PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Contreras

Publications and source records attributed to E Contreras.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Effects of calcium channel antagonists and Bay K 8644 on the analgesic response to pentazocine and U 50488H.

1. The effects of diltiazem, nifedipine and verapamil and the calcium channel agonist Bay K 8644 on the analgesic responses to the subcutaneous (s.c.) or intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of pentazocine and U 50488H were investigated in mice. 2. The three calcium channel antagonists and Bay K 8644 reduced the number of writhes induced by the intraperitoneal administration of acetic acid. 3. The analgesic responses to the low doses of pentazocine (s.c.) were additive with the effects of diltiazem, nifedipine or Bay K 8644; while, in contrast, the higher doses produced underadditive responses. Only verapamil increased the effects of the i.c.v. administration of the opioid. 4. The effects of U 50488H (s.c.) were additive with those of diltiazem and Bay K 8644; verapamil only increased the response to the lower dose of the opioid. Nifedipine plus pentazocine always induced underadditive responses. The i.c.v. effects of U 50488H were only increased by verapamil. 5. These findings are discussed in relation with a possible interaction of kappa agonists with calcium channels in the central nervous system.

3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cycloh↗
PubMed1992

Pharmacological characterization of adenosine A1 and A2 receptors in the bladder: evidence for a modulatory adenosine tone regulating non-adrenergic non-cholinergic neurotransmission.

1. The nerve-evoked contractions elicited by transmural electrical stimulation of mouse urinary bladders superfused in modified Krebs Ringer buffer containing 1 microM atropine plus 3.4 microM guanethidine were inhibited by adenosine (ADO) and related nucleoside analogues with the following rank order of potency: R-phenylisopropyladenosine (R-PIA) greater than cyclohexyladenosine (CHA) greater than 5'N-ethylcarboxamido adenosine (NECA) greater than ADO greater than S-phenylisopropyladenosine (S-PIA). Tissue preincubation with 8-phenyltheophylline (8-PT) displaced to the right, in a parallel fashion, the NECA concentration-response curve. 2. The contractions elicited by application of exogenous adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) were also inhibited by ADO and related structural analogues. The rank order of potency to reduce the motor response to ATP was: NECA greater than 2-chloroadenosine (CADO) greater than R-PIA greater than ADO greater than CHA greater than S-PIA. 3. The ADO-induced ATP antagonism was of a non-competitive nature and was not specific. Tissue incubation with 10 microM NECA not only reduced the motor responses elicited by ATP, but also 5-hydroxytryptamine, acetylcholine and prostaglandin F2 alpha. The action of NECA was antagonized following tissue preincubation with 8-PT. The inhibitory action of NECA was not mimicked by 10 microM CHA. 4. The maximal bladder ATP contractile response was significantly increased by tissue preincubation with 5-30 microM 8-PT. 5. The 0.15 Hz evoked muscular twitch was significantly increased by 8-PT while dipyridamole consistently reduced the magnitude of the twitch response. These results are consonant with the hypothesis that an endogenous ADO tone modulates the bladder neurotransmission. 6. A working model is proposed suggesting the presence of ADO-Al and A2 receptors in the mouse urinary bladder. The A1 receptor subpopulation is probably of presynaptic origin whereas the smooth muscle membranes contain a population of the A2 receptor subtype.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1991

Demonstration of the need for end point validation of putative biomarkers: failure of aberrant crypt foci to predict colon cancer incidence.

Seven-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a semipurified AIN76 diet and were given a weekly injection of the colon carcinogen 1,2-dimethylhydrazine for 8 weeks (initiation stage of carcinogenesis). The rats were divided into seven groups and each group of rats was placed on one of seven different modifications of the AIN76 diet for the next 24 weeks (promotional stage of carcinogenesis). The mean numbers of aberrant crypt foci/rat and the incidence of adenocarcinomas from some of the seven dietary groups were found to be significantly different. However, all attempts to show a significant correlation between the mean number of aberrant crypt foci/rat and the incidence of adenocarcinomas failed. Therefore, the number of aberrant crypt foci/rat cannot by itself be used as a reliable quantitative predictor (biomarker) of the efficacy of dietary intervention or of chemopreventive procedures on modulating the risk of developing colon cancer. This conclusion emphasizes the need for end point validation of potential cancer biomarkers before the biomarkers can be considered predictive of modulation of the risk for colon cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1991

Adenosine analogs attenuate tolerance-dependence on alprazolam.

1. Tolerance to and physical dependence on alprazolam were induced in mice by administering two doses of a slow release preparation. 2. Physical dependence was evaluated by the abstinence syndrome induced by flumazenil. Tolerance was studied by measuring the motor incoordination induced by a test dose of alprazolam. 3. The intensity of tolerance was decreased by the administration of L-phenylisopropyl adenosine (L-PIA), cyclopentyl adenosine (CPA), cyclohexyl adenosine (CHA), N-ethylcarboxamide adenosine (NECA), 8-phenyltheophylline (8-PTP) and theophylline (TP). 4. The intensity of the abstinence syndrome induced by flumazenil was attenuated by L-PIA, CPA NECA, TP and 8-PTP. 5. The results suggest that benzodiazepines may exert, at least in part, their effects by involving adenosine in the central nervous system.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1991

Systemic atropine administration during cardiac arrest does not cause fixed and dilated pupils.

