The roles of capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves and the central nervous system in the inhibitory effect of momordin Ic, a principal saponin constituent in various Chinese and Japanese herbal medicines, such as the fru...
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The roles of capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves and the central nervous system in the inhibitory effect of momordin Ic, a principal saponin constituent in various Chinese and Japanese herbal medicines, such as the fruit of Kochia scoparia (L) SCHRAD., on gastric emptying were investigated in nonnutrient meal- or nutrient meal-loaded mice. Momordin Ic (12.5-50 mg/kg) significantly inhibited gastric emptying in 1.5% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt test meal-loaded mice by 8.4%-60.6%, 40% glucose test meal-loaded mice by 42.8% (50 mg/kg), milk test meal-loaded mice by 36.4% (50 mg/kg), and 60% ethanol test meal-loaded mice by 37.2% (50 mg/kg). The inhibitory effect on the gastric emptying in 1.5% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt test meal-loaded mice was potentiated by glucose (2 g/kg, i.v. or 5 g/kg, i.p.), but markedly attenuated by pretreatment with alloxan (50 mg/kg, i.v.) and streptozotocin (100 mg/kg, i.v.), in which the activity of sympathetic nervous system was decreased, or by insulin (1 or 3 U/kg, s.c.). The effect of insulin (1 U/kg) was markedly reduced by glucose (2 g/kg, i.v.), which can directly nourish the brain, but not by fructose (2 g/kg, i.v.), which cannot be used by the brain. The effect of momordin Ic was also attenuated by pretreatment with capsaicin (75 mg/kg in total, s.c.). These results suggest that the inhibition of gastric emptying by momordin Ic is relative to serum glucose and, at least in part, mediated by capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves and the central nervous system.
This report summarizes the deliberations of an eight-member panel of scientists convened by Dow AgroSciences in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), The panel was charged with evaluating th...
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This report summarizes the deliberations of an eight-member panel of scientists convened by Dow AgroSciences in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), The panel was charged with evaluating the scientific literature on the health effects potentially associated with exposure to the insecticide chlorpyrifos. Specifically, the panel was asked to (1) evaluate human experience data available and address the adequacy of the available current literature;(2) develop a list of recommendations for epidemiology studies, including appropriate endpoints and study populations, and strengths and weaknesses of each approach;and (3) draft a report to summarize its recommendations. The panel assessed the quality of the existing epidemiologic literature on chlorpyrifos and specific outcomes such as neuropathy (including organophosphate induced delayed neurotoxicity), behavior (cognition and affect), immunologic, and multiple complaints (also referred to as multiple chemical sensitivities). The majority of panel members (five members) agreed that the literature reviewed provided little or no scientific evidence that chlorpyrifos exposure causes harm to human health other than its known cholinergic effects associated with acute poisoning. Those panel members voting in the minority (three members) agreed that the studies reviewed provided inadequate evidence to preclude the possibility of adverse effects to human health from chlorpyrifos exposure at levels associated with its manufacture or professional application. Those voting in the minority suggested further investigation of cohort(s) of workers engaged in either the manufacture or the professional application of chlorpyrifos, or both. Compared to the general population, these groups have relatively high levels of exposure to chlorpyrifos. The primary health outcomes recommended for study were cognitive and affective disorders, with consideration of the assessment of peripheral neuropathy also suggested for a
Alzheimer's disease is one of the most challenging brain disorders and has profound medical and social consequences. It affects approximately 15 million persons worldwide, and many more family members and care giv...
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Alzheimer's disease is one of the most challenging brain disorders and has profound medical and social consequences. It affects approximately 15 million persons worldwide, and many more family members and care givers are touched by the disease. The initiating molecular event(s) is not known, and its pathophysiology is highly complex. However, free radical injury appears to be a fundamental process contributing to the neuronal death seen in the disorder, and this hypothesis is supported by many (although not all) studies using surrogate markers of oxidative damage. In vitro and animal studies suggest that various compounds with antioxidant ability can attenuate the oxidative stress induced by beta-amyloid. Recently, clinical trials have demonstrated potential benefits from treatment with the antioxidants, vitamin E, selegiline, extract of Gingko biloba, and idebenone. Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings and explore the optimum timing and antioxidant combination of such treatments in this therapeutically frustrating disease. Am J Med. 2000;109:577-585. (C) 2000 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.
The effect of selenium (Se) deficiency, produced by feeding a Se-deficient diet, on the development of central nervous system (CNS) lesions was studied in mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes, administered in dri...
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The effect of selenium (Se) deficiency, produced by feeding a Se-deficient diet, on the development of central nervous system (CNS) lesions was studied in mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes, administered in drinking water for 1 or 7 days in a daily dose of 10(9) organisms, or for 7 days in a daily dose of 10(7). Se-deficient mice differed from Se-normal controls in developing CNS lesions significantly more frequently. Moreover, regardless of Se status, mice receiving repeated doses of 10(9) organisms difficult from those receiving a single 10(9) dose in showing CNS lesions at least twice as often. The majority of animals with CNS lesions showed an inflammatory pattern of rhombencephalitis (17/24), while only two of 24 showed choroiditis-ventriculitis-meningitis;five of 24 animals showed both inflammatory patients. Listeria monocytogenes antigen was identified within the areas of inflammation by an immunoperoxidase technique. Neuritis of the trigeminal nerve was present in eight animals. The relative lack of pathological changes in the liver and spleen validates this murine model for the study of CNS listeriosis. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.
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