Biomedical subjects

Paul A Smith

Publications and source records attributed to Paul A Smith.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Vanilloid receptor agonists and antagonists are mitochondrial inhibitors: how vanilloids cause non-vanilloid receptor mediated cell death.

Time-lapse photomicroscopy of human H460 lung cancer cells demonstrated of the transient receptor potential V1 (TRPV1) channel agonists, (E)-capsaicin and resiniferatoxin, and the TRPV1 antagonists, capsazepine, and SB366791, were able to bring about morphological changes characteristic of apoptosis and/or necrosis. Immunoblot analysis identified immunoreactivity for the transient receptor potential V1 (TRPV1) channel in rat brain samples, but not in rat heart mitochondria or in H460 cells. In isolated rat heart mitochondria, all four ligands caused concentration-dependent decreases in oxygen consumption and mitochondrial membrane potential. (E)-Capsaicin and capsazepine evoked concentration-dependent increases and decreases, respectively, in mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide production, whilst resiniferatoxin and SB366791 were without significant effect. These data support the hypothesis that (E)-capsaicin, resiniferatoxin, capsazepine, and SB366791 are all mitochondrial inhibitors, able to activate apoptosis and/or necrosis via non-receptor mediated mechanisms, and also support the use of TRPV1 ligands as anti-cancer agents.

Anilides↗

PubMed2006

PKC and PKA inhibitors reinstate morphine-induced behaviors in morphine tolerant mice.

Male Swiss Webster mice exhibited antinociception, hypothermia and Straub tail 3h following a 75mg morphine pellet implantation. These signs disappeared by 72h, and the morphine-pelleted mice were indistinguishable from placebo-pelleted ones, although brain morphine concentrations ranged from 200 to 400ng/gm. We previously demonstrated that chemical inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) and A (PKA) are able to reverse morphine tolerance in acutely morphine-challenged mice. However, it was not known whether the reversal of tolerance was due to the interaction of kinase inhibitors with the morphine released from the pellet, the acutely injected morphine to challenge tolerant mice, or both. The present study aimed at determining the interaction between the PKC and PKA inhibitors and the morphine released "solely" from the pellet to reinstate the morphine-induced behavioral and physiological effects, 72h after implantation of morphine pellets. Placebo or 75mg morphine pellets were surgically implanted, and testing was conducted 72h later. Our results showed that the intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of the PKC inhibitors, bisindolylmaleimide I and Gö-6976 as well as the PKA inhibitors, 4-cyano-3-methylisoquinoline and KT-5720, restored the morphine-induced behaviors of antinociception, Straub tail and hypothermia in morphine-pelleted mice to the same extent observed 3h following the pellet implantation. The tail withdrawal and the hot plate reaction time expressed as percent maximum possible effect (%MPE) was increased to 80-100 and 41-90%, respectively, in PKC and PKA inhibitor-treated morphine tolerant mice compared to 2-10% in non-treated mice. Similarly, a significant hypothermia (1.3-4.0 degrees C decrease in body temperature) was detected in PKC and PKA inhibitor-treated morphine tolerant mice compared to an euthermic state in non-treated morphine tolerant mice. Finally, the Straub tail score was increased to 1.1-1.6 in PKC and PKA inhibitor-treated tolerant mice, whereas it was totally absent in non-treated animals. It is noticeably that the kinase inhibitors used in the study had no effect in placebo-pelleted mice. Our results provide the first evidence on the ability of PKC and PKA inhibitors to reinstate the behavioral and physiological effects of morphine in non-challenged morphine-tolerant animals.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

PubMed2006

Determination of the role of conventional, novel and atypical PKC isoforms in the expression of morphine tolerance in mice.