OBJECTIVES: Systemic administration of atropine during CPR may postpone brain death determination because of its reputed ability to produce fixed and dilated pupils. We studied the effect of atropine administered in the usual doses as an adjunct to endotracheal intubation and for cardiac arrest to determine if it would interfere with neurological assessment. DESIGN: Two groups of children were studied. Group 1 consisted of 28 patients who received atropine (0.03 +/- 0.003 mg/kg) prior to endotracheal intubation. Group 2 consisted of 21 patients previously without evidence of brainstem disease who suffered a witnessed arrest and had prompt return of spontaneous circulation and received an atropine dose of 0.03 +/- 0.01 mg/kg. RESULTS: In group 1, pupillary size averaged 4.02 +/- 0.78 mm before and 4.75 mm +/- .84 mm after atropine (P less than .001). In group 2, the pupillary examination was conducted 30 minutes after return of spontaneous circulation. The pupillary diameter was 4.80 +/- 0.91 mm. All pupils were reactive to light in both groups. CONCLUSION: Atropine administration in conventional dose causes slight pupillary dilation but does not abolish pupillary light reactivity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Bradykinin facilitates the purinergic motor component of the rat bladder neurotransmission.

The motor activity of the rat bladder elicited by transmural electrical stimulation was abolished in the presence of 200 nM tetrodotoxin but not of 1 microM atropine plus 3.4 microM guanethidine. Tissue preincubation with 20 microM, alpha, beta-methylene ATP reduced but did not obliterate the electrically-induced motor effect. Bradykinin (BK) caused a short-lasting motor response while it potentiated, in a concentration-dependent fashion, the 0.15-5 Hz-induced muscle twitching. The facilitatory action of the peptide lasted for at least 5 min and was blocked by the BK-B2 receptor antagonist D-Arg0 [Hyp3, Thi5,8, D-Phe7]-BK. The motor response caused by the exogenous application of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) was almost immediate and lasted less than 30 s; it was also potentiated by BK-B2 receptor activation, an effect that was reduced in a concentration-dependent manner by pretreatment with the BK-receptor antagonist.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1990

Effects of some adenosine analogs on morphine-induced analgesia and tolerance.

1. The analogs of adenosine D- and L-phenylisopropyladenosine (D- and L-PIA) and chloroadenosine (CADO) induced analgesia in mice (hot-plate test). 2. The antinociceptive effects of the three adenosine agonists were antagonized by caffeine but were unaffected by naloxone. 3. Morphine-induced antinociception was increased by pretreatment with adenosine agonists. 4. Whereas CADO significantly attenuated the induction of morphine tolerance, D- and L-PIA did not affect the process.

2-Chloroadenosine↗
PubMed1990

[Adenosine: physiological and pharmacological actions].

Adenosine exerts numerous effects in the central and autonomic nervous systems, most of which seem to be receptor mediated. Several studies have revealed two distinct receptors, based upon effects of adenosine on adenylate cyclase activity, designed A1 or A2 according to whether the cyclase is inhibited or activated. However, since not all adenosine receptors are linked to adenylate cyclase some authors base their classification on the rank orders of potencies of adenosine analogues in eliciting responses. The purine seems to function as a modulatory substance in the heart, blood, ileum, vas deferens, and adipose tissue. In addition, important responses to exogenously added adenosine are also induced in the bronchi, urinary bladder, taenia coli, parietal cells of the stomach and renin secretion. Adenosine and its analogues elicit anticonvulsant responses, sedation and hypothermia through their actions in the central nervous system. The mechanisms by which adenosine elicits its responses have not been clearly established. The activation of A1 receptors depresses the release of neurotransmitters and inhibit the influx of Ca into nerve terminals. Whether this effect is induced by interaction with Ca channels or by impairment of Ca dependent processes associated with neurotransmitter release is unknown. In the rat heart adenosine inhibits adenylate cyclase and subsequently the phosphorylation of L-type Ca channels, resulting in a decrease of calcium influx in the muscle cell. The responses to activation of A2 receptors in smooth muscle consist in relaxation presumptively by an increase of K current which would hyperpolarize the cell.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1990

Influence of adenosine analogs on morphine tolerance and dependence in mice.

A number of adenosine agonists were investigated for possible actions on tolerance to morphine withdrawal in mice. The induction of tolerance to a sustained release preparation of morphine was assessed by measuring the analgesic effect induced by a test dose of the drug. The concomitant treatment with L- and D-phenylisopropyl adenosine, (L- and D-PIA), cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) or chloroadenosine (CADO) during the period of morphine absorption did not alter the induction of the process. In contrast cyclohexyladenosine (CHA) significantly decreased the intensity of tolerance. The administration of naloxone 30 hrs, after the priming dose of morphine induced an intense withdrawal reaction. The intensity of the abstinence syndrome was decreased by the administration of L-PIA, CHA or CADO; CPA and D-PIA were ineffective. These results suggest that adenosine analogs may interfere with the known morphine effects on calcium disposition in nerve terminals.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1989

A comparison of GABAergic influences on the analgesic responses to morphine and pentazocine.

