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Biomedical subjects

John E Hall

Publications and source records attributed to John E Hall.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Chronic antidiabetic and cardiovascular actions of leptin: role of CNS and increased adrenergic activity.

This study examined the importance of direct central nervous system (CNS) actions and increased adrenergic activity in mediating the chronic antidiabetic and cardiovascular actions of leptin. Insulin-deficient rats (streptozotocin, 50 mg/kg) were used to examine the effects of leptin on glucose homeostasis independent of changes in insulin. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were instrumented with arterial and venous catheters and intracerebroventricular cannula for 24-h/day blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) monitoring and intravenous and intracerebroventricular infusions. Insulin-deficient diabetes was associated with marked hyperglycemia, hyperphagia, decreased BP, and pronounced fall in HR. Leptin treatment, intravenous or intracerebroventricular, completely restored to control values plasma glucose levels (384+/-58 to 102+/-28 and 307+/-38 to 65+/-7 mg/dl, respectively), food intake, BP, and HR (304+/-8 to 364+/-7 and 317+/-13 to 423+/-9 bpm, respectively). Combined blockade of alpha1-, beta1-, and beta2-adrenergic receptors attenuated the rise in HR by 30 to 50% but had no effect on the antidiabetic and dietary actions of leptin. Blockade of beta3-adrenergic receptors did not attenuate the chronic cardiovascular or metabolic effects of leptin. These data demonstrate that leptin, via its direct actions in the CNS, has powerful antidiabetic actions in insulin-deficient rats independent of increased peripheral alpha1, beta1, beta2, and beta3-adrenergic activity. Leptin also exerts important long-term cardiovascular actions that are partially mediated via alpha1- and beta1/beta2-adrenergic activation. These findings provide new insights into novel pathways for long-term control of glucose homeostasis and cardiovascular regulation.

Animals↗

Melanocortin-4 receptor mediates chronic cardiovascular and metabolic actions of leptin.

This study tested whether the melanocortin 4-receptor (MC4R) is essential for the chronic cardiovascular and metabolic actions of leptin. Twenty- to 22-week-old male wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J and obese MC4R (-/-) mice (N=5 to 6 per group) were implanted with radiotelemetric transmitters and catheters for measuring mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate 24 hours per day and intravenous infusions. After a 3-day stable control period, leptin was infused (2 microg/kg per minute IV) for 7 days in WT, obese ad libitum-fed MC4R (-/-), and nonobese pair-fed MC4R (-/-) mice. WT mice receiving vehicle for 7 days served as controls. MC4 (-/-) mice were 30% heavier and had 4- and 11-fold increases in plasma insulin and leptin levels, respectively, compared with WT mice. Despite obesity, MAP and heart rate tended to be lower in MC4R (-/-) mice compared with WT mice. Chronic leptin infusion in the different groups increased plasma leptin levels to 45 to 65 ng/mL. Seven-day leptin infusion in WT mice increased MAP by 12+/-3 mm Hg despite a 35% reduction in food intake and an 8% reduction in body weight. Leptin did not alter plasma glucose but reduced plasma insulin in WT mice (5.9+/-1.0 versus 3.0+/-0.5 microU/mL). These cardiovascular and metabolic actions of leptin were abolished in obese and nonobese MC4R (-/-) mice. These data suggest that MC4R deficiency, and not obesity-induced leptin resistance, abolished the cardiovascular and metabolic actions of leptin in obese MC4R (-/-) mice. Thus, a functional MC4R is essential for the chronic cardiovascular and metabolic actions of leptin.

Adiposity↗

Operative treatment of scoliosis in patients with a Fontan circulation.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart and radiographic review of patients with a Fontan physiology who underwent surgical correction of their scoliosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the operative and perioperative treatment of patients with a Fontan physiology and scoliosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The survival rates in patients with complex congenital heart disease are improving, thus creating a subset of patients with complex physiology who will require surgical treatment of their scoliosis. The Fontan physiology is created surgically in patients born with a single functioning ventricle. These patients represent a significant anesthetic risk during spinal surgery, given their physiologic need for a sustained systemic preload. Currently, to our knowledge, there are no published series in the literature regarding the operative treatment of scoliosis in these patients. METHODS: We reviewed our experience with the operative treatment of scoliosis in 7 patients with a Fontan circulation. There were 7 patients identified who were treated with correction and arthrodesis using modern segmental instrumentation. A radiographic and chart review was performed to assess the operative and perioperative treatment. RESULTS: Mean age at surgery was 14 years 9 months, and mean Cobb angle was 75 degrees . There were no intraoperative complications; however, postoperative complications were frequent and significant: 1 delayed paralysis, 2 superior mesenteric artery syndromes, 1 renal tubular necrosis, 2 pulmonary complications, 1 Horner syndrome, and 1 urinary tract infection. CONCLUSIONS: Operative treatment of scoliosis in these patients may be successful; however, complications are frequent and significant.

