comparisons among males demonstrated significant mission effects on norepinephrine excretion. After flight, there was a transient increase in norepinephrine but no evidence of any gender-specific effects. We conclude that norepinephrine excretion during spaceflight is both mission and gender dependent. Men show the greater response, with at least three factors being involved, a response to microgravity, energy balance, and the ratio of carbohydrate to fat in the diet.

IR, UV-Vis, magnetic and thermal characterization of chelates of some catecholamines and 4-aminoantipyrine with Fe(III) and Cu(II)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohamed, Gehad G.; Zayed, M. A.; El-Dien, F. A. Nour; El-Nahas, Reham G.

2004-07-01

The dopamine derivatives participate in the regulation of wide variety of physiological functions in the human body and in medication life. Increase and/or decrease in the concentration of dopamine in human body reflect an indication for diseases such as Schizophrenia and/or Parkinson diseases. α-Methyldopa (α-MD) in tablets is used in medication of hypertension. The Fe(III) and Cu(II) chelates with coupled products of adrenaline hydrogen tartarate (AHT), levodopa (LD), α-MD and carbidopa (CD) with 4-aminoantipyrine (4-AAP) are prepared and characterized. Different physico-chemical methods like IR, magnetic and UV-Vis spectra are used to investigate the structure of these chelates. Fe(III) form 1:2 (M:catecholamines) chelates while Cu(II) form 1:1 chelates. Catecholamines behave as a bidentate mono- or dibasic ligands in binding to the metal ions. IR spectra show that the catecholamines are coordinated to the metal ions in a bidentate manner with O,O donor sites of the phenolic - OH. Magnetic moment measurements reveal the presence of Fe(III) chelates in octahedral geometry while the Cu(II) chelates are square planar. The thermal decomposition of Fe(III) and Cu(II) complexes is studied using thermogravimetric (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques. The water molecules are removed in the first step followed immediately by decomposition of the ligand molecules. The activation thermodynamic parameters, such as, energy of activation, enthalpy, entropy and free energy change of the complexes are evaluated and the relative thermal stability of the complexes are discussed.

Study of severe scorpion envenoming following subcutaneous venom injection into dogs: Hemodynamic and concentration/effect analysis.

PubMed

Elatrous, Souheil; Ouanes-Besbes, Lamia; Ben Sik-Ali, Habiba; Hamouda, Zineb; BenAbdallah, Saoussen; Tilouche, Nejla; Jalloul, Faten; Fkih-Hassen, Mohamed; Dachraoui, Fahmi; Ouanes, Islem; Abroug, Fekri

2015-09-15

To evaluate the dose-effects of Androctonus australis hector (Aah) venom injected subcutaneously on hemodynamics and neurohormonal secretions, 10 anesthetized and ventilated mongrel dogs, were split in two groups (n = 5/group). Subcutaneous injection was done with either 0.2 mg/kg or 0.125 mg/kg of the purified G50 scorpion toxic fraction. Hemodynamic parameters using right heart catheter were recorded and plasma concentrations of catecholamine, troponin, and serum toxic fraction were measured sequentially from baseline to 120 min. We identified the dose of toxic fraction evoking characteristic hemodynamic perturbation of severe envenomation, the time-lapse to envenomation, and the associated plasma level. The injection of 0.125 mg/kg toxic fraction was not associated with significant variations in hemodynamic parameters, whereas the 0.2 mg/kg dose caused envenomation characterized by significant increase in plasma catecholamines, increased pulmonary artery occluded pressure, mean arterial pressure, and systemic vascular resistance (p < 0.05), in association with sustained decline in cardiac output (p < 0.001). Envenomation occurred by the 30th minute, and the corresponding concentration of toxic fraction was 1.14 ng/ml. The current experiment allowed the identification of the sub-lethal dose (0.2 mg/kg) of the toxic fraction of Aah administered by the subcutaneous route. Two parameters with potential clinical relevance were also uncovered: the time-lapse to envenomation and the corresponding concentration of toxic fraction. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of adrenal medullectomy on metabolic responses to chronic intermittent hypoxia in the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test.

PubMed

Shin, Mi-Kyung; Han, Woobum; Joo, Hoon; Bevans-Fonti, Shannon; Shiota, Masakazu; Stefanovski, Darko; Polotsky, Vsevolod Y

2017-04-01

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with type 2 diabetes. We have previously developed a mouse model of intermittent hypoxia (IH) mimicking oxyhemoglobin desaturations in patients with sleep apnea and have shown that IH increases fasting glucose, hepatic glucose output, and plasma catecholamines. We hypothesize that adrenal medulla modulates glucose responses to IH and that such responses can be prevented by adrenal medullectomy. We performed adrenal medullectomy or sham surgery in lean C57BL/6J mice, which were exposed to IH or intermittent air (control) for 4 wk followed by the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIVGTT) in unanesthetized unrestrained animals. IH was administered during the 12-h light phase (9 AM to 9 PM) by decreasing inspired oxygen from 21 to 6.5% 60 cycles/h. Insulin sensitivity (S I ), insulin independent glucose disposal [glucose effectiveness (S G )], and the insulin response to glucose (AIR G ) were determined using the minimal model method. In contrast to our previous data obtained in restrained mice, IH did not affect fasting blood glucose and plasma insulin levels in sham-operated mice. IH significantly decreased S G but did not affect S I and AIR G Adrenal medullectomy decreased fasting blood glucose and plasma insulin levels and increased glycogen synthesis in the liver in hypoxic mice but did not have a significant effect on the FSIVGTT metrics. We conclude that, in the absence of restraints, IH has no effect on glucose metabolism in lean mice with exception of decreased S G , whereas adrenal medullectomy decreases fasting glucose and insulin levels in the IH environment. NEW & NOTEWORTHY To our knowledge, this is the first study examining the role of adrenal catecholamines in glucose metabolism during intermittent hypoxia (IH) in unanesthetized unrestrained C57BL/6J mice. We report that IH did not affect fasting glucose and insulin levels nor insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion during, whereas glucose effectiveness was decreased. Adrenal medullectomy decreased fasting blood glucose and insulin levels in mice exposed to IH but had no effect on glucose metabolism, insulin secretion, and insulin sensitivity. Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.

Effect of adrenal medullectomy on metabolic responses to chronic intermittent hypoxia in the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test

PubMed Central

Shin, Mi-Kyung; Han, Woobum; Joo, Hoon; Bevans-Fonti, Shannon; Shiota, Masakazu; Stefanovski, Darko

2017-01-01

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with type 2 diabetes. We have previously developed a mouse model of intermittent hypoxia (IH) mimicking oxyhemoglobin desaturations in patients with sleep apnea and have shown that IH increases fasting glucose, hepatic glucose output, and plasma catecholamines. We hypothesize that adrenal medulla modulates glucose responses to IH and that such responses can be prevented by adrenal medullectomy. We performed adrenal medullectomy or sham surgery in lean C57BL/6J mice, which were exposed to IH or intermittent air (control) for 4 wk followed by the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIVGTT) in unanesthetized unrestrained animals. IH was administered during the 12-h light phase (9 AM to 9 PM) by decreasing inspired oxygen from 21 to 6.5% 60 cycles/h. Insulin sensitivity (SI), insulin independent glucose disposal [glucose effectiveness (SG)], and the insulin response to glucose (AIRG) were determined using the minimal model method. In contrast to our previous data obtained in restrained mice, IH did not affect fasting blood glucose and plasma insulin levels in sham-operated mice. IH significantly decreased SG but did not affect SI and AIRG. Adrenal medullectomy decreased fasting blood glucose and plasma insulin levels and increased glycogen synthesis in the liver in hypoxic mice but did not have a significant effect on the FSIVGTT metrics. We conclude that, in the absence of restraints, IH has no effect on glucose metabolism in lean mice with exception of decreased SG, whereas adrenal medullectomy decreases fasting glucose and insulin levels in the IH environment. NEW & NOTEWORTHY To our knowledge, this is the first study examining the role of adrenal catecholamines in glucose metabolism during intermittent hypoxia (IH) in unanesthetized unrestrained C57BL/6J mice. We report that IH did not affect fasting glucose and insulin levels nor insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion during, whereas glucose effectiveness was decreased. Adrenal medullectomy decreased fasting blood glucose and insulin levels in mice exposed to IH but had no effect on glucose metabolism, insulin secretion, and insulin sensitivity. PMID:28104753

Nitric oxide plays a role in the regulation of adrenal blood flow and adrenocorticomedullary functions in the llama fetus

PubMed Central

Riquelme, Raquel A; Sánchez, Gina; Liberona, Leonel; Sanhueza, Emilia M; Giussani, Dino A; Blanco, Carlos E; Hanson, Mark A; Llanos, Aníbal J

2002-01-01

The hypothesis that nitric oxide plays a key role in the regulation of adrenal blood flow and plasma concentrations of cortisol and catecholamines under basal and hypoxaemic conditions in the llama fetus was tested. At 0.6-0.8 of gestation, 11 llama fetuses were surgically prepared for long-term recording under anaesthesia with vascular and amniotic catheters. Following recovery all fetuses underwent an experimental protocol based on 1 h of normoxaemia, 1 h of hypoxaemia and 1 h of recovery. In nine fetuses, the protocol occurred during fetal i.v. infusion with saline and in five fetuses during fetal i.v. treatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor l-NAME. Adrenal blood flow was determined by the radiolabelled microsphere method during each of the experimental periods during saline infusion and treatment with l-NAME. Treatment with l-NAME during normoxaemia led to a marked fall in adrenal blood flow and a pronounced increase in plasma catecholamine concentrations, but it did not affect plasma ACTH or cortisol levels. In saline-infused fetuses, acute hypoxaemia elicited an increase in adrenal blood flow and in plasma ACTH, cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations. Treatment with l-NAME did not affect the increase in fetal plasma ACTH, but prevented the increments in adrenal blood flow and in plasma cortisol and adrenaline concentrations during hypoxaemia in the llama fetus. In contrast, l-NAME further enhanced the increase in fetal plasma noradrenaline. These data support the hypothesis that nitric oxide has important roles in the regulation of adrenal blood flow and adrenal corticomedullary functions during normoxaemia and hypoxaemia functions in the late gestation llama fetus. PMID:12356897

Ferulic acid with ascorbic acid synergistically extenuates the mitochondrial dysfunction during beta-adrenergic catecholamine induced cardiotoxicity in rats.

PubMed

Yogeeta, Surinder Kumar; Raghavendran, Hanumantha Rao Balaji; Gnanapragasam, Arunachalam; Subhashini, Rajakannu; Devaki, Thiruvengadam

2006-10-27

Disruption of mitochondria and free radical mediated tissue injury have been reported during cardiotoxicity induced by isoproterenol (ISO), a beta-adrenergic catecholamine. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of the combination of ferulic acid (FA) and ascorbic acid (AA) on the mitochondrial damage in ISO induced cardiotoxicity. Induction of rats with ISO (150 mg/kg b.wt., i.p.) for 2 days resulted in a significant decrease in the activities of respiratory chain enzymes (NADH dehydrogenase and cytochrome c-oxidase), tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes (isocitrate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase), mitochondrial antioxidants (GPx, GST, SOD, CAT, GSH), cytochromes (b, c, c1, aa3) and in the level of mitochondrial phospholipids. A marked elevation in mitochondrial lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and free fatty acids were also observed in ISO intoxicated rats. Pre-co-treatment with the combination of FA (20 mg/kg b.wt.) and AA (80 mg/kg b.wt.) orally for 6 days significantly enhanced the attenuation of these functional abnormalities and restored normal mitochondrial function when compared to individual drug treated groups. Mitigation of ISO induced biochemical and morphological changes in mitochondria were more pronounced with a combination of FA and AA rather than the individual drug treated groups. Transmission electron microscopic observations also correlated with these biochemical parameters. Hence, these findings demonstrate the synergistic ameliorative potential of FA and AA on mitochondrial function during beta-adrenergic catecholamine induced cardiotoxicity and associated oxidative stress in rats.

Effects of active recovery during interval training on plasma catecholamines and insulin.

PubMed

Nalbandian, Harutiun M; Radak, Zsolt; Takeda, Masaki

2018-06-01

BACKGROUNDː Active recovery has been used as a method to accelerate the recovery during intense exercise. It also has been shown to improve performance in subsequent exercises, but little is known about its acute effects on the hormonal and metabolic profile. The aim of this research was to study the effects of active recovery on plasma catecholamines and plasma insulin during a high-intensity interval exercise. METHODSː Seven subjects performed two high-intensity interval training protocols which consisted of three 30-second high-intensity bouts (constant intensity), separated by a recovery of 4 minutes. The recovery was either active recovery or passive recovery. During the main test blood samples were collected and plasma insulin, plasma catecholamines and blood lactate were determined. Furthermore, respiratory gasses were also measured. RESULTSː Plasma insulin and blood lactate were significantly higher in the passive recovery trial, while plasma adrenaline was higher in the active recovery. Additionally, VO2 and VCO2 were significantly more increased during the active recovery trials. CONCLUSIONSː These results suggest that active recovery affects the hormonal and metabolic responses to high-intensity interval exercise. Active recovery produces a hormonal environment which may favor lipolysis and oxidative metabolism, while passive recovery may be favoring glycolysis.

Alpha-1-Adrenergic Receptors in Heart Failure: The Adaptive Arm of the Cardiac Response to Chronic Catecholamine Stimulation

PubMed Central

Jensen, Brian C.; O'Connell, Timothy D.; Simpson, Paul C.

2013-01-01

Alpha-1-adrenergic receptors are G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) activated by catecholamines. The alpha-1A and alpha-1B subtypes are expressed in mouse and human myocardium, whereas the alpha-1D protein is found only in coronary arteries. There are far fewer alpha-1-ARs than beta-ARs in the non-failing heart, but their abundance is maintained or increased in the setting of heart failure, which is characterized by pronounced chronic elevation of catecholamines and b□eta-AR dysfunction. Decades of evidence from gain- and loss-of-function studies in isolated cardiac myocytes and numerous animal models demonstrate important adaptive functions for cardiac alpha-1-ARs, to include physiological hypertrophy, positive inotropy, ischemic preconditioning, and protection from cell death. Clinical trial data indicate that blocking alpha-1-ARs is associated with incident heart failure in patients with hypertension. Collectively, these findings suggest that alpha-1-AR activation might mitigate the well-recognized toxic effects of beta-ARs in the hyperadrenergic setting of chronic heart failure. Thus, exogenous cardioselective activation of alpha-1-ARs might represent a novel and viable approach to the treatment of heart failure. PMID:24145181

Chromogranin A deficiency in transgenic mice leads to aberrant chromaffin granule biogenesis.

PubMed

Kim, Taeyoon; Zhang, Chun-fa; Sun, Ziqing; Wu, Heling; Loh, Y Peng

2005-07-27

The biogenesis of dense-core secretory granules (DCGs), organelles responsible for the storage and secretion of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides in chromaffin cells, is poorly understood. Chromogranin A (CgA), which binds catecholamines for storage in the lumen of chromaffin granules, has been shown to be involved in DCG biogenesis in neuroendocrine PC12 cells. Here, we report that downregulation of CgA expression in vivo by expressing antisense RNA against CgA in transgenic mice led to a significant reduction in DCG formation in adrenal chromaffin cells. The number of DCGs formed in CgA antisense transgenic mice was directly correlated with the amount of CgA present in adrenal medulla. In addition, DCGs showed an increase in size, with enlargement in the volume around the dense core, a phenomenon that occurs to maintain constant "free" catecholamine concentration in the lumen of these granules. The extent of DCG swelling was inversely correlated with the number of DCGs formed, as well as the amount of CgA present in the adrenal glands of CgA antisense transgenic mice. These data indicate an essential role of CgA in regulating chromaffin DCG biogenesis and catecholamine storage in vivo.

Effects of the diet on brain function

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fernstrom, J. D.

1981-01-01

The rates of synthesis by brain neurons of the neurotransmitters serotonin, acetylcholine, and the catecholamines depend on the brain levels of the respective precursor molecules. Brain levels of each precursor are influenced by their blood concentration, and for the amino acid precursors, by the blood levels of other amino acids as well. Since diet readily alters blood concentrations of each of these precursors, it thereby also influences the brain formation of their neutrotransmitter products.

PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA: AN ENDOCRINE STRESS MIMICKING DISORDER

PubMed Central

Kantorovich, Vitaly; Eisenhofer, Graeme; Pacak, Karel

2008-01-01

Pheochromocytoma is an endocrine tumor that can uniquely mimic numerous stress-associated disorders, with variations in clinical manifestations resulting from different patterns of catecholamine secretion and actions of released catecholamines on physiological systems. PMID:19120142

Vasopressin, cortisol, and catecholamine concentrations in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy.

PubMed

Tidholm, Anna; Häggström, Jens; Hansson, Kerstin

2005-10-01

To evaluate plasma concentrations and urinary excretion of vasopressin and cortisol and urinary excretion of catecholamines in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). 15 dogs with clinical signs of DCM, 15 dogs with preclinical DCM, and 15 control dogs. Physical examinations, thoracic radiography, ECG, and echocardiography were performed on all dogs. Blood and urine samples were collected. Plasma concentration of vasopressin and the urine cortisol-to-urine creatinine ratio were significantly increased in dogs with clinical signs of DCM and dogs with preclinical DCM, compared with control dogs. Plasma vasopressin concentration was significantly higher in dogs with clinical signs of DCM, compared with dogs with preclinical DCM. Urine vasopressin-to-urine creatinine ratio was significantly increased in dogs with clinical signs of DCM, compared with dogs with preclinical DCM and control dogs. Urine epinephrine-to-urine creatinine ratio and urine norepinephrine-to-urine creatinine ratio were significantly increased in dogs with clinical signs of DCM, compared with control dogs. Plasma concentration of cortisol and urine dopamine-to-urine creatinine ratio did not differ significantly among groups. According to this study, the neuroendocrine pattern is changed in dogs with preclinical DCM. These changes are even more pronounced in dogs with clinical signs of DCM. Analysis of concentrations of vasopressin, cortisol, and catecholamines may aid in identification of the clinical stages of DCM. These findings may also provide a basis for additional studies of the possible beneficial effects of vasopressin antagonists and beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists in the treatment of dogs with congestive heart failure and DCM.

Catecholaminergic Regulation of Learning Rate in a Dynamic Environment.

PubMed

Jepma, Marieke; Murphy, Peter R; Nassar, Matthew R; Rangel-Gomez, Mauricio; Meeter, Martijn; Nieuwenhuis, Sander

2016-10-01

Adaptive behavior in a changing world requires flexibly adapting one's rate of learning to the rate of environmental change. Recent studies have examined the computational mechanisms by which various environmental factors determine the impact of new outcomes on existing beliefs (i.e., the 'learning rate'). However, the brain mechanisms, and in particular the neuromodulators, involved in this process are still largely unknown. The brain-wide neurophysiological effects of the catecholamines norepinephrine and dopamine on stimulus-evoked cortical responses suggest that the catecholamine systems are well positioned to regulate learning about environmental change, but more direct evidence for a role of this system is scant. Here, we report evidence from a study employing pharmacology, scalp electrophysiology and computational modeling (N = 32) that suggests an important role for catecholamines in learning rate regulation. We found that the P3 component of the EEG-an electrophysiological index of outcome-evoked phasic catecholamine release in the cortex-predicted learning rate, and formally mediated the effect of prediction-error magnitude on learning rate. P3 amplitude also mediated the effects of two computational variables-capturing the unexpectedness of an outcome and the uncertainty of a preexisting belief-on learning rate. Furthermore, a pharmacological manipulation of catecholamine activity affected learning rate following unanticipated task changes, in a way that depended on participants' baseline learning rate. Our findings provide converging evidence for a causal role of the human catecholamine systems in learning-rate regulation as a function of environmental change.

Inhibitory effects of pine nodule extract and its component, SJ-2, on acetylcholine-induced catecholamine secretion and synthesis in bovine adrenal medullary cells.

PubMed

Li, Xiaojia; Horishita, Takafumi; Toyohira, Yumiko; Shao, Hui; Bai, Jie; Bo, Haixia; Song, Xinbo; Ishikane, Shin; Yoshinaga, Yukari; Satoh, Noriaki; Tsutsui, Masato; Yanagihara, Nobuyuki

2017-04-01

Extract of pine nodules (matsufushi) formed by bark proliferation on the surface of trees of Pinus tabulaeformis or Pinus massoniana has been used as an analgesic for joint pain, rheumatism, neuralgia, dysmenorrhea and other complaints in Chinese traditional medicine. Here we report the effects of matsufushi extract and its components on catecholamine secretion and synthesis in cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells. We found that matsufushi extract (0.0003-0.005%) and its component, SJ-2 (5-hydroxy-3-methoxy-trans-stilbene) (0.3-100 μM), but not the other three, concentration-dependently inhibited catecholamine secretion induced by acetylcholine, a physiological secretagogue. Matsufushi extract (0.0003-0.005%) and SJ-2 (0.3-100 μM) also inhibited 45 Ca 2+ influx induced by acetylcholine in a concentration-dependent manner, similar to its effect on catecholamine secretion. They also suppressed 14 C-catecholamine synthesis and tyrosine hydroxylase activity induced by acetylcholine. In Xenopus oocytes expressing α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, matsufushi extract (0.00003-0.001%) and SJ-2 (1-100 μM) directly inhibited the current evoked by acetylcholine. The present findings suggest that SJ-2, as well as matsufushi extract, inhibits acetylcholine-induced catecholamine secretion and synthesis by suppression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-ion channels in bovine adrenal medullary cells. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Catecholaminergic Regulation of Learning Rate in a Dynamic Environment

PubMed Central

Jepma, Marieke; Nassar, Matthew R.; Rangel-Gomez, Mauricio; Meeter, Martijn; Nieuwenhuis, Sander

2016-01-01

Adaptive behavior in a changing world requires flexibly adapting one’s rate of learning to the rate of environmental change. Recent studies have examined the computational mechanisms by which various environmental factors determine the impact of new outcomes on existing beliefs (i.e., the ‘learning rate’). However, the brain mechanisms, and in particular the neuromodulators, involved in this process are still largely unknown. The brain-wide neurophysiological effects of the catecholamines norepinephrine and dopamine on stimulus-evoked cortical responses suggest that the catecholamine systems are well positioned to regulate learning about environmental change, but more direct evidence for a role of this system is scant. Here, we report evidence from a study employing pharmacology, scalp electrophysiology and computational modeling (N = 32) that suggests an important role for catecholamines in learning rate regulation. We found that the P3 component of the EEG—an electrophysiological index of outcome-evoked phasic catecholamine release in the cortex—predicted learning rate, and formally mediated the effect of prediction-error magnitude on learning rate. P3 amplitude also mediated the effects of two computational variables—capturing the unexpectedness of an outcome and the uncertainty of a preexisting belief—on learning rate. Furthermore, a pharmacological manipulation of catecholamine activity affected learning rate following unanticipated task changes, in a way that depended on participants’ baseline learning rate. Our findings provide converging evidence for a causal role of the human catecholamine systems in learning-rate regulation as a function of environmental change. PMID:27792728

Orthostatic hypotension as an unusual clinical manifestation of pheochromocytoma: a case report.

PubMed

Bortnik, Miriam; Occhetta, Eraldo; Marino, Paolo

2008-08-01

Pheochromocytoma is a rare endocrine tumor which can have a highly variable presentation related to increased catecholamine secretion. We report the case of a 74-year-old man in whom recurrent episodes of syncope due to orthostatic hypotension were the only clinical manifestations of this challenging entity. Diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was achieved by biochemical test samples and computed tomography scans. Surgical excision of the tumor resulted in clinical improvement with normalization of catecholamine concentrations and no more episodes of orthostatic hypotension during a follow-up of 24 months. Although rare, pheochromocytoma may frequently cause disorders of orthostatic tolerance; because of its meaningful implications, screening for this entity should be considered in case of recurrent syncopal episodes due to new-onset orthostatic hypotension.

COMT haplotypes, catecholamine metabolites in plasma and clinical response in schizophrenic and bipolar patients.

PubMed

Zumárraga, Mercedes; Arrúe, Aurora; Basterreche, Nieves; Macías, Isabel; Catalán, Ana; Madrazo, Arantza; Bustamante, Sonia; Zamalloa, María I; Erkoreka, Leire; Gordo, Estibaliz; Arnaiz, Ainara; Olivas, Olga; Arroita, Ariane; Marín, Elena; González-Torres, Miguel A

2016-06-01

We examined the association of COMT haplotypes and plasma metabolites of catecholamines in relation to the clinical response to antipsychotics in schizophrenic and bipolar patients. We studied 165 patients before and after four weeks of treatment, and 163 healthy controls. We assessed four COMT haplotypes and the plasma concentrations of HVA, DOPAC and MHPG. Bipolar patients: haplotypes are associated with age at onset and clinical evolution. In schizophrenic patients, an haplotype previously associated with increased risk, is related to better response of negative symptoms. Haplotypes would be good indicators of the clinical status and the treatment response in bipolar and schizophrenic patients. Larger studies are required to elucidate the clinical usefulness of these findings.

Behavioral Response of Dolphins to Signals Simulating Mid-Frequency Sonar

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-09-30

for cortisol and aldosterone and inspected for parallelism to determine whether a prolonged stress response is triggered by the sound exposure event...radioimmunoassay to assess circulating levels of corticosteroid hormones (cortisol and aldosterone ) and catecholamines (epinephrine). Levels will be compared...collected from the bottlenose dolphins. All samples have been processed for cortisol, aldosterone , and epinephrine. Assay kits have been validated for the

Spaceflight alters autonomic regulation of arterial pressure in humans

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fritsch-Yelle, Janice M.; Charles, John B.; Jones, Michele M.; Beightol, Larry A.; Eckberg, Dwain L.

1994-01-01

Spaceflight is associated with decreased orthostatic tolerance after landing. Short-duration spaceflight (4 - 5 days) impairs one neutral mechanism: the carotid baroreceptor-cardiac reflex. To understand the effects of longer-duration spaceflight on baroreflex function, we measured R-R interval power spectra, antecubital vein plasma catecholamine levels, carotid baroreceptor-cardiac reflex responses, responses to Valsalva maneuvers, and orthostatic tolerance in 16 astronauts before and after shuttle missions lasting 8 - 14 days. We found the following changes between preflight and landing day: (1) orthostatic tolerance decreased; (2) R-R interval spectral power in the 0.05- to 0.15-Hz band increased; (3) plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine levels increased; (4) the slope, range, and operational point of the carotid baroreceptor cardiac reflex response decreased; and (5) blood pressure and heart rate responses to Valsalva maneuvers were altered. Autonomic changes persisted for several days after landing. These results provide further evidence of functionally relevent reductions in parasympathetic and increases in sympathetic influences on arterial pressure control after spaceflight.

Increased Atrial β-Adrenergic Receptors and GRK-2 Gene Expression Can Play a Fundamental Role in Heart Failure After Repair of Congenital Heart Disease with Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

PubMed

Oliveira, Marcela Silva; Carmona, Fabio; Vicente, Walter V A; Manso, Paulo H; Mata, Karina M; Celes, Mara Rúbia; Campos, Erica C; Ramos, Simone G

2017-04-01

Surgeries to correct congenital heart diseases are increasing in Brazil and worldwide. However, even with the advances in surgical techniques and perfusion, some cases, especially the more complex ones, can develop heart failure and death. A retrospective study of patients who underwent surgery for correction of congenital heart diseases with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in a university tertiary-care hospital that died, showed infarction in different stages of evolution and scattered microcalcifications in the myocardium, even without coronary obstruction. CPB is a process routinely used during cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease. However, CPB has been related to increased endogenous catecholamines that can lead to major injuries in cardiomyocytes. The mechanisms involved are not completely understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the alterations induced in the β-adrenergic receptors and GRK-2 present in atrial cardiomyocytes of infants with congenital heart disease undergoing surgical repair with CPB and correlate the alterations with functional and biochemical markers of ischemia/myocardial injury. The study consisted of right atrial biopsies of infants undergoing surgical correction in HC-FMRPUSP. Thirty-three cases were selected. Atrial biopsies were obtained at the beginning of CPB (group G1) and at the end of CPB (group G2). Real-time PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence analysis were conducted to evaluate the expression of β 1 , β 2 -adrenergic receptors, and GRK-2 in atrial myocardium. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography and biochemical analysis (N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP), lactate, and cardiac troponin I). We observed an increase in serum lactate, NT-proBNP, and troponin I at the end of CPB indicating tissue hypoxia/ischemia. Even without major clinical consequences in cardiac function, these alterations were followed by a significant increase in gene expression of β 1 and β 2 receptors and GRK-2, suggesting that this is one of the mechanisms responsible for the exacerbated response of cardiomyocytes to circulating catecholamines. These alterations could explain the irreversible myocardial damage and lipid peroxidation of membranes classically attributed to catecholamine excess, observed in some infants who develop heart failure and postoperative death. Although other factors may be involved, this study confirms that CPB acts as a potent inducer of increased gene expression of β- adrenergic receptors and GRK-2, making the myocardium of these infants more susceptible to the effects of circulating endogenous catecholamines, which may contribute to the development of irreversible myocardial damage and death.

Increased EBV Shedding in Astronaut Saliva During Spaceflight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pierson, D. L.; Stowe, R. P.; Phillips, T.; Lugg, D. J.; Mehta, S. K.

2003-01-01

Shedding of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) by astronauts before, during, and after space shuttle missions was quantified. Of 1398 saliva specimens from 32 astronauts, 314 (23%) were positive for EBV DNA by PCR analysis. Of the saliva specimens collected before flight, 29% were positive for EBV DNA and of those collected during or after flight, 16% were EBV-positive. The number of EBV DNA copies from samples taken during the flight was 417+/-31, significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the number of copies from the preflight (40+/-1.7) and postflight (44+/-5) phases. Eighteen control subjects shed EBV DNA with a frequency of 3.7% and a copy number of 40+/-2 per ml saliva. Ten days before flight and on landing day, antibody titers to EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than baseline levels. On landing day, urinary level of cortiso1 and catecholamines, and plasma levels of substance P and other neuropeptides, were increased over their preflight value. Results suggested that stress associated with spaceflight decreases cellular immunity and thereby leads to increased viral reactivation.