1. The interactions of three GABAergic compounds, gamma-acetylenic GABA, gamma-vinyl GABA and ethylenediamine with the analgesic effects of morphine and pentazocine were examined in mice using the hot plate and tail immersion tests. 2. A significant increase in reaction time induced by morphine was noted in the tail immersion test after pretreatment with the drugs acting through GABA functions. 3. The inhibitors of GABA transaminase, gamma-acetylenic GABA and gamma-vinyl GABA, and the GABAmimetic ethylenediamine did not significantly change the analgesic action induced by pentazocine. 4. In the hot plate test the three GABAergic compounds antagonized the analgesic effects of pentazocine in contraposition with previous results indicating that morphine-induced analgesia is increased by pretreatment with those agents. 5. These findings suggest that GABAergic and opiopeptidergic systems are interconnected through mu receptors, whereas the kappa opiate systems seem to be unrelated to GABA functions.

4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase↗
PubMed1989

Effect of extracellular calcium and calcium channel antagonists on ATP and field stimulation induced contractions of the mouse urinary bladder.

1. The dependence on extracellular calcium of the response to the electrical stimulation, ATP and high K induced contractions has been studied in the mouse urinary bladder. 2. The responses to ATP, field stimulation and K induced depolarization were eliminated in calcium free EGTA medium. However, a small remanent of these responses was observed in the absence of calcium in the superfusing medium. 3. The calcium antagonists verapamil, nifedipine and diltiazem decreased in a dose dependent manner the contractions induced by ATP and electrical stimulation of the mouse urinary bladder. 4. The responses of the mouse urinary bladder to high K concentration were antagonized by verapamil and diltiazem, but nifedipine was less effective in decreasing the tonic component of the contraction induced by K in the muscle. 5. The responses of the mouse urinary bladder to electrical stimulation, ATP and high concentration of K are mainly dependent on the extracellular calcium.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1988

Calcium channel antagonists increase morphine-induced analgesia and antagonize morphine tolerance.

The influence of calcium channel blockers on morphine-induced analgesia and on tolerance to the chronic administration of the opiate was investigated in mice. The effects of a test dose of morphine were significantly increased by the administration of diltiazem, flunarizine, nicardipine and verapamil. In contrast, nifedipine induced an antagonistic effect. The calcium channel antagonists did not change the reaction time to thermal stimulation in mice (hot plate test). The administration of nifedipine, flunarizine and verapamil reduced the intensity of the tolerance induced by a single dose of morphine administered in a slow release preparation. Diltiazem induced a non-significant decrease of the process. The present results are in accordance with the known interaction of acute and chronic morphine administration with the intracellular calcium concentration in neurones of the central nervous system.

Analgesia↗
PubMed1988

Extent and properties of nonbulk "bound" water in crystalline lens cells.

Crystalline lenses provided good material to study and measure the properties of cellular water. Different methods were used to establish the extent and properties of nonbulk water in mammalian lenses. These methods include: NMR titration analysis, a test of the osmotic properties, a test of dye exclusion In lenses with intact cell membranes and in lenses with disrupted cell membranes, and the water-holding capacity of lenses subjected to 40,000 x g for 1 hour with intact cell membranes and in lenses with disrupted cell membranes. The data from these methods, as well as other data from the literature, lead to the conclusion that most, if not all, of the water in lens cells (up to 2.2 g water/g dry mass) has motional and osmotic properties that distinguish it from bulk water. These findings call into question the common and convenient assumption that all but a small proportion of cellular water is like that in dilute solution.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Influence of adrenergic and cholinergic mechanisms in baclofen induced analgesia.

1. Baclofen induced analgesia was confirmed by means of the mouse hot plate test. 2. Physostigmine significantly increased the response to baclofen whilst neostigmine was ineffective. Baclofen analgesia was reduced by atropine. 3. The response to baclofen was increased by the administration of tolazoline, propranolol and nadolol. In contrast, the analgesic response to morphine was attenuated by the antiadrenergic drugs phenoxybenzamine, tolazoline and nadolol.

Analgesics↗
PubMed1988

Mechanisms of the contractile responses to morphine of the mouse colon in vitro.

1. Morphine induced a contractile response in the mouse colon which consisted of two phases or components. 2. The first component was dose-related and was inhibited by tetrodotoxin, atropine and naloxone, but was insensible to hexamethonium, propranolol, phentolamine, diphenhydramine and methysergide. 3. The second component of the contractile effect was not modified by atropine, hexamethonium, propranolol, phentolamine, guanethidine or diphenhydramine, but was antagonized by naloxone, tetrodotoxin and serotonin antagonists. 4. Tachyphylaxis was observed only for the first component of the morphine induced contractile response of the mouse colon.

Animals↗