The Infona portal uses cookies, i.e. strings of text saved by a browser on the user's device. The portal can access those files and use them to remember the user's data, such as their chosen settings (screen view, interface language, etc.), or their login data. By using the Infona portal the user accepts automatic saving and using this information for portal operation purposes. More information on the subject can be found in the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By closing this window the user confirms that they have read the information on cookie usage, and they accept the privacy policy and the way cookies are used by the portal. You can change the cookie settings in your browser.
Vasopressin is one of the key regulators of the body's water and solute balance. When this balance is pathologically disturbed, determination of serum vasopressin concentrations might be a helpful tool for guiding therapy. However, due to its instability and considerable association to platelets, reliable measurement of circulating vasopressin is difficult to achieve, if at all. In search of a more...
In order to analyze the clinical potential of two antimicrobial peptides, human lactoferrin 1-11 (hLF1-11) and synthetic histatin analogue Dhvar-5, we measured the killing effect on bacteria, and the potential toxicity on erythrocytes and bone cells. The antimicrobial activity was determined in a killing assay on six strains, including methicillin resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. The effect on human...
The vasoactive peptide urotensin-II (U-II) is best known for its ability to regulate peripheral vascular and cardiac contractile function in vivo, and recent in vitro studies have suggested a role for the peptide in the control of vascular remodeling by inducing smooth muscle proliferation and fibroblast-mediated collagen deposition. Therefore, U-II may play a role in the etiology of atherosclerosis...
The effects of morphine on the gene expression of prepro-nociceptin/orphanin FQ (ppN/OFQ) in various primary cultured brain cells from embryonic day 17, rats were studied by use of real-time RT-PCR method. The basal level of ppN/OFQ mRNA in terms of ratio to the β-actin in astrocytes was equivalent to that in neurons, but 10-times higher than that in microglia. The addition of 1μM morphine significantly...
Hypocretin-1 (hcrt-1) and hypocretin-2 (hcrt-2) have been implicated in a wide variety of functions including sleep and wakefulness as well as related behaviors. Many of these functions of the hypocretins involve the activation of cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain (BF). These neurons have been shown to exhibit age-related changes in a variety of species. In the present experiment, in adult...
The venoconstrictor effect of Angiotensin II (Ang II) was investigated in the rat mesenteric venules and portal vein. Mesenteric venules were perfused at a constant rate and reactivity to Ang II (0.1nmol) was evaluated as changes in the perfusion pressure. Rings of portal vein were mounted in organ baths and curves to Ang II (0.1–100nmol/L) were generated. In venules, Ang II-contraction (10.6±1.1mmHg)...
The gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) has been implicated in the modulation of emotionally-motivated memory. In the present study, we investigated the role of the GRPR on non-emotional, non-associative memory, and anxiety. Adult male Wistar rats were given a systemic injection of the GRPR antagonist [D-Tpi 6 , Leu 13 psi(CH 2 NH)-Leu 14 ] bombesin (6–14) (RC-3095)...
We studied circulating levels of endothelin-1, catecholamines and nitric oxide after a mental arithmetic test in 14 patients with early ischemic lesions of the extremities due to systemic sclerosis and slightly impaired peripheral vascular flow. The test induced an increase (P<0.01) in blood pressure, heart rate, endothelin-1 and catecholamine levels, whereas it did not change the low basal levels...
Purified recombinant prohormone convertase 1 and 2 (PC1 and PC2) cleave a peptide containing cholecystokinin (CCK) 8 Gly Arg Arg and the carboxyl-terminal peptide liberating CCK 8 Gly Arg Arg. PC1 and PC2 also cleave purified pro CCK, liberating the amino terminal pro-peptide while no carboxyl-terminal cleavage was detected. Under the conditions of the in vitro cleavage assay, it appears that the...
We tested the hypothesis that leptin acts centrally to differentially modulate the ultradian communication of leptin, insulin and ghrelin with the hypothalamus. The ultradian fluctuation of these hormones in plasma after central leptin gene therapy was analyzed. Increased leptin transgene expression in the hypothalamus significantly decreased energy intake and body weight concomitant with severe hypoleptinemia...
A protein with antifungal and hemagglutinating activities was isolated from dried flageolet beans (Phaseolus vulgaris cv. ‘Flageolet Bean’). The protein was unadsorbed on DEAE-cellulose but adsorbed on Affi-gel blue gel and CM-cellulose. The protein demonstrated antifungal activity against Mycophaerella arachidicola with an IC 50 of 9.8μM, but was inactive toward Fusarium oxysporum and Botrytis...
Halocidin is an antimicrobial peptide, which is isolated from hemocytes from the tunicate, Halocynthia aurantium. In this study, we cloned the full-length cDNA of halocidin from pharyngeal tissue, using a combination of RT-PCR and 5′-RACE-PCR. The observed cDNA structure indicated that halocidin is synthesized as a 10.37kDa prepropeptide. Based on the cDNA structure and the known amino acid sequence...
The function of prolyl oligopeptidase (PO) has been associated with several disorders of the central nervous system. The purpose of this study was to identify endogenous substrates for recombinant porcine PO in porcine brain. The smaller polypeptides were extracted from total brain homogenates and fractionated by two-dimensional chromatography prior to incubation with PO. Shifts in the mass spectrum...
In this study, we isolated a peptide eliciting a potent stimulatory effect on cAMP production in LLC-PK 1 cells from acid extracts of porcine brain. By structural analysis, this peptide was determined to be a C-terminal glycine-extended form of calcitonin receptor-stimulating peptide-1 (CRSP-1-Gly). Synthetic CRSP-1-Gly enhanced the cAMP production in COS-7 cells expressing calcitonin (CT)...
Orexin-B, ghrelin and their receptors play an important role in the regulation of feeding in mammals. The pattern of distribution of orexin-B, orexin-1-receptor (OX 1 R), ghrelin and growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) in the lacrimal gland of normal and diabetic rats has not been reported. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) at 60mgkg...
Leptin is a hormone secreted primarily by white adipocytes that regulates energy homeostasis and reproduction via CNS receptors. Koletsky (f/f) rats with a leptin receptor (OB-Rb) gene mutation are obese, diabetic and infertile. We employed recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors to transfer the human OB-Rb gene into the brains of female Koletsky rats to identify sites of leptin action in...
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of proinsulin C-peptide on the autonomic nervous systems in rats. Intravenous administration of C-peptide gradually increased electrophysiological activity of the vagus nerves into the stomach and pancreas for at least 90min. It also slightly increased gastric acid secretion that was suppressed by the treatment with atropine. Intraperitoneal injection...
This paper is the 27th consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, now spanning over 30 years of research. It summarizes papers published during 2004 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that...
A chromatographic procedure consisting of ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, affinity chromatography on Affi-gel blue gel, ion exchange chromatography on CM-cellulose, and gel filtration by fast performance liquid chromatography on Supedex 75 was utilized to isolate a 10kDa antifungal peptide from coconut flesh. The peptide was unadsorbed on DEAE-cellulose, but adsorbed on Affi-gel blue...
Vascular permeability and endothelial cell damage has been shown to occur in rats subjected to trauma with hemorrhagic-shock. Although the factors responsible for the endothelial cell injury are unknown, it has been hypothesized that toxic factors produced in response to hemorrhagic-shock originate in the gut and are absorbed into the mesenteric lymphatics. Consistent with this hypothesis, it has...
Set the date range to filter the displayed results. You can set a starting date, ending date or both. You can enter the dates manually or choose them from the calendar.