Adolescent↗

Chronic central nervous system hyperinsulinemia and regulation of arterial pressure and food intake.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Acute studies suggest that insulin has anorexic and hypertensive actions through direct effects on the central nervous system (CNS). However, the importance of these actions in the long-term regulation of food intake and cardiovascular function is still unclear. The goal of the present study was to determine whether chronic increases in CNS levels of insulin, in the absence of changes in plasma insulin concentration, decrease food intake and raise arterial pressure in rats. METHODS: An intracerebroventricular cannula was placed in the lateral ventricle of male Sprague-Dawley rats for chronic insulin or vehicle (artificial cerebrospinal fluid, 0.5 mul/h) infusion, via osmotic minipump, and arterial and venous catheters were implanted for measurement of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) 24 h/day and intravenous infusions. After 4 days of control measurements, insulin (6 mU/h, n = 7 or 12 mU/h, n = 6) or vehicle (n = 4) was infused intracerebroventricularly for 7 days. RESULTS: Insulin infusion at 6 or 12 mU/h caused transient decreases in food intake, but did not significantly alter plasma glucose or insulin concentrations. Insulin intracerebroventricular infusion also did not alter MAP or HR (106 +/- 2 and 105 +/- 5 versus 104 +/- 2 mmHg in control; 411 +/- 9 and 407 +/- 9 versus 410 +/- 7 bpm in control, respectively). Food intake, MAP and HR remained unchanged in the vehicle-treated group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide no evidence that insulin plays a major role in the long-term regulation of appetite, arterial pressure or HR. However, the CNS actions of insulin may exert modest acute effects on appetite that could play a role in limiting meal size and influencing caloric balance.

Animals↗

Does obesity induce resistance to the long-term cardiovascular and metabolic actions of melanocortin 3/4 receptor activation?

Previous studies suggest that blockade of melanocortin 3 and 4 receptors (MC3/4-R) markedly attenuates the chronic hypertensive effects of leptin. Although obesity has been reported to be associated with leptin "resistance," it is unclear whether obesity alters the cardiovascular and metabolic effects of chronic MC3/4-R activation. Therefore, we tested whether the cardiovascular and metabolic actions of MC3/4-R activation are attenuated in Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high-fat diet (HF, n=6) compared with rats fed a standard chow (NF, n=6) for 12 months. A 21G steel cannula was placed in the lateral ventricle for ICV infusion, and arterial and venous catheters were implanted for measurement of mean arterial pressure (MAP) 24 hours/day and IV infusions. After a 5-day control period, rats were infused with MC3/4-R agonist melanotan II (10 ng/h, ICV), for 10 days followed by a 5-day recovery period. HF rats were heavier (558+/-21 versus 485+/-13 g) with 140% more visceral fat than NF rats, hyperleptinemic (8.9+/-0.5 versus 2.7+/-0.5 ng/mL), and insulin resistant. HF rats also had higher MAP (109+/-3 versus 100+/-1 mm Hg). Chronic melanotan II infusion significantly increased MAP in HF and NF (7+/-2 and 6+/-1 mm Hg), decreased caloric intake (-32+/-2 and -25 +/-2 kcal/day), and reduced insulin levels in both groups by approximately 50%. Thus, the metabolic and cardiovascular actions of chronic MC3/4-R activation are preserved in diet-induced obesity, supporting a potential role for the hypothalamic melanocortin system in obesity hypertension.

Animals↗

Melanocortin-4 receptor-deficient mice are not hypertensive or salt-sensitive despite obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperleptinemia.