Dissociation in Response to Methylphenidate on Response Variability in a Group of Medication Naive Children with ADHD

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Katherine A.; Barry, Edwina; Bellgrove, Mark A.; Cox, Marie; Kelly, Simon P.; Daibhis, Aoife; Daly, Michael; Keavey, Michelle; Watchorn, Amy; Fitzgerald, Michael; McNicholas, Fiona; Kirley, Aiveen; Robertson, Ian H.; Gill, Michael

2008-01-01

Increased variability in reaction time (RT) has been proposed as a cardinal feature of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Increased variability during sustained attention tasks may reflect inefficient fronto-striatal and fronto-parietal circuitry; activity within these circuits is modulated by the catecholamines. A disruption to…

Reversible catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy due to pheochromocytoma: case report.

PubMed

Satendra, Milan; de Jesus, Cláudia; Bordalo e Sá, Armando L; Rosário, Luís; Rocha, José; Bicha Castelo, Henrique; Correia, Maria José; Nunes Diogo, António

2014-03-01

Pheochromocytoma is a tumor originating from chromaffin tissue. It commonly presents with symptoms and signs of catecholamine excess, such as hypertension, tachycardia, headache and sweating. Cardiovascular manifestations include catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy, which may present as severe left ventricular dysfunction and congestive heart failure. We report a case of pheochromocytoma which was diagnosed following investigation of dilated cardiomyopathy. We highlight the dramatic symptomatic improvement and reversal of cardiomyopathy, with recovery of left ventricular function after treatment. Copyright © 2013 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier España. All rights reserved.

Catecholamine crisis during induction of general anesthesia : A case report.

PubMed

Sonntagbauer, M; Koch, A; Strouhal, U; Zacharowski, K; Weber, C F

2018-03-01

Catecholamine crises associated with pheochromocytoma may cause life-threatening cardiovascular conditions. We report the case of a 75-year-old male who developed a hypertensive crisis during induction of general anesthesia for elective resection of a cervical neuroma due to an undiagnosed pheochromocytoma. Hemodynamic instability occurred immediately after the injection of fentanyl, propofol and rocuronium, prior to laryngoscopy and in the absence of any manipulation of the abdomen. In this case report, we present the management of this incident and discuss the underlying pathophysiology triggering a catecholamine crisis.

Phaeochromocytoma: state-of-the-art.

PubMed

Donckier, J E; Michel, L

2010-01-01

Phaeochromocytomas are catecholamine-secreting tumours that arise from chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla and extra-adrenal sites. Extra-adrenal phaeochromocytomas are called paragangliomas. A diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma is suspected by typical paroxysmal symptoms, unusual or refractory hypertension, discovery of an adrenal incidentaloma or a family history of phaeochromocytoma or paraganglioma, possibly associated with other genetic syndromes (multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 A or B, neurofibromatosis type 1 and von Hippel-Lindau disease). It can be confirmed by measurements of urinary or plasma fractionated catecholamines and metanephrines. The best diagnostic performances are achieved by metanephrines. Twenty-four hour urine fractionated metanephrines are still recommended as a screening test but some experts prefer plasma measurements in high-risk patients. Increased serum chromogranin-A levels, combined with high catecholamine or metanephrine in a patient with normal renal function is also a tool, virtually diagnostic of phaeochromocytoma. Recent studies have suggested that 25% of patients with phaeochromocytoma have germline mutations of several genes (NF1, VHL, SDHD, SDHB and RET). Thus, genetic testing should be carried out according to an algorithm of risk factors and specific characteristics. Once a biochemical diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma is made, a CT scan or MRI of the abdomen and pelvis should be performed first. If these investigations remain negative, the chest and neck should be explored. After anatomical imaging, functional imaging by 123I-MIBG should be considered. If the MIBG scan is negative, other imaging modalities have recently proven to be useful (PET, Octreoscan). After localization, the treatment of phaeochromocytoma is a surgical resection, which may be laparoscopic. Preoperative preparation with alpha- and beta-adrenergic blockade and/or calcium channel blockers associated with volume expansion is essential. Malignant phaeochromocytoma is rare and its treatment still unsatisfying. Phaeochromocytoma during pregnancy is also rare and its diagnosis easily missed because of its clinical resemblance to pre-eclampsia.

Identification and characterization of a catechol-o-methyltransferase cDNA in the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis: Tissue, sex and seasonal variations, and effects of gonadotropin and 2-hydroxyestradiol-17β on mRNA expression.

PubMed

Chaube, R; Rawat, A; Inbaraj, R M; Bobe, J; Guiguen, Y; Fostier, A; Joy, K P

2017-05-15

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is involved in the methylation and inactivation of endogenous and xenobiotic catechol compounds, and serves as a common biochemical link in the catecholamine and catecholestrogen metabolism. Studies on cloning, sequencing and function characterization comt gene in lower vertebrates like fish are fewer. In the present study, a full-length comt cDNA of 1442bp with an open-reading frame (ORF) of 792bp, and start codon (ATG) at nucleotide 162 and stop codon (TAG) at nucleotide 953 was isolated and characterized in the stinging catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (accession No. KT597925). The ORF codes for a protein of 263 amino acid residues, which is also validated by the catfish transcriptome data analysis. The catfish Comt shared conserved putative structural regions important for S-adenosyl methionine (AdoMet)- and catechol-binding, transmembrane regions, two glycosylation sites (N-65 and N-91) at the N-terminus and two phosphorylation sites (Ser-235 and Thr-240) at the C-terminus. The gene was expressed in all tissues examined and the expression showed significant sex dimorphic distribution with high levels in females. The transcript was abundant in the liver, brain and gonads and low in muscles. The transcripts showed significant seasonal variations in the brain and ovary, increased progressively to the peak levels in spawning phase and then declined. The brain and ovarian comt mRNA levels showed periovulatory changes after in vivo and in vitro human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) treatments with high fold increases at 16 and 24h in the brain and at 16h in the ovary. The catecholestrogen 2-hydroxyE 2 up regulated ovarian comt expression in vitro with the highest fold increase at 16h. The mRNA and protein was localized in the follicular layer of the vitellogenic follicles and in the cytoplasm of primary follicles. The data were discussed in relation to catecholamine and catecholestrogen-mediated functions in the brain and ovary of the stinging catfish. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Catecholaminergic System of Invertebrates: Comparative and Evolutionary Aspects in Comparison With the Octopaminergic System.

PubMed

Gallo, Valentina P; Accordi, Fiorenza; Chimenti, Claudio; Civinini, Annalena; Crivellato, Enrico

2016-01-01

In this review we examined the catecholaminergic system of invertebrates, starting from protists and getting to chordates. Different techniques used by numerous researchers revealed, in most examined phyla, the presence of catecholamines dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline or of the enzymes involved in their synthesis. The catecholamines are generally linked to the nervous system and they can act as neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, and hormones; moreover they play a very important role as regards the response to a large number of stress situations. Nevertheless, in some invertebrate phyla belonging to Protostoma, the monoamine octopamine is the main biogenic amine. The presence of catecholamines in some protists suggests a role as intracellular or interorganismal signaling molecules and an ancient origin of their synthetic pathways. The catecholamines appear also involved in the regulation of bioluminescence and in the control of larval development and metamorphosis in some marine invertebrate phyla. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Significance of 3-methoxytyramine urine measurement in the diagnosis of pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas: about 28 patients].

PubMed

Le Jacques, Aurélien; Abalain, Jean-Hervé; Le Saos, Fabienne; Carré, Jean-Luc

2011-01-01

Measurement of catecholamines derivatives is used to diagnose tumors such as pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas. Despite the low incidence of these diseases, their diagnosis is essential because of potentially lethal episodes of malignant hypertension related to an inappropriate secretion of catecholamines by these tumors. The catecholamines derivatives include 3-methoxytyramine, normetanephrine and metanephrine, assayed in urine or plasma. The significance of the measurement of urinary 3-methoxytyramine was addressed by analysing the records of 28 patients aged 25 to 84 years with isolated elevation of this derivative, with non-pathological urinary rates of metanephrine and normetanephrine, that might help suspect a catecholamine inappropriate secretion. In these situations, no pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma was diagnosed. This study, after discussing possible biases in the clinical care and diagnosis approach of these patients, raises the question of the relevance of this assay in the diagnostic management of these diseases.

Perilipin overexpression in mice protects against diet-induced obesity

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Perilipin A is the most abundant phosphoprotein on adipocyte lipid droplets and is essential for lipid storage and lipolysis. Perilipin null mice exhibit diminished adipose tissue, elevated basal lipolysis, reduced catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis, and increased insulin resistance. To understand t...

Regulation of IL-17 family members by adrenal hormones during experimental sepsis in mice.

PubMed

Bosmann, Markus; Meta, Fabien; Ruemmler, Robert; Haggadone, Mikel D; Sarma, J Vidya; Zetoune, Firas S; Ward, Peter A

2013-04-01

Severe sepsis is a life-threatening disease that causes major morbidity and mortality. Catecholamines and glucocorticoids often have been used for the treatment of sepsis. Several recent studies have suggested a potential role of IL-17 during the development and progression of sepsis in small animal models. In this study, the cross-talk of catecholamines and glucocorticoids with members of the IL-17 family was investigated during sepsis in C57BL/6 mice. The concentrations in plasma of IL-17A, IL-17F, and the IL-17AF heterodimer all were increased greatly in mice after endotoxemia or cecal ligation and puncture as compared with sham mice. Surprisingly, when compared with IL-17A (487 pg/mL), the concentrations of IL-17F (2361 pg/mL) and the heterodimer, IL-17AF (5116 pg/mL), were much higher 12 hours after endotoxemia. After surgical removal of the adrenal glands, mice had much higher mortality after endotoxemia or cecal ligation and puncture. The absence of endogenous adrenal gland hormones (cortical and medullary) was associated with 3- to 10-fold higher concentrations of IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-17AF, and IL-23. The addition of adrenaline, noradrenaline, hydrocortisone, or dexamethasone to lipopolysaccharide-activated peritoneal macrophages dose-dependently suppressed the expression and release of IL-17s. The production of IL-17s required activation of c-Jun-N-terminal kinase, which was antagonized by both catecholamines and glucocorticoids. These data provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of immune modulation by catecholamines and glucocorticoids during acute inflammation. Copyright © 2013 American Society for Investigative Pathology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ordering pattern and performance of biochemical tests for diagnosing pheochromocytoma between 2000 and 2008.

PubMed

Yu, Run

2009-01-01

To examine what tests are ordered by physicians for pheochromocytoma diagnosis and how those tests perform in modern clinical practice. In this case series, electronic medical records of patients seen between January 2000 and July 2008 at a large academic hospital in Los Angeles, California, were queried, and patients older than 15 years who underwent any 1 of 5 tests for pheochromocytoma (measurement of plasma catecholamines, plasma fractionated metanephrines, urinary catecholamines, urinary metanephrines, or urinary vanillylmandelic acid) were identified. Because testing was performed in various reference laboratories, test results were classified into 1 of 3 categories: (a) markedly elevated, (b) moderately elevated, or (c) normal. Patient demographics, clinical history, test results, imaging study findings, and pathology records were reviewed. A total of 3980 tests were ordered for 1898 patients. Pretest probability was 2.2% (based on 681 patients in whom pheochromocytoma was confirmed or excluded), and hypertension was the most common indication for testing. The number of patients tested and the number of tests ordered increased over the years. The ordering pattern stabilized since 2006 when urinary metanephrines, urinary catecholamines, and plasma metanephrines were ordered more frequently. Sensitivity was highest for urinary metanephrines and vanillylmandelic acid, specificity was highest for vanillylmandelic acid and urinary catecholamines, and positive likelihood ratio was highest for vanillylmandelic acid. Positive predictive value for markedly elevated test results was 39% to 83%, while that for moderately elevated test results was only 2% to 14%. Ordering pattern and test performance differ significantly from those recommended and reported by large centers. The best testing strategy should incorporate local experience. Categorizing test results as markedly elevated, moderately elevated, and normal is important for result interpretation.

Exercise intensity-dependent changes in the inflammatory response in sedentary women: role of neuroendocrine parameters in the neutrophil phagocytic process and the pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokine balance.

PubMed

Giraldo, E; Garcia, J J; Hinchado, M D; Ortega, E

2009-01-01

It is still not really known what is the optimal level of exercise that improves, but does not impair or overstimulate the innate immune function. This is especially the case in women, who have higher basal levels of 'inflammatory markers' than men. The aim of this work was to evaluate differences in the magnitude of the stimulation of the innate/inflammatory response following a single bout of moderate or intense exercise in sedentary women, all of them in the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle. Changes in stress and sexual hormones were also evaluated. Changes induced by exercise (45 min at 55% VO(2) max vs. 1 h at 70% VO(2) max on a cycle ergometer) in the phagocytic process (chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and microbicide capacity against Candida albicans) and in serum concentrations of IL-1beta, IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-12, IL-6, and IL-4 (ELISA) were evaluated. Parallel determinations were also made of serum or plasma concentrations of catecholamines (HPLC) and cortisol, oestradiol, and progesterone (electrochemiluminescence immunoassay). Both exercise intensities increased chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and microbicide capacity of the neutrophils. However, the increase in chemotaxis was greater after moderate exercise. All the cytokines assayed were affected by exercise intensity. IFN-gamma increased significantly only immediately after the intense exercise; IL-1beta increased following both exercise intensities, although at 24 h it only remained elevated after the intense exercise; IL-12 only increased 24 h after the intense exercise, and IL-2 only showed a significant decrease following the moderate exercise. IL-6 increased immediately after both exercise intensities, but more so after moderate exercise. While IL-4 (an anti-inflammatory cytokine) increased following the moderate exercise, it decreased after the intense exercise. Both moderate and intense exercise increased norepinephrine and decreased cortisol, both of which returned to basal levels after 24 h. Only the intense exercise affected the epinephrine, oestradiol, and progesterone concentrations, with increases in epinephrine and oestradiol immediately after exercise, and a decrease in progesterone after 24 h. Both moderate and intense exercise stimulate the phagocytic process of neutrophils in sedentary women, but the profile of pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokine release seems to be better following the moderate exercise. The possible participation of stress (catecholamines and cortisol) and sex (oestradiol and progesterone) hormones in these intensity-dependent immune changes is discussed. Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.

An Experimental Brain Missile Wound: Ascertaining Pathophysiology and Evaluating Treatments to Lower Mortality and Morbidity

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-12-05

lidocaine ). An endotracheal tube smeared with topical anesthetic (2% xylocaine jelly) was inserted after application of local anesthetic (0.5 ml 2...methylepinephrine. Brain Res 235:271-283, 1982. 21 Huger F, Patrick G: Effect of concussive head injury on central catecholamine levels and synthesis rates in rat

Perioperative Management of Severe Hypertension during Laparoscopic Surgery for Pheochromocytoma

PubMed Central

Erdoğan, Mehmet Ali; Uçar, Muharrem; Özkan, Ahmet Selim; Özgül, Ülkü; Durmuş, Mahmut

2016-01-01

Phaeochromocytoma is a catecholamine-secreting vascular tumour that is derived from chromaffin cell. Lethal cardiovascular complications, such as serious hypertension, myocardial infarction and aortic dissection, may occur because of uncontrolled catecholamine release. Each stage of anaesthesia management has vital importance because of this destructive catecholamine secretion that may occur during induction, perioperative stage and surgical manipulation. In this study, we report regarding the preoperative preparation and severe, persistent hypertension attack management with a combination of α-adrenergic blockade, β-adrenergic blockade, sodium nitroprusside and remifentanil in a patient who underwent laparoscopic surgery for phaeochromocytoma. PMID:27366556

The choice of catecholamines in septic shock: more and more good arguments to strengthen the known position, but don't lose the faith!

PubMed

Meier-Hellmann, Andreas

2006-01-01

The choice of catecholamines for hemodynamic stabilisation in septic shock patients has been an ongoing debate for several years. Several studies have investigated the regional effects in septic patients. Because of an often very small sample size, because of inconsistent results and because of methodical problems in the monitoring techniques used in these studies, however, it is not possible to provide clear recommendations concerning the use of catecholamines in sepsis. Prospective and adequate-sized studies are necessary because outcome data are completely lacking.

Determination of catecholamine in human serum by a fluorescent quenching method based on a water-soluble fluorescent conjugated polymer-enzyme hybrid system.

PubMed

Huang, Hui; Gao, Yuan; Shi, Fanping; Wang, Guannan; Shah, Syed Mazhar; Su, Xingguang

2012-03-21

In this paper, a sensitive water-soluble fluorescent conjugated polymer biosensor for catecholamine (dopamine DA, adrenaline AD and norepinephrine NE) was developed. In the presence of horse radish peroxidase (HRP) and H(2)O(2), catecholamine could be oxidized and the oxidation product of catecholamine could quench the photoluminescence (PL) intensity of poly(2,5-bis(3-sulfonatopropoxy)-1,4-phenylethynylenealt-1,4-poly(phenylene ethynylene)) (PPESO(3)). The quenching PL intensity of PPESO(3) (I(0)/I) was proportional to the concentration of DA, AD and NE in the concentration ranges of 5.0 × 10(-7) to 1.4 × 10(-4), 5.0 × 10(-6) to 5.0 × 10(-4), and 5.0 × 10(-6) to 5.0 × 10(-4) mol L(-1), respectively. The detection limit for DA, AD and NE was 1.4 × 10(-7) mol L(-1), 1.0 × 10(-6) and 1.0 × 10(-6) mol L(-1), respectively. The PPESO(3)-enzyme hybrid system based on the fluorescence quenching method was successfully applied for the determination of catecholamine in human serum samples with good accuracy and satisfactory recovery. The results were in good agreement with those provided by the HPLC-MS method.

β2-AR activation induces chemoresistance by modulating p53 acetylation through upregulating Sirt1 in cervical cancer cells.

PubMed

Chen, Hongyu; Zhang, Wei; Cheng, Xiang; Guo, Liang; Xie, Shuai; Ma, Yuanfang; Guo, Ning; Shi, Ming

2017-07-01

It has been suggested that β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR)-mediated signaling induced by catecholamines regulates the degradation of p53. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms were not known. In the present study, we demonstrated that catecholamines upregulated the expression of silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1) through activating β2-AR-mediated signaling pathway, since selective β2-AR antagonist ICI 118, 551 and non-selective β-blocker proprenolol effectively repressed isoproterenol (ISO)-induced Sirt1 expression. Catecholamines inhibited doxorubicin (DOX)-induced p53 acetylation and transcription-activation activities by inducing the expression of Sirt1. Knockdown of the Sirt1 expression by the specific siRNA remarkably blocked the inhibitory effects of ISO on DOX-induced p53 acetylation. In addition, we demonstrated that catecholamines induced resistance of cervical cancer cells to chemotherapeutics both in vitro and in vivo and that β2-AR was overexpressed in cervical cancer tissues. Our data suggest that the p53-dependent, chemotherapeutics-induced cytotoxicity in cervical cancer cells may be compromised by catecholamines-induced upregulation of the Sirt1 expression through activating the β2-AR signaling. © 2017 The Authors. Cancer Science published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japanese Cancer Association.

Exercise-induced myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease: lack of evidence for platelet activation or fibrin formation in peripheral venous blood.

PubMed

Marcella, J J; Nichols, A B; Johnson, L L; Owen, J; Reison, D S; Kaplan, K L; Cannon, P J

1983-05-01

The hypothesis that exercise-induced myocardial ischemia is associated with abnormal platelet activation and fibrin formation or dissolution was tested in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing upright bicycle stress testing. In vivo platelet activation was assessed by radioimmunoassay of platelet factor 4, beta-thrombo-globulin and thromboxane B2. In vivo fibrin formation was assessed by radioimmunoassay of fibrinopeptide A, and fibrinolysis was assessed by radioimmunoassay of thrombin-increasable fibrinopeptide B which reflects plasmin cleavage of fibrin I. Peripheral venous concentrations of these substances were measured in 10 normal subjects and 13 patients with coronary artery disease at rest and during symptom-limited peak exercise. Platelet factor 4, beta-thromboglobulin and thromboxane B2 concentrations were correlated with rest and exercise catecholamine concentrations to determine if exercise-induced elevation of norepinephrine and epinephrine enhances platelet activation. Left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes, ejection fraction and segmental wall motion were measured at rest and during peak exercise by first pass radionuclide angiography. All patients with coronary artery disease had documented exercise-induced myocardial ischemia manifested by angina pectoris, ischemic electrocardiographic changes, left ventricular segmental dyssynergy and a reduction in ejection fraction. Rest and peak exercise plasma concentrations were not significantly different for platelet factor 4, beta-thromboglobulin, thromboxane B2, fibrinopeptide A and thrombin-increasable fibrinopeptide B. Peripheral venous concentrations of norepinephrine and epinephrine increased significantly (p less than 0.001) in both groups of patients. The elevated catecholamine levels did not lead to detectable platelet activation. This study demonstrates that enhanced platelet activation, thromboxane release and fibrin formation or dissolution are not detectable in peripheral venous blood of patients with coronary disease during exercise-induced myocardial ischemia.

Regulation of leptin production in humans.

PubMed

Fried, S K; Ricci, M R; Russell, C D; Laferrère, B

2000-12-01

Serum levels of the adipocyte hormone leptin are increased in proportion to body fat stores as a result of increased production in enlarged fat cells from obese subjects. In vitro studies indicate that insulin and glucocorticoids work directly on adipose tissue to upregulate in a synergistic manner leptin mRNA levels and rates of leptin secretion in human adipose tissue over the long term. Thus, the increased leptin expression observed in obesity could result from the chronic hyperinsulinemia and increased cortisol turnover. Superimposed upon the long-term regulation, nutritional status can influence serum leptin over the short term, independent of adiposity. Fasting leads to a gradual decline in serum leptin that is probably attributable to the decline in insulin and the ability of catecholamines to decrease leptin expression, as observed in both in vivo and in vitro studies. In addition, increases in serum leptin occur approximately 4-7 h after meals. Increasing evidence indicates that insulin, in concert with permissive effects of cortisol, can increase serum leptin over this time frame and likely contributes to meal-induced increases in serum leptin. Further research is required to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying short- and long-term nutritional and hormonal regulation of leptin production and secretion.

Effect of adrenaline on the response of erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate in rabbits in vivo.

PubMed

Odje, O E; Ramsey, J M

1996-06-01

1. A 6 hr time-course response of erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate was studied in rabbits following adrenaline administration. 2. Eight female New Zealand white rabbits weighing about 3.6 Kg each were injected intra-peritoneally with a total of 0.97 mg/kg of adrenaline (0.56 mg/kg at time 0 min and 0.41 mg/kg at time 0.5 hr), and the venous level of red blood cell (RBC) 2,3-DPG was monitored at 0 hr, 1 hr, 3 hr, and 6 hr, respectively. As controls, the level of 2,3-DPG was also monitored in these rabbits weeks prior to the experiment. 3. A significant (p < 0.05) rise in the mean level of 2.3-DPG (mumol.ml-1 RBC) was reached 3 hr after the initial injection of adrenaline, and the level returned to the preexposure level by the end of 6 hr. 4. It is speculated that adrenaline may be one of the contributors that increases the level of 2,3-DPG during the resting period following exhaustive exercise because this catecholamine has been reported to increase following this type of hypoxia.

Effects of commonly used inotropes on myocardial function and oxygen consumption under constant ventricular loading conditions

PubMed Central

DeWitt, Elizabeth S.; Black, Katherine J.; Thiagarajan, Ravi R.; DiNardo, James A.; Colan, Steven D.; McGowan, Francis X.

2016-01-01

Inotropic medications are routinely used to increase cardiac output and arterial blood pressure during critical illness. However, few comparative data exist between these medications, particularly independent of their effects on venous capacitance and systemic vascular resistance. We hypothesized that an isolated working heart model that maintained constant left atrial pressure and aortic blood pressure could identify load-independent differences between inotropic medications. In an isolated heart preparation, the aorta and left atrium of Sprague Dawley rats were cannulated and placed in working mode with fixed left atrial and aortic pressure. Hearts were then exposed to common doses of a catecholamine (dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, or dobutamine), milrinone, or triiodothyronine (n = 10 per dose per combination). Cardiac output, contractility (dP/dtmax), diastolic performance (dP/dtmin and tau), stroke work, heart rate, and myocardial oxygen consumption were compared during each 10-min infusion to an immediately preceding baseline. Of the catecholamines, dobutamine increased cardiac output, contractility, and diastolic performance more than clinically equivalent doses of norepinephrine (second most potent), dopamine, or epinephrine (P < 0.001). The use of triiodothyronine and milrinone was not associated with significant changes in cardiac output, contractility or diastolic function, either alone or added to a baseline catecholamine infusion. Myocardial oxygen consumption was closely related to dP/dtmax (r2 = 0.72), dP/dtmin (r2 = 0.70), and stroke work (r2 = 0.53). In uninjured, isolated working rodent hearts under constant ventricular loading conditions, dobutamine increased contractility and cardiac output more than clinically equivalent doses of norepinephrine, dopamine, and epinephrine; milrinone and triiodothyronine did not have significant effects on contractility. PMID:27150829

Effects of pre-experience of social exclusion on hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and catecholaminergic responsiveness to public speaking stress.

PubMed

Weik, Ulrike; Kuepper, Yvonne; Hennig, Juergen; Deinzer, Renate

2013-01-01

Being socially excluded is associated with a variety of psychological changes and with an increased risk of disease. Today, the immediate physiological consequences of being socially excluded are not well understood. In two recent studies employing a standardized exclusion paradigm (Cyberball) we found social exclusion in this virtual game did not alter cortisol secretion directly. However, exclusion pre-experience suppresses the normal cortisol response to public speaking stress in women. The present study aims to replicate our previous finding and further elucidate it by analyzing for the first time whether this alteration of cortisol-responsiveness is associated to ACTH and whether the catecholaminergic system is affected as well. Women were randomly assigned to Cyberball-induced exclusion (SE, n = 22) or inclusion (SI, n = 21), respectively. Immediately afterwards they were subjected to public speaking stress. Salivary cortisol, plasma ACTH, catecholamines and estradiol were assessed as were psychological distress and mood. Cyberball exclusion led to a highly significant immediate increase in negative affect in excluded women. After public speaking negative affect in included women increased as well and groups no longer differed. We replicate our previous finding of cortisol non-responsiveness to public speaking stress after exclusion pre-experience and find this effect to be significantly correlated with ACTH alterations. No such effects are observed for catecholamines. We replicated our previous study result of a suppressed cortisol stress response after a short exclusion experience via Cyberball, thereby underlining the profound effects of social exclusion on a subsequent cortisol stress response. This further demonstrates that these alterations are associated with ACTH. Lack of effects on catecholamines is discussed in view of the tend-and-befriend hypothesis but also from a methodological perspective.

Effects of Pre-Experience of Social Exclusion on Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis and Catecholaminergic Responsiveness to Public Speaking Stress

PubMed Central

Weik, Ulrike; Kuepper, Yvonne; Hennig, Juergen; Deinzer, Renate

2013-01-01

Backround Being socially excluded is associated with a variety of psychological changes and with an increased risk of disease. Today, the immediate physiological consequences of being socially excluded are not well understood. In two recent studies employing a standardized exclusion paradigm (Cyberball) we found social exclusion in this virtual game did not alter cortisol secretion directly. However, exclusion pre-experience suppresses the normal cortisol response to public speaking stress in women. The present study aims to replicate our previous finding and further elucidate it by analyzing for the first time whether this alteration of cortisol-responsiveness is associated to ACTH and whether the catecholaminergic system is affected as well. Methods Women were randomly assigned to Cyberball-induced exclusion (SE, n = 22) or inclusion (SI, n = 21), respectively. Immediately afterwards they were subjected to public speaking stress. Salivary cortisol, plasma ACTH, catecholamines and estradiol were assessed as were psychological distress and mood. Results Cyberball exclusion led to a highly significant immediate increase in negative affect in excluded women. After public speaking negative affect in included women increased as well and groups no longer differed. We replicate our previous finding of cortisol non-responsiveness to public speaking stress after exclusion pre-experience and find this effect to be significantly correlated with ACTH alterations. No such effects are observed for catecholamines. Conclusions We replicated our previous study result of a supressed cortisol stress response after a short exclusion experience via Cyberball, thereby underlining the profound effects of social exclusion on a subsequent cortisol stress response. This further demonstrates that these alterations are associated with ACTH. Lack of effects on catecholamines is discussed in view of the tend-and-befriend hypothesis but also from a methodological perspective. PMID:23573255

Conformational reduction of DOPA in the gas phase studied by laser desorption supersonic jet laser spectroscopy.

PubMed

Ishiuchi, Shun-ichi; Mitsuda, Haruhiko; Asakawa, Toshiro; Miyazaki, Mitsuhiko; Fujii, Masaaki

2011-05-07

The conformational reduction in catecholamine neurotransmitters was studied by resonance enhanced multi photon ionization (REMPI), ultraviolet-ultraviolet (UV-UV) hole burning and infrared (IR) dip spectroscopy with applying a laser desorption supersonic jet technique to DOPA, which is one of the catecholamine neurotransmitters and has one more phenolic OH group than tyrosine. It is concluded that DOPA has a single observable conformer in the gas phase at low temperature. Quantum chemical calculations at several levels with or without the dispersion correction were also carried out to study stable conformations. From the comparison between the computational IR spectra and the experimental ones, the most stable structure was determined. It is strongly suggested that the conformational reduction is caused by electrostatic interactions, such as a dipole-dipole interaction, between the chain and OH groups. This journal is © the Owner Societies 2011

Endocrine responses in long-duration manned space flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leach, C. S.; Rambaut, P. C.

1975-01-01

Endocrine measurements to assess the physiological cost of the combined stresses of space flight are considered from two aspects. First, fluid and electrolyte balance are correlated with weight loss, changes in the excretion of aldosterone and vasopressin and fluid compartments. The second area involves estimation of the physiological cost of maintaining a given level of performance during space flight by analysis of urinary catecholamines and cortisol. Inter-individual variability is demonstrated for most experimental indices measured. The measured changes are consistent with the hypothesis that a relative increase in thoracic blood volume upon transition to the zero-gravity environment can be interpreted as a true volume expansion resulting in an osmotic diuresis.

