Life sciences
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This article reviews the importance of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the cardiometabolic continuum; presents the pros and cons of dual RAAS blockade with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs); and examines the theoretical and practical benefits supporting the use of direct renin inhibitors (DRIs) in combination with ACEIs or ARBs. ⋯ It is possible that aliskiren plus either an ACEI or ARB may provide greater RAAS blockade than monotherapy with ACEIs or ARBs, and lead to additive improvement in BP and clinically important outcomes.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of the peripheral mediator background of heat injury- and plantar incision-induced drop of the noxious heat threshold in the rat.
Previously we described the drop of the noxious heat threshold in response to mild heat injury or plantar incision. While mild heat injury elicits an immediate and short-lasting thermal hyperalgesia, surgical incision leads to a delayed and sustained heat hyperalgesia. Only very few peripheral mediators of these phenomena have been identified. Therefore the present study aimed at comparing the peripheral mediator background of heat hyperalgesia evoked by mild heat injury or surgical incision. ⋯ Only small differences have been revealed between the examined peripheral mediators of the acute heat hyperalgesia evoked by mild heat injury and the sustained increase in heat responsiveness induced by surgical incision. The B(2) and B(1) bradykinin receptor, P2X purinoceptors, TRPV1 receptor, nitric oxide synthase and lipoxygenase(s) are involved in at least one of these hyperalgesia models.
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The current study was undertaken to determine the role of dorsal hippocampal N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in nicotine's effect on impairment of memory by ethanol. ⋯ The results suggest the importance of NMDA glutamate system(s) in the CA1 regions of dorsal hippocampus for improving the effect of nicotine on the ethanol-induced amnesia.