Neuroscience letters
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Neuroscience letters · Apr 2013
α2-Adrenergic agonists including xylazine and dexmedetomidine inhibit norepinephrine transporter function in SK-N-SH cells.
α2-Adrenergic agonists simulate norepinephrine (NE) action on α2 receptors of sympathetic neurons to mediate feedback inhibition of NE release. These agents are used as valuable adjuncts for management of hypertension and for anesthesia. Their action, equivalent to NE on α2 adrenergic receptors, raises the question whether α2 agonists may also target NE transporters (NETs), another major control mechanism for noradrenergic neurotransmission. ⋯ There was no change in membrane NET density by the agents. Moreover, saturation analysis showed that xylazine and dexmedetomidine significantly increased Km without affecting Vmax, indicating competitive inhibition of MIBG transport. Thus, the α2 adrenergic agonists xylazine and dexmedetomidine, acutely suppress NET function through competitive inhibition of substrate transport, likely by direct interaction on a region that over-laps with the nisoxetine binding site.
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Neuroscience letters · Apr 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialA preliminary study of the effects of ulinastatin on early postoperative cognition function in patients undergoing abdominal surgery.
Ulinastatin, a urinary trypsin inhibitor, is widely used to treat acute systemic inflammatory disorders. However, its effects on early postoperative cognitive function have not been fully elucidated. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of ulinastatin on serum IL-6, TNF-α, CRP and S100β protein concentration and early postoperative cognitive function in patients after abdominal surgery. ⋯ Ulinastatin may be effective in reducing the incidence of early postoperative cognitive dysfunction.
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Previous imaging studies have revealed brain mechanisms associated with emotional conflict control. However, the neural time course remains largely unknown. ⋯ ERP revealed N350-550 and P700-800 components in the incongruent minus congruent condition. N350-550 might be related to conflict resolution and response selection; P700-800 might be related to post-response monitoring.
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Neuroscience letters · Apr 2013
N-stearoyl-L-tyrosine ameliorates sevoflurane induced neuroapoptosis via MEK/ERK1/2 MAPK signaling pathway in the developing brain.
N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) plays a crucial neuroprotective role in certain neurodegenerative diseases. Our recent studies suggested that AEA analog N-stearoyl-l-tyrosine (NsTyr) could protect neurons from apoptosis and improve hippocampus-dependent learning and memory deficits. The present study was designed to determine the neuroprotective effect of NsTyr on developmental sevoflurane neurotoxicity using primary hippocampal neuronal cultures and rat pups. ⋯ Administration of U0126 (an inhibitor of MEK) abolished the neuroprotective effect of NsTyr on sevoflurane neurotoxicity both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, administration of NsTyr improved the learning and memory disorders induced by postnatal sevoflurane exposure without alteration in locomotor activity. These results indicated that AEA analog NsTyr protects developing brain against developmental sevoflurane neurotoxicity possibly through MEK/ERK1/2 MAPK signaling pathway.