DISTRIBUTION OF ATRAZINE IN PC12 CELLS AND MODULATION OF CATECHOLAMINE SYNTHESIS

EPA Science Inventory

Previously, we reported that atrazine disrupts ovarian function by altering hypothalamic catecholamine (CA) concentrations and the consequent regulation of pituitary LH release and prolactin secretion in the young female rat. We also showed that atrazine directly interacts with t...

Methylphenidate does not enhance visual working memory but benefits motivation in macaque monkeys.

PubMed

Oemisch, Mariann; Johnston, Kevin; Paré, Martin

2016-10-01

Working memory is a limited-capacity cognitive process that retains relevant information temporarily to guide thoughts and behavior. A large body of work has suggested that catecholamines exert a major modulatory influence on cognition, but there is only equivocal evidence of a direct influence on working memory ability, which would be reflected in a dependence on working memory load. Here we tested the contribution of catecholamines to working memory by administering a wide range of acute oral doses of the dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor methylphenidate (MPH, 0.1-9 mg/kg) to three female macaque monkeys (Macaca mulatta), whose working memory ability was measured from their performance in a visual sequential comparison task. This task allows the systematic manipulation of working memory load, and we therefore tested the specific hypothesis that MPH modulates performance in a manner that depends on both dose and memory load. We found no evidence of a dose- or memory load-dependent effect of MPH on performance. In contrast, significant effects on measures of motivation were observed. These findings suggest that an acute increase in catecholamines does not seem to affect the retention of visual information per se. As such, these results help delimit the effects of MPH on cognition. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dietary flavonols contribute to false-positive elevation of homovanillic acid, a marker of catecholamine-secreting tumors.

PubMed

Combet, Emilie; Lean, Michael E J; Boyle, James G; Crozier, Alan; Davidson, D Fraser

2011-01-14

Urinary homovanillic acid (HVA) measurement is used routinely as a marker of the first test for the screening of catecholamine-secreting tumors and dopamine metabolism, but generates a large number of false-positive results. With no guidelines for dietary restrictions prior to the test, we hypothesize that consumption of flavonol-rich foods (such as onions, tomatoes, tea) prior to urinary catecholamine screening could be responsible for false-positive urinary HVA in healthy subjects. A randomized, crossover dietary intervention was carried out in healthy subjects (n=17). Volunteers followed either a low or high-flavonol diet, for a duration of 3 days, prior to providing a 24-h urine sample for HVA measurement using a routine, validated liquid chromatography method as well as a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method. Dietary flavonol intake significantly increased urinary HVA excretion (p < 0.001), with 3 out of 17 volunteers (20%) exceeding the 40 μmol/24 h upper limit of normal for HVA excretion (false-positive result). Dietary flavonols commonly found in foodstuff such as tomatoes, onions, and tea, interfered with the routine urinary HVA screening test and should be avoided in the three-day run-up to the test. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Response to pentagastrin after acute phenylalanine and tyrosine depletion in healthy men: a pilot study.

PubMed Central

Coupland, N; Zedkova, L; Sanghera, G; Leyton, M; Le Mellédo, J M

2001-01-01

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of the acute depletion of the catecholamine precursors phenylalanine and tyrosine on mood and pentagastrin-induced anxiety. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind controlled multiple crossover study. SETTING: University department of psychiatry. PARTICIPANTS: 6 healthy male volunteers. INTERVENTIONS: 3 treatments were compared: pretreatment with a nutritionally balanced amino acid mixture, followed 5 hours later by a bolus injection of normal saline placebo; pretreatment with a balanced amino acid mixture, followed by a bolus injection of pentagastrin (0.6 microgram/kg); and pretreatment with an amino acid mixture without the catecholamine precursors phenylalanine or tyrosine, followed by pentagastrin (0.6 microgram/kg). OUTCOME MEASURES: Scores on the panic symptom scale, a visual analogue scale for anxiety, the Borg scale of respiratory exertion and the Profile of Mood States Elation-Depression Scale. RESULTS: Pentagastrin produced the expected increases in anxiety symptoms, but there was no significant or discernible influence of acute phenylalanine and tyrosine depletion on anxiety or mood. CONCLUSIONS: These pilot data do not support further study using the same design in healthy men. Under these study conditions, phenylalanine and tyrosine depletion may have larger effects on dopamine than noradrenaline. Alternative protocols to assess the role of catecholamines in mood and anxiety are proposed. PMID:11394194

The effects of methylphenidate on cerebral responses to conflict anticipation and unsigned prediction error in a stop-signal task.

PubMed

Manza, Peter; Hu, Sien; Ide, Jaime S; Farr, Olivia M; Zhang, Sheng; Leung, Hoi-Chung; Li, Chiang-shan R

2016-03-01

To adapt flexibly to a rapidly changing environment, humans must anticipate conflict and respond to surprising, unexpected events. To this end, the brain estimates upcoming conflict on the basis of prior experience and computes unsigned prediction error (UPE). Although much work implicates catecholamines in cognitive control, little is known about how pharmacological manipulation of catecholamines affects the neural processes underlying conflict anticipation and UPE computation. We addressed this issue by imaging 24 healthy young adults who received a 45 mg oral dose of methylphenidate (MPH) and 62 matched controls who did not receive MPH prior to performing the stop-signal task. We used a Bayesian Dynamic Belief Model to make trial-by-trial estimates of conflict and UPE during task performance. Replicating previous research, the control group showed anticipation-related activation in the presupplementary motor area and deactivation in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and parahippocampal gyrus, as well as UPE-related activations in the dorsal anterior cingulate, insula, and inferior parietal lobule. In group comparison, MPH increased anticipation activity in the bilateral caudate head and decreased UPE activity in each of the aforementioned regions. These findings highlight distinct effects of catecholamines on the neural mechanisms underlying conflict anticipation and UPE, signals critical to learning and adaptive behavior. © The Author(s) 2016.

The effects of methylphenidate on cerebral responses to conflict anticipation and unsigned prediction error in a stop-signal task

PubMed Central

Manza, Peter; Hu, Sien; Ide, Jaime S; Farr, Olivia M; Zhang, Sheng; Leung, Hoi-Chung; Li, Chiang-shan R

2016-01-01

To adapt flexibly to a rapidly changing environment, humans must anticipate conflict and respond to surprising, unexpected events. To this end, the brain estimates upcoming conflict on the basis of prior experience and computes unsigned prediction error (UPE). Although much work implicates catecholamines in cognitive control, little is known about how pharmacological manipulation of catecholamines affects the neural processes underlying conflict anticipation and UPE computation. We addressed this issue by imaging 24 healthy young adults who received a 45 mg oral dose of methylphenidate (MPH) and 62 matched controls who did not receive MPH prior to performing the stop-signal task. We used a Bayesian Dynamic Belief Model to make trial-by-trial estimates of conflict and UPE during task performance. Replicating previous research, the control group showed anticipation-related activation in the presupplementary motor area and deactivation in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and parahippocampal gyrus, as well as UPE-related activations in the dorsal anterior cingulate, insula, and inferior parietal lobule. In group comparison, MPH increased anticipation activity in the bilateral caudate head and decreased UPE activity in each of the aforementioned regions. These findings highlight distinct effects of catecholamines on the neural mechanisms underlying conflict anticipation and UPE, signals critical to learning and adaptive behavior. PMID:26755547

Differential effects of catecholamines on in vitro growth of pathogenic bacteria

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Belay, Tesfaye; Sonnenfeld, Gerald

2002-01-01

Supplementation of minimal medium inoculated with bacterial cultures with norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, or isoproterenol resulted in marked increases in growth compared to controls. Norepinephrine and dopamine had the greatest enhancing effects on growth of cultures of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae, while epinephrine and isoproterenol also enhanced growth to a lesser extent. The growth of Escherichia coli in the presence of norepinephrine was greater than growth in the presence of the three other neurochemicals used in the study. Growth of Staphylococcus aureus was also enhanced in the presence of norepinephrine, but not to the same degree as was the growth of gram negative bacteria. Addition of culture supernatants from E. coli cultures that had been grown in the presence of norepinephrine was able to enhance the growth of K. pneumoniae. Addition of the culture supernatant fluid culture from E. coli cultures that had been grown in the presence of norepinephrine did not enhance growth of P. aeruginosa or S. aureus. Culture supernatant fluids from bacteria other than E. coli grown in the presence of norepinephrine were not able to enhance the growth of any bacteria tested. The results suggest that catecholamines can enhance growth of pathogenic bacteria, which may contribute to development of pathogenesis; however, there is no uniform effect of catecholamines on bacterial growth.

Increased gluconeogenesis in hyper-G stressed rats

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daligcon, B. C.; Oyama, J.

1982-01-01

The role of gluconeogenesis in the altered carbohydrate metabolism in rats exposed to hyper-G stress is investigated. The blood levels of the substrates and hormones involved in gluconeogenesis were determined in rats exposed to 3.1 G for various time periods (0.25 to 24 hr). It is found that hyper-G stressed rats showed an immediate increase in plasma glucose at the onset of centrifugation which persisted throughout all the exposure periods. A substantial part of the initial rise in blood glucose is attributed to an increased rate of gluconeogenesis. An increase in liver glycogen deposition was observed in centrifuged rats as early as 0.50 hr exposure time, with progressively larger amounts accumulated as the exposure time was extended to 24 hr. It is concluded that the increase in gluconeogenic activity of hyper-G stressed rats is due to an increase in the mobilization of gluconeogenic substrates from perpheral tissues to the liver as a result of increases in circulating catecholamines and glucagon.

Methylphenidate enhances NMDA-receptor response in medial prefrontal cortex via sigma-1 receptor: a novel mechanism for methylphenidate action.

PubMed

Zhang, Chun-Lei; Feng, Ze-Jun; Liu, Yue; Ji, Xiao-Hua; Peng, Ji-Yun; Zhang, Xue-Han; Zhen, Xue-Chu; Li, Bao-Ming

2012-01-01

Methylphenidate (MPH), commercially called Ritalin or Concerta, has been widely used as a drug for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Noteworthily, growing numbers of young people using prescribed MPH improperly for pleasurable enhancement, take high risk of addiction. Thus, understanding the mechanism underlying high level of MPH action in the brain becomes an important goal nowadays. As a blocker of catecholamine transporters, its therapeutic effect is explained as being due to proper modulation of D1 and α2A receptor. Here we showed that higher dose of MPH facilitates NMDA-receptor mediated synaptic transmission via a catecholamine-independent mechanism, in layer V∼VI pyramidal cells of the rat medial prefrontal cortex (PFC). To indicate its postsynaptic action, we next found that MPH facilitates NMDA-induced current and such facilitation could be blocked by σ1 but not D1/5 and α2 receptor antagonists. And this MPH eliciting enhancement of NMDA-receptor activity involves PLC, PKC and IP3 receptor mediated intracellular Ca(2+) increase, but does not require PKA and extracellular Ca(2+) influx. Our additional pharmacological studies confirmed that higher dose of MPH increases locomotor activity via interacting with σ1 receptor. Together, the present study demonstrates for the first time that MPH facilitates NMDA-receptor mediated synaptic transmission via σ1 receptor, and such facilitation requires PLC/IP3/PKC signaling pathway. This novel mechanism possibly explains the underlying mechanism for MPH induced addictive potential and other psychiatric side effects.

Methylphenidate Enhances NMDA-Receptor Response in Medial Prefrontal Cortex via Sigma-1 Receptor: A Novel Mechanism for Methylphenidate Action

PubMed Central

Liu, Yue; Ji, Xiao-Hua; Peng, Ji-Yun; Zhang, Xue-Han; Zhen, Xue-Chu; Li, Bao-Ming

2012-01-01

Methylphenidate (MPH), commercially called Ritalin or Concerta, has been widely used as a drug for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Noteworthily, growing numbers of young people using prescribed MPH improperly for pleasurable enhancement, take high risk of addiction. Thus, understanding the mechanism underlying high level of MPH action in the brain becomes an important goal nowadays. As a blocker of catecholamine transporters, its therapeutic effect is explained as being due to proper modulation of D1 and α2A receptor. Here we showed that higher dose of MPH facilitates NMDA-receptor mediated synaptic transmission via a catecholamine-independent mechanism, in layer V∼VI pyramidal cells of the rat medial prefrontal cortex (PFC). To indicate its postsynaptic action, we next found that MPH facilitates NMDA-induced current and such facilitation could be blocked by σ1 but not D1/5 and α2 receptor antagonists. And this MPH eliciting enhancement of NMDA-receptor activity involves PLC, PKC and IP3 receptor mediated intracellular Ca2+ increase, but does not require PKA and extracellular Ca2+ influx. Our additional pharmacological studies confirmed that higher dose of MPH increases locomotor activity via interacting with σ1 receptor. Together, the present study demonstrates for the first time that MPH facilitates NMDA-receptor mediated synaptic transmission via σ1 receptor, and such facilitation requires PLC/IP3/PKC signaling pathway. This novel mechanism possibly explains the underlying mechanism for MPH induced addictive potential and other psychiatric side effects. PMID:23284812

Cooperative Effects of Corticosteroids and Catecholamines upon Immune Deviation of the Type-1/Type-2 Cytokine Balance in Favor of Type-2 Expression in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Salicru, A. N.; Sams, Clarence F.; Marshall, G. D.

2007-01-01

A growing number of studies show strong associations between stress and altered immune function. In vivo studies of chronic and acute stress have demonstrated that cognitive stressors are strongly correlated with high levels of catecholamines (CT) and corticosteroids (CS). Although both CS and CT individually can inhibit the production of T-helper 1 (TH1, type-1 like) cytokines and simultaneously promote the production of T-helper 2 (TH2, type-2 like) cytokines in antigen-specific and mitogen stimulated human leukocyte cultures in vitro, little attention has been focused on the effects of combination CT and CS in immune responses that may be more physiologically relevant. We therefore investigated the combined effects of in vitro CT and CS upon the type-1/type-2 cytokine balance of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as a model to study the immunomodulatory effects of superimposed acute and chronic stress. Results demonstrated a significant decrease in type-1 cytokine production (IFN-gamma) and a significant increase in type-2 cytokine production (IL-4, IL-10) in our CS+CT incubated cultures when compared to either CT or CS agents alone. Furthermore, variable enhancement of type-1/type-2 immune deviation occurred depending upon when the CT was added. The data suggest that CS can increase the sensitivity of PBMC to the immunomodulatory effects of CT and establishes an in vitro model to study the combined effects of in vivo type-1/type-2 cytokine alterations observed in acute and chronic stress.

Skin rubdown with a dry towel, 'kanpu-masatsu' is an aerobic exercise affecting body temperature, energy production, and the immune and autonomic nervous systems.

PubMed

Watanabe, Mayumi; Takano, Osamu; Tomiyama, Chikako; Matsumoto, Hiroaki; Kobayashi, Takahiro; Urahigashi, Nobuatsu; Urahigashi, Nobuatsu; Abo, Toru

2012-01-01

Skin rubdown using a dry towel (SRDT) to scrub the whole body is a traditional therapy for health promotion. To investigate its mechanism, 24 healthy male volunteers were studied. Body temperature, pulse rate, red blood cells (RBCs), serum levels of catecholamines and cortisol, blood gases (PO(2), sO(2), PCO(2) and pH), lactate and glucose, and the ratio and number of white blood cells (WBCs) were assessed before and after SRDT. After SRDT, pulse rate and body temperature were increased. PO(2), sO(2) and pH were also increased and there was no Rouleaux formation by RBCs. Lactate level tended to increase, whereas that of glucose did not. Adrenaline and noradrenaline levels increased, indicating sympathetic nerve (SN) dominance with increase in granulocytes. WBC number and ratio were divided into two groups according to granulocyte ratio (≤ or < 60%) before SRDT: a normal group and a SN group. Only in the SN group did the granulocyte ratio decrease and the lymphocyte ratio and number increase after SRDT. It is suggested that SRDT is a mild aerobic, systemic exercise that might affect the immune system via the autonomic nervous system.

Environmental impact on crew of armoured vehicles: Effects of 24 h combat exercise in a hot desert

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, A. P.; Majumdar, D.; Bhatia, M. R.; Srivastava, K. K.; Selvamurthy, W.

1995-06-01

A field study was undertaken to investigate the effects of combined noise, vibration and heat stress on the physiological functions of the crew of armoured vehicles during prolonged combat exercise in a desert. The sound pressure level of noise was measured with a sound level meter and accelerations by vibration analyser. The thermal load on the crew was evaluated by calculating the wet bulb globe temperature index. The physiological responses of the subjects ( n=9), included significant increases in the heart rate, 24 h water intake and urinary catecholamine concentration. A significant decrease was recorded in body mass, peak expiratory flow rate and 24 h urinary output. The high heat load on the crew resulted in a hypohydration of 3% body mass and appeared to be the dominant factor in producing the physiological strain.

18F-FDOPA PET/CT uptake parameters correlate with catecholamines secretion in human pheochromocytomas.

PubMed

Moog, Sophie; Moog, Sophie; Houy, Sébastien; Chevalier, Elodie; Ory, Stéphane; Weryha, Georges; Rame, Marion; Klein, Marc; Brunaud, Laurent; Gasman, Stéphane; Cuny, Thomas

2018-06-27

Background: 18F-FDOPA positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is a sensitive nuclear imaging for the diagnosis of pheochromocytomas (PHEO). However, its utility as a predictive factor of the secretion of catecholamines remains poorly studied. Thirty-nine histologically-confirmed PHEO were included in this retrospective monocentric study. Patients underwent 18F-FDOPA PET/CT before surgery with evaluation of several uptake parameters (SUVmax, SUVmean and the metabolic burden [MB] calculated as follows: MB = SUVmean x tumor volume) and measurement of plasma and/or urinary metanephrine (MN), normetanephrine (NM) and chromogranin A (CGA). Thirty-five patients were screened for germline mutations in RET, SDHx and VHL genes. Once resected, primary cultures of 5 PHEO were used for real time measurement of catecholamines release by carbon fiber amperometry. The MB of the PHEO positively correlated with 24-h urinary excretion of NM (r=0.64, p<0.0001), MN (r=0.49, p=0.002), combined MN and NM (r=0.75, p<0,0001) and eventually plasma free levels of NM (r=0.55 p=0.006). In mutated-patients (3 SDHD, 2 SDHB, 3 NF1, 1 VHL and 3 RET), a similar correlation was observed between the MB and the 24h-urinary combined MN and NM (r=0.86, p=0.0012). For the first time, we demonstrate a positive correlation between the PHEO-to-liver SUVmax ratio and the mean number of secretory granule fusion events of the corresponding PHEO cells revealed by amperometric spikes (p=0.01). While the 18F-FDOPA PET/CT metabolic burden of PHEO strongly correlates with the concentration of metanephrines, amperometric recordings suggest that the 18F-FDOPA uptake could be enhanced by the overactivity of the catecholamines exocytosis.
. ©2018S. Karger AG, Basel.

Bidirectional regulation of bakuchiol, an estrogenic-like compound, on catecholamine secretion

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mao, Haoping; Wang, Hong; Ma, Shangwei

2014-01-01

Excess or deficiency of catecholamine (CA) secretion was related with several diseases. Recently, estrogen and phytoestrogens were reported to regulate the activity of CA system. Bakuchiol is a phytoestrogen isolated from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia L. (Leguminosae) which has been used in Traditional Chinese medicine as a tonic or aphrodisiac. In the present study, bovine adrenal medullary cells were employed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of bakuchiol on the regulation of CA secretion. Further, its anti-depressant like and anti-stress effects were evaluated by using behavioral despair and chronic immobilization stress models. Our results indicated that bakuchiol showed bidirectionalmore » regulation on CA secretion. It stimulated basal CA secretion in a concentration dependent manner (p < 0.01), while it reduced 300 μM acetylcholine (ACh) (p < 0.01), 100 μM veratridine (Ver) (p < 0.01) and 56 mM K{sup +} (p < 0.05) induced CA secretion, respectively. We also found that the stimulation of basal CA secretion by bakuchiol may act through estrogen-like effect and the JNK pathway in an extra-cellular calcium independent manner. Further, bakuchiol elevated tyrosine hydroxylase Ser40 and Ser31 phosphorylation (p < 0.01) through the PKA and ERK1/2 pathways, respectively. Bakuchiol inhibited ACh, Ver and 56 mM K{sup +} induced CA secretion was related with reduction of intracellular calcium rise. In vivo experiments, we found that bakuchiol significantly reduced immobilization time in behavioral despair mouse (p < 0.05 or 0.01), and plasma epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) levels in chronic immobilization stress (p < 0.05). Overall, these results present a bidirectional regulation of bakuchiol on CA secretion which indicated that bakuchiol may exert anti-stress and the potential anti-depressant-like effects. - Highlights: • Bakuchiol stimulated basal catecholamine secretion. • Bakuchiol inhibited various secretagogues induced catecholamine secretion. • Bakuchiol may have anti-stress and the potential anti-depression-like effects.« less

Male sexual behavior and catecholamine levels in the medial preoptic area and arcuate nucleus in middle-aged rats.

PubMed

Chen, Joyce C; Tsai, Houng-Wei; Yeh, Kuei-Ying; Tai, Mei-Yun; Tsai, Yuan-Feen

2007-12-12

The correlation between male sexual behavior and catecholamine levels in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) and arcuate nucleus (ARN) was studied in middle-aged rats. Male rats (18-19 months) were assigned to three groups: (1) Group MIE, consisting of rats showing mounts, intromissions, and ejaculations; (2) Group MI, consisting of rats showing mounts and intromissions, but no ejaculation; and (3) Group NC, consisting of non-copulators showing no sexual behavior. Young adult rats (4-5 months) displaying complete copulatory behavior were used as the control group. Dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) tissue levels in the MPOA and ARN were measured by high pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. There were no differences between MIE rats and young controls in DA or NE tissue levels in these two brain areas. Furthermore, no differences were found between the MI and NC groups in DA or NE tissue levels in either the MPOA or ARN. DA tissue levels in the MPOA and ARN in the MI and NC groups were significantly lower than those in the MIE group. NE tissue levels in the MPOA of the NC group were significantly lower than those in the MIE group, but no differences in NE tissue levels in the ARN were seen between the four groups. These results suggest that, in male rats, complete male sexual performance is related to tissue levels of DA, but not of NE, in the MPOA and/or ARN. Furthermore, ejaculatory behavior might be associated with critical DA tissue levels in the MPOA and/or ARN in middle-aged rats.

An overview of the endocrine and metabolic changes in manned space flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leach, C. S.

1981-01-01

Analyses of endocrinological and metabolic data from humans during spaceflight, particularly the Skylab crews, are summarized to define the levels of knowledge of these processes and the techniques for studying them. The glomerular filtration rate was tested by urine and blood samples, yielding indications of a creatinine clearance increase. The mechanisms for an increase of free water clearance, implying an increase of antidiuretic hormone, are uncertain, and tests are also under way to evaluate the role of prostaglandins in-flight, to account for decreases in catecholamine excretion. Bone mineral losses of 7.9% were observed at the end of 84 days, and processes are suggested for the calcium metabolism. Finally, the observation of almost universal weight loss among space crewmembers is examined, and a loss of muscle tone due to decreased metabolic efficiency is cited as a feature of long duration spaceflight.

High-performance Liquid Chromatography Measured Metabolites of Endogenous Catecholamines and Their Relations to Chronic Kidney Disease and High Blood Pressure in Heart Transplant Recipients.

PubMed

Wasilewski, G; Przybylowski, P; Wilusz, M; Sztefko, K; Janik, Ł; Koc-Żórawska, E; Malyszko, J

2016-06-01

Patients after solid organ transplantation, especially heart and kidneys, are prone to be hypertensive. Recently chronic kidney disease and renalase metabolism of endogenous catecholamines are thought to make major contribution to the pathogenesis of hypertension. We analyzed 75 heart recipients (80% male, 20% female), medium age 54.9 years (range, 25-75) at 0.5 to 22 years after heart transplantation (median, 10.74). Diagnosis of hypertension was made on the basis of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Complete blood count, urea, creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), renalase in serum, and levels of metanefrine, normetanefrine, and 3-metoxytyramine in 24-hour urine collection calculated with a high-performance liquid chromatography were recorded. Urine endogenous catecholamine metabolites were estimated according to creatinine clearance. Normetanefrine was correlated with age (r = 0.27; P < .05), urea (r = 0.64; P < .01), creatinine (r = 0.6; P < .01), eGFR (r = -0.51; P < .01), renalase (r = 0.5; P < .01), and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.26; P < .05). Metanefrine was correlated with urea (r = 0.43; P < .01), creatinine (0.32; P < .01), eGFR (r = -0.4; P < .01), renalase (r = 0.34; P < .05), height (r = -0.26; P < .05), weight (r = -0.23; P < .05), and time after heart transplantation (r = 0.27; P < .05). 3-Metoxytyramine was correlated with urea (r = 0.43; P < .01), creatinine (r = 0.32; P < .01), and the eGFR (r = -0.24; P < .05). Creatinine was correlated with age (r = 0.36; P < .01), diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.26; P < .05), time after heart transplantation (r = 0.24; P < .05), and renalase (r = 0.69; P < .01). Systolic blood pressure was correlated with proteinuria (r = 0.26; P < .05). Chronic kidney disease and concomitant hypertension are the most prevalent comorbidities in the population of heart transplant recipients. Urine catecholamine metabolites were related to kidney function but not to blood pressure level in the studied population. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The apelinergic system as an alternative to catecholamines in low-output septic shock.

PubMed

Coquerel, David; Sainsily, Xavier; Dumont, Lauralyne; Sarret, Philippe; Marsault, Éric; Auger-Messier, Mannix; Lesur, Olivier

2018-01-19

Catecholamines, in concert with fluid resuscitation, have long been recommended in the management of septic shock. However, not all patients respond positively and controversy surrounding the efficacy-to-safety profile of catecholamines has emerged, trending toward decatecholaminization. Contextually, it is time to re-examine the "maintaining blood pressure" paradigm by identifying safer and life-saving alternatives. We put in perspective the emerging and growing knowledge on a promising alternative avenue: the apelinergic system. This target exhibits invaluable pleiotropic properties, including inodilator activity, cardio-renal protection, and control of fluid homeostasis. Taken together, its effects are expected to be greatly beneficial for patients in septic shock.

A painful pulsatile abdominal mass in a young man with elevated blood pressures: an unusual presentation of phaeochromocytoma.

PubMed

Lee, B M K; Ti, L K

2002-08-01

We report an unusual presentation of phaeochromocytoma in a young man with a painful, pulsatile abdominal mass and elevated blood pressures. This led to a delay in diagnosis and resulted in the administration of triggers of catecholamine release, possibly causing a catecholamine surge. This caused the development of catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy and multiple organ failure, requiring inotropic and ventilatory support, intra-aortic balloon pump and dialysis. Fortunately, his condition reversed with supportive treatment and alpha-adrenergic blockade. This illustrates the importance of having a high index of suspicion of phaeochromocytoma, especially in young patients with elevated blood pressures.

The aromatic amino acid hydroxylase genes AAH1 and AAH2 in Toxoplasma gondii contribute to transmission in the cat

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The Toxoplasma gondii genome contains two aromatic amino acid hydroxylase genes, AAH1 and AAH2, which encode proteins that produce L-DOPA, which can serve as a precursor of catecholamine neurotransmitters. It has been suggested that this pathway elevates host dopamine levels thus making infected rod...

Vitamin D, effects on brain development, adult brain function and the links between low levels of vitamin D and neuropsychiatric disease.

PubMed

Eyles, Darryl W; Burne, Thomas H J; McGrath, John J

2013-01-01

Increasingly vitamin D deficiency is being associated with a number of psychiatric conditions. In particular for disorders with a developmental basis, such as autistic spectrum disorder and schizophrenia the neurobiological plausibility of this association is strengthened by the preclinical data indicating vitamin D deficiency in early life affects neuronal differentiation, axonal connectivity, dopamine ontogeny and brain structure and function. More recently epidemiological associations have been made between low vitamin D and psychiatric disorders not typically associated with abnormalities in brain development such as depression and Alzheimer's disease. Once again the preclinical findings revealing that vitamin D can regulate catecholamine levels and protect against specific Alzheimer-like pathology increase the plausibility of this link. In this review we have attempted to integrate this clinical epidemiology with potential vitamin D-mediated basic mechanisms. Throughout the review we have highlighted areas where we think future research should focus. Crown Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reduced catecholamine response to exercise in amenorrheic athletes

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Studies have found an array of endocrine disturbances related to energy deprivation in women with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea. Purpose: We examined the catecholamine response to exercise in five eumenorrheic (EU) and five amenorrheic (AM) athletes, matched by age (mean T SEM: EU = 29.8 T 2.5 ...

21 CFR 862.1165 - Catecholamines (total) test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Catecholamines (total) test system. 862.1165 Section 862.1165 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES CLINICAL CHEMISTRY AND CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY DEVICES Clinical Chemistry Test...

21 CFR 862.1165 - Catecholamines (total) test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Catecholamines (total) test system. 862.1165 Section 862.1165 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES CLINICAL CHEMISTRY AND CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY DEVICES Clinical Chemistry Test...

21 CFR 862.1165 - Catecholamines (total) test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Catecholamines (total) test system. 862.1165 Section 862.1165 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES CLINICAL CHEMISTRY AND CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY DEVICES Clinical Chemistry Test...

21 CFR 862.1165 - Catecholamines (total) test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Catecholamines (total) test system. 862.1165 Section 862.1165 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES CLINICAL CHEMISTRY AND CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY DEVICES Clinical Chemistry Test...

21 CFR 862.1165 - Catecholamines (total) test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Catecholamines (total) test system. 862.1165 Section 862.1165 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES CLINICAL CHEMISTRY AND CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY DEVICES Clinical Chemistry Test...