The purpose of this study was to test whether the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) is critical in the development of hypertension associated with obesity and its metabolic disorders. MC4R-deficient homozygous (-/-) and heterozygous (+/-) and wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J mice 17 to 19 weeks old (n=5 to 7 per group) were implanted with telemetry devices for monitoring 24-hour mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR). After 3-day stable control measurements on normal-salt diet (NSD; 0.4% NaCl), mice received a high-salt diet (HSD; 4% NaCl) for 7 days, followed by 3-day recovery on NSD. MC4R (-/-) mice were severely obese compared with MC4R (+/-) and WT mice (body weight 48+/-1.5 versus 31+/-0.6 and 30+/-0.5 g respectively). On NSD, MAP was similar in all groups of mice (MC4R (-/-) 110+/-3 mm Hg; MC4R (+/-) 109+/-2 mm Hg; WT 114+/-2 mm Hg), and HR in MC4R (-/-) was lower than in WT (604+/-5 versus 645+/-9 bpm; P<0.05) but not different from MC4R (+/-) (625+/-13 bpm) mice. HSD did not significantly alter MAP or HR in any of the groups. Epididymal and retroperitoneal fat weights and plasma leptin levels were several-fold greater in MC4R (-/-) compared with MC4R (+/-) and WT mice. Plasma insulin and glucose levels were also significantly greater in MC4R (-/-) than in MC4R (+/-) and WT mice. These data suggest that despite obesity, visceral adiposity, hyperleptinemia, and hyperinsulinemia, MC4R (-/-) mice are neither hypertensive nor salt sensitive, indicating that a functional MC4R may be necessary for the development of hypertension associated with obesity and its metabolic abnormalities.

Adipose Tissue↗

Recommendations for blood pressure measurement in humans and experimental animals: part 1: blood pressure measurement in humans: a statement for professionals from the Subcommittee of Professional and Public Education of the American Heart Association Council on High Blood Pressure Research.

Accurate measurement of blood pressure is essential to classify individuals, to ascertain blood pressure-related risk, and to guide management. The auscultatory technique with a trained observer and mercury sphygmomanometer continues to be the method of choice for measurement in the office, using the first and fifth phases of the Korotkoff sounds, including in pregnant women. The use of mercury is declining, and alternatives are needed. Aneroid devices are suitable, but they require frequent calibration. Hybrid devices that use electronic transducers instead of mercury have promise. The oscillometric method can be used for office measurement, but only devices independently validated according to standard protocols should be used, and individual calibration is recommended. They have the advantage of being able to take multiple measurements. Proper training of observers, positioning of the patient, and selection of cuff size are all essential. It is increasingly recognized that office measurements correlate poorly with blood pressure measured in other settings, and that they can be supplemented by self-measured readings taken with validated devices at home. There is increasing evidence that home readings predict cardiovascular events and are particularly useful for monitoring the effects of treatment. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory monitoring gives a better prediction of risk than office measurements and is useful for diagnosing white-coat hypertension. There is increasing evidence that a failure of blood pressure to fall during the night may be associated with increased risk. In obese patients and children, the use of an appropriate cuff size is of paramount importance.

Adult↗

Recommendations for blood pressure measurement in humans and experimental animals: part 2: blood pressure measurement in experimental animals: a statement for professionals from the Subcommittee of Professional and Public Education of the American Heart Association Council on High Blood Pressure Research.

In experimental animals, as in humans, techniques for measuring blood pressure (BP) have improved considerably over the past decade. In this document, we present recommendations for measuring BP in experimental animals with the goal of helping investigators select optimal methods for BP monitoring in the research laboratory. The advantages and disadvantages of various BP measurement methods are discussed and specific recommendations are provided for selecting the optimal technique depending on the study objective. Although indirect techniques that permit only sporadic measurements of BP may be suitable for some purposes, methods for directly measuring BP are generally preferred because of their ability to monitor the highly dynamic nature of BP in a comprehensive fashion. Selection of the methods to be used should ultimately be guided by the study objectives to insure that the techniques chosen are appropriate for the experimental questions being explored.

American Heart Association↗

Recommendations for blood pressure measurement in humans and experimental animals. Part 2: Blood pressure measurement in experimental animals: a statement for professionals from the subcommittee of professional and public education of the American Heart Association council on high blood pressure research.

In experimental animals, as in humans, techniques for measuring blood pressure (BP) have improved considerably over the past decade. In this document, we present recommendations for measuring BP in experimental animals with the goal of helping investigators select optimal methods for BP monitoring in the research laboratory. The advantages and disadvantages of various BP measurement methods are discussed and specific recommendations are provided for selecting the optimal technique depending on the study objective. Although indirect techniques that permit only sporadic measurements of BP may be suitable for some purposes, methods for directly measuring BP are generally preferred because of their ability to monitor the highly dynamic nature of BP in a comprehensive fashion. Selection of the methods to be used should ultimately be guided by the study objectives to insure that the techniques chosen are appropriate for the experimental questions being explored.