This study comprehensively determines the role of all the major PKC isoforms in the expression morphine tolerance. Pseudosubstrate and receptors for activated C-kinase (RACK) peptides inhibit only a single PKC isoform, while previously tested chemical PKC inhibitors simultaneously inhibit multiple isoforms making it impossible to determine which PKC isoform mediates morphine tolerance. Tolerance can result in a diminished effect during continued exposure to the same amount of substance. In rodents, morphine pellets provide sustained exposures to morphine leading to the development of tolerance by 72 h. We hypothesized that administration of the PKC isoform inhibitors i.c.v. would reverse tolerance and reinstate antinociception in the tail immersion and hot plate tests from the morphine released solely from the pellet. Inhibitors to PKC alpha, gamma and epsilon (100-625 pmol) dose-dependently reinstated antinociception in both tests. The PKC beta(I), beta(II), delta, theta, epsilon, eta and xi inhibitors were inactive (up to 2500 pmol). In other mice, the degree of morphine tolerance was determined by calculating ED50 and potency-ratio values following s.c. morphine administration. Morphine s.c. was 5.6-fold less potent in morphine-pelleted vs. placebo-pelleted mice. Co-administration of s.c. morphine with the inhibitors i.c.v. to either PKC alpha (625 pmol), gamma (100 pmol) or epsilon (400 pmol) completely reversed the tolerance so that s.c. morphine was equally potent in both placebo- and morphine-pelleted mice. The PKC beta(I), beta(II), delta, theta, epsilon, eta and xi inhibitors were inactive. Thus, PKC alpha, gamma and epsilon appear to contribute to the expression of morphine tolerance in mice.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

PubMed2006

Organic-inorganic hybrid nanoparticles: surface characteristics and interactions with a polyester resin.

Organic-inorganic hybrid nanoparticles, derived from silica precursors with different organic functionalities (methyl, ethyl, vinyl, and phenyl) synthesized via a modified Stöber method have been investigated. These particles are intended as modifiers for polymers and polymer matrix composites. Therefore, the characteristics of a polyester matrix have also been determined, and the likely interactions with the particles have been proposed. Particles have been characterized using inverse gas chromatography (IGC), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The particles show two different sets of characteristics, with methyl, ethyl, and vinyl modified silicas showing one type of behavior and the phenyl modified silica behaving rather differently. The methyl, ethyl, and vinyl groups exhibit the appearance of uniform coverage, as they are comparatively small and tightly packed, which will prevent interaction of matrix resin with retained silanol groups. The phenyl group, which is comparatively large, is not able to pack as closely, which results in a reduction of the presence and availability of silanol groups, compared to an unmodified fumed silica, but not complete inaccessibility as far as the matrix resin is concerned.

Acids↗

PubMed2005

Somatostatin inhibits oxidative respiration in pancreatic beta-cells.

Somatostatin potently inhibits insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cells. It does so via activation of ATP-sensitive K+-channels (KATP) and G protein-regulated inwardly rectifying K+-channels, which act to decrease voltage-gated Ca2+-influx, a process central to exocytosis. Because KATP channels, and indeed insulin secretion, is controlled by glucose oxidation, we investigated whether somatostatin inhibits insulin secretion by direct effects on glucose metabolism. Oxidative metabolism in beta-cells was monitored by measuring changes in the O2 consumption (DeltaO2) of isolated mouse islets and MIN6 cells, a murine-derived beta-cell line. In both models, glucose-stimulated DeltaO2, an effect closely associated with inhibition of KATP channel activity and induction of electrical activity (r > 0.98). At 100 nm, somatostatin abolished glucose-stimulated DeltaO2 in mouse islets (n = 5, P < 0.05) and inhibited it by 80 +/- 28% (n = 17, P < 0.01) in MIN6 cells. Removal of extracellular Ca2+, 5 mm Co2+, or 20 microm nifedipine, conditions that inhibit voltage-gated Ca2+ influx, did not mimic but either blocked or reduced the effect of the peptide on DeltaO2. The nutrient secretagogues, methylpyruvate (10 mm) and alpha-ketoisocaproate (20 mm), also stimulated DeltaO2, but this was unaffected by somatostatin. Somatostatin also reversed glucose-induced hyperpolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential monitored using rhodamine-123. Application of somatostatin receptor selective agonists demonstrated that the peptide worked through activation of the type 5 somatostatin receptor. In conclusion, somatostatin inhibits glucose metabolism in murine beta-cells by an unidentified Ca2+-dependent mechanism. This represents a new signaling pathway by which somatostatin can inhibit cellular functions regulated by glucose metabolism.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed2005

Chronic Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol treatment produces antinociceptive tolerance in mice without altering protein kinase A activity in mouse brain and spinal cord.