ALTERATION OF CATECHOLAMINES IN PHOECHROMOCYTOMA (PC12) CELLS IN VITRO BY THE METABOLITES OF CHLOROTRIAZINE HERBICIDE

EPA Science Inventory

The effects of four major chlorotriazine metabolites on the constitutive synthesis of the catecholamines dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) were examined using undifferentiated PC12 cells. NE release and intracellular DA and NE concentrations were quantified following treatme...

Anticipatory responses of catecholamines on muscle force production.

PubMed

French, Duncan N; Kraemer, William J; Volek, Jeff S; Spiering, Barry A; Judelson, Daniel A; Hoffman, Jay R; Maresh, Carl M

2007-01-01

Few data exist on the temporal relationship between catecholamines and muscle force production in vivo. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of preexercise arousal on sympathoadrenal neurohormones on muscular force expression during resistance exercise. Ten resistance-trained men completed two experimental conditions separated by 7 days: 1) acute heavy resistance exercise protocol (AHREP; 6 x 10 repetitions parallel squats, 80% 1 repetition maximum) and 2) control (Cont; rest). Peak force (F(peak)) was recorded during a maximal isometric squat preceding each set and mean force (F(mean)) was measured during each set. Serial venous blood samples were collected before the AHREP and immediately preceding each set. Blood collection times were matched during Cont. Preexercise epinephrine (Epi), norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA) increased (P or= 0.05) in muscular performance (F(peak), F(mean)) during AHREP and that five subjects (F(reducers)) had significant reductions in F(peak) and F(mean). Integrated area under the curve for Epi, NE, and F(peak) were greater (P < 0.02) for F(maintainers) than F(reducers). In conclusion, an anticipatory rise in catecholamines existed, which may be essential for optimal force production at the onset of exercise.

Pharmacogenetic Predictors of Methylphenidate Dose-Response in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Froehlich, Tanya E.; Epstein, Jeffery N.; Nick, Todd G.; Melguizo Castro, Maria S.; Stein, Mark A.; Brinkman, William B.; Graham, Amanda J.; Langberg, Joshua M.; Kahn, Robert S.

2011-01-01

Objective: Because of significant individual variability in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication response, there is increasing interest in identifying genetic predictors of treatment effects. This study examined the role of four catecholamine-related candidate genes in moderating methylphenidate (MPH) dose-response. Method:…

A toxin fraction (FTX) from the funnel-web spider poison inhibits dihydropyridine-insensitive Ca2+ channels coupled to catecholamine release in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells.

PubMed

Duarte, C B; Rosario, L M; Sena, C M; Carvalho, A P

1993-03-01

In adrenal chromaffin cells, depolarization-evoked Ca2+ influx and catecholamine release are partially blocked by blockers of L-type voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels. We have now evaluated the sensitivity of the dihydropyridine-resistant components of Ca2+ influx and catecholamine release to a toxin fraction (FTX) from the funnel-web spider poison, which is known to block P-type channels in mammalian neurons. FTX (1:4,000 dilution, with respect to the original fraction) inhibited K(+)-depolarization-induced Ca2+ influx by 50%, as monitored with fura-2, whereas nitrendipine (0.1-1 microM) and FTX (3:3), a synthetic FTX analogue (1 mM), blocked the [Ca2+]i transients by 35 and 30%, respectively. When tested together, FTX and nitrendipine reduced the [Ca2+]i transients by 70%. FTX or nitrendipine reduced adrenaline and noradrenaline release by approximately 80 and 70%, respectively, but both substances together abolished the K(+)-evoked catecholamine release, as measured by HPLC. The omega-conotoxin GVIA (0.5 microM) was without effect on K(+)-stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake. Our results indicate that FTX blocks dihydropyridine- and omega-conotoxin-insensitive Ca2+ channels that, together with L-type voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels, are coupled to catecholamine release.

Concepts of scientific integrative medicine applied to the physiology and pathophysiology of catecholamine systems.

PubMed

Goldstein, David S

2013-10-01

This review presents concepts of scientific integrative medicine and relates them to the physiology of catecholamine systems and to the pathophysiology of catecholamine-related disorders. The applications to catecholamine systems exemplify how scientific integrative medicine links systems biology with integrative physiology. Concepts of scientific integrative medicine include (i) negative feedback regulation, maintaining stability of the body's monitored variables; (ii) homeostats, which compare information about monitored variables with algorithms for responding; (iii) multiple effectors, enabling compensatory activation of alternative effectors and primitive specificity of stress response patterns; (iv) effector sharing, accounting for interactions among homeostats and phenomena such as hyperglycemia attending gastrointestinal bleeding and hyponatremia attending congestive heart failure; (v) stress, applying a definition as a state rather than as an environmental stimulus or stereotyped response; (vi) distress, using a noncircular definition that does not presume pathology; (vii) allostasis, corresponding to adaptive plasticity of feedback-regulated systems; and (viii) allostatic load, explaining chronic degenerative diseases in terms of effects of cumulative wear and tear. From computer models one can predict mathematically the effects of stress and allostatic load on the transition from wellness to symptomatic disease. The review describes acute and chronic clinical disorders involving catecholamine systems-especially Parkinson disease-and how these concepts relate to pathophysiology, early detection, and treatment and prevention strategies in the post-genome era. Published 2013. Compr Physiol 3:1569-1610, 2013.

Diurnal Salivary Cortisol and Urinary Catecholamines Are Associated With Diabetes Mellitus: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

PubMed Central

Champaneri, Shivam; Xu, Xiaoqiang; Carnethon, Mercedes R.; Bertoni, Alain G.; Seeman, Teresa; Roux, Ana Diez; Golden, Sherita Hill

2011-01-01

Objective To examine the cross-sectional association of diurnal salivary cortisol curve components and urinary catecholamines with diabetes status. Methods Up to 18 salivary cortisol samples over 3 days and overnight urinary catecholamines were collected from 1,002 participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Diabetes was defined as a fasting blood glucose ≥126 mg/dL or medication use. Cortisol curve measures included awakening cortisol, cortisol awakening response (CAR), early decline, late decline, and cortisol area under the curve (AUC). Urinary catecholamines included epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Results Participants with diabetes had significantly lower CAR (β=−0.19; 95% CI: −0.34 to −0.04) than those without diabetes in multivariable models. While men with diabetes had a non-significant trend toward lower total AUC (β=−1.56; 95% CI: −3.93 to 0.80), women with diabetes had significantly higher total AUC (β=2.62; 95% CI: 0.72 to 4.51) (p=0.02 for interaction) compared to those without diabetes. Men but not women with diabetes had significantly lower urinary catecholamines, compared to those without diabetes (p<0.05). Conclusions Diabetes is associated with neuroendocrine dysregulation, which may differ by sex. Further studies are needed to determine the role of the neuroendocrine system in the pathophysiology of diabetes. PMID:22209664

Concepts of Scientific Integrative Medicine Applied to the Physiology and Pathophysiology of Catecholamine Systems

PubMed Central

Goldstein, David S.

2016-01-01

This review presents concepts of scientific integrative medicine and relates them to the physiology of catecholamine systems and to the pathophysiology of catecholamine-related disorders. The applications to catecholamine systems exemplify how scientific integrative medicine links systems biology with integrative physiology. Concepts of scientific integrative medicine include (i) negative feedback regulation, maintaining stability of the body’s monitored variables; (ii) homeostats, which compare information about monitored variables with algorithms for responding; (iii) multiple effectors, enabling compensatory activation of alternative effectors and primitive specificity of stress response patterns; (iv) effector sharing, accounting for interactions among homeostats and phenomena such as hyperglycemia attending gastrointestinal bleeding and hyponatremia attending congestive heart failure; (v) stress, applying a definition as a state rather than as an environmental stimulus or stereotyped response; (vi) distress, using a noncircular definition that does not presume pathology; (vii) allostasis, corresponding to adaptive plasticity of feedback-regulated systems; and (viii) allostatic load, explaining chronic degenerative diseases in terms of effects of cumulative wear and tear. From computer models one can predict mathematically the effects of stress and allostatic load on the transition from wellness to symptomatic disease. The review describes acute and chronic clinical disorders involving catecholamine systems—especially Parkinson disease—and how these concepts relate to pathophysiology, early detection, and treatment and prevention strategies in the post-genome era. PMID:24265239

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Arita, M.; Wada, A.; Takara, H.

In bovine adrenal medullary cells we investigated the effects of antidepressants on ionic channels and secretion of catecholamines. Tricyclic (imipramine, amitriptyline and nortriptyline) and tetracyclic (maprotiline and mianserin) antidepressants inhibited carbachol-induced influx of /sup 22/Na, /sup 45/Ca and secretion of catecholamines (IC50, 14-96 microM). Influx of /sup 22/Na, /sup 45/Ca and secretion of catecholamines due to veratridine also were inhibited by these drugs (IC50, 10-17 microM). However, antidepressants did not suppress high concentration of K-induced 45Ca influx and catecholamine secretion, suggesting that antidepressants do not inhibit voltage-dependent Ca channels. (/sup 3/H)Imipramine bound specifically to adrenal medullary cells. Binding was saturable,more » reversible and with two different equilibrium dissociation constants (13.3 and 165.0 microM). Tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants competed for the specific binding of (/sup 3/H)imipramine at the same concentrations as they inhibited /sup 22/Na influx caused by carbachol or veratridine. Carbachol, d-tubocurarine, hexamethonium, tetrodotoxin, veratridine and scorpion venom did not inhibit the specific binding of (/sup 3/H)imipramine. These results suggest that tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants bind to two populations of binding sites which are functionally associated with nicotinic receptor-associated ionic channels and with voltage-dependent Na channels, and inhibit Na influx. Inhibition of Na influx leads to the reduction of Ca influx and catecholamine secretion caused by carbachol or veratridine.« less

Sympathoadrenal responses to cold and ketamine anesthesia in the rhesus monkey

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kolka, M. A.; Elizondo, R. S.; Weinberg, R. P.

1983-01-01

The effect of cold exposure on the sympathoadrenal system is investigated in eight adult rhesus monekys with and without ketamine anesthesia. It is found that a 3 hr cold exposure (12 c) was associated with a 175 percent increase above control levels of norepinephrine (NE) and a 100 percent increase in epinephrine (E). Also observed were decreases in the core temperature, mean skin temperature, and mean body temperature. No change in the plasma levels of NE and E from the control values was found during continuous infusion of ketamine; while the core temperature, mean skin temperature, and mean body temperature all showed greater declines with the addition of ketamine infusion to the cold exposure. Water exposure (28 C) under ketamine anesthesia resulted in a reduction of the core temperature to 33 C within 1 hr. Plasma levels of NE and E were found to be unchanged from control values at core temperatures of 35 and 33 C. It is concluded that the administration of ketamine abolishes both the thermoregulatory response and the catecholamine response to acute cold exposure.

Change in energy expenditure and brain and adrenal content of catecholamines in rats during muscular loading and hypokinesia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rozanova, V. D.; Savkiv, T. G.; Khodorova, N. A.

1980-01-01

In male 1-7 month old rats, the growth and the protein content of skeletal muscles were higher than in female rats while the O2 consumption and the heart rate were lower. This is combined with reduction of the thyroid gland weight and of catecholamine content in adrenals at the age of 7 months. The development of male and female rats (1-7 month) under conditions of systematic muscular loads increases the growth tempo and protein of skeletal muscles and intensifies the degree of reduction of energy expenditure and the heart rate. This is accomplished by the greater reduction of relative weight of the thyroid gland and, at the age of 7 months, by reduction of the noradrenaline content in the brainstem. Hypodynamic conditions have the exact opposite effect.

Aging and unusual catecholamine-containing structures in the mouse brain.

PubMed

Masuoka, D T; Jonsson, G; Finch, C E

1979-06-22

Brains of C57BL/6J mice, aged 4, 8 and 20--29 months, were examined by the Falck-Hillarp histochemical fluorescence technique. Numerous large, intensely fluorescent green to yellow-green spots (LIFS) were observed in the brains of senescent mice. LIFS were generally round to ovoid in shape and ranged in size from about 10 micrometer to about 30 micrometer. Histochemical and pharmacological procedures and spectral analysis indicated that the formaldehyde-induced fluorescence of the LIFS was due to the presence of catecholamines (CA) rather than aging pigment. Their distribution in the brain suggests an association with nerve axons or terminals rather than cell bodies. The number of LIFS in the hypothalamus increased progressively during aging. It is proposed that LIFS may represent age-related, unusual CA accumulation in enlargements proximal to axonal or terminal portions undergoing spontaneous degeneration.

Closed-Loop Insulin Delivery for Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Undertaking High-Intensity Interval Exercise Versus Moderate-Intensity Exercise: A Randomized, Crossover Study.

PubMed

Jayawardene, Dilshani C; McAuley, Sybil A; Horsburgh, Jodie C; Gerche, André La; Jenkins, Alicia J; Ward, Glenn M; MacIsaac, Richard J; Roberts, Timothy J; Grosman, Benyamin; Kurtz, Natalie; Roy, Anirban; O'Neal, David N

2017-06-01

We aimed to compare closed-loop glucose control for people with type 1 diabetes undertaking high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) versus moderate-intensity exercise (MIE). Adults with type 1 diabetes established on insulin pumps undertook HIIE and MIE stages in random order during automated insulin delivery via a closed-loop system (Medtronic). Frequent venous sampling for glucose, lactate, ketones, insulin, catecholamines, cortisol, growth hormone, and glucagon levels was performed. The primary outcome was plasma glucose <4.0 mmol/L for ≥15 min, from exercise commencement to 120 min postexercise. Secondary outcomes included continuous glucose monitoring and biochemical parameters. Twelve adults (age mean ± standard deviation 40 ± 13 years) were recruited; all completed the study. Plasma glucose of one participant fell to 3.4 mmol/L following MIE completion; no glucose levels were <4.0 mmol/L for HIIE (primary outcome). There were no glucose excursions >15.0 mmol/L for either stage. Mean (±standard error) plasma glucose did not differ between stages pre-exercise; was higher during exercise in HIIE than MIE (11.3 ± 0.5 mmol/L vs. 9.7 ± 0.6 mmol/L, respectively; P < 0.001); and remained higher until 60 min postexercise. There were no differences in circulating free insulin before, during, or postexercise. During HIIE compared with MIE, there were greater increases in lactate (P < 0.001), catecholamines (all P < 0.05), and cortisol (P < 0.001). Ketones increased more with HIIE than MIE postexercise (P = 0.031). Preliminary findings suggest that closed-loop glucose control is safe for people undertaking HIIE and MIE. However, the management of the postexercise rise in ketones secondary to counter-regulatory hormone-induced insulin resistance observed with HIIE may represent a challenge for closed-loop systems.

DIFFERENTIAL MODULATION OF CATECHOLAMINES BY CHLOROTRIAZINE HERBICIDES IN PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA (PC12) CELLS IN VITRO

EPA Science Inventory

Differential modulation of catecholamines by chlorotriazine herbicides in pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells in vitro.

Das PC, McElroy WK, Cooper RL.

Curriculum in Toxicology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599, USA.

Epidemiological, wildlife, and lab...

Methylphenidate Improves Working Memory and Set-Shifting in AD/HD: Relationships to Baseline Memory Capacity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mehta, Mitul A.; Goodyer, Ian M.; Sahakian, Barbara J.

2004-01-01

Objective: Catecholamine stimulant drugs are highly efficacious treatments for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders (AD/HD). Catecholamine modulation in humans influences performance of numerous cognitive tasks, including tests of attention and working memory (WM). Clear delineation of the effects of methylphenidate upon such cognitive…

POTENTIAL MECHANISMS RESPONSIBLE FOR CHLOROTRIAZINE-INDUCED ALTERATIONS IN CATECHOLAMINES IN PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA (PC12) CELLS

EPA Science Inventory

ABSTRACT

Potential Mechanisms Responsible for Chlorotriazine-induced Changes in Catecholamine Metabolism in Pheochromocytoma (PC12) Cells*
PARIKSHIT C. DAS1, WILLIAM K. McELROY2 , AND RALPH L. COOPER2+
1Curriculum in Toxicology, University of North Carolina, Chape...

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: Case Series and Literature Review

PubMed Central

Cavayero, Chase; Kar, Pran; Kar, Sunny

2016-01-01

Although originally considered to be uncommon, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is becoming increasingly visible, annually comprising an increasing portion of suspected diagnoses of acute coronary syndrome. This condition is characterized by reversible left ventricular akinesis without significant coronary artery obstruction. This case study presents five patients diagnosed with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, as confirmed by echocardiogram and angiography. All of the patients presented with classic myocardial chest pain and elevated troponins. Following diagnosis, they were treated with supportive measures, particularly angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and beta-blockers. All patients made a full recovery. Though the mechanism of Takotsubo has not been fully elucidated, hypotheses suggest it may be related to excessive catecholamine levels causing either myocardial stunning or coronary vasospasm. Recognition and understanding of this unusual pathology are essential because it can lead to improved clinical management. PMID:27446769

The release of sympathetic neurotransmitters is impaired in aged rats after an inflammatory stimulus: a possible link between cytokine production and sympathetic transmission.

PubMed

Donoso, Verónica; Gomez, Christian R; Orriantia, Miguel Angel; Pérez, Viviana; Torres, Claudio; Coddou, Claudio; Nelson, Pablo; Maisey, Kevin; Morales, Bernardo; Fernandez, Ricardo; Imarai, Mónica; Huidobro-Toro, Juan Pablo; Sierra, Felipe; Acuña-Castillo, Claudio

2008-12-01

Aging results in a general decline in the response to external insults, including acute inflammatory challenges. In young animals, the inflammatory response requires activation of the sympathetic system, including neurotransmitters such as ATP, and catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine). To test whether aging affects activation of this axis, and whether this in turn might affect cytokine release, we administered lipopolysaccharide (LPS) i.p. to adult, middle-aged and aged Fisher 344 rats (6-, 15- and 23-month old, respectively) and evaluated the early (0-12h) serum levels of Neuropeptide-Y (NP-Y), ATP and vanillyl mandelic acid (VMA, as an indirect measurement of catecholamine levels). In addition, we evaluated the association between these factors and serum levels of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Induction of both ATP and NP-Y was markedly reduced in the serum of aged animals, when compared to their younger counterparts, while induction of VMA was not affected by age. In spite of these changes, serum levels of TNFalpha and IL-10 were strongly hyper induced and delayed in aged rats. The results suggest that during aging there is a dysregulation in sympathetic neurotransmitter regulatory mechanisms, and this might play a role in the impairment of the inflammatory response.

The release of sympathetic neurotransmitters is impaired in aged rats after an inflammatory stimulus. A possible link between cytokine production and sympathetic transmission

PubMed Central

Donoso, Verónica; Gomez, Christian R.; Orriantia, Miguel Ángel; Pérez, Viviana; Torres, Claudio; Coddou, Claudio; Nelson, Pablo; Maisey, Kevin; Morales, Bernardo; Fernandez, Ricardo; Imarai, Mónica; Huidobro-Toro, Juan Pablo; Sierra, Felipe; Acuña-Castillo, Claudio

2009-01-01

Aging results in a general decline in the response to external insults, including acute inflammatory challenges. In young animals, the inflammatory response requires activation of the sympathetic system, including neurotransmitters such as ATP, and catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine). To test whether aging affects activation of this axis, and whether this in turn might affect cytokine release, we administered lipopolysaccharide (LPS) i.p. to adult, middle-aged and aged Fisher 344 rats (6, 15 and 23-month old, respectively) and evaluated the early (0–12 hours) serum levels of Neuropeptide-Y (NP-Y), ATP and vanillyl mandelic acid (VMA, as an indirect measurement of catecholamine levels). In addition, we evaluated the association between these factors and serum levels of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα)3 and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Induction of both ATP and NP-Y was markedly reduced in the serum of aged animals, when compared to their younger counterparts, while induction of VMA was not affected by age. In spite of these changes, serum levels of TNFα and IL-10 were strongly hyper induced and delayed in aged rats. The results suggest that during aging there is a dysregulation in sympathetic neurotransmitter regulatory mechanisms, and this might play a role in the impairment of the inflammatory response. PMID:18973771

Effect of experimental hyperthyroidism on protein turnover in skeletal and cardiac muscle.

PubMed

Carter, W J; Van Der Weijden Benjamin, W S; Faas, F H

1980-10-01

Since experimental hyperthyroidism reduces skeletal muscle mass while simultaneously increasing cardiac muscle mass, the effect of hyperthyroidism on muscle protein degradation was compared in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Pulse-labeling studies using (3H) leucine and (14C) carboxyl labeled aspartate and glutamate were carried out. Hyperthyroidism caused a 25%-29% increase in protein breakdown in both sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar fractions of skeletal muscle. Increased muscle protein degradation may be a major factor in the development of skeletal muscle wasting and weakness in hyperthyroidism. In contrast, protein breakdown appeared to be reduced 22% in the sarcoplasmic fraction of hyperthyroid heart muscle and was unchanged in the myofibrillar fraction. Possible reasons for the contrasting effects of hyperthyroidism on skeletal and cardiac muscle include increased sensitivity of the hyperthyroid heart to catecholamines, increased cardiac work caused by the hemodynamic effects of hyperthyroidism, and a different direct effect of thyroid hormone at the nuclear level in cardiac as opposed to skeletal muscle.

The nature of catecholamine-containing neurons in the enteric nervous system in relationship with organogenesis, normal human anatomy and neurodegeneration.

PubMed

Natale, G; Ryskalin, L; Busceti, C L; Biagioni, F; Fornai, F

2017-09-01

The gastrointestinal tract is provided with extrinsic and intrinsic innervation. The extrinsic innervation includes the classic vagal parasympathetic and sympathetic components, with afferent sensitive and efferent secretomotor fibers. The intrinsic innervations is represented by the enteric nervous system (ENS), which is recognized as a complex neural network controlling a variety of cell populations, including smooth muscle cells, mucosal secretory cells, endocrine cells, microvasculature, immune and inflammatory cells. This is finalized to regulate gastrointestinal secretion, absorption and motility. In particular, this network is organized in several plexuses each one providing quite autonomous control of gastrointestinal functions (hence the definition of "second brain"). The similarity between ENS and CNS is further substantiated by the presence of local sensitive pseudo- unipolar ganglionic neurons with both peripheral and central branching which terminate in the enteric wall. A large variety of neurons and neurotransmitters takes part in the ENS. However, the nature of these neurons and their role in the regulation of gastrointestinal functions is debatable. In particular, the available literature reporting the specific nature of catecholamine- containing neurons provides conflicting evidence. This is critical both for understanding the specific role of each catecholamine in the gut and, mostly, to characterize specifically the enteric neuropathology occurring in a variety of diseases. An emphasis is posed on neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, which is associated with the loss of catecholamine neurons. In this respect, the recognition of the nature of such neurons within the ENS would contribute to elucidate the pathological mechanisms which produce both CNS and ENS degeneration and to achieve more effective therapeutic approaches. Despite a great emphasis is posed on the role of noradrenaline to regulate enteric activities only a few reports are available on the anatomy and physiology of enteric dopamine neurons. Remarkably, this review limits the presence of enteric noradrenaline (and adrenaline) only within extrinsic sympathetic nerve terminals. This is based on careful morphological studies showing that the only catecholamine-containing neurons within ENS would be dopaminergic. This means that enteric pathology of catecholamine neurons should be conceived as axon pathology for noradrenaline neurons and whole cell pathology for dopamine neurons which would be the sole catecholamine cell within intrinsic circuitries affecting gut motility and secretions.The gastrointestinal tract is provided with extrinsic and intrinsic innervation. The extrinsic innervation includes the classic vagal parasympathetic and sympathetic components, with afferent sensitive and efferent secretomotor fibers. The intrinsic innervations is represented by the enteric nervous system (ENS), which is recognized as a complex neural network  controlling a variety of cell populations, including smooth muscle cells, mucosal secretory cells, endocrine cells, microvasculature, immune and inflammatory cells. This is finalized to regulate gastrointestinal secretion, absorption and motility. In particular, this network is organized in several plexuses each one providing quite autonomous control of gastrointestinal functions (hence the definition of "second brain"). The similarity between ENS and CNS is further substantiated by the presence of local sensitive pseudounipolar ganglionic neurons with both peripheral and central branching which terminate in the enteric wall. A large variety of neurons and neurotransmitters takes part in the ENS. However, the nature of these neurons and their role in the regulation of gastrointestinal functions is debatable. In particular, the available literature reporting the specific nature of catecholamine-containing neurons provides conflicting evidence. This is critical both for understanding the specific role of each catecholamine in the gut and, mostly, to characterize specifically the enteric neuropathology occurring in a variety of diseases. An emphasis is posed on neurodegenerative disorders, such as including Parkinson's disease, which is associated with the loss of catecholamine neurons. In this respect, the recognition of the nature of such neurons within the ENS would contribute to elucidate the pathological mechanisms which produce both CNS and ENS degeneration and to achieve more effective therapeutic approaches. Despite a great emphasis is posed on the role of noradrenaline to regulate enteric activities only a few reports are available on the anatomy and physiology of enteric dopamine neurons. Remarkably, this review limits the presence of enteric noradrenaline (and adrenaline) only within extrinsic sympathetic nerve terminals. This is based on careful morphological studies showing that the only catecholamine-containing neurons within ENS would be dopaminergic. This means that enteric pathology of catecholamine neurons should be conceived as axon pathology for noradrenaline neurons and whole cell pathology for dopamine neurons which would be the sole catecholamine cell within intrinsic circuitries affecting gut motility and secretions.

Time matters - acute stress response and glucocorticoid sensitivity in early multiple sclerosis.

PubMed

Kern, Simone; Rohleder, Nicolas; Eisenhofer, Graeme; Lange, Jan; Ziemssen, Tjalf

2014-10-01

Psychosocial stress has frequently been associated with disease activity and acute exacerbations in multiple sclerosis (MS). Despite this well established finding, strikingly little is known about the acute hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) stress response in MS. Twenty-six early relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients and seventeen age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects (CS) took part in the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), a well validated psycho-social laboratory stress protocol. Repeated blood samples were analyzed for stress-related cortisol and catecholamine levels as well as for glucocorticoid sensitivity (GCS) of target immune cells. Chronic and acute stress appraisals were assessed by self-report measures. RRMS patients and CS did not differ in stress-related cortisol/catecholamine levels, GCS or stress appraisal in response to the TSST. However, cortisol release as well as GCS was strongly correlated with time since diagnosis but not with neurological disability. Patients with shorter disease duration (2-12 months) expressed a significantly higher cortisol stress response while MS patients with longer disease duration (14-36 months) showed a significantly diminished HPA response as well as lower post-stress GCS. There is evidence for a time-dependent variability in the HPA stress system with an increased cortisol stress response in the first year after diagnosis along with a more blunted HPA stress response and a diminished GCS in subsequent disease stages. Data underscore the highly dynamic nature of HPA axis regulation in the MS disease process, which could possibly relate to compensatory mechanisms within a cytokine-HPA axis feedback circuit model. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Activation of Tyrosine Hydroxylase mRNA Translation by cAMP in Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons

PubMed Central

Chen, Xiqun; Xu, Lu; Radcliffe, Pheona; Sun, Baoyong; Tank, A. William

2009-01-01

During prolonged stress or chronic treatment with neurotoxins, robust compensatory mechanisms occur which maintain sufficient levels of catecholamine neurotransmitters in terminal regions. One of these mechanisms is the up-regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the enzyme that controls catecholamine biosynthesis. In neurons of the periphery and locus coeruleus, this up-regulation is associated with an initial induction of TH mRNA. In contrast, this induction either does not occur or is nominal in mesencephalic dopamine neurons. The reasons for this lack of compensatory TH mRNA induction remain obscure, because so little is known about the regulation of TH expression in these neurons. In this report we test whether activation of the cAMP signaling pathway regulates TH gene expression in two rodent models of midbrain dopamine neurons, ventral midbrain organotypic slice cultures and MN9D cells. Our results demonstrate that elevation of cAMP leads to induction of TH protein and TH activity in both model systems; however, TH mRNA levels are not up-regulated by cAMP. The induction of TH protein is the result of a novel post-transcriptional mechanism that activates TH mRNA translation. This translational activation is mediated by sequences within the 3′UTR of TH mRNA. Our results support a model in which cAMP induces or activates trans-factors that interact with the TH mRNA 3′UTR to increase TH protein synthesis. An understanding of this novel regulatory mechanism may help to explain the control of TH gene expression and consequently dopamine biosynthesis in midbrain neurons under different physiological and pathological conditions. PMID:18349104

Neural control of renal function: role of renal alpha adrenoceptors.

PubMed

DiBona, G F

1985-01-01

Adrenoceptors of various subtypes mediate the renal functional responses to alterations in efferent renal sympathetic nerve activity, the neural component, and renal arterial plasma catecholamine concentrations, the humoral component, of the sympathoadrenergic nervous system. Under normal physiologic as well as hypertensive conditions, the influence of the renal sympathetic nerves predominates over that of circulating plasma catecholamines. In most mammalian species, increases in efferent renal sympathetic nerve activity elicit renal vasoconstrictor responses mediated predominantly by renal vascular alpha-1 adrenoceptors, increases in renin release mediated largely by renal juxtaglomerular granular cell beta-1 adrenoceptors with involvement of renal vascular alpha-1 adrenoceptors only when renal vasoconstriction occurs, and direct increases in renal tubular sodium and water reabsorption mediated predominantly by renal tubular alpha-1 adrenoceptors. In most mammalian species, alpha-2 adrenoceptors do not play a significant role in the renal vascular or renin release responses to renal sympathoadrenergic stimulation. Although renal tubular alpha-2 adrenoceptors do not mediate the increases in renal tubular sodium and water reabsorption produced by increases in efferent renal sympathetic nerve activity, they may be involved through their inhibitory effect on adenylate cyclase in modulating the response to other hormonal agents that influence renal tubular sodium and water reabsorption via stimulation of adenylate cyclase.

Development of Sensitive and Direct Methods for Measuring Plasma Aldosterone and Catecholamine Concentrations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haber, E.

1972-01-01

Radioimmunoassays for renin activity, angiotensin 1, and angiotensin 2 in the study of vasomotor regulation give new insight into the role of the renin system in maintaining postural homeostatsis. Similar laboratory procedures for specific assays of aldosterone and catecholamines achieve accurate determinations in small human blood samples.