Animals↗

Recommendations for blood pressure measurement in humans and experimental animals: Part 1: blood pressure measurement in humans: a statement for professionals from the Subcommittee of Professional and Public Education of the American Heart Association Council on High Blood Pressure Research.

Accurate measurement of blood pressure is essential to classify individuals, to ascertain blood pressure-related risk, and to guide management. The auscultatory technique with a trained observer and mercury sphygmomanometer continues to be the method of choice for measurement in the office, using the first and fifth phases of the Korotkoff sounds, including in pregnant women. The use of mercury is declining, and alternatives are needed. Aneroid devices are suitable, but they require frequent calibration. Hybrid devices that use electronic transducers instead of mercury have promise. The oscillometric method can be used for office measurement, but only devices independently validated according to standard protocols should be used, and individual calibration is recommended. They have the advantage of being able to take multiple measurements. Proper training of observers, positioning of the patient, and selection of cuff size are all essential. It is increasingly recognized that office measurements correlate poorly with blood pressure measured in other settings, and that they can be supplemented by self-measured readings taken with validated devices at home. There is increasing evidence that home readings predict cardiovascular events and are particularly useful for monitoring the effects of treatment. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory monitoring gives a better prediction of risk than office measurements and is useful for diagnosing white-coat hypertension. There is increasing evidence that a failure of blood pressure to fall during the night may be associated with increased risk. In obese patients and children, the use of an appropriate cuff size is of paramount importance.

Adult↗

Cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic responses to chronic central administration of agouti-related peptide.

Although excess hypothalamic agouti-related peptide (AGRP), an endogenous antagonist of the melanocortin 3/4 receptor, causes hyperphagia and obesity, its role in regulating cardiovascular function is unclear. This study examined control of mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and metabolism during chronic central administration of AGRP in rats. A cannula was placed in the lateral ventricle for intracerebroventricular infusion, and arterial and venous catheters were implanted for monitoring MAP and HR 24 hours per day, as well as intravenous infusions. After a 5-day control period, rats received AGRP (n=6; 0.02 nmol per hour ICV) or artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF; n=9; 0.02 nmol per hour ICV) for 12 days, followed by a 5-day recovery period. A third group was infused intracerebroventricularly with AGRP and pair-fed to match food intake of control rats (n=7). AGRP produced a peak decrease in MAP and HR of -7+/-2 mm Hg and -68+/-7 bpm, respectively, despite increased food intake (from 23+/-0.5 to 36+/-3 g per day) and weight gain (from 350+/-8 to 454+/-5 g). AGRP also increased glomerular filtration rate, plasma insulin, glucose, and leptin. AGRP infusion in pair-fed rats produced a peak decrease in HR of -70+/-8 bpm but did not alter MAP or other variables. The metabolic effects of AGRP may be secondary to hyperphagia because they were abolished in pair-fed rats. aCSF infusion did not change any of the variables studied. These results demonstrate that increased central nervous system AGRP levels produce chronic reductions in MAP and HR despite marked increases in food intake and weight gain that normally tend to raise arterial pressure.

Agouti Signaling Protein↗

The safety and efficacy of spinal instrumentation in children with congenital spine deformities.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective radiographic and chart review of patients who underwent operative treatment with the use of reduced size spinal instrumentation for congenital spine deformities OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of spinal instrumentation in young patients who were operated on for a congenital spine deformity. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The use of spinal instrumentation has been shown to improve curve correction and arthrodesis rates in spinal deformity surgery. The advent of reduced-size implants has allowed surgeons to expand the use of instrumentation in pediatric patients. The use of reduced-size spinal instrumentation in children with congenital spine deformities has not been well documented. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated the use of spinal instrumentation in 40 patients younger than 8 years with a congenital spine deformity. The review of radiographs and medical records was performed to assess the complications associated with instrumentation, the curve correction, and the arthrodesis rate in this patient population. RESULTS: The complications associated with the use of instrumentation in this group of patients were infrequent. Curve correction was excellent, and the sagittal profile was maintained in all patients at an average follow-up of greater than 3 years. All patients obtained a solid arthrodesis. CONCLUSIONS: The use of reduced-size spinal instrumentation in young patients is safe and efficacious. Curve correction, length of immobilization, and fusion rate are improved compared to similar patients in the literature treated without instrumentation.

Child↗

Kinetic analysis of cardiac transcriptome regulation during chronic high-fat diet in dogs.

