Journal of physiology and pharmacology : an official journal of the Polish Physiological Society
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J. Physiol. Pharmacol. · Dec 2008
Significance of pulmonary vagal afferents for respiratory muscle activity in the cat.
The influence of vagal stretch receptor afferents on respiratory motor-output and respiratory changes in esophageal pressure (DeltaP(es)) was studied in anaesthetized cats. Tracheal occlusions and lung inflations were performed during hyperoxic normocapnia, during electrical stimulation of one carotid sinus nerve (CSN) or the intracranial medullary chemosensitivity (MCS), during hypercapnia or the combination of CSN and hypercapnia. Tracheal occlusions during inspiration led to increased and prolonged inspiratory muscle (IM) activity. ⋯ The sensitivity of the lung reflexes is enhanced with increasing respiratory drive. The HB-inspiration inhibitory reflex limits the depth of lung inflation, whereas the HB-expiration facilitatory reflex promotes an effective lung deflation. Both reflex mechanisms, the inspiratory and expiratory one, are present in eupnoeic breathing, but play an important role during increased chemoreflex drive and obstruction of expiration, e.g., with increased external airway resistance.
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J. Physiol. Pharmacol. · Dec 2008
ReviewSystemic treatment by inhalation of macromolecules--principles, problems, and examples.
Aerosol inhalation is an established route of medical administration for the treatment of pulmonary diseases. In contrast, aerosol inhalation for treatment of systemic diseases is a novel therapeutic approach. Clinical use of the latter therapy for many years has been limited by the lack of accuracy, efficiency, and reproducibility of the administered doses. ⋯ Studies demonstrated that only a small number of morphological factors influence alveolar drug deposition (e.g., exogen allergic alveolitis, active sarcoidosis, active smoking). In consequence, an increasing number of studies investigated the systemic effect of inhaled high molecular weight substances (e.g., insulin, heparin, interleukin-2) and demonstrated that controlled aerosol therapy may serve as a non-invasive alternative for drug application by means of a syringe. Our review briefly summarizes the mechanisms for pulmonary absorption of macromolecules and gives an overview on prior research in the field of inhalant treatment of systemic diseases.
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J. Physiol. Pharmacol. · Nov 2008
Free DIEP-flap reconstruction of tumour related defects in head and neck.
The free deep inferior epigastric perforator flap (DIEP) is a well-established therapy for plastic reconstruction of the breast or defects of the lower extremity without distinct donor site morbidity. Because of its particular qualities we started to apply the DIEP-flap also in reconstruction of defects in the cranio-maxillofacial area. A series of 10 consecutive patients, who received a DIEP-flap for reconstruction of large soft tissue defects after ablative tumour surgery, was reviewed. ⋯ In our experience the DIEP may serve as a well considerable alternative to the rectus abdominis flap and the latissimus dorsi flap for bridging extensive reconstructions in the cranio-maxillofacial region. It offers the possibility for flap elevation simultaneously to the surgical procedures in the head and neck area. A special advantage of the DIEP-flap is the very low donor site morbidity.
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J. Physiol. Pharmacol. · Jun 2008
Comparative StudyAlpha-synuclein A30P point-mutation generates age-dependent nigrostriatal deficiency in mice.
Lewy bodies are mainly composed of alpha-synuclein (SNCA) and specific mutations in SNCA gene are related to familial forms of Parkinson's disease (PD). The purpose of our study was to generate a mouse line with A30P knock-in point mutation in SNCA gene and to test if a single point-mutation is able to turn otherwise normal SNCA into a toxic form. The behavioral profile of SNCA A30P mice was followed for 16 months. ⋯ Indeed, mice at 15 months of age had significantly reduced levels of dopamine and its major metabolite DOPAC in the striatum, and reduced levels of dopamine in the mesolimbic system. The present study confirms that SNCA plays an important role in the development of PD and an insertion of a single point mutation is sufficient to generate age-related decline in specific motor performance. The generated mouse line has a potential to become a model for PD with comparable time course and phenotype.
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J. Physiol. Pharmacol. · Jun 2008
Comparative StudyIschemic preconditioning of the hindlimb or kidney does not attenuate the severity of acute ischemia/reperfusion-induced pancreatitis in rats.
Ischemic preconditioning of several organs, including the pancreas has been shown to protect these organs from injury evoked by subsequent exposure to severe ischemia followed by reperfusion. Moreover, it has been shown that ischemic preconditioning of distant organs such as the kidney, intestine or limb may protect the heart as effectively as cardiac preconditioning itself. This study was designed to determine whether ischemic preconditioning of the kidney or hindlimb protects the pancreas against ischemia/reperfusion-induced pancreatitis. ⋯ In contrast to direct ischemic preconditioning, remote ischemic preconditioning of the pancreas is without effect on pancreatic exocrine secretion and does not reduce the severity of ischemia/reperfusion-induced pancreatitis.