Animal-Model Studies of Radiation-Induced Emesis and Its Control.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-08-01

result of 6-OHDA was similar to that of haloperidol , one action of which is catecholamine receptor neuron blocking. The fact that 6- OHDA works strictly at...minutes preexposure n = 12 Delayed onset times Haloperidol Catecholamine Reduced number of S.2w, mg/kg i.m. blocker emetic episodes 45 :iinutes

The Control of Responsiveness in ADHD by Catecholamines: Evidence for Dopaminergic, Noradrenergic and Interactive Roles

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oades, Robert D.; Sadile, Adolfo G.; Sagvolden, Terje; Viggiano, Davide; Zuddas, Alessandro; Devoto, Paola; Aase, Heidi; Johansen, Espen B.; Ruocco, Lucia A.; Russell, Vivienne A.

2005-01-01

We explore the neurobiological bases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from the viewpoint of the neurochemistry and psychopharmacology of the catecholamine-based behavioural systems. The contributions of dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NA) neurotransmission to the motor and cognitive symptoms of ADHD (e.g. hyperactivity, variable…

[Analysis of laboratory data of 155 patients with pheochromocytoma-paraganglioma syndrome diagnosed during the past 20 years].

PubMed

Balog, Beatrice; Tőke, Judit; Róna, Kálmán; Szücs, Nikolette; Igaz, Péter; Pusztai, Péter; Sármán, Beatrix; Gláz, Edit; Kiss, Róbert; Patócs, Attila; Rácz, Károly; Tóth, Miklós

2015-04-19

Laboratory diagnosis of pheochromocytoma-paraganglioma syndrome has been markedly improved during the past two decades. Retrospective assessment of diagnostic utility of urinary catecholamines and their metabolites as well as serum chromogranin A in 155 patients diagnosed at the 2nd Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University. Urinary catecholamines and metabolites were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection in 155 patients with pheochromocytoma-paraganglioma (of whom 28.4% had hereditary background) and in 170 non-pheochromocytoma patients used as controls. Serum chromogranin A was measured by immunoradiometry. Sensitivity (93.2%) and specificity (87.0%) of urinary fractionated metanephrines were higher than those of urinary catecholamines (90.9% vs. 85.7%, respectively) and serum chromogranin A (88.7% and 77.5%, respectively). Urinary normetanephrine and serum chromogranin A correlated positively with tumor size (r = 0.552, p<0.0001 and r = 0.618, p<0.0001, respectively). These data confirm the diagnostic utility of urinary catecholamines and their metabolites. Urinary normetanephrine and serum chromogranin A may help to estimate tumour mass and probably tumour progression.

B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Reactivity to Mental Stress and Exercise: Role of Obesity and Hemodynamics

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-08-25

both of which increase SV and CO (Figure 16). Specifically, circulating catecholamines decrease venous compliance and increase central venous pressure...t Inotropy t Central Venous Pressure , t Preload / t SV&CO 104 References 1. The Criteria Committee of the New York Heart Association...Science Degrees -Public Health Masters Degrees -Military Medical History -Public Health -Tropical Medicine & Hygiene Graduate Education Office

Differential responses of autonomic function in sea level residents, acclimatized lowlanders at >3500 m and Himalayan high altitude natives at >3500 m: A cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Dhar, Priyanka; Sharma, Vijay K; Das, Saroj K; Barhwal, Kalpana; Hota, Sunil K; Singh, Shashi B

2018-04-09

We studied the differential responses of autonomic function in sea level residents (SLR), acclimatized lowlanders (ALH) in high altitude (HA) and HA natives (HAN) at >3500 m. Out of 771 male volunteers included in this cross-sectional study, SLR, ALH and HAN groups were comprised of 351, 307 and 113 volunteers, respectively. Our results showed persistent sympathetic dominance with significantly reduced (p < 0.05) parasympathetic response in ALH as compared to SLR and HAN populations. This may be attributed to significantly increased (p < 0.05) concentration of coronary risk factors and plasma catecholamines in ALH as compared to SLR and HAN. The ALH also showed significantly increased (p < 0.05) level of serum homocysteine as compared to SLR. The HAN exhibited no changes in autonomic function despite significantly elevated (p < 0.05) homocysteine level as compared to SLR. Our findings may have clinical relevance for assessment of susceptibility to cardiovascular risks in HA dwellers, native highlanders and patients with hypoxemia. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Genetic variation in the presynaptic norepinephrine transporter is associated with blood pressure responses to exercise in healthy humans.

PubMed

Kohli, Utkarsh; Hahn, Maureen K; English, Brett A; Sofowora, Gbenga G; Muszkat, Mordechai; Li, Chun; Blakely, Randy D; Stein, C Michael; Kurnik, Daniel

2011-04-01

The presynaptic norepinephrine transporter (NET) mediates synaptic clearance and recycling of norepinephrine. NET-deficient transgenic mice have elevated blood pressure (BP), heart rate, and catecholamine concentrations. However, the in-vivo effects of common NET variants on cardiovascular regulation at rest and during exercise are unknown. We studied cardiovascular responses and plasma catecholamine concentrations at rest and during bicycle exercise at increasing workloads (25, 50, and 75 W) in 145 healthy participants. We used multiple linear regressions to analyze the effect of common, purportedly functional polymorphisms in NET (rs2242446 and rs28386840) on cardiovascular measures. 44 and 58.9% of participants carried at least one variant allele for NET T-182C and A-3081T, respectively. Systolic BP during exercise and systolic BP-area under the curve were higher in carriers of variant NET alleles (P=0.003 and 0.009 for T-182C and A-3081T, respectively) and NET haplotype -182C/-3081T compared with -182T/-3081A (all P<0.01). Diastolic BP during exercise was also higher at lower, but not at higher exercise stages in carriers of NET -182C (P<0.01) and -3081T variants (P<0.05). NET genotypes were not associated with catecholamine concentrations or heart rate. Common genetic NET variants (-182C and -3081T) are associated with greater BP response to exercise in humans.

[Hereditary phaeochromocytoma in twins].

PubMed

Tóth, Géza; Patócs, Attila; Tóth, Miklós

2016-08-01

Phaeochromocytoma is a tumor of the catecholamine-producing cells of the adrenal gland. Extraadrenal phaeochromocytomas are frequently called paragangliomas. The majority of phaeochromocytomas are sporadic, however, about 25-30% are caused by genetic mutation. These tumor are frequently referred as hereditary phaeochromocytomas/paragangliomas. Their incidence increases continuously which can be attributed to availability of genetic examination and to the discovery of novel genes. The 47-year-old female patient underwent abdominal computed tomography which revealed bilateral adrenal gland enlargement. Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging, the 131-I- metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy, urinary catecholamines and serum chomogranin A measurements confirmed the diagnosis of bilateral phaeochromocytomas. The genetically identical twin sister of the patient was also diagnosed with hormonally active bilateral phaechromocytoma, suggesting the genetic origin of phaeochromocytoma. Mutation screening confirmed a germline mutation of the transmembrane protein 127 tumorsupressor gene in both patients. Both patients underwent cortical-sparing adrenalectomy. The adrenal gland with the larger tumor was totally resected, while in the opposite side only the tumor was resected and a small part of the cortex was saved. After the operation urinary catecholamines and serum chromogranin A returned to normal in both patients. Adrenocortical deficiency was absent in the first patient, but her sister developed adrenal insufficiency requiring glucocorticoid replacement. To the best of the authors' knowledge phaeochromocytoma affecting twins has never been described earlier. Genetic examination performed in siblings confirmed the presence of the mutant gene through four generations. Orv. Hetil., 2016, 157(33), 1326-1330.

Photoaffinity labelling of MSH receptors on Anolis melanophores: effects of catecholamines, calcium and forskolin.

PubMed

Eberle, A N; Girard, J

1985-01-01

Photoaffinity labelling of MSH receptors on Anolis melanophores was used as a tool for studying the effects of catecholamines, calcium and forskolin on hormone-receptor interaction and receptor-adenylate cyclase coupling. Covalent attachment of photoreactive alpha-MSH to its receptor was suppressed in calcium-free buffer but was hardly influenced by catecholamines or forskolin. The longlasting signal generated by the covalent MSH-receptor complex was readily and reversibly abolished by adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine or clonidine or by the absence of calcium. The suppression of pigment dispersion by catecholamines was blocked by the simultaneous presence of yohimbine but not prazosin, indicating that the catecholamines antagonize the alpha-MSH signal by inhibitory action on the adenylate cyclase system through an alpha-2 receptor. Forskolin, which stimulates melanophores by direct action on the catalytic unit of the adenylate cyclase and at about the same speed as alpha-MSH, produced a slower and weaker response in the presence of noradrenaline. If MSH receptors were covalently labelled and then exposed to noradrenaline, the characteristics of the forskolin-induced response were identical to those of unlabelled cells that had not been exposed to noradrenaline. This may point to a partial restoration of receptor-adenylate cyclase coupling by forskolin. The results show that the longlasting stimulation of Anolis melanophores by photoaffinity labelling proceeds via a permanently stimulated adenylate-cyclase system whose coupling to the receptor depends on calcium and is abolished by alpha-2 receptor agonists. Calcium is also essential for hormone-receptor binding.

A rare case of juvenile hypertension: coexistence of type 2 multiple endocrine neoplasia -related bilateral pheochromocytoma and reninoma in a young patient with ACE gene polymorphism.

PubMed

Paragliola, Rosa Maria; Capoluongo, Ettore; Torino, Francesco; Minucci, Angelo; Canu, Giulia; Prete, Alessandro; Pontecorvi, Alfredo; Corsello, Salvatore Maria

2015-06-18

Pheochromocytoma and reninoma represent two rare diseases causing hypertension. We here reported a rare case of association between type 2 multiple endocrine neoplasia related bilateral pheochromocytoma and reninoma. Moreover, polymorphism of ACE gene, which is known to be related to an increase of cardiovascular risk, has been found in the same patient. A 24 year old Caucasian man came to our attention for severe hypertension, resistant to anti-hypertensive polytherapy. At the age of twenty he had undergone total thyroidectomy with lymphadenectomy for medullary carcinoma. Genetic testing showed a RET mutation of codon 918 (exon 16) not documented in other family members. During the follow-up, a progressive increase of urinary metanephrines and catecholamines was recorded. Our evaluation confirmed the presence of severe hypertension (220/140 mmHg) and a severe increase of urinary catecholamines and metanephrines. Due to the presence of hypokalemia, other causes of hypertension were researched leading to the discovery of hyperreninemia (236 μUI/ml) with mild hyperaldosteronism, and a mild increase of the renal artery resistance at ultrasound. An abdominal MRI showed multiple adrenal masses and a right kidney nodular lesion of about 2 cm. The patient underwent bilateral adrenalectomy and right nephrectomy, and histology confirmed the presence of bilateral pheochromocytoma and right reninoma. The post-surgery laboratory evaluation showed a rapid reduction of the urinary metanephrines while plasma renin level remained low in spite of the bilateral adrenalectomy without any mineralocorticoid supplementation. To further investigate these unusual feature, we performed genetic testing for the ACE gene, which revealed the presence of ACE I/D polymorphism. This unique report describes the association between two rare causes of hypertension in the same patient. Furthermore, the absence of requirement of mineralocorticoid supplementation in spite of bilateral adrenalectomy, represent an uncommon and interest finding.

Effects of volume loading and pressor agents in idiopathic orthostatic tachycardia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jacob, G.; Shannon, J. R.; Black, B.; Biaggioni, I.; Mosqueda-Garcia, R.; Robertson, R. M.; Robertson, D.

1997-01-01

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic orthostatic tachycardia (IOT) is characterized by an increase in heart rate (HR) with standing of > or = 30 bpm that is associated with elevated catecholamine levels and orthostatic symptoms. A dynamic orthostatic hypovolemia and alpha1-adrenoreceptor hypersensitivity have been demonstrated in IOT patients. There is evidence of an autonomic neuropathy affecting the lower-extremity blood vessels. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied the effects of placebo, the alpha1-adrenoreceptor agonist midodrine (5 to 10 mg), the alpha2-adrenoreceptor agonist clonidine (0.1 mg), and I.V. saline (1 L) in 13 patients with IOT. Supine and upright blood pressure (BP) and HR were measured before and at 1 and 2 hours after intervention. Midodrine decreased both supine and upright HR (all HR values are given as bpm) at 2 hours (from 78+/-2 supine to 108+/-5 upright before treatment and from 69+/-2 supine to 95+/-5 upright after treatment, P<.005 for supine and P<.01 for upright). Saline decreased both supine and upright HR (from 80+/-3 supine to 112+/-5 upright before infusion and from 77+/-3 supine to 91+/-3 upright 1 hour after infusion, P<.005 for supine and P<.001 for upright). Clonidine decreased supine HR (from 78+/-2 to 74+/-2, P<.03) but did not affect the HR increase with standing. Clonidine very significantly decreased supine systolic BP (from 109+/-3 at baseline to 99+/-2 mm Hg at 2 hours, P<.001), and midodrine decreased supine systolic BP mildly. CONCLUSIONS: IOT responds best acutely to saline infusion to correct the underlying hypovolemia. Chronically, this can be accomplished with increased salt and water intake in conjunction with fludrocortisone. The response of patients to the alpha1-agonist midodrine supports the hypothesis of partial dysautonomia and indicates that the use of alpha1-agonists to pharmacologically replace lower-extremity postganglionic sympathetics is an appropriate overall goal of therapy. These findings are consistent with our hypothesis that the tachycardia and elevated catecholamine levels associated with IOT are principally due to hypovolemia and loss of adequate lower-extremity vascular tone.

Role of calcium and free fatty acids in epinephrine-induced myocardial necrosis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mallov, S.

1983-11-01

A possible mechanism by which large doses of catecholamines produce myocardial necrosis was investigated. Male Sprague-Dawley rats, 275 to 325 g in weight, were injected once, sc, with 3 mg/kg epinephrine (E) or infused iv for 1 hr with E at a rate of 1.2 or 1.7 micrograms/min, and also injected iv with either 45Ca or (3H)palmitic acid (3H-PA) at the same time as or at various periods of time after E administration but exactly 0.5 or 1 hr before death. Controls were injected with saline solution. Heart/plasma ratios of radioactivity (H/P) were determined. The ratios increased in the casemore » of both 45Ca and (3H)PA within 0.5 hr after E, reached peak values after 18 to 24 hr with 45Ca and 3 to 6 hr with (3H)PA, and remained above values for the controls for at least 72 hr with 45Ca and 48 hr with (3H)PA. The rate of 45Ca influx into heart 20 hr after E administration paralleled the severity of the myocardial damage that had been produced. When 45Ca and E were injected simultaneously, H/P increased progressively with time to 30 times control values, indicating the accumulation and retention of Ca in the heart. Under the same conditions, H/P values with (3H)PA also rose but remained constant at a level two to three times that in controls. Total cardiac free fatty acids (FFA) rose slightly and remained constant at the elevated level. It was not possible to distinguish a given point in time at which the increase in either Ca or FFA influx, initially due to the normal pharmacological effect of E, began to occur as a consequence of damage produced by the latter. It is concluded that high concentrations of catecholamines promote the deposition of Ca and FFA in myocardial cells in various forms, and that the deposition of these substances as soaps in the plasma membranes may cause permeability changes that lead to cell injury.« less

(Neuro)transmitter systems in circulating immune cells: a target of immunopharmacological interventions?

PubMed

Tayebati, Seyed Khosrow; Amenta, Francesco

2008-01-01

Increasing evidence indicates the existence of an association between nervous and immune systems. The two systems communicate with each-other to maintain immune homeostasis. Activated immune cells secrete cytokines that influence central nervous system activity. Nervous system, through its peripheral and/or autonomic divisions activates output regulating levels of immune cell activity and the subsequent magnitude of an immune response. On the other hand, neurotransmitters, which represent the main substances involved in nerve cell communications, can influence immune function. Immune organs and circulating immune cells express several (neuro)transmitter systems that can be involved in regulating their activity. The expression of neurotransmitter systems by different subsets of circulating immune cells was reviewed. The regulatory role of different families of (neuro)transmitters (catecholamines, 5-hydroxytryptamine, acetylcholine, histamine and neuropeptides) in modulating levels of immune mediators or specific immune responses is discussed.

Renal sympathetic nervous system and the effects of denervation on renal arteries

PubMed Central

Kannan, Arun; Medina, Raul Ivan; Nagajothi, Nagapradeep; Balamuthusamy, Saravanan

2014-01-01

Resistant hypertension is associated with chronic activation of the sympathetic nervous system resulting in various comorbidities. The prevalence of resistant hypertension is often under estimated due to various reasons. Activation of sympathetic nervous system at the renal- as well as systemic- level contributes to the increased level of catecholamines and resulting increase in the blood pressure. This increased activity was demonstrated by increased muscle sympathetic nerve activity and renal and total body noradrenaline spillover. Apart from the hypertension, it is hypothesized to be associated with insulin resistance, congestive heart failure and obstructive sleep apnea. Renal denervation is a novel procedure where the sympathetic afferent and efferent activity is reduced by various techniques and has been used successfully to treat drug-resistant hypertension improvement of various metabolic derangements. Renal denervation has the unique advantage of offering the denervation at the renal level, thus mitigating the systemic side effects. Renal denervation can be done by various techniques including radiofrequency ablation, ultrasound guided ablation and chemical ablation. Various trials evaluated the role of renal denervation in the management of resistant hypertension and have found promising results. More studies are underway to evaluate the role of renal denervation in patients presenting with resistant hypertension in different scenarios. Appropriate patient selection might be the key in determining the effectiveness of the procedure. PMID:25228960

Renal sympathetic nervous system and the effects of denervation on renal arteries.

PubMed

Kannan, Arun; Medina, Raul Ivan; Nagajothi, Nagapradeep; Balamuthusamy, Saravanan

2014-08-26

Resistant hypertension is associated with chronic activation of the sympathetic nervous system resulting in various comorbidities. The prevalence of resistant hypertension is often under estimated due to various reasons. Activation of sympathetic nervous system at the renal- as well as systemic- level contributes to the increased level of catecholamines and resulting increase in the blood pressure. This increased activity was demonstrated by increased muscle sympathetic nerve activity and renal and total body noradrenaline spillover. Apart from the hypertension, it is hypothesized to be associated with insulin resistance, congestive heart failure and obstructive sleep apnea. Renal denervation is a novel procedure where the sympathetic afferent and efferent activity is reduced by various techniques and has been used successfully to treat drug-resistant hypertension improvement of various metabolic derangements. Renal denervation has the unique advantage of offering the denervation at the renal level, thus mitigating the systemic side effects. Renal denervation can be done by various techniques including radiofrequency ablation, ultrasound guided ablation and chemical ablation. Various trials evaluated the role of renal denervation in the management of resistant hypertension and have found promising results. More studies are underway to evaluate the role of renal denervation in patients presenting with resistant hypertension in different scenarios. Appropriate patient selection might be the key in determining the effectiveness of the procedure.

Reduced Tissue Levels of Noradrenaline Are Associated with Behavioral Phenotypes of the TgCRND8 Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

PubMed Central

Francis, Beverly M; Yang, Jimao; Hajderi, Enid; Brown, Mary E; Michalski, Bernadeta; McLaurin, JoAnne; Fahnestock, Margaret; Mount, Howard T J

2012-01-01

Noradrenergic cell loss is well documented in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We have measured the tissue levels of catecholamines in an amyloid precursor protein-transgenic ‘TgCRND8' mouse model of AD and found reductions in noradrenaline (NA) within hippocampus, temporoparietal and frontal cortices, and cerebellum. An age-related increase in cortical NA levels was observed in non-Tg controls, but not in TgCRND8 mice. In contrast, NA levels declined with aging in the TgCRND8 hippocampus. Dopamine levels were unaffected. Reductions in the tissue content of NA were found to coincide with altered expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA and to precede the onset of object memory impairment and behavioral despair. To test whether these phenotypes might be associated with diminished NA, we treated mice with dexefaroxan, an antagonist of presynaptic inhibitory α2-adrenoceptors on noradrenergic and cholinergic terminals. Mice 12 weeks of age were infused systemically for 28 days with dexefaroxan or rivastigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor. Both dexefaroxan and rivastigmine improved TgCRND8 behavioral phenotypes and increased BDNF mRNA expression without affecting amyloid-β peptide levels. Our results highlight the importance of noradrenergic depletion in AD-like phenotypes of TgCRND8 mice. PMID:22491352

ACTION OF CHEMICALLY DIFFERENT PROSTAGLANDIN BLOCKERS ON THE ADRENAL HORMONES IN PIGEONS DURING STRESS.

PubMed

Sarkar, S; Ghosh, S; Sengupta, S; Dasadhikari, S; Ghosh, A

1999-01-01

The effect of prostaglandin (PG) inhibitors differing in their chemical nature, viz. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), Mefenamic acid (fenamates), Diclofenac (phenylacetic acid derivative) and Piroxicam (oxicam derivative) on the adrenal hormones was studied in acutely stressed pigeons. None of these PG blockers exerted any significant effect on the catecholamine and corticosterone content of the control, i.e. unstressed pigeon adrenal gland excepting mefenamic acid which caused a release of epinephrine. Aspirin, diclofenac and piroxicam did not modulate the catecholamine or corticosterone secretion whereas mefenamic acid caused a released of both epinephrine and norepinephrine and increased the adrenal corticosterone content in the acutely stressed pigeons. These results were compared with those obtained from studies on the effects of other chemically different PG blockers, indomethacin (a methylated indole derivative) and ibuprofen (a propionic acid derivative). It is suggested that chemically and structurally different PG inhibitors show diverse action in the same species under similar stress conditions.

Development of the larval nervous system of the sand dollar, Dendraster excentricus.

PubMed

Burke, R D

1983-01-01

Transformation of the gastrula to the pluteus includes development of the ability of the larva to control the direction of ciliary beat and coordinate activities of the ciliary band with activities of the esophageal muscles (48-60 h, 15 degrees C). Glyoxylic acid-induced fluorescence shows several cells of the animal plate to contain catecholamines in the 36-h gastrula. As the ectoderm thickens to form the ciliary band (36 48 h), the catecholamine-containing cells increase in number and occur dispersed throughout the band. Tissues with the ultrastructural characteristics of nerves first became apparent associated with the ciliary band in 60-h larvae. The coincident development of coordinated behaviour and the appearance of cells with ultrastructural and histochemical characteristics of nerves suggests that the larval nervous system is derived at least in part from cells of the animal plate and develops in association with the ciliary bands.

Peroxynitrite induced formation of the neurotoxins 5-S-cysteinyl-dopamine and DHBT-1: implications for Parkinson's disease and protection by polyphenols.

PubMed

Vauzour, David; Ravaioli, Giulia; Vafeiadou, Katerina; Rodriguez-Mateos, Ana; Angeloni, Cristina; Spencer, Jeremy P E

2008-08-15

Mechanisms of nigral cell injury in Parkinson's disease remain unclear, although a combination of increased oxidative stress, the formation of catecholamine-quinones and the subsequent formation of neurotoxic cysteinyl-catecholamine conjugates may contribute. In the present study, peroxynitrite was observed to generate both 2-S- and 5-S-cysteinyl-dopamine and a dihydrobenzothiazine species, DHBT-1, following the reaction of dopamine with l-cysteine. The formation of 5-S-cysteinyl-dopamine and DHBT-1 in the presence of peroxynitrite induced significant neuronal injury. Pre-treatment of cortical neurons with pelargonidin, quercetin, hesperetin, caffeic acid, the 4'-O-Me derivatives of catechin and epicatechin (0.1-3.0 microM) resulted in concentration dependant protection against 5-S-cysteinyl-dopamine-induced neurotoxicity. These data suggest that polyphenols may protect against neuronal injury induced by endogenous neurotoxins relevant to the aetiology of the Parkinson disease.

Mediating influences of social support on stress at Three Mile Island.

PubMed

Fleming, R; Baum, A; Gisriel, M M; Gatchel, R J

1982-09-01

Symptom reporting, task performance, and urinary catecholamine excretion were studied in a group of people living near the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant and in control populations. More than a year after the accident, living near the damaged reactor was associated with elevations in all indices of stress compared with control levels. Social support mediated these stress indices such that higher levels were associated with fewer psychological and behavioral symptoms of stress. Biochemical measures showed a different pattern of results.

Effects of three day bed-rest on circulatory, metabolic and hormonal responses to oral glucose load in endurance trained athletes and untrained subjects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smorawinski, J.; Kubala, P.; Kaciuba-Uociako, H.; Nazar, K.; Titow-Stupnicka, E.; Greenleaf, J. E.

1996-01-01

Endurance trained long distance runners and untrained individuals underwent three days of bed rest and oral glucose loading. Before and after bed rest, individuals were given glucose tolerance tests, and their heart rates, blood pressure, blood glucose levels, insulin levels, and catecholamine interactions were measured. Results indicated that glucose tolerance is more affected by bed rest-induced deconditioning in untrained individuals than in trained individuals.

Reciprocal modulation of helper Th1 and Th17 cells by the β2-adrenergic receptor agonist drug terbutaline.

PubMed

Carvajal Gonczi, Catalina M; Tabatabaei Shafiei, Mahdieh; East, Ashley; Martire, Erika; Maurice-Ventouris, Meagane H I; Darlington, Peter J

2017-09-01

Catecholamine hormones are powerful regulators of the immune system produced by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). They regulate the adaptive immune system by altering T-cell differentiation into T helper (Th) 1 and Th2 cell subsets, but the effect on Th17 cells is not known. Th17 cells, defined, in part, by chemokine receptor CCR6 and cytokine interleukin (IL)-17A, are crucial for mediating certain pathogen-specific responses and are linked with several autoimmune diseases. We demonstrated that a proportion of human Th17 cells express beta 2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR), a G protein-coupled receptor that responds to catecholamines. Activation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, which were obtained from venous blood drawn from healthy volunteers, with anti-cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3) and anti-CD28 and with a β2-agonist drug, terbutaline (TERB), augmented IL-17A levels (P < 0.01) in the majority of samples. TERB reduced interferon gamma (IFNγ) indicating that IL-17A and IFNγ are reciprocally regulated. Similar reciprocal regulation was observed with dbcAMP. Proliferation of Th cells was monitored by carboxyfluorescein diacetate N-succinimidyl ester labeling and flow cytometry with antibody staining for CD3 and CD4. TERB increased proliferation by a small but significant margin (P < 0.001). Next, Th17 cells (CD4 + CXCR3 - CCR6 + ) were purified using an immunomagnetic positive selection kit, which removes all other mononuclear cells. TERB increased IL-17A from purified Th17 cells, which argues that TERB acts directly on Th17 cells. Thus, hormone signals from the SNS maintain a balance of Th cells subtypes through the β2AR. © 2017 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

Contrasting actions of pressor agents in severe autonomic failure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jordan, J.; Shannon, J. R.; Biaggioni, I.; Norman, R.; Black, B. K.; Robertson, D.

1998-01-01

BACKGROUND: Orthostatic hypotension is the most disabling symptom of autonomic failure. The choice of a pressor agent is largely empiric, and it would be of great value to define predictors of a response. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 35 patients with severe orthostatic hypotension due to multiple system atrophy or pure autonomic failure, we determined the effect on seated systolic blood pressure (SBP) of placebo, phenylpropanolamine (12.5 mg and 25 mg), yohimbine (5.4 mg), indomethacin (50 mg), ibuprofen (600 mg), caffeine (250 mg), and methylphenidate (5 mg). In a subgroup of patients, we compared the pressor effect of midodrine (5 mg) with the effect of phenylpropanolamine (12.5 mg). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the pressor responses between patients with multiple system atrophy or pure autonomic failure. When compared with placebo, the pressor response was significant for phenylpropanolamine, yohimbine, and indomethacin. In a subgroup of patients, we confirmed that this pressor effect of phenylpropanolamine, yohimbine, and indomethacin corresponded to a significant increase in standing SBP. The pressor responses to ibuprofen, caffeine, and methylphenidate were not significantly different from placebo. Phenylpropanolamine and midodrine elicited similar pressor responses. There were no significant associations between drug response and autonomic function testing, postprandial hypotension, or plasma catecholamine levels. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that significant increases in systolic blood pressure can be obtained in patients with orthostatic hypotension due to primary autonomic failure with phenylpropanolamine in low doses or yohimbine or indomethacin in moderate doses. The response to a pressor agent cannot be predicted by autonomic function testing or plasma catecholamines. Therefore, empiric testing with a sequence of medications, based on the risk of side effects in the individual patient and the probability of a response, is a useful approach.

New in vitro model for proarrhythmia safety screening: IKs inhibition potentiates the QTc prolonging effect of IKr inhibitors in isolated guinea pig hearts.

PubMed

Kui, Péter; Orosz, Szabolcs; Takács, Hedvig; Sarusi, Annamária; Csík, Norbert; Rárosi, Ferenc; Csekő, Csongor; Varró, András; Papp, Julius Gy; Forster, Tamás; Farkas, Attila S; Farkas, András

2016-01-01

Preclinical in vivo QT measurement as a proarrhythmia essay is expensive and not reliable enough. The aim of the present study was to develop a sensitive, cost-effective, Langendorff perfused guinea pig heart model for proarrhythmia safety screening. Low concentrations of dofetilide and cisapride (inhibitors of the rapid delayed rectifier potassium current, IKr) were tested alone and co-perfused with HMR-1556 (inhibitor of the slow delayed rectifier potassium current, IKs) in Langendorff perfused guinea pig hearts. The electrocardiographic rate corrected QT (QTc) interval, the Tpeak-Tend interval and the beat-to-beat variability and instability (BVI) of the QT interval were determined in sinus rhythm. Dofetilide and HMR-1556 alone or co-perfused, prolonged the QTc interval by 20±2%, 10±1% and 55±10%, respectively. Similarly, cisapride and HMR-1556 alone or co-perfused, prolonged the QTc interval by 11±3%, 11±4% and 38±6%, respectively. Catecholamine-induced fast heart rate abolished the QTc prolonging effects of the IKr inhibitors, but augmented the QTc prolongation during IKs inhibition. None of the drug perfusions increased significantly the Tpeak-Tend interval and the sinus BVI of the QT interval. IKs inhibition increased the QTc prolonging effect of IKr inhibitors in a super-additive (synergistic) manner, and the QTc interval was superior to other proarrhythmia biomarkers measured in sinus rhythm in isolated guinea pig hearts. The effect of catecholamines on the QTc facilitated differentiation between IKr and IKs inhibitors. Thus, QTc measurement in Langendorff perfused guinea pig hearts with pharmacologically attenuated repolarization reserve and periodic catecholamine perfusion seems to be suitable for preclinical proarrhythmia screening. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Haemodialysis, nutritional disorders and hypoglycaemia in critical care.