In the present study, we investigated, using custom dog cDNA arrays, the time course of transcriptional changes in the left ventricle of dogs fed a normal diet or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 9-24 wk. Array hybridizations were performed with complex probes representing mRNAs expressed in left ventricles from obese hypertensive and lean control dogs. We identified 63 differentially expressed genes, and expression of 17 of 20 randomly chosen genes was confirmed by real-time PCR. Transcripts were categorized into groups involved in metabolism, cell signaling, tissue remodeling, ionic regulation, cell proliferation, and protein synthesis. Hierarchical clustering indicated that the pattern of coregulated genes depends on duration of the HFD, suggesting that HFD-induced obesity hypertension is associated with continuous cardiac transcriptome adaptation despite stability of both body weight and blood pressure. GenMAPP analysis of the data pointed out the crucial importance of the ventricle TGF-beta pathway. Our results suggest that this system may be involved in molecular remodeling during HFD and in changes observed in the transcription profile, reflecting functional and morphological abnormalities that arise during prolonged HFD. These results also suggest some novel regulatory pathways for cardiac adaptation to obesity.

Animals↗

Role of hypothalamic melanocortin 3/4-receptors in mediating chronic cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic actions of leptin.

The present study examined whether blockade of melanocortin receptors subtypes 3 and 4 (MC3/4-R) inhibits chronic cardiovascular and dietary responses to leptin infusion. A cannula was placed in the lateral ventricle of male Sprague-Dawley rats for chronic intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion via osmotic minipump, and arterial and venous catheters were implanted for measurement of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) 24 h/d and IV infusions. After a 5-day control period, rats received (1) 0.9% saline vehicle ICV for 12 days plus leptin (1 microg/kg per minute IV, n=5) during the final 7 days; (2) MC3/4-R antagonist SHU-9119 (1 nmol/h ICV) for 12 days plus leptin (1 microg/kg per minute IV, n=6) during the final 7 days; and (3) SHU-9119 (1 nmol/h ICV, n=8) for 12 days. Leptin infusion in vehicle-treated rats caused a small increase in MAP (5+/-1 mm Hg) despite reduced food intake (23+/-1 to 10+/-1 g/d) and decreased body weight (-6%+/-1%). SHU-9119 infusion completely prevented the cardiovascular and dietary actions of leptin, leading to increased food intake (23+/-1 to 49+/-4 g/d) and body weight (+30%+/-2%), markedly decreased HR (-77+/-9 bpm), and caused a decrease in MAP (-6+/-1 mm Hg). Similar results were observed when SHU-9119 was infused alone in vehicle-treated rats. Leptin decreased plasma insulin to 30% of control values, an effect that was also abolished by SHU-9119 treatment, which caused a 5-fold increase in plasma insulin concentration. Thus, MC3/4-R antagonism completely blocked the chronic cardiovascular, satiety, and metabolic effects of leptin, suggesting that the hypothalamic melanocortin system plays an important role in mediating these actions of leptin.

Animals↗

Role of endothelin-1 in blood pressure regulation in a rat model of visceral obesity and hypertension.

Endothelial dysfunction has been suggested to play an important role in the development of obesity-induced hypertension. Because endothelin release increases in response to endothelial damage, we examined whether endothelin-1 contributes to increased arterial pressure in a model of visceral obesity produced by feeding Sprague-Dawley rats a high-fat (HF) diet (40% fat w/w, n=6) for 12 months. Arterial and venous catheters were implanted for measurement of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) 24 hours per day and intravenous infusions. After a 5-day control period, rats were infused with the selective endothelin-1 type A receptor (ET-A) blocker ABT-627 (2.5 mg/kg per day, IV) for 9 days, followed by a recovery period. Rats fed a standard chow (normal fat, or NF, group: n=6) for 12 months were also infused with ET-A blocker and were used as controls. Compared with NF rats, HF rats had higher MAP (113+/-4 versus 98+/-2 mm Hg), increased visceral fat (18.7+/-2.0 versus 10.8+/-1.4 g), and 3.2-fold increase in plasma leptin despite similar total body weight gain. Long-term ET-A blockade markedly reduced MAP in HF (-14+/-3 mm Hg) and NF (-14+/-2 mm Hg), but it had no effect on HR, GFR, or PRA. These results indicate that a long-term HF diet may cause visceral obesity and increased MAP, even in the absence of major changes in total body weight. Endothelin-1 appears to play an important role in the maintenance of arterial pressure in rats fed HF and NF diets, but it does not appear to contribute to increased MAP in this model of diet-induced hypertension.

Adipose Tissue↗