The present study investigated the effect of different levels of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC) antinociceptive tolerance on Protein Kinase A (PKA) activity in mouse brain and spinal cord. To strengthen this investigation, a positive control was developed to demonstrate the assay utilized in this study was sensitive enough to detect an increase in PKA activity in the anatomical regions utilized in this study. The membrane-permeant and phosphodiesterase-resistant cAMP analog 8-Bromoadenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate, Sp-isomer (Sp-8-Br-cAMPS) was utilized for the development of this positive control and this compound produced an increase in PKA activity in several mouse brain regions (i.c.v.) and lumbar spinal cord (i.t.) following its administration. Models were then developed in which mice expressed either a 13-fold or 49-fold level of Delta(9)-THC antinociceptive tolerance following chronic treatment with 10mg/kg Delta(9)-THC or 80mg/kg Delta(9)-THC for 6.5 days. Basal and total cytosolic and particulate PKA activities were measured directly in homogenates from the striatum, hippocampus, cerebellum, cortex and lumbar spinal cord. Results from this study indicate that chronic exposure to Delta(9)-THC does not produce an increase in PKA activity in these mouse brain regions or spinal cord. Future work is needed to determine the role of PKA in cannabinoid tolerance in mice.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

PubMed2005

High incidence of spontaneous disease in an HLA-DR15 and TCR transgenic multiple sclerosis model.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is thought to involve CD4 T cell recognition of self myelin, many studies focusing on a pathogenic role for anti-myelin, HLA-DR15-restricted T cells. In experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, it is known which epitopes trigger disease and that disease is associated with determinant spread of T cell reactivity. Characterization of these events in human MS is critical for the development of peptide immunotherapies, but it has been difficult to define the role of determinant spread or define which epitopes might be involved. In this study, we report humanized transgenic mice, strongly expressing HLA-DR15 with an MS-derived TCR; even on a RAG-2 wild-type background, mice spontaneously develop paralysis. Disease, involving demyelination and axonal degeneration, correlates with inter- and intramolecular spread of the T cell response to HLA-DR15-restricted epitopes of myelin basic protein, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, and alphaB-crystallin. Spread is reproducible and progressive, with two of the epitopes commonly described in responses of HLA-DR15 patients. The fact that this pattern is reiterated as a consequence of CNS tissue damage in mice demonstrates the value of the transgenic model in supplying an in vivo disease context for the human responses. This model, encompassing pathologically relevant, spontaneous disease with the presentation of myelin epitopes in the context of HLA-DR15, should offer new insights and predictions about T cell responses during MS as well as a more stringent test bed for immunotherapies.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Native myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein promotes severe chronic neurological disease and demyelination in Biozzi ABH mice.

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is a powerful encephalitogen for experimental autoimmune demyelination. However, the use of MOG peptides or recombinant proteins representing part of the protein fails to fully address the possible pathogenic role of the full-length myelin-derived protein expressing post-translational modifications. Immunization of mice with central nervous system tissues from wild-type (WT) and MOG-deficient (MOG(-/-)) mice demonstrates that MOG in myelin is necessary for the development of chronic demyelinating experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice. While immunization with WT spinal cord homogenate (SCH) resulted in a progressive EAE phenotype, MOG(-/-) SCH induced a mild self-limiting acute disease. Following acute EAE with MOG(-/-) SCH, mice developed T cell responses to recombinant mouse MOG (rmMOG), indicating that MOG released from myelin is antigenic; however, the lack of chronic disease indicates that such responses were not pathogenic. Chronic demyelinating EAE was observed when MOG(-/-) SCH was reconstituted with a dose of rmMOG comparable to MOG in myelin (2.5% of total white matter-derived protein). These data reveal that while immunization with the full-length post-translational modified form of MOG in myelin promotes the development of a more chronic autoimmune demyelinating neurological disease, MOG (and/or other myelin proteins) released from myelin during ongoing disease do not induce destructive autoimmunity.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Epitope spread is not critical for the relapse and progression of MOG 8-21 induced EAE in Biozzi ABH mice.