PubMed

Crespo, Jeiel Carlos Lamonica; Gomes, Vanessa Rossato; Barbosa, Ricardo Luís; Padilha, Katia Grillo; Secoli, Silvia Regina

2017-03-09

This study aimed to determine hypoglycemia incidence and associated factors in critically ill patients. It looked at a retrospective cohort with 106 critically ill adult patients with 48 hours of glycaemic control and 72 hours of follow up. The dependent variable, hypoglycaemia (≤70 mg/dl), was assessed with respect to independent variables: age, diet, insulin, catecholamines, haemodialysis, nursing workload and the Simplified Acute Physiology Score. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test, Fisher's exact test and logistic regression at 5% significance level. Incidence of hypoglycaemia was 14.2%. Hypoglycaemia was higher in the group of patients on catecholamines (p=0.040), with higher glycaemic variability (p<0.001) and death in the intensive care unit (p=0.008). Risk factors were identified as absence of oral diet (OR 5.11; 95% CI 1.04-25.10) and haemodialysis (OR 4.28; 95% CI 1.16-15.76). Patients on haemodialysis and with no oral diet should have their glycaemic control intensified in order to prevent and/or manage hypoglycaemic episodes.

Concurrent bilateral pheochromocytoma and thoracic paraganglioma during pregnancy.

PubMed

Snabboon, Thiti; Plengpanich, Wanee; Houngngam, Natnicha; Buranasupkajorn, Patinut; Plengvidhya, Nattachet; Sereepapong, Wisan; Sunthornyothin, Sarat; Shotelersuk, Vorasuk

2010-04-01

Although hypertension occurring during pregnancies is not uncommon and its prognosis is generally excellent, some of its unusual causes can lead to catastrophic consequences, especially in undiagnosed cases. Here, we report a pregnant woman who presented with hypertension in her early pregnancy. It was subsequently found to be caused by bilateral pheochromocytoma. After removal of both tumors, catecholamine levels unexpectedly and unexplainably remained elevated. At 23 weeks of gestation, the fetus was found dead in utero. After the fetal death, additional studies were performed and revealed a thoracic paraganglioma. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a case of three catecholamine-producing tumors occurring concurrently during a pregnancy. Genetic analysis helped identify this unprecedented condition; the patient harbored a heterozygous missense mutation c.482G>A in exon 3 of the VHL gene, indicating von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. Physicians who care for hypertensive pregnant patients should be aware of this condition as its diagnosis would probably lead to a better outcome.

Early life permethrin exposure leads to hypervitaminosis D, nitric oxide and catecholamines impairment.

PubMed

Fedeli, Donatella; Carloni, Manuel; Nasuti, Cinzia; Gambini, Anna; Scocco, Vitangelo; Gabbianelli, Rosita

2013-09-01

The aim of this study is to gain more knowledge on the impact of early life pesticide exposure on premature aging. The effect of a low dose of the insecticide permethrin administered to rats during early life (1/50 LD50, from 6th to 21st day of life) was analyzed by measuring some metabolites in plasma and urine of 500-day-old animals. Significant differences in early life treated rats compared to the control group were found in the plasma levels of Ca(++), Na(+), 25-hydroxy-vitamin D, adrenaline, noradrenaline, nitric oxide, cholesterol and urea while in urine only Na(+) content was different. These results add information on the impact of permethrin during the neonatal period, supporting the evidence that early life environmental exposure to xenobiotics has long-term effects, inducing modifications in adulthood that can be revealed by the analysis of some macroelements, metabolites and catecholamines in plasma, when rats are 500 days old. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effects of acute exposure to WIFI signals (2.45GHz) on heart variability and blood pressure in Albinos rabbit.

PubMed

Saili, Linda; Hanini, Amel; Smirani, Chiraz; Azzouz, Ines; Azzouz, Amina; Sakly, Mohsen; Abdelmelek, Hafedh; Bouslama, Zihad

2015-09-01

Electrocardiogram and arterial pressure measurements were studied under acute exposures to WIFI (2.45GHz) during one hour in adult male rabbits. Antennas of WIFI were placed at 25cm at the right side near the heart. Acute exposure of rabbits to WIFI increased heart frequency (+22%) and arterial blood pressure (+14%). Moreover, analysis of ECG revealed that WIFI induced a combined increase of PR and QT intervals. By contrast, the same exposure failed to alter maximum amplitude and P waves. After intravenously injection of dopamine (0.50ml/kg) and epinephrine (0.50ml/kg) under acute exposure to RF we found that, WIFI alter catecholamines (dopamine, epinephrine) action on heart variability and blood pressure compared to control. These results suggest for the first time, as far as we know, that exposure to WIFI affect heart rhythm, blood pressure, and catecholamines efficacy on cardiovascular system; indicating that radiofrequency can act directly and/or indirectly on cardiovascular system. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electroconvulsive therapy for depression following acute coronary syndromes: a concern for the anesthesiologist.

PubMed

Pourafkari, Nosratollah; Pourafkari, Leili; Nader, Nader D

2016-06-01

The prevalence of depression in patients with cardiovascular disease is higher than general population and especially following an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), a significant number of patients report a wide spectrum of behavioral and mood changes attributable to clinical depression. Treatment of depression following ACS event is particularly challenging since most of the therapeutic modalities are associated with increasing the systemic sympathetic tone from neurogenic or pharmacologic sources. Increased activity of the adrenergic and catecholamine activity may further deter the myocardial oxygen supply and demand therefore treating depression should be carefully evaluated for its risk benefit ratio. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is recommended for patients with severe depression, in whom behavioral and pharmacologic treatments have failed. Patients who refuse to take medications or present with any psychological emergency such as harming self or others, are also candidates for ECT. ECT is also associated with sudden surges of catecholamines and may cause recurrent myocardial ischemia and fatal dysrhythmias in patients convalescing from an ACS event. Herein, we provide an overview and practical guidelines for management of patients presented for ECT following ACS. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Allelic variation in dopamine D2 receptor gene is associated with attentional impulsiveness on the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11).

PubMed

Taylor, Jasmine B; Cummins, Tarrant D R; Fox, Allison M; Johnson, Beth P; Tong, Janette H; Visser, Troy A W; Hawi, Ziarih; Bellgrove, Mark A

2017-01-20

Previous studies have postulated that noradrenergic and/or dopaminergic gene variations are likely to underlie individual differences in impulsiveness, however, few have shown this. The current study examined the relationship between catecholamine gene variants and self-reported impulsivity, as measured by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (Version 11; BIS-11) Methods: Six hundred and seventy-seven non-clinical adults completed the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11). DNA was analysed for a set of 142 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across 20 autosomal catecholamine genes. Association was tested using an additive regression model with permutation testing used to control for the influence of multiple comparison. Analysis revealed an influence of rs4245146 of the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) gene on the BIS-11 attention first-order factor, such that self-reported attentional impulsiveness increased in an additive fashion with each copy of the T allele. These findings provide preliminary evidence that allelic variation in DRD2 may influence impulsiveness by increasing the propensity for attentional lapses.

Spinal cord injury-induced immunodeficiency is mediated by a sympathetic-neuroendocrine adrenal reflex.

PubMed

Prüss, Harald; Tedeschi, Andrea; Thiriot, Aude; Lynch, Lydia; Loughhead, Scott M; Stutte, Susanne; Mazo, Irina B; Kopp, Marcel A; Brommer, Benedikt; Blex, Christian; Geurtz, Laura-Christin; Liebscher, Thomas; Niedeggen, Andreas; Dirnagl, Ulrich; Bradke, Frank; Volz, Magdalena S; DeVivo, Michael J; Chen, Yuying; von Andrian, Ulrich H; Schwab, Jan M

2017-11-01

Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) causes systemic immunosuppression and life-threatening infections, thought to result from noradrenergic overactivation and excess glucocorticoid release via hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis stimulation. Instead of consecutive hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activation, we report that acute SCI in mice induced suppression of serum norepinephrine and concomitant increase in cortisol, despite suppressed adrenocorticotropic hormone, indicating primary (adrenal) hypercortisolism. This neurogenic effect was more pronounced after high-thoracic level (Th1) SCI disconnecting adrenal gland innervation, compared with low-thoracic level (Th9) SCI. Prophylactic adrenalectomy completely prevented SCI-induced glucocorticoid excess and lymphocyte depletion but did not prevent pneumonia. When adrenalectomized mice were transplanted with denervated adrenal glands to restore physiologic glucocorticoid levels, the animals were completely protected from pneumonia. These findings identify a maladaptive sympathetic-neuroendocrine adrenal reflex mediating immunosuppression after SCI, implying that therapeutic normalization of the glucocorticoid and catecholamine imbalance in SCI patients could be a strategy to prevent detrimental infections.

Cataplexy and monoamine oxidase deficiency in Norrie disease.

PubMed

Vossler, D G; Wyler, A R; Wilkus, R J; Gardner-Walker, G; Vlcek, B W

1996-05-01

Norrie disease (ND) is an X-linked recessive disorder causing ocular atrophy, mental retardation, deafness, and dysmorphic features. Virtually absent monoamine oxidase (MAO) type-A and -B activity has been found in some boys with chromosome deletions. We report the coexistence of cataplexy and abnormal REM sleep organization with ND. Three related boys, referred for treatment of medically refractory atonic spells and apneas, underwent extended EEG-video-polysomnographic monitoring. They demonstrated attacks of cataplexy and inappropriate periods of REM sleep during which they were unarousable. One boy also had generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Previous testing revealed that all three have complete ND gene deletions. In all subjects, platelet MAO-B activity was absent, serum serotonin levels were markedly increased, and plasma catecholamine levels were normal. Data from the canine narcolepsy syndrome model implicate abnormal catecholaminergic and cholinergic activities in the pathogenesis of cataplexy. Our findings suggest that abnormal MAO activity or an imbalance between serotonin and other neurotransmitter levels may be involved in the pathogenesis of human cataplexy.

6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels in pregnant women during workplace and nonworkplace stresses: a potential biologic marker of sympathetic activity.

PubMed

Katz, V L; Ekstrom, R D; Mason, G A; Golden, R N

1995-07-01

Melatonin production is regulated by both catecholamines and sympathetic activity. Urine levels of the major metabolite of melatonin, 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, correlate well with serum melatonin levels and have been used to evaluate sympathetic output. We tested the hypothesis that urinary levels of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin would reflect the change in adrenergic activity on working days compared with nonworking days during pregnancy. Twenty-three healthy pregnant women, employed in a variety of occupations, including physicians, nurses, secretaries, salespeople, and laboratory workers were recruited from the clinics of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. We measured 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels in first morning voids and for the subsequent 10 hours at 24, 28, 32, and 36 weeks' gestation. Urine was collected in sets during working days and during nonworking days. 6-Sulfatoxymelatonin was measured by radioimmunoassay. In 11 women we also measured urine catecholamines by high-performance liquid chromatography. Levels of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin output did not change across gestation, although they tended to drift down as pregnancy progressed. Median levels at first morning void were 6.3 micrograms on workdays and 4.6 micrograms on nonworkdays. Although all values were skewed toward work being greater than nonwork, there were large interindividual variations. We therefore compared subjects against themselves and compared work levels for each subject to the corresponding gestational age-matched nonwork value. Among the 23 women, median 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels were 81% greater during work than nonwork (p < 0.0002) when first morning collections were compared. Daytime urinary excretion of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin on workdays was 38% (p < 0.005) greater than during nonworkdays.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The relationship of exercise to anovulatory cycles in female athletes: hormonal and physical characteristics.

PubMed

Russell, J B; Mitchell, D; Musey, P I; Collins, D C

1984-04-01

The objective of this study was to examine the mechanisms by which physical activity affects the menstrual cycle. Women with high, medium, and low levels of physical activity were compared for menstrual function, physical characteristics, and urinary and serum levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, estradiol-17 beta, and 2-hydroxyestrone. None of the physical characteristics other than age and muscle area were significantly different in the three groups. The percentage of body fat did not appear to be a factor in the amenorrhea induced by strenuous exercise, as the percent of body fat in all three groups was less than 22%. The group of athletes under strenuous exercise which correlated with oligomenorrhea had decreased serum levels of luteinizing hormone, prolactin, and estradiol-17 beta but elevated levels of 2-hydroxyestrone. These data suggest that anovulatory cycles are correlated with the amount of exercise and increased levels of catechol estrogens. Catecholamines and beta-endorphin elevated by exercise may interact to suppress luteinizing hormone release at the hypothalamic pituitary axis.

Irrelevant stimulus processing in ADHD: catecholamine dynamics and attentional networks.

PubMed

Aboitiz, Francisco; Ossandón, Tomás; Zamorano, Francisco; Palma, Bárbara; Carrasco, Ximena

2014-01-01

A cardinal symptom of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a general distractibility where children and adults shift their attentional focus to stimuli that are irrelevant to the ongoing behavior. This has been attributed to a deficit in dopaminergic signaling in cortico-striatal networks that regulate goal-directed behavior. Furthermore, recent imaging evidence points to an impairment of large scale, antagonistic brain networks that normally contribute to attentional engagement and disengagement, such as the task-positive networks and the default mode network (DMN). Related networks are the ventral attentional network (VAN) involved in attentional shifting, and the salience network (SN) related to task expectancy. Here we discuss the tonic-phasic dynamics of catecholaminergic signaling in the brain, and attempt to provide a link between this and the activities of the large-scale cortical networks that regulate behavior. More specifically, we propose that a disbalance of tonic catecholamine levels during task performance produces an emphasis of phasic signaling and increased excitability of the VAN, yielding distractibility symptoms. Likewise, immaturity of the SN may relate to abnormal tonic signaling and an incapacity to build up a proper executive system during task performance. We discuss different lines of evidence including pharmacology, brain imaging and electrophysiology, that are consistent with our proposal. Finally, restoring the pharmacodynamics of catecholaminergic signaling seems crucial to alleviate ADHD symptoms; however, the possibility is open to explore cognitive rehabilitation strategies to top-down modulate network dynamics compensating the pharmacological deficits.

Effects of cilnidipine on sympathetic nerve activity and cardiorenal function in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: association with BNP and aldosterone levels.

PubMed

Tanaka, Masami; Sekioka, Risa; Nishimura, Takeshi; Ichihara, Atsuhiro; Itoh, Hiroshi

2014-12-01

Hypertension stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and this phenomenon is exacerbated by diabetes mellitus. We investigated the effects of cilnidipine, an N/L-type calcium channel blocker, on aspects of this system in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In 33 hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with a calcium channel blocker other than cilnidipine, we evaluated the influence of switching to cilnidipine on blood pressure, heart rate, catecholamine, plasma renin and aldosterone concentration, brain natriuretic peptide, urine liver-type fatty acid binding protein, and urinary albumin excretion ratio in the same patients by a cross-over design. Other biochemical parameters were also evaluated. Switching to cilnidipine did not change blood pressure but caused reduction in catecholamine concentrations in blood and urine and plasma aldosterone concentration, accompanied by significant reduction in brain natriuretic peptide, urine liver-type fatty acid binding protein, and albumin excretion ratio. These parameters other than brain natriuretic peptide were significantly increased after cilnidipine was changed to the original calcium channel blocker. In 33 hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, compared to other calcium channel blockers, cilnidipine suppressed sympathetic nerve activity and aldosterone, and significantly improved markers of cardiorenal disorders. Therefore, cilnidipine may be an important calcium channel blocker for use in combination with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors when dealing with hypertension complicated with diabetes mellitus. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Irrelevant stimulus processing in ADHD: catecholamine dynamics and attentional networks

PubMed Central

Aboitiz, Francisco; Ossandón, Tomás; Zamorano, Francisco; Palma, Bárbara; Carrasco, Ximena

2014-01-01

A cardinal symptom of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a general distractibility where children and adults shift their attentional focus to stimuli that are irrelevant to the ongoing behavior. This has been attributed to a deficit in dopaminergic signaling in cortico-striatal networks that regulate goal-directed behavior. Furthermore, recent imaging evidence points to an impairment of large scale, antagonistic brain networks that normally contribute to attentional engagement and disengagement, such as the task-positive networks and the default mode network (DMN). Related networks are the ventral attentional network (VAN) involved in attentional shifting, and the salience network (SN) related to task expectancy. Here we discuss the tonic–phasic dynamics of catecholaminergic signaling in the brain, and attempt to provide a link between this and the activities of the large-scale cortical networks that regulate behavior. More specifically, we propose that a disbalance of tonic catecholamine levels during task performance produces an emphasis of phasic signaling and increased excitability of the VAN, yielding distractibility symptoms. Likewise, immaturity of the SN may relate to abnormal tonic signaling and an incapacity to build up a proper executive system during task performance. We discuss different lines of evidence including pharmacology, brain imaging and electrophysiology, that are consistent with our proposal. Finally, restoring the pharmacodynamics of catecholaminergic signaling seems crucial to alleviate ADHD symptoms; however, the possibility is open to explore cognitive rehabilitation strategies to top-down modulate network dynamics compensating the pharmacological deficits. PMID:24723897

Effects of chemical sympathectomy on the increases in plasma catecholamines and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase induced by forced immobilization and insulin-induced hypoglycemia: origin and fate of plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase.

PubMed

Israel, A S; Barbella, Y R; Cubeddu, L X

1982-06-01

The effect of acute stresses on plasma norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) were evaluated in control and 6-hydroxydopamine-treated, awake cannulated guinea pigs. Forced immobolization for 1 hr caused a 3- and 5-fold increase in plasma DBH and norepinephrine, respectively. Pretreatment with 6-hydroxydopamine (23 mg/kg b.wt.i.a., 72 and 48 hr before stress) reduced by 70% the increase in plasma DBH and totally prevented the rise in plasma catecholamines evoked by the restraining stress. Injection of insulin (5 U/kg b.wt.i.a.) induced a 60% decrease in blood glucose, a 1-fold increase in plasma DBH and a selective 4-fold increase in plasma epinephrine; these effects were not modified by chemical sympathectomy. Our results indicate that forced immobilization and hypoglycemia produce a preferential activation of the sympathetic postganglionic nerves and of the adrenal medulla, respectively, and that in guinea pigs both stresses increase plasma DBH. The kinetics of disappearance of plasma DBH were studied after subjecting the guinea pigs for 1 hr to forced immobilization. Although 7 of 12 animals showed a biphasic rate of fall of plasma DBH, in each case there was a rapid initial fall possibly due to the "distribution" of the enzyme with a T1/2 of 1.65 hr. Similar findings were observed in 6-hydroxydopamine-treated guinea pigs. These results suggest that the distribution of DBH is the most important process in reducing the augmented plasma DBH levels elicited by a short-term stress and that this process is not dependent on the integrity of the sympathetic nerves nor on the adrenal or sympathetic origin of the enzyme. This study supports the view that the ratio, content of releasable DBH present in sympathetic nerves and adrenal glands/total circulating pool of DBH, is the factor that determines whether an increase in plasma DBH would occur in animals exposed to an acute stress.

Effect of Chronic Psychological Stress on Liver Metastasis of Colon Cancer in Mice

PubMed Central

Zhao, Lu; Xu, Jianhua; Liang, Fang; Li, Ao; Zhang, Yong; Sun, Jue

2015-01-01

Metastasis to the liver is a main factor in colorectal cancer mortality. Previous studies suggest that chronic psychological stress is important in cancer progression, but its effect on liver metastasis has not been investigated. To address this, we established a liver metastasis model in BALB/c nude mice to investigate the role of chronic stress in liver metastasis. Our data suggest that chronic stress elevates catecholamine levels and promotes liver metastasis. Chronic stress was also associated with increased tumor associated macrophages infiltration into the primary tumor and increased the expression of metastatic genes. Interestingly, β-blocker treatment reversed the effects of chronic stress on liver metastasis. Our results suggest the β-adrenergic signaling pathway is involved in regulating colorectal cancer progression and liver metastasis. Additionally, we submit that adjunctive therapy with a β-blocker may complement existing colorectal cancer therapies. PMID:26444281

Involvement of brain ketone bodies and the noradrenergic pathway in diabetic hyperphagia in rats.

PubMed

Iwata, Kinuyo; Kinoshita, Mika; Yamada, Shunji; Imamura, Takuya; Uenoyama, Yoshihisa; Tsukamura, Hiroko; Maeda, Kei-Ichiro

2011-03-01

Uncontrolled type 1 diabetes leads to hyperphagia and severe ketosis. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that ketone bodies act on the hindbrain as a starvation signal to induce diabetic hyperphagia. Injection of an inhibitor of monocarboxylate transporter 1, a ketone body transporter, into the fourth ventricle normalized the increase in food intake in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Blockade of catecholamine synthesis in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) also restored food intake to normal levels in diabetic animals. On the other hand, hindbrain injection of the ketone body induced feeding, hyperglycemia, and fatty acid mobilization via increased sympathetic activity and also norepinephrine release in the PVN. This result provides evidence that hyperphagia in STZ-induced type 1 diabetes is signaled by a ketone body sensed in the hindbrain, and mediated by noradrenergic inputs to the PVN.

Fluorescence histochemical and elec-ron microscopical observations on sympathetic ganglia of the chick embryo cultured with and without hydrocortisone.

PubMed

Hervonen, H; Eränkö, O

1975-01-01

Lumbar sympathetic ganglia of 12-day-old chick embryos were cultured in organ cultures for 14 days with 1, 10 or 100 mg/l of hydrocortisone or without it. Catecholamines were demonstrated by the formaldehyde-induced fluorescence method. For electron microscopy, the cultures were fixed with glutarialdehyde and osmium tetroxide. Two types of cells with catecholamine fluoresecence were observed in the control cultures: (1) weakly fluorescent sympathetic neurons and sympathicoblasts with long nerve fibres, which were the most common cell type in the explant, and (2) brightly fluorescent cells with or without fluorescent processes, which were less common and were scattered in the explant. Hydrocortisone caused a great increase in the number of the brightly fluorescent cells. With 10 mg/l of hydrocortisone the increase was about ten-fold as compared with the control cultures. There was no change in the morphology of the cells, nor could any change be observed in the fluorescence intensity by eye. Electron microscopically the mature neurons were the most common cell type on the surface of the culture, while more immature sympathicoblasts were seen in the deeper layers. Cells were also found which contained large numbers of catecholamine-strong granular vesicles 105-275 nm in diameter. These cells were infrequent. They had round vesicular nuclei and resembled also in other respects sympathicoblasts or young nerve cells. One such cell was found in mitotic division by electron microscopy. Hydrocortisone caused a marked increase in the number of these granule-containing cells and their processes. Cells which could have been classified as the small intensely fluorescent cells of the mammalian ganglion type or their electron microscopic equivalent, the granule-containing cells were found neither in the control cultures nor in the hydrocortisone-containing cultures. It is concluded that most brightly fluorescent cells in cultured sympathetic ganglia of the chick are nerve cells or sympathicoblasts rich in amine-storing granular vesicles.

Pheochromocytoma of the Organ Zuckerkandl.

PubMed

Lee, C; Chang, E; Gimenez, J; McCarron, R

2017-01-01

Pheochromocytomas (PCCs);, or intra-adrenal paragangliomas (PGLs);, are neuroendocrine tumors arising within the adrenal medulla. Extra-adrenal paragangliomas may arise in the sympathetic or parasympathetic paraganglia and more rarely in other organs. One of the most common extra-adrenal sites is in the organ of Zuckerkandl, a collection of chromaffin cells near the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery or near the aortic bifurcation. The following is a case of a patient with resistant hypertension secondary to an extra-adrenal paraganglioma in the organ of Zuckerkandl. The patient is a 43 year old man with a history of depression, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hypertension who was sent to the emergency department by his primary care physician for severely elevated blood pressures. Patient also had diaphoresis, tachycardia, and a new, fine tremor of his left hand. Upon presentation, the patient's blood pressure was 260/120 mmHg with a heart rate of 140 beats per minute. Plasma fractionated metanephrines sent on admission revealed significantly elevated levels of total plasma metanephrines (2558 pg/mL);, free metanephrine (74 pg/ml); and free normetanephrine (2484pg/mL);. An I-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG); scan showed abnormal uptake in the lower abdomen at the level of the aortic bifurcation. Patient was started on alpha-blockade, with subsequent addition of a beta-blocker prior to surgery. Patient underwent surgical removal of the tumor with pathology consistent with a paraganglioma. Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas are responsible for approximately 0.5 percent of cases of secondary hypertension. Many different biochemical markers have been used to aid in the diagnosis of PCC/PGL including plasma catecholamines, plasma metanephrines, urine fractionated metanephrines, urine catecholamines, total metanephrines and vanillymandellic acid. Definitive management of a PCC and PGL involves surgical removal of the tumor. Finally, there should be a discussion with each patient to determine if he or she should undergo genetic testing, as studies show that approximately 25 percent of catecholamine producing PCCs and PGLs are due to heritable genetic mutations.

Analysis of Stress Indicators for Evaluation of Animal Welfare and Meat Quality in Traditional and Jewish Slaughtering

PubMed Central

Barrasso, Roberta; Marchetti, Patrizia; Samoilis, Giorgio; Tantillo, Giuseppina; Ceci, Edmondo

2018-01-01

Simple Summary Cortisol and catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine) are released in response to stress and directly stimulate glycogen mobilization, thus influencing meat acidification. The aim of the study was to estimate and compare these stress indicators to evaluate the welfare of beef cattle, subjected to either traditional slaughtering (with stunning) or to slaughtering with religious Jewish rite (without stunning). Significant differences in plasma cortisol and catecholamine levels were observed during exsanguination by monitoring animals in the pre-slaughtering (before and after transportation) and slaughtering phases. Cortisol, dopamine and norepinephrine, but not epinephrine, were markedly higher in the animals slaughtered by the religious rite. Pursuing animal welfare in the religious slaughtering procedures could produce advantages in terms of hygiene, organoleptic quality and shelf life of meat. Abstract Sixty Charolais male beef cattle of eight months of age were divided into two groups according to the slaughtering method, i.e., traditional or Kosher (religious Jewish rite). The aim of the study was to detect and compare the plasma concentrations of cortisol and catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine), by Elisa and HPLC test. These four stress indicators were evaluated during three different stages of each animal productive life: on the farm (step 1), after transportation (step 2) and during bleeding (step 3). The patterns of the parameters measured were similar and, interestingly, revealed significant changes throughout the three steps considered. The greatest variation between the two methods of slaughtering was observed in step 3, where we found a statistically significant difference with all the parameters except epinephrine. In the animals slaughtered by the religious rite, cortisol, dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine were 68.70 ± 30.61 nmol/L; 868.43 ± 508.52 ng/L; 3776.20 ± 1918.44 ng/L; and 4352.20 ± 3730.15 ng/L, respectively, versus 45.08 ± 14.15 nmol/L; 513.87 ± 286.32 ng/L; 3425.57 ± 1777.39 ng/L; and 3279.97 ± 1954.53 ng/L, respectively, in the other animals. This suggests that the animals slaughtered by the Kosher rite are subjected to higher stress conditions at the exsanguination phase. The animals slaughtered by the religious Jewish rite showed lower cortisol and catecholamine levels on the farm (step 1) and after transportation to the slaughterhouse (step 2). This was likely because the animals selected at the end of step 1 by the Rabbis for the religious rite are usually the most docile and gentle. PMID:29561752

Evaluation of the effects of zilpateral hydrochloride supplementation on catecholamin response and other blood metabolites following a combined corticotropin releasing hormone and vasopressin challenge

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The stress response of cattle supplemented with zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) has become a topic due to anecdotal claims of supplemented cattle responding poorly to stress. This study was designed to determine if differences exist in the catecholamine and blood metabolite response of ZH-supplemente...

Blood vessel adaptation to gravity in a semi-arboreal snake

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Conklin, D. J.; Lillywhite, H. B.; Olson, K. R.; Ballard, R. E.; Hargens, A. R.

1996-01-01

The effects of vasoactive agonists on systemic blood vessels were examined with respect to anatomical location and gravity acclimation in the semi-arboreal snake, Elaphe Obsoleta. Major blood vessels were reactive to putative neurotransmitters, hormones or local factors in vessel specific patterns. Catecholamines, adenosine triphosphate, histamine and high potassium (80 mM) stimulated significantly greater tension per unit vessel mass in posterior than anterior arteries. Anterior vessels were significantly more sensitive to catecholamines than midbody and posterior vessels. Angiotensin II stimulated significantly greater tension in carotid artery than in midbody and posterior dorsal aorta. Arginine vasotocin strongly contracted the left and right aortic arches and anterior dorsal aorta. Veins were strongly contracted by catecholamines, high potassium and angiotensin II, but less so by adenosine triphosphate, arginine vasotocin and histamine. Precontracted vessel were relaxed by acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside, but not by atrial natriuretic peptide or bradykinin. Chronic exposure of snakes to intermittent hypergravity stress ( + 1.5 Gz at tail) did not affect the majority of vessel responses. These data demonstrate that in vitro tension correlates with that catecholamines, as well as other agonists, are important in mediating vascular responses to gravitational stresses in snakes.

Evaluation of Endocrine Tests. C: glucagon and clonidine test in phaeochromocytoma.

PubMed

Bisschop, P H; Corssmit, E P M; Baas, S J; Serlie, M J; Endert, E; Wiersinga, W M; Fliers, E

2009-03-01

The diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma is based on the demonstration of catecholamine excess. Urine and plasma metanephrine measurements are highly sensitive tests for the diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma, but moderate elevations in metanephrines lack optimal specificity. In this study we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of additional tests, i.e. glucagon stimulation and clonidine suppression test, in patients with moderately elevated catecholamines and/or metanephrines. Patients with suspected phaeochromocytoma with moderately elevated catecholamines and/or metanephrines in plasma or urine were subjected to the glucagon stimulation and clonidine suppression test. The presence of phaeochromocytoma was confirmed by histology and the absence by a disease-free extended follow-up. Fifty-five patients were included. Phaeochromocytoma was diagnosed in 11 patients. The follow-up period in patients without phaeochromocytoma was 56 (19 to 154) months. The sensitivity of the glucagon test was 30% and the specificity 100%. The clonidine test had no discriminative power, because the area under the ROC curve was not significantly different from 0.5. The clonidine suppression test without normetanephrine measurements and the glucagon stimulation test are not sensitive enough to safely exclude phaeochromocytoma in patients with mildly elevated plasma or urine catecholamines.

L-DOPA therapy interferes with urine catecholamine analysis in children with suspected neuroblastoma: a case series.

PubMed

Kelly, Alison U; Srivastava, Rajeev; Dow, Ellie; Davidson, D Fraser

2017-09-01

Neuroblastoma is the most common solid extracranial malignancy diagnosed in childhood. Clinical presentation is variable, and metastatic disease is common at diagnosis. Analyses of urinary catecholamines and their metabolites are commonly requested as a first-line investigation when clinical suspicion exists. Levodopa (L-Dopa) therapy is utilized as a treatment for a number of disorders in childhood, including Dopa-responsive dystonia. Neuroblastoma may mimic some of the clinical features of this disorder. L-Dopa can interfere with analysis of urinary catecholamines and their metabolites and complicate the interpretation of results. We present the cases of three children who were prescribed L-dopa at the time of analysis of urinary catecholamines and metabolites as a screen for neuroblastoma, but who did not have the disease. Comparison of their results with those from cases with true neuroblastoma reveal that it is impossible to reliably distinguish true neuroblastoma from L-Dopa therapy using these tests. We recommend that patients should be off L-dopa therapy, if possible when these tests are performed. These cases illustrate the importance of providing clinical details and drug history to the laboratory in order to avoid diagnostic confusion.

Psychological stress during exercise: immunoendocrine and oxidative responses.

PubMed

Huang, Chun-Jung; Webb, Heather E; Evans, Ronald K; McCleod, Kelly A; Tangsilsat, Supatchara E; Kamimori, Gary H; Acevedo, Edmund O

2010-12-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in catecholamines (epinephrine [EPI] and norepinephrine [NE]), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and a biomarker of oxidative stress (8-isoprostane) in healthy individuals who were exposed to a dual challenge (physical and psychological stress). Furthermore, this study also examined the possible relationships between catecholamines (NE and EPI) and 8-isoprostane and between IL-2 and 8-isoprostane following a combined physical and psychological challenge. Seven healthy male subjects completed two experimental conditions. The exercise-alone condition (EAC) consisted of cycling at 60% VO(2max) for 37 min, while the dual-stress condition (DSC) included 20 min of a mental challenge while cycling. DSC showed greater EPI and 8-isoprostane levels (significant condition by time interaction). NE and IL-2 revealed significant change across time in both conditions. In addition, following dual stress, EPI area-under-the-curve (AUC) demonstrated a positive correlation with NE AUC and IL-2 AUC. NE AUC was positively correlated with IL-2 AUC and peak 8-isoprostane, and peak IL-2 was positively correlated with peak 8-isoprostane in response to a dual stress. The potential explanation for elevated oxidative stress during dual stress may be through the effects of the release of catecholamines and IL-2. These findings may further provide the potential explanation that dual stress alters physiological homeostasis in many occupations including firefighting, military operations and law enforcement. A greater understanding of these responses to stress can assist in finding strategies (e.g. exercise training) to overcome the inherent psychobiological challenges associated with physically and mentally demanding professions.

The Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium QseB Response Regulator Negatively Regulates Bacterial Motility and Swine Colonization in the Absence of the QseC Sensor Kinase

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) responds to the catecholamine, norepinephrine by increasing bacterial growth and enhancing motility. In this study, iron with or without the siderophore, ferrioxamine E also enhanced bacterial motility. Iron-enhanced motility was growth-rate ...

Ouabain-sensitive component of brown fat thermogenesis.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Horwitz, B. A.

1973-01-01

The study discussed was undertaken to quantify the amount of energy utilized by the ouabain-sensitive Na(+)-K(+) membrane pump during the norepinephrine-induced thermogenesis of brown adipose tissue. The data obtained indicate that the observed inhibition of the catecholamine-induced increase in brown fat thermogenesis by ouabain does not reflect an inhibition of cyclic AMP synthesis.

Genetic Variation in the Presynaptic Norepinephrine Transporter is Associated with Blood Pressure Responses to Exercise in Healthy Humans

PubMed Central

Kohli, Utkarsh; Hahn, Maureen K.; English, Brett A.; Sofowora, Gbenga G.; Muszkat, Mordechai; Li, Chun; Blakely, Randy D.; Stein, C. Michael; Kurnik, Daniel

2011-01-01

Background The presynaptic norepinephrine (NE) transporter (NET) mediates synaptic clearance and recycling of NE. NET-deficient transgenic mice have elevated blood pressure, heart rate, and catecholamine concentrations. However, the in vivo effects of common NET variants on cardiovascular regulation at rest and during exercise are unknown. Methods We studied cardiovascular responses and plasma catecholamine concentrations at rest and during bicycle exercise at increasing workloads (25, 50 and 75 W) in 145 healthy subjects. We used multiple linear regressions to analyze the effect of common, purportedly functional polymorphisms in NET (rs2242446 and rs28386840) on cardiovascular measures. Results 44% and 58.9% of subjects carried at least one variant allele for NET T-182C and A-3081T, respectively. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) during exercise and SBP area-under-the-curve were higher in carriers of variant NET alleles (P=0.003 and 0.009 for T-182C and A-3081T, respectively) and NET haplotype -182C/-081T compared to -82T/-3081A (all P<0.01). Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) during exercise was also higher at lower, but not at higher exercise stages in carriers of NET -182C (P<0.01) and -081T (P< 0.05). NET genotypes were not associated with catecholamine concentrations or heart rate. Conclusion Common genetic NET variants (-182C and -081T) are associated with greater blood pressure response to exercise in humans. PMID:21412203

Adverse drug reactions in patients with phaeochromocytoma: incidence, prevention and management.

PubMed

Eisenhofer, Graeme; Rivers, Graham; Rosas, Alejandro L; Quezado, Zena; Manger, William M; Pacak, Karel

2007-01-01

The dangers of phaeochromocytomas are mainly due to the capability of these neuroendocrine tumours to secrete large quantities of vasoactive catecholamines, thereby increasing blood pressure and causing other related adverse events or complications. Phaeochromocytomas are often missed, sometimes only becoming apparent during therapeutic interventions that provoke release or interfere with the disposition of catecholamines produced by the tumours. Because phaeochromocytomas are rare, evidence contraindicating use of specific drugs is largely anecdotal or based on case reports. The heterogeneous nature of the tumours also makes adverse reactions highly variable among patients. Some drugs, such as dopamine D(2) receptor antagonists (e.g. metoclopramide, veralipride) and beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists (beta-blockers) clearly carry high potential for adverse reactions, while others such as tricyclic antidepressants seem more inconsistent in producing complications. Other drugs capable of causing adverse reactions include monoamine oxidase inhibitors, sympathomimetics (e.g. ephedrine) and certain peptide and corticosteroid hormones (e.g. corticotropin, glucagon and glucocorticoids). Risks associated with contraindicated medications are easily minimised by adoption of appropriate safeguards (e.g. adrenoceptor blockade). Without such precautions, the state of cardiovascular vulnerability makes some drugs and manipulations employed during surgical anaesthesia particularly dangerous. Problems arise most often when drugs or therapeutic procedures are employed in patients in whom the tumour is not suspected. In such cases, it is extremely important for the clinician to recognise the possibility of an underlying catecholamine-producing tumour and to take the most appropriate steps to manage and treat adverse events and clinical complications.

Oral administration of D-aspartate, but not L-aspartate, depresses rectal temperature and alters plasma metabolites in chicks.

PubMed

Erwan, Edi; Chowdhury, Vishwajit Sur; Nagasawa, Mao; Goda, Ryosei; Otsuka, Tsuyoshi; Yasuo, Shinobu; Furuse, Mitsuhiro

2014-07-25

L-Aspartate (L-Asp) and D-aspartate (D-Asp) are physiologically important amino acids in mammals and birds. However, the functions of these amino acids have not yet been fully understood. In this study, we therefore examined the effects of L-Asp and D-Asp in terms of regulating body temperature, plasma metabolites and catecholamines in chicks. Chicks were first orally administered with different doses (0, 3.75, 7.5 and 15 mmol/kg body weight) of L- or D-Asp to monitor the effects of these amino acids on rectal temperature during 120 min of the experimental period. Oral administration of D-Asp, but not of L-Asp, linearly decreased the rectal temperature in chicks. Importantly, orally administered D-Asp led to a significant reduction in body temperature in chicks even under high ambient temperature (HT) conditions. However, centrally administered D-Asp did not significantly influence the body temperature in chicks. As for plasma metabolites and catecholamines, orally administered D-Asp led to decreased triacylglycerol and uric acid concentrations and increased glucose and chlorine concentrations but did not alter plasma catecholamines. These results suggest that oral administration of D-Asp may play a potent role in reducing body temperature under both normal and HT conditions. The alteration of plasma metabolites further indicates that D-Asp may contribute to the regulation of metabolic activity in chicks. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Chronic heart failure and cachexia: role of endocrine system].

PubMed

Dei Cas, A; Muoio, A; Zavaroni, I

2011-12-01

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a major health problem that carries a devastating prognosis. The prognosis worsens considerably once cardiac cachexia has been diagnosed. Neurohormonal, metabolic, hemodynamic and immunological alterations are involved in the initiation and progression of cardiac cachexia. Cachexia is characterized by a hypothalamic inappropriate response to the mechanisms controlling energy homeostasis. Levels of the anorexigenic hormone leptin are decreased whereas the orexigenic gherlin hormone levels are normal or elevated. Nevertheless, energy intake is not increased as expected due to a persistent activation of the proopiomelanocortin (POMC) system (anorexigenic) paralleled by a decreased activity of the neuropeptide Y (NPY, orexigenic) neurons. Cachexia is also characterized by an imbalance in anabolic (impairment in the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I axis, insulin resistance) and catabolic (increased levels of catecholamines, increased cortisol/dehydroepiandrosterone ratio and activation of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleuchin-6, interleuchin-1') at the basis of the wasting process. This review discusses the complex role of the endocrine system in modulating energy balance, appetite and metabolism in patients with chronic heart failure. A joint multidisciplinary effort of the cardiologists, immunologists and endocrinologists might be useful to identify the precise mechanisms involved in the neuroendocrine alteration and to develop therapeutic strategies able to improve the prognosis of CHF patients.

Increased beta-adrenergic responsiveness induced by 14 days exposure to simulated microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Convertino, V. A.; Polet, J. L.; Engelke, K. A.; Hoffler, G. W.; Lane, L. D.; Blomqvist, C. G.

1995-01-01

Increased sensitivity of end-organ responses to neuroendocrine stimuli as a result of prolonged exposure to the relative inactivity of microgravity has recently been hypothesized. This notion is based on the inverse relationship between circulating norepinephrine and beta-adrenoreceptor sensitivity. The beta-adrenoreceptor activity is reduced in individuals who have elevated plasma norepinephrine as a result of regular exposure to upright posture and physical exercise. In contrast, adrenoreceptor hypersensitivity has been reported in patients with dysautonomias in which circulating catecholamines are absent or reduced. Taken together, these studies and the observation that circulating plasma norepinephrine has been reduced during spaceflight and in groundbased simulations of microgravity prompt the suggestion that adrenoreceptor hypersensitivity may be a consequence of the adaptation to spaceflight. We conducted an experiment designed to measure cardiovascular responses to adrenoreceptor agonists in human subjects before and after prolonged exposure to 6 deg head-down tilt (HDT) to test the hypothesis that adaptation to microgravity increases adrenoreceptor responsiveness, and that this adaptation is associated with reduced levels of circulating norepinephrine.

Hyper-G stress-induced hyperglycemia in rats mediated by glucoregulatory hormones

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daligcon, B. C.; Oyama, J.

1985-01-01

The present investigation is concerned with possible relations of the hyperglycemic response of rats exposed to hyper-G stress to (1) alterations in blood levels of the glucoregulatory hormones and gluconeogenic substrates, and (2) changes in insulin response on muscle glucose uptake. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250-300 g were used in the study. The results of the experiments indicate that the initial rapid rise in blood glucose of rats exposed to hyper-G stress is mediated by increases in circulating catecholamines and glucagon, both potent stimulators of hepatic gluconeogenesis. Lactate, derived from epinephrine stimulation of muscle glycogenolysis, appears to be a major precursor for the initial rise in blood glucose. The inhibition of the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake by muscle tissues may be a factor in the observed sustained hyperglycemia.

Isolation of compound and CNS depressant activities of Mikania scandens Willd with special emphasis to brain biogenic amines in mice.

PubMed

Pal, Dilipkumar; Mazumder, Upal Kanti

2014-12-01

Mikania scandens, a twining herb that grows as a weed in India and Bangladesh is used as vegetables and is a good source of vitamin A, C, B complex, mikanin, sesquiterpenes, betasitosterin, stigmasterol and friedelin. The present communication reports CNS depressant activities with special emphasis to brain biogenic amines in mice. Ethanol extract of leaves of M. scandens (EEMS) was prepared by Soxhalation and analyzed chemically. EEMS potentiated sleeping time induced by pentobarbitone, diazepam and meprobamate and showed significant reduction in the number of writhes and stretches. EEMS caused significant protection against pentylene tetrazole-induced convulsion and increased catecholamines and brain amino acids level significantly. Results showed that EEMS produced good CNS depressant effects in mice.

Pathogenesis of sudden death following water immersion (immersion syndrome)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buhring, M.; Spies, H. F.

1981-01-01

Sympathetic activity under cold stress is investigated. Predominantly vagal cardio-depressive reflexes are discussed besides currently known mechanisms of sudden death after water immersion. Pronounced circulatory centralization in diving animals as well as following exposure in cold water indicates additional sympathetic activity. In cold water baths of 15 C, measurements indicate an increase in plasma catecholamine levels by more than 300 percent. This may lead to cardiac arrhythmias by the following mechanisms: cold water essentially induces sinus bradycardia; brady-and tachycardiarrhythmias may supervene as secondary complications; sinusbradycardia may be enhanced by sympathetic hypertonus. Furthermore, ectopic dysrhythmias are liable to be induced by the strictly sympathetic innervation of the ventricle. Myocardial ischemia following a rise in peripheral blood pressure constitutes another arrhythmogenic factor. Some of these reactions are enhanced by alcohol intoxication.

Review of Stress and the Measurement of Stress in Marine Mammals

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-30

massey.ac.nz Award Number: N000141110434 LONG-TERM GOALS Physiological indicators of stress in wild marine mammals, the interrelationships between...hormones (GC), aldosterone (A), thyroid hormones (TH), and catecholamines within a free-ranging northern elephant seal population and its dependence upon...individuals per year). Serum samples will be processed for ACTH, cortisol, aldosterone , catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine), and TH (T3

Variability of Hormonal Stress Markers and Stress Responses in a Large Cross-Sectional Sample of Elephant Seals

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-09-30

massey.ac.nz Award Number: N000141110434 LONG-TERM GOALS Physiological indicators of stress in wild marine mammals, the interrelationships between...hormones (GC), aldosterone (A), thyroid hormones (TH), and catecholamines within a free-ranging northern elephant seal population and its...additional individuals per year). Serum samples will be processed for ACTH, cortisol, aldosterone , catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine), and

PDE3, but not PDE4, reduces β1- and β2-adrenoceptor-mediated inotropic and lusitropic effects in failing ventricle from metoprolol-treated patients

PubMed Central

Molenaar, Peter; Christ, Torsten; Hussain, Rizwan I; Engel, Andreas; Berk, Emanuel; Gillette, Katherine T; Chen, Lu; Galindo-Tovar, Alejandro; Krobert, Kurt A; Ravens, Ursula; Levy, Finn Olav; Kaumann, Alberto J

2013-01-01

Background and Purpose PDE3 and/or PDE4 control ventricular effects of catecholamines in several species but their relative effects in failing human ventricle are unknown. We investigated whether the PDE3-selective inhibitor cilostamide (0.3–1 μM) or PDE4 inhibitor rolipram (1–10 μM) modified the positive inotropic and lusitropic effects of catecholamines in human failing myocardium. Experimental Approach Right and left ventricular trabeculae from freshly explanted hearts of 5 non-β-blocker-treated and 15 metoprolol-treated patients with terminal heart failure were paced to contract at 1 Hz. The effects of (-)-noradrenaline, mediated through β1 adrenoceptors (β2 adrenoceptors blocked with ICI118551), and (-)-adrenaline, mediated through β2 adrenoceptors (β1 adrenoceptors blocked with CGP20712A), were assessed in the absence and presence of PDE inhibitors. Catecholamine potencies were estimated from –logEC50s. Key Results Cilostamide did not significantly potentiate the inotropic effects of the catecholamines in non-β-blocker-treated patients. Cilostamide caused greater potentiation (P = 0.037) of the positive inotropic effects of (-)-adrenaline (0.78 ± 0.12 log units) than (-)-noradrenaline (0.47 ± 0.12 log units) in metoprolol-treated patients. Lusitropic effects of the catecholamines were also potentiated by cilostamide. Rolipram did not affect the inotropic and lusitropic potencies of (-)-noradrenaline or (-)-adrenaline on right and left ventricular trabeculae from metoprolol-treated patients. Conclusions and Implications Metoprolol induces a control by PDE3 of ventricular effects mediated through both β1 and β2 adrenoceptors, thereby further reducing sympathetic cardiostimulation in patients with terminal heart failure. Concurrent therapy with a PDE3 blocker and metoprolol could conceivably facilitate cardiostimulation evoked by adrenaline through β2 adrenoceptors. PDE4 does not appear to reduce inotropic and lusitropic effects of catecholamines in failing human ventricle. Linked Article This article is commented on by Eschenhagen, pp 524–527 of this issue. To view this commentary visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.12168 PMID:23489141

Investigation of the Physiological Responses of Belugas to Stressors to Aid in Assessing the Impact of Environmental and Anthropogenic Challenges on Health

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-30

1 DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. FINAL REPORT Investigation of the Physiological Responses...The overall top level goal of this effort is to investigate the physiological i.e. neuroimmunoendocrinological responses of beluga whales to...adrenocorticotropin hormone, aldosterone , catecholamines) in different matrices (blood, saliva, blow, feces) in conjunction with immune function

Variability of Hormonal Stress Markers and Stress Responses in a Large Cross-Sectional Sample of Elephant Seals

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-30

cortisol and aldosterone impacted glucose, lactate, NEFA , BUN and electrolyte levels. These data provide novel information on the physiological and...massey.ac.nz Award Number: N000141110434 LONG-TERM GOALS Physiological indicators of stress in wild marine mammals, the interrelationships...glucocorticoid hormones (GC), aldosterone (A), thyroid hormones (TH), and catecholamines within a free-ranging northern elephant seal population and its

Variability of Hormonal Stress Markers and Stress Responses in a Large Cross-Sectional Sample of Elephant Seals

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-30

cortisol and aldosterone impacted glucose, lactate, NEFA , BUN and electrolyte levels. These data provide novel information on the physiological and...massey.ac.nz Award Number: N000141110434 LONG-TERM GOALS Physiological indicators of stress in wild marine mammals, the interrelationships between...hormones (GC), aldosterone (A), thyroid hormones (TH), and catecholamines within a free-ranging northern elephant seal population and its dependence

Plasma Catecholamines and Stress Assessment in Men Exposed to Moderate Altitudes.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-01-01

posure, as evidenced by a significant fall in PC02 and a respiratory alkalosis , was able to improve blood oxygenation. Heart rate did not fall with...Survey . . . . 21 Oxygen Content and P02 ...... .. ..... 33 Venous PCO2 :’" 33 Venous pH . .. . . . . . . .. 37 Respiratory Rate ............. ... 37 Blood...a 68 L. Venous PC02 Levels . ... .............. 69 M. Venous pH. . .9. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . 70 N. Respiratory Rates

Increase in swimming endurance capacity of mice by capsaicin-induced adrenal catecholamine secretion.

PubMed

Kim, K M; Kawada, T; Ishihara, K; Inoue, K; Fushiki, T

1997-10-01

Increase in endurance swimming capacity caused by capsaicin (CAP), a pungent component of red pepper, -induced increase of fat metabolism in mice was investigated using an adjustable-current water pool. The mice administered CAP via a stomach tube, showed longer swimming time until exhaustion than the control group of mice, in a dose-dependent manner. The maximal effect was observed at a dose of 10 mg/kg while more than 15 mg/kg had no effect. The increase of endurance was observed only when CAP was administered two hours before swimming. After the administration of CAP, the serum glucose concentration rapidly increased and then decreased within 60 min, while the concentration of serum-free fatty acids gradually increased through 3 hours. The residual glycogen concentration of the gastrocnemius muscle after 30 min of swimming was significantly higher in the CAP-administered mice than in control mice, suggesting that use of the serum free fatty acids spared muscle glycogen consumption. The serum adrenaline concentration significantly increased with twin peaks at 30 min and two hours after administration of CAP. An experiment using adrenalectomized mice was done to confirm that the effect of CAP is due to increased energy metabolism through the secretion of adrenaline from the adrenal gland. The swimming endurance capacity of the adrenalectomized mice was not increased by CAP administration, although adrenaline injection induced a 58% increase in the endurance time. These results suggest that the increase of swimming endurance induced by CAP in mice is caused by an increase in fatty acid utilization due to CAP-induced adrenal catecholamine secretion.

An unusual cause of autonomic dysreflexia: pheochromocytoma in an individual with tetraplegia.

PubMed

Armenti-Kapros, Brenda; Nambiar, Prabhakaran K; Lippman, H Robert; Levy, James R

2003-01-01

Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is a frequent, serious acute syndrome that occurs in patients with spinal cord lesions at level T6 and above. The syndrome is caused by massive sympathetic discharge that is triggered by a noxious stimulus below the level of the spinal cord lesion. Pheochromocytomas are rare tumors that present with symptoms similar to AD. Case Report. A 50-year-old man with C7 American Spinal Injury Association scale A tetraplegia presented with episodes of severe headaches and paroxysmal hypertension. He was diagnosed with AD. Despite resolving bladder and bowel problems, he continued to have hypertensive episodes. A CT scan of the abdomen revealed a heterogeneous left adrenal mass. Further workup revealed significantly elevated serum and 24-hour urinary catecholamines. Clonidine failed to fully suppress the markedly elevated concentrations of serum catecholamines. These biochemical findings were consistent with the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. Prior to surgery, the patient was treated with alpha-receptor blockers and volume expansion with intravenous fluids. A left adrenalectomy was performed. The surgical specimen revealed that the adrenal gland was expanded by a spherical mass. The pathologic report was benign pheochromocytoma of the left adrenal gland. Clinical symptoms and hypertensive episodes resolved following adrenalectomy. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a pheochromocytoma in an individual with spinal cord injury.

Thyroid-adrenergic interactions: physiological and clinical implications.

PubMed

Silva, J Enrique; Bianco, Suzy D C

2008-02-01

The sympathoadrenal system, including the sympathetic nervous system and the adrenal medulla, interacts with thyroid hormone (TH) at various levels. Both systems are evolutionary old and regulate independent functions, playing probably independent roles in poikilothermic species. With the advent of homeothermy, TH acquired a new role, which is to stimulate thermogenic mechanisms and synergize with the sympathoadrenal system to produce heat and maintain body temperature. An important part of this new function is mediated through coordinated and, most of the time, synergistic interactions with the sympathoadrenal system. Catecholamines can in turn activate TH in a tissue-specific manner, most notably in brown adipose tissue. Such interactions are of great adaptive value in cold adaptation and in states needing high-energy output. Conversely, in states of emergency where energy demand should be reduced, such as disease and starvation, both systems are turned down. In pathological states, where one of the systems is fixed at a high or a low level, coordination is lost with disruption of the physiology and development of symptoms. Exaggerated responses to catecholamines dominate the manifestations of thyrotoxicosis, while hypothyroidism is characterized by a narrowing of adaptive responses (e.g., thermogenic, cardiovascular, and lipolytic). Finally, emerging results suggest the possibility that disrupted interactions between the two systems contribute to explain metabolic variability, for example, fuel efficiency, energy expenditure, and lipolytic responses.

Anxiety-induced plasma norepinephrine augmentation increases reactive oxygen species formation by monocytes in essential hypertension.

PubMed

Yasunari, Kenichi; Matsui, Tokuzo; Maeda, Kensaku; Nakamura, Munehiro; Watanabe, Takanori; Kiriike, Nobuo

2006-06-01

An association between anxiety and depression and increased blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular disease risk has not been firmly established. We examined the hypothesis that anxiety and depression lead to increased plasma catecholamines and to production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by mononuclear cells (MNC) in hypertensive individuals. We also studied the role of BP in this effect. In Protocol 1, a cross-sectional study was performed in 146 hypertensive patients to evaluate whether anxiety and depression affect BP and ROS formation by MNC through increasing plasma catecholamines. In Protocol 2, a 6-month randomized controlled trial using a subtherapeutic dose of the alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor antagonist doxazosin (1 mg/day) versus placebo in 86 patients with essential hypertension was performed to determine whether the increase in ROS formation by MNC was independent of BP. In Protocol 1, a significant relationship was observed between the following: trait anxiety and plasma norepinephrine (r = 0.32, P < .01); plasma norepinephrine and ROS formation by MNC (r = 0.36, P < .01); and plasma norepinephrine and systolic, diastolic, and mean BP (r = 0.17, P = .04; r = 0.26, P = .02; r = 0.23, P < .01, respectively). In Protocol 2, subtherapeutic doxazosin treatment (1 mg/day) had no significant effect on BP. However doxazosin significantly decreased ROS formation by MNC compared with placebo (P < .01). Trait anxiety may increase plasma norepinephrine and increase ROS formation by MNC independent of BP in hypertensive patients.

The relationship between posture and plasma catecholamines in the pregnant woman.

PubMed

Rabau-Friedman, I; Peleg, E; Mashiach, S; Rosenthal, T

1983-01-01

The response of endogenous norepinephrine levels (NE) to changes in body posture, lateral to supine, was investigated in a prospective study of 46 primigravid patients during the last half of pregnancy. Blood samples were obtained in the lateral and supine positions. The mean supine NE levels were not significantly higher in those patients destined to develop pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) than in those who remained normotensive. The mean percent relative change of NE in the patients destined to develop PIH and in those who remained normotensive was not significantly different.

Stimulation of feeding by three different glucose-sensing mechanisms requires hindbrain catecholamine neurons.

PubMed

Li, Ai-Jun; Wang, Qing; Dinh, Thu T; Powers, Bethany R; Ritter, Sue

2014-02-15

Previous work has shown that hindbrain catecholamine neurons are required components of the brain's glucoregulatory circuitry. However, the mechanisms and circuitry underlying their glucoregulatory functions are poorly understood. Here we examined three drugs, glucosamine (GcA), phloridzin (Phl) and 5-thio-d-glucose (5TG), that stimulate food intake but interfere in different ways with cellular glucose utilization or transport. We examined feeding and blood glucose responses to each drug in male rats previously injected into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus with anti-dopamine-β-hydroxylase conjugated to saporin (DSAP), a retrogradely transported immunotoxin that selectively lesions noradrenergic and adrenergic neurons, or with unconjugated saporin (SAP) control. Our major findings were 1) that GcA, Phl, and 5TG all stimulated feeding in SAP controls whether injected into the lateral or fourth ventricle (LV or 4V), 2) that each drug's potency was similar for both LV and 4V injections, 3) that neither LV or 4V injection of these drugs evoked feeding in DSAP-lesioned rats, and 4) that only 5TG, which blocks glycolysis, stimulated a blood glucose response. The antagonist of the MEK/ERK signaling cascade, U0126, attenuated GcA-induced feeding, but not Phl- or 5TG-induced feeding. Thus GcA, Phl, and 5TG, although differing in mechanism and possibly activating different neural populations, stimulate feeding in a catecholamine-dependent manner. Although results do not exclude the possibility that catecholamine neurons possess glucose-sensing mechanisms responsive to all of these agents, currently available evidence favors the possibility that the feeding effects result from convergent neural circuits in which catecholamine neurons are a required component.

Stimulation of feeding by three different glucose-sensing mechanisms requires hindbrain catecholamine neurons

PubMed Central

Wang, Qing; Dinh, Thu T.; Powers, Bethany R.; Ritter, Sue

2013-01-01

Previous work has shown that hindbrain catecholamine neurons are required components of the brain's glucoregulatory circuitry. However, the mechanisms and circuitry underlying their glucoregulatory functions are poorly understood. Here we examined three drugs, glucosamine (GcA), phloridzin (Phl) and 5-thio-d-glucose (5TG), that stimulate food intake but interfere in different ways with cellular glucose utilization or transport. We examined feeding and blood glucose responses to each drug in male rats previously injected into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus with anti-dopamine-β-hydroxylase conjugated to saporin (DSAP), a retrogradely transported immunotoxin that selectively lesions noradrenergic and adrenergic neurons, or with unconjugated saporin (SAP) control. Our major findings were 1) that GcA, Phl, and 5TG all stimulated feeding in SAP controls whether injected into the lateral or fourth ventricle (LV or 4V), 2) that each drug's potency was similar for both LV and 4V injections, 3) that neither LV or 4V injection of these drugs evoked feeding in DSAP-lesioned rats, and 4) that only 5TG, which blocks glycolysis, stimulated a blood glucose response. The antagonist of the MEK/ERK signaling cascade, U0126, attenuated GcA-induced feeding, but not Phl- or 5TG-induced feeding. Thus GcA, Phl, and 5TG, although differing in mechanism and possibly activating different neural populations, stimulate feeding in a catecholamine-dependent manner. Although results do not exclude the possibility that catecholamine neurons possess glucose-sensing mechanisms responsive to all of these agents, currently available evidence favors the possibility that the feeding effects result from convergent neural circuits in which catecholamine neurons are a required component. PMID:24381177

Decreased catecholamine secretion from the adrenal medullae of chronically diabetic BB-Wistar rats

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilke, R. A.; Riley, D. A.; Lelkes, P. I.; Hillard, C. J.