Emerging autoimmunity (epitope-spreading) generated as a consequence of myelin damage is suggested to underlie the relapses in multiple sclerosis (MS). Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG 8-21) induces relapsing EAE in ABH mice characterized by broadening of the autoimmune reportoire. Despite epitope spreading tolerance to the priming antigen, but not emerging epitope reactivities, resulted in long-term inhibition of clinical relapse. In contrast, spinal cord homogenate induced EAE was dominated by a proteolipid protein (PLP 56-70) autoreactivity despite the plethora of CNS antigens in the immunogen. This data suggests that during relapsing-remitting demyelinating disease the pathogenic process is dominated by the initiating antigen, with only a minor role played by emerging T-cell populations. These findings may have important implications for the efficacy of antigen-based immune therapies in autoimmune disorders.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Biozzi mice: of mice and human neurological diseases.

In 1972 Guido Biozzi selectively bred mice to study the immunopathological mechanisms underlying polygenic diseases. One line, the Biozzi antibody high (AB/H) mouse (now designated the ABH strain) was later found to be highly susceptible to many experimentally induced diseases such as autoimmune encephalomyelitis, autoimmune neuritis, autoimmune uveitis, as well as virus-induced demyelination and has thus been a key mouse strain to study human inflammatory neurological diseases. In this paper we discuss the background of the Biozzi ABH mouse and review how studies with these mice have shed light on the pathogenic mechanisms operating in chronic neurological disease.

Alphavirus Infections↗

PubMed2005

Encephalitogenic and tolerogenic potential of altered peptide ligands of MOG and PLP in Biozzi ABH mice.

Altered peptide ligands (APL) are highly effective in inhibiting experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in rodents although clinical trials in multiple sclerosis reveal severe limitations probably due to the diverse and differential effects of APL in vivo compared to in vitro. Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG 8-21) induces relapsing EAE in ABH (A(g7)) mice associated with broadening of the autoimmune repertoire thus providing a dynamic system to examine the efficacy of peptide analogues. Subtle changes in MOG 8-21 dramatically influenced disease susceptibility and T cell responses in vitro. Non-encephalitogenic APL that induce production of the 'regulatory' cytokines IL-10 and/or TGFbeta and concomitant low levels of the 'proinflammatory' cytokines IFNgamma and TNFalpha modulated relapsing EAE but were far less effective than the 'proinflammatory' wild-type MOG 8-21 peptide. These data reveal that APL differ greatly in their ability to activate encephalitogenic T cells. The extensive heterogeneity of responses of APL in vitro suggests that selection of APL on this criteria is highly unpredictable and probably less effective for therapy than selecting the dominant wild-type epitope and delivering it using a tolerogenic route.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

Alterations in brain Protein Kinase A activity and reversal of morphine tolerance by two fragments of native Protein Kinase A inhibitor peptide (PKI).

Two peptide fragments of native Protein Kinase A inhibitor (PKI), PKI-(6-22)-amide and PKI-(Myr-14-22)-amide, significantly reversed low-level morphine antinociceptive tolerance in mice. The inhibition of Protein Kinase A (PKA) activity by both peptide fragments was then measured in specific brain regions (thalamus, periaqueductal gray (PAG), and medulla) and in lumbar spinal cord (LSC), which in previous studies have been shown to play a role in morphine-induced analgesia. In drug naive animals, cytosolic PKA activity was greater than particulate PKA activity in each region, while cytosolic and particulate PKA activities were greater in thalamus and PAG compared to medulla and LSC. The addition of both peptides to homogenates from each region completely abolished cytosolic and particulate PKA activities in vitro. Following injection into the lateral ventricle of the brain of drug naive mice and morphine-tolerant mice, both peptides inhibited PKA activity in the cytosolic, but not the particulate fraction of LSC. In addition, cytosolic and particulate PKA activities were inhibited by both peptides in thalamus. These results demonstrate that the inhibition of PKA reverses morphine tolerance. Moreover, the inhibition of PKA activity in specific brain regions and LSC from morphine-tolerant mice by PKI analogs administered i.c.v. is evidence that PKA plays a role in morphine tolerance.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Protein Kinase A activity is increased in mouse lumbar spinal cord but not brain following morphine antinociceptive tolerance for 15 days.

The present study investigated the effect of morphine antinociceptive tolerance on Protein Kinase A (PKA) activity in mouse brain (periaqueductal gray (PAG), thalamus, medulla) and lumbar spinal cord (LSC). A model was developed in which mice expressed a 21-fold level of morphine antinociceptive tolerance following implantation of a 75-mg morphine pellet for 15 days. Cytosolic and particulate PKA activity was measured directly in homogenates from the PAG, thalamus, medulla and LSC which studies have shown play a role in morphine-induced analgesia. In addition, a kinetic analysis of cytosolic and particulate PKA activity in homogenates from these regions was conducted and PKA V(max) and K(m) values were determined. Results demonstrated that chronic morphine treatment did not alter PKA activity or PKA kinetics in mouse brain. Moreover, particulate PKA activity/kinetics were not altered in LSC. However, cytosolic PKA activity was significantly increased in LSC following morphine treatment for 15 days. Furthermore, an increase in cytosolic PKA V(max) was observed in LSC. These results suggest that spinal and supraspinal PKA activity are differentially altered during morphine tolerance in mice. Thus, neurons in mouse brain and LSC that comprise the pain pathway descending from the brainstem and ending in the spinal cord respond differently to chronic morphine treatment.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

PubMed2004

Rapid prediction of chemical metabolism by human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase isoforms using quantum chemical descriptors derived with the electronegativity equalization method.

This study aimed to evaluate in silico models based on quantum chemical (QC) descriptors derived using the electronegativity equalization method (EEM) and to assess the use of QC properties to predict chemical metabolism by human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isoforms. Various EEM-derived QC molecular descriptors were calculated for known UGT substrates and nonsubstrates. Classification models were developed using support vector machine and partial least squares discriminant analysis. In general, the most predictive models were generated with the support vector machine. Combining QC and 2D descriptors (from previous work) using a consensus approach resulted in a statistically significant improvement in predictivity (to 84%) over both the QC and 2D models and the other methods of combining the descriptors. EEM-derived QC descriptors were shown to be both highly predictive and computationally efficient. It is likely that EEM-derived QC properties will be generally useful for predicting ADMET and physicochemical properties during drug discovery.

Electricity↗

PubMed2004

Effects of mGlu1 and mGlu5 metabotropic glutamate antagonists to reverse morphine tolerance in mice.

Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of phospholipase C inhibitors and structurally dissimilar PKC inhibitors were shown to completely reverse morphine antinociceptive tolerance in mice. Since Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu(1) and mGlu(5)) activate phospholipase C through Galpha(q) Galpha(11) proteins, we hypothesized that morphine tolerance could occur through an increase in mGlu(1) and mGlu(5) receptor stimulation. Seventy-two hours after implantation of placebo or 75 mg morphine pellets, mice were tested in the 56 degrees C warm-water tail-withdrawal test following i.c.v. injection of vehicle or test drug. The mGlu(1) receptor antagonist CPCCOEt (7-(Hydroxyimino)cyclopropa[b]chromen-1a-carboxylate ethyl ester) partly but significantly reversed morphine tolerance. The mGlu(5) receptor antagonist MPEP (2-Methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine hydrochloride) also partly reversed the antinociceptive tolerance. Co-administering CPCCOEt with MPEP completely reversed the tolerance. Furthermore, the mixed mGlu(1)/mGlu(5) antagonist AIDA ((RS)-1-Aminoindan-1,5-dicarboxylic acid) also completely reversed the tolerance. Thus, greater mGlu(1) and mGlu(5) receptor stimulation during morphine tolerance may lead to persistent activation of the phosphatidylinositol cascade