1993-01-01

Many humans with IDDM eventually lose the capacity to secrete epinephrine from their adrenal medullae. The mechanism for this pathological change is unknown. We hypothesized that this abnormality is attributable to neuropathic changes in the greater splanchnic nerves or in the chromaffin cells that they innervate. To study this hypothesis, we isolated rat adrenal glands, perfused them ex vivo, and measured the epinephrine content of the perfusate under various conditions of stimulation. We used transmural electrical stimulation (20-80 V, at 10 Hz) to induce epinephrine secretion indirectly by selectively activating residual splanchnic nerve terminals within the isolated glands. Under these conditions, epinephrine secretion was severely attenuated in glands from female BB-Wistar rats with diabetes of 4 mo duration compared with their age-matched, nondiabetic controls. These perfused diabetic adrenal medullae also demonstrated decreased catecholamine release in response to direct chromaffin cell depolarization with 20 mM K+, evidence that a functional alteration exists within the chromaffin cells themselves. Nonetheless, total catecholamine content of adrenal medullae from these diabetic rats was not significantly different from controls, indicating that the secretory defect was not simply attributable to a difference in the amount of catecholamines stored and available for release. Herein, we also provide histological evidence of degenerative changes within the cholinergic nerve terminals that innervate these glands.

Critical study of common conditions of storage of glucocorticoids and catecholamines in 24-h urine collected during resting and exercising conditions.

PubMed

Gouarne, C; Foury, A; Duclos, M

2004-10-01

Except immediate freezing of the samples, no practical method has been validated for preservation of glucocorticoids and catecholamines in 24-h urine collection. Furthermore, the influence of urine storage at bladder temperature during periods of different lengths and the effect of prior exercise on preservation of these hormones in the bladder have not been investigated until now. Ten healthy volunteers collected their urine both after a resting and after an exercise session. Urine was aliquoted into tubes which were stored during 24 h in the presence or in the absence of preservatives and at different temperatures. Two samples were stored either 3 or 9 h at 37 degrees C (bladder temperature) without additive. When collecting 24-h urine samples for glucocorticoids determination, sample can be stored at room temperature during the 24-h collection period without compromising glucocorticoids preservation. When collecting 24-h urine samples for catecholamines determination, samples have to be chilled without preservative during the whole of the collection period. If the samples have to be stored at room temperature, HCl should be used. Moreover, we report for the first time that catecholamines can be degraded in the bladder and therefore that subjects should urinate every 3 h during either a resting or an exercising day.

Pheochromocytoma diagnosed after anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation ablation procedure: a giant in disguise.

PubMed

Galvão Braga, Carlos; Ribeiro, Sílvia; Martins, Juliana; Arantes, Carina; Ramos, Vítor; Primo, João; Magalhães, Sónia; Correia, Adelino

2014-04-01

Pheochromocytoma is a rare catecholamine-producing tumor, discovered incidentally in 50% of cases. We present the case of a 44-year-old male with a history of paroxysmal palpitations. Baseline ECG, transthoracic echocardiogram and ECG stress test showed no relevant alterations. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was detected on 24-hour Holter ECG. After antiarrhythmic therapy, the patient remained symptomatic, and was accordingly referred for electrophysiological study and atrial fibrillation ablation. Anticoagulation was initiated before the procedure. After ablation and still anticoagulated, he complained of hematospermia. The abdominal and pelvic imaging study showed a 10-cm left adrenal mass, predominantly cystic, compatible with pheochromocytoma, which was confirmed after biochemical tests (increased urine metanephrines and plasma catecholamines). Metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy scanning confirmed localized disease in the adrenal gland, excluding other uptake foci. Following appropriate preoperative management, surgical resection of the giant mass was performed successfully and without complications. Copyright © 2013 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier España. All rights reserved.

Estrogen supplementation attenuates glucocorticoid and catecholamine responses to mental stress in perimenopausal women.

PubMed

Komesaroff, P A; Esler, M D; Sudhir, K

1999-02-01

Estrogens are reported to provide protection against the development of cardiovascular disease in women, but the mechanisms underlying these effects are not well defined. We hypothesized that estrogen might affect the hormonal responses to stress. We therefore studied cortisol, ACTH, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and norepinephrine spillover and hemodynamic responses to a 10-min mental arithmetic test in 12 perimenopausal women randomized to 8 weeks of estrogen supplementation (estradiol valerate, 2 mg daily; n = 7) or placebo (n = 5). Total body and forearm norepinephrine spillover were measured by radiotracer methodology. After supplementation with estradiol, the increases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in response to mental stress were reduced, and cortisol, ACTH, plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine, and total body norepinephrine spillover responses to stress were significantly attenuated (P < 0.05 in each case). Forearm norepinephrine spillover was unchanged by estrogen, and there was no change in any of the responses after placebo. We conclude that estrogen supplementation in perimenopausal women attenuates blood pressure, glucocorticoid, and catecholamine responses to psychological stress.

Activity of the sympathetic-adrenomedullary system in rats after space flight on the COSMOS biosatellites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kvetňanský, R.; Vigaš, M.; Németh, Š.; Macho, L.; Tigranyan, R. A.

The indicators of adrenomedullary activity (catecholamine content (CA) and the activity of the catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH)) were measured in the adrenal glands of rats living in a state of weightlessness for 18.5-19.5 days on board the biosatellites COSMOS 936 and COSMOS 1129. None of these indicators was significantly changed by space flight, neither in the group living in a state of weightlessness nor in the group living in a centrifuge on board the spacecraft and exposed to artificial gravity of 1 g (COSMOS 936). Animals exposed after space flight to repeated immobilization stress on Earth showed a significant decrease of adrenal adrenaline and an appreciable increase in adrenal TH activity compared to stressed animals which were not in space. These results suggest that a prolonged state of weightlessness during space flight does not by itself represent an intensive stressful stimulus for the adrenomedullary system but potentiates the response of cosmonauts to stress after return to Earth.

Haloperidol response and plasma catecholamines and their metabolites.

PubMed

Green, A I; Alam, M Y; Boshes, R A; Waternaux, C; Pappalardo, K M; Fitzgibbon, M E; Tsuang, M T; Schildkraut, J J

1993-06-01

Eleven acutely psychotic patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder underwent a 5-7 day drug-washout period (with lorazepam allowed) prior to participating in a 6-week controlled dose haloperidol trial. Patients were evaluated longitudinally with clinical ratings and with plasma measures of the catecholamines dopamine (pDA) and norepinephrine (pNE) and their metabolites, homovanillic acid (pHVA) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (pMHPG). All patients exhibited clinical improvement with haloperidol; the decrease in their Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores ranged from 32 to 89%. Measures of pHVA increased within the first week of treatment and returned to baseline by week 5. The pattern of change of pDA resembled that of pHVA. The pattern of change of pNE and pMHPG revealed a decrease over the course of treatment. The early increase and the subsequent decrease in pHVA were strongly correlated with improvement in positive symptoms on the BPRS. These data are consistent with previous reports on the change in pHVA and pMHPG during clinical response to haloperidol. The data on change of pDA and pNE further describe the nature of the biochemical response to this drug.

Effects of combined stress during intense training on cellular immunity, hormones and respiratory infections.

PubMed

Gomez-Merino, Danielle; Drogou, Catherine; Chennaoui, Mounir; Tiollier, Eve; Mathieu, Jacques; Guezennec, Charles Yannick

2005-01-01

This study was designed to determine immune and hormonal changes and their relationship with the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) during an extremely stressful military training (3 weeks of physical conditioning followed by a 5-day combat course with energy restriction, sleep deprivation and psychological stress). Blood samples were collected from 21 cadets (21 +/- 2 years old) before training and after the combat course for analysis of leukocyte and lymphocyte subpopulations, serum cytokines [interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1beta and IL-10], and hormones [catecholamines, cortisol, leptin, total insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), prolactin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and testosterone]. Symptoms of URTI were recorded from health logs and medical examinations during training. After the combat course, total leukocyte and neutrophil counts were significantly increased while total lymphocytes were unchanged. In lymphocyte subsets, NK cells were reduced (p < 0.01), while CD4+ and CD19+ (B) cells were increased. Levels of IL-6 were increased (p < 0.01), while those of IL-1beta and IL-10 were unchanged. Norepinephrine and dopamine levels were increased, while those of cortisol were reduced. Levels of leptin, testosterone, prolactin and total IGF-I were reduced, while those of DHEAS were increased. The incidence of URTI increased during the training (chi(2) = 53.48, p < 0.05). After training data analysis showed a significant correlation between URTIs and NK cells (p = 0.0023). Training-induced changes in immune and hormonal parameters were correlated. Blood NK cell levels are related to increased respiratory infections during physical training in a multistressor environment. The training-induced decreases in immunostimulatory hormone levels may have triggered immunosuppression. Copyright (c) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Moderate High Fat Diet Increases Sucrose Self-Administration In Young Rats

PubMed Central

Figlewicz, Dianne P.; Jay, Jennifer L.; Acheson, Molly A.; Magrisso, Irwin J.; West, Constance H.; Zavosh, Aryana; Benoit, Stephen C.; Davis, Jon F.

2012-01-01

We have previously reported that a moderately high fat diet increases motivation for sucrose in adult rats. In this study, we tested the motivational, neurochemical, and metabolic effects of the high fat diet in male rats transitioning through puberty, during 5-8 weeks of age. We observed that the high fat diet increased motivated responding for sucrose, which was independent of either metabolic changes or changes in catecholamine neurotransmitter metabolites in the nucleus accumbens. However, AGRP mRNA levels in the hypothalamus were significantly elevated. We demonstrated that increased activation of AGRP neurons is associated with motivated behavior, and that exogenous (third cerebroventricular) AGRP administration resulted in significantly increased motivation for sucrose. These observations suggest that increased expression and activity of AGRP in the medial hypothalamus may underlie the increased responding for sucrose caused by the high fat diet intervention. Finally, we compared motivation for sucrose in pubertal vs. adult rats and observed increased motivation for sucrose in the pubertal rats, which is consistent with previous reports that young animals and humans have an increased preference for sweet taste, compared with adults. Together, our studies suggest that background diet plays a strong modulatory role in motivation for sweet taste in adolescent animals. PMID:23023044

Exercise capacity is associated with endothelin-1 release during emotional excitement in coronary artery disease patients.

PubMed

Tulppo, Mikko P; Piira, Olli-Pekka; Hautala, Arto J; Kiviniemi, Antti M; Miettinen, Johanna A; Huikuri, Heikki V

2014-08-01

Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor, IL-6, and catecholamines are increased and heart rate variability [SD of normal to normal R-R intervals (SDNN)] decreased during emotional excitement, but individual responses vary. We tested the hypothesis that exercise capacity is associated with physiological responses caused by real-life emotional excitement. We measured the plasma levels of ET-1, IL-6, catecholamines, heart rate, and SDNN in enthusiastic male ice hockey spectators (n = 51; age, 59 ± 9 years) with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) at baseline and during the Finnish National Ice Hockey League's final play-off matches. Maximal exercise capacity (METs) by bicycle exercise test and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were measured on a separate day. ET-1 response from baseline to emotional excitement correlated with maximal METs (r = -0.30; P = 0.040). In a linear stepwise regression analysis age, body mass index (BMI), METs, LVEF, basal ET-1, and subjective experience of excitement were entered the model as independent variables to explain ET-1 response. This model explained 27% of ET-1 response (P = 0.003). Maximal METs were most strongly correlated with ET-1 response (β = -0.45; partial correlation r = -0.43; P = 0.002), followed by BMI (β = -0.31; partial correlation r = -0.31; P = 0.033) and LVEF (β = -0.30; partial correlation r = -0.33; P = 0.023). Exercise capacity may protect against further cardiovascular events in CAD patients, because it is associated with reduced ET-1 release during emotional excitement. Copyright © 2014 the American Physiological Society.

Monoamine oxidases as sources of oxidants in the heart

PubMed Central

Kaludercic, Nina; Mialet-Perez, Jeanne; Paolocci, Nazareno; Parini, Angelo; Di Lisa, Fabio

2014-01-01

Oxidative stress can be generated at several sites within the mitochondria. Among these, monoamine oxidases (MAO) have been described as a prominent source. MAO are mitochondrial flavoenzymes responsible for the oxidative deamination of catecholamines, serotonin and biogenic amines, and during this process they generate H2O2 and aldehyde intermediates. The role of MAO in cardiovascular pathophysiology has only recently gathered some attention since it has been demonstrated that both H2O2 and aldehydes may target mitochondrial function and consequently affect function and viability of the myocardium. In the present review, we will discuss the role of MAO in catecholamine and serotonin clearance and cycling in relation to cardiac structure and function. The relevant contribution of each MAO isoform (MAO-A or -B) will be discussed in relation to mitochondrial dysfunction and myocardial injury. Finally, we will examine both beneficial effects of their pharmacological or genetic inhibition along with potential adverse effects observed at baseline in MAO knockout mice, as well as the deleterious effects following their over-expression specifically at cardiomyocyte level. PMID:24412580

Brain catechol synthesis - Control by brain tyrosine concentration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wurtman, R. J.; Larin, F.; Mostafapour, S.; Fernstrom, J. D.

1974-01-01

Brain catechol synthesis was estimated by measuring the rate at which brain dopa levels rose following decarboxylase inhibition. Dopa accumulation was accelerated by tyrosine administration, and decreased by treatments that lowered brain tyrosine concentrations (for example, intraperitoneal tryptophan, leucine, or parachlorophenylalanine). A low dose of phenylalanine elevated brain tyrosine without accelerating dopa synthesis. Our findings raise the possibility that nutritional and endocrine factors might influence brain catecholamine synthesis by controlling the availability of tyrosine.

Investigation of the Physiological Responses of Belugas to Stressors to Aid in Assessing the Impact of Environmental and Anthropogenic Challenges on Health

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-09-30

1 DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. Investigation of the Physiological Responses of Belugas...N00014-11-1-0437 http://searesearch.org LONG-TERM GOALS The overall top level goal of this effort is to investigate the physiological i.e...the relationships among hormones (e.g. cortisol, corticosterone, adrenocorticotropin hormone, aldosterone , catecholamines) in different matrices

[Cytochemical parameters of myeloperoxidase activity and catecholamine level in blood of postpartum women living in areas near the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site].

PubMed

Kokabaeva, A E; Bazeliuk, L T

2002-01-01

The activity of neitrophil myeloperoxidase and content of blood etyrhrocyte cathecholamines in the blood of women in early postpartum period in dependence on distance of their living area from Semipalatinsk nuclear testing were studied. It was found that women who live closer to Semipalatinsk were characterised by significantly lower neitrophil myeloperoxidase activity and content of cathecholamines in erythrocytes than in control.

Effects on DNA Damage and/or Repair Processes as Biological Mechanisms Linking Psychological Stress to Cancer Risk

PubMed Central

Jenkins, Frank J.; Van Houten, Bennett; Bovbjerg, Dana H.

2014-01-01

Considerable research effort in the past several decades has focused on the impact of psychological stress, and stress hormones, on cancer progression. Numerous studies have reported that stress hormone treatment or in vivo stress exposure can enhance the growth of tumor cell lines in vitro, as well as tumors in animal models, and have begun to explore molecular mechanisms. Comparatively little research has focused on the impact of psychological stress and stress hormones on cancer initiation, in part due to inherent methodological challenges, but also because potential underlying biological mechanisms have remained obscure. In this review, we present a testable theoretical model of pathways by which stress may result in cellular transformation and tumorigenesis. This model supports our overarching hypothesis that psychological stress, acting through increased levels of catecholamines and/or cortisol, can increase DNA damage and/or reduce repair mechanisms, resulting in increased risk of DNA mutations leading to carcinogenesis. A better understanding of molecular pathways by which psychological stress can increase the risk of cancer initiation would open new avenues of translational research, bringing together psychologists, neuroscientists, and molecular biologists, potentially resulting in the development of novel approaches for cancer risk reduction at the population level. PMID:24891812

Antistress Effects of the Ethanolic Extract from Cymbopogon schoenanthus Growing Wild in Tunisia

PubMed Central

Ben Othman, Mahmoud; Han, Junkyu; El Omri, Abdelfatteh; Ksouri, Riadh; Neffati, Mohamed; Isoda, Hiroko

2013-01-01

This study aimed to investigate the antistress properties of the ethanol extract of Cymbopogon schoenanthus (CSEE), growing wild in the southern part of Tunisia. The effect of extracts on H2O2-induced cytotoxicity and stress in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Its effect on stress-induced in ICR mice was exposed to force swim and tail suspension, in concordance with heat shock protein expression (HSP27 and HSP90), corticosterone, and catecholamine neurotransmitters level. Our results demonstrated that pretreatment of SH-SY5Y cells with CSEE at 1/2000, 1/1000, and 1/500 v/v dilutions significantly inversed H2O2-induced neurotoxicity. Moreover, CSEE treatments significantly reversed heat shock protein expression in heat-stressed HSP47-transformed cells (42°C, for 90 min) and mRNA expression of HSP27 and HSP90 in H2O2-treated SH-SY5Y. Daily oral administration of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg CSEE was conducted to ICR mice for 2 weeks. It was resulted in a significant decrease of immobility time in forced swimming and tail suspension tests. The effect of CSEE on animal behavior was concordant with a significant regulation of blood serum corticosterone and cerebral cortex levels of catecholamine (dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline). Therefore, this study was attempted to demonstrate the preventive potential of CSEE against stress disorders at in vitro and in vivo levels. PMID:24228063

Cardiogenic shock with basal transient left ventricular ballooning (Takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy) as first presentation of pheochromocytoma.

PubMed

Di Palma, Gisella; Daniele, Gian P; Antonini-Canterin, Francesco; Piazza, Rita; Nicolosi, Gian L

2010-07-01

Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor that produces a distant effect by secretion of catecholamines. This tumor usually presents with hypertension and palpitations but it may also cause cardiogenic shock because of catecholamine-induced myocardial dysfunction. We describe a rare case of Takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy as first manifestation of pheochromocytoma with an unusual onset characterized by severe hypotension and transient basal left ventricular ballooning ('inverted' Takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy).

Effect of consecutive cooling and immobilization on catecholamine metabolism in rat tissues

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Matlina, E. S.; Waysman, S. M.; Zaydner, I. G.; Kogan, B. M.; Nozdracheva, L. V.

1979-01-01

The combined effect of two stressor stimuli--cooling and immobilization--acting successively on the sympathetic-adrenaline system was studied experimentally in rats that were cooled for 8 hours at 7 C on the first day and immobilized for 6 hours on the next day. The biochemical and histochemical methods used and the experimental technique involved are described in detail. The following conclusions were formulated: (1) the successive action of cooling and immobilization results in a stronger decrease in the adrenaline and noradrenaline content in the adrenal gland than that which could be due to a simple summation of the cooling and immobilization effects; (2) successive cooling and immobilization are followed by activation of catecholamine synthesis in the adrenal gland; and (3) 1-DOPA administration (45 mg/kg 3 times in 2 days) intraabdominally activated catecholamine synthesis in the adrenal glands in both the control and test animals.

Posttranscriptional regulation of adrenal TH gene expression contributes to the maladaptive responses triggered by insulin-induced recurrent hypoglycemia.

PubMed

Kudrick, Necla; Chan, Owen; La Gamma, Edmund F; Kim, Juhye Lena; Tank, Arnold William; Sterling, Carol; Nankova, Bistra B

2015-02-01

Acute metabolic stress such as insulin-induced hypoglycemia triggers a counterregulatory response during which the release of catecholamines (epinephrine), the activation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) enzyme and subsequent compensatory catecholamine biosynthesis occur in the adrenal medulla. However, recurrent exposure to hypoglycemia (RH), a consequence of tight glycemic control in individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes compromises this physiological response. The molecular mechanisms underlying the maladaptive response to repeated glucose deprivation are incompletely understood. We hypothesize that impaired epinephrine release following RH reflects altered regulation of adrenal catecholamine biosynthesis. To test this hypothesis, we compared the effect of single daily (RH) and twice-daily episodes of insulin-induced hypoglycemia (2RH) on adrenal epinephrine release and production in normal rats. Control animals received saline injections under similar conditions (RS and 2RS, respectively). Following 3 days of treatment, we assessed the counterregulatory hormonal responses during a hypoglycemic clamp. Changes in adrenal TH gene expression were also analyzed. The counterregulatory responses, relative TH transcription and TH mRNA levels and Ser40-TH phosphorylation (marker for enzyme activation) were induced to a similar extent in RS, 2RS, and RH groups. In contrast, epinephrine and glucagon responses were attenuated in the 2RH group and this was associated with a limited elevation of adrenal TH mRNA, rapid inactivation of TH enzyme and no significant changes in TH protein. Our results suggest that novel posttranscriptional mechanisms controlling TH mRNA and activated TH enzyme turnover contribute to the impaired epinephrine responses and may provide new therapeutic targets to prevent HAAF. © 2015 The Authors. Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Physiological Society and The Physiological Society.

The role of chromogranin A in the management of patients with phaeochromocytoma.

PubMed

Grossrubatscher, Erika; Dalino, Paolo; Vignati, Federico; Gambacorta, Marcello; Pugliese, Raffaele; Boniardi, Marco; Rossetti, Ornella; Marocchi, Alessandro; Bertuzzi, Michaela; Loli, Paola

2006-09-01

Chromogranin A (CgA) is the most accurate general marker of neuroendocrine tumours. Supranormal CgA concentrations have been recorded in patients with tumours of neuroectodermal origin such as phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma. The present study was performed to assess the role of CgA determination in the management of patients with phaeochromocytoma, in comparison with urinary catecholamines and their metabolites. The patients studied included 22 cases with phaeochromocytoma at initial presentation or at relapse some years after surgical cure or during follow-up of a malignant phaeochromocytoma. Seventeen patients were evaluated before and after surgical removal of phaeochromocytoma. To assess the specificity of the hormonal parameters, 20 subjects were enrolled as controls; they were from a group of patients referred to our observation for possible phaeochromocytoma and who were subsequently proven not to have the disease. Urinary epinephrine and norepinephrine were supranormal in 82% and 77% of patients, respectively. Urinary metanephrines and normetanephrines were supranormal in 84% and 89% of patients, respectively. The combination of urinary metanephrine and normetanephrine had a sensitivity of 100% in identifying a phaeochromocytoma. CgA was supranormal in 91% of patients. Combining the results of CgA and urinary catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine), the sensitivity for diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma was 100%. Urinary catecholamines, metabolites (metanephrine and normetanephrine) and CgA levels in patients with malignant phaeochromocytoma did not differ significantly from those of patients with benign lesions. In most cases, CgA normalized after surgery. Our results indicate that CgA is a good marker of phaeochromocytoma; measurement of CgA could have a role in the follow-up of patients operated on for phaeochromocytoma.

Posttranscriptional regulation of adrenal TH gene expression contributes to the maladaptive responses triggered by insulin-induced recurrent hypoglycemia

PubMed Central

Kudrick, Necla; Chan, Owen; La Gamma, Edmund F; Kim, Juhye Lena; Tank, Arnold William; Sterling, Carol; Nankova, Bistra B

2015-01-01

Acute metabolic stress such as insulin-induced hypoglycemia triggers a counterregulatory response during which the release of catecholamines (epinephrine), the activation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) enzyme and subsequent compensatory catecholamine biosynthesis occur in the adrenal medulla. However, recurrent exposure to hypoglycemia (RH), a consequence of tight glycemic control in individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes compromises this physiological response. The molecular mechanisms underlying the maladaptive response to repeated glucose deprivation are incompletely understood. We hypothesize that impaired epinephrine release following RH reflects altered regulation of adrenal catecholamine biosynthesis. To test this hypothesis, we compared the effect of single daily (RH) and twice-daily episodes of insulin-induced hypoglycemia (2RH) on adrenal epinephrine release and production in normal rats. Control animals received saline injections under similar conditions (RS and 2RS, respectively). Following 3 days of treatment, we assessed the counterregulatory hormonal responses during a hypoglycemic clamp. Changes in adrenal TH gene expression were also analyzed. The counterregulatory responses, relative TH transcription and TH mRNA levels and Ser40-TH phosphorylation (marker for enzyme activation) were induced to a similar extent in RS, 2RS, and RH groups. In contrast, epinephrine and glucagon responses were attenuated in the 2RH group and this was associated with a limited elevation of adrenal TH mRNA, rapid inactivation of TH enzyme and no significant changes in TH protein. Our results suggest that novel posttranscriptional mechanisms controlling TH mRNA and activated TH enzyme turnover contribute to the impaired epinephrine responses and may provide new therapeutic targets to prevent HAAF. PMID:25713330

Blocking of beta-2 adrenergic receptors hastens recovery from hypoglycemia-associated social withdrawal.

PubMed

Park, Min Jung; Guest, Christopher B; Barnes, Meredith B; Martin, Jonathan; Ahmad, Uzma; York, Jason M; Freund, Gregory G

2008-11-01

Hypoglycemia is associated with a variety of adverse behaviors including fatigue, confusion and social withdrawal. While these clinical symptoms are well characterized, the mechanism of their cause is not understood. Here we investigated how insulin-induced hypoglycemia causes social withdrawal. Male 8-12-week-old C57BL/6J mice were injected intraperitoneally (IP) with or without and/or insulin, norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (Epi), terbutaline and butoxamine with subsequent measurement of blood glucose, social withdrawal and plasma catecholamines. Insulin generated (0.75h post-injection) significant hypoglycemia with blood glucose nadirs of 64+/-4 and 48+/-5mg/dl for 0.8 and 1.2units/kg of insulin, respectively. Insulin (0.8 or 1.2units/kg) caused near total social withdrawal at 0.75h with full recovery not occurring until 4h (0.8units/kg) or 8h (1.2units/kg) post-insulin injection. Insulin also caused a marked elevation in plasma catecholamines. Basal 12h fasting NE and Epi were 287+/-38 and 350+/-47pg/ml, respectively. Insulin at 0.8units/kg increased plasma NE and Epi to 994+/-73 and 1842+/-473pg/ml, respectively. Administration of exogenous NE or Epi caused social withdrawal similar in magnitude to insulin. Importantly, administration of the beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist terbutaline also caused social withdrawal while administration of the beta-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist butoxamine blocked NE-induced social withdrawal. Finally, butoxamine blocked insulin-induced social withdrawal. These data demonstrate that hypoglycemia-associated social withdrawal is dependent on catecholamines via a beta-2 receptor-mediated pathway.

Effects of systemic carbidopa on dopamine synthesis in rat hypothalamus and striatum

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaakkola, S.; Tuomainen, P.; Wurtman, R. J.; Maennistoe, P. T.

1991-01-01

Significant concentrations of carbidopa (CD) were found in rat hypothalamus, striatum, and in striatal microdialysis efflux after intraperitoneal administration of the drug. Efflux levels peaked one hour after administration of 100 mg/kg at 0.37 microg/kg or about 2 percent of serum levels. Concurrent CD levels in hypothalamus and striatum were about 2.5 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively, of corresponding serum levels. Levels of dopamine and its principal metabolites in striatal efflux were unaffected. The removal of the brain blood by saline perfusion decreased the striatal and hypothalamic CD concentrations only by 33 percent and 16 percent, respectively. In other rats receiving both CD and levodopa (LD), brain L-dopa, dopamine, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenvlacetic acid (DOPAC) levels after one hour tended to be proportionate to LD dose. When the LD dose remained constant, increasing the CD dose dose-dependently enhanced L-dopa levels in the hypothalamus and striatum. However, dopamine levels did not increase but, in contrast, decreased dose-dependently (although significantly only in the hypothalamus). CD also caused dose-dependent decrease in striatal 3-O-methyldopa (3-OMD) and in striatal and hypothalamic homovanillic acid (HVA), when the LD dose was 50 mg/kg. We conclude that, at doses exceedimg 50 mg/kg, sufficient quantities of CD enter the brain to inhibit dopamine formation, especially in the hypothalamus. Moreover, high doses of LD/CD, both of which are themselves catechols, can inhibit the O-methylation of brain catecholamines formed from the LD.

Effects of systemic carbidopa on dopamine synthesis in rat hypothalamus and striatum

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaakkola, S.; Tuomainen, P.; Wurtman, R. J.; Mannisto, P. T.

1992-01-01

Significant concentrations of carbidopa (CD) were found in rat hypothalamus, striatum, and in striatal microdialysis efflux after intraperitoneal administration of the drug. Efflux levels peaked one hour after administration of 100 mg/kg at 0.37 micrograms/ml, or about 2% of serum levels. Concurrent CD levels in hypothalamus and striatum were about 2.5% and 1.5%, respectively, of corresponding serum levels. Levels of dopamine and its principal metabolites in striatal efflux were unaffected. The removal of the brain blood by saline perfusion decreased the striatal and hypothalamic CD concentrations only by 33% and 16%, respectively. In other rats receiving both CD and levodopa (LD), brain L-dopa, dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) levels after one hour tended to be proportionate to LD dose. When the LD dose remained constant, increasing the CD dose dose-dependently enhanced L-dopa levels in the hypothalamus and striatum. However dopamine levels did not increase but, in contrast, decreased dose-dependently (although significantly only in the hypothalamus). CD also caused dose-dependent decrease in striatal 3-O-methyldopa (3-OMD) and in striatal and hypothalamic homovanillic acid (HVA), when the LD dose was 50 mg/kg. We conclude that, at doses exceeding 50 mg/kg, sufficient quantities of CD enter the brain to inhibit dopamine formation, especially in the hypothalamus. Moreover, high doses of LD/CD, both of which are themselves catechols, can inhibit the O-methylation of brain catecholamines formed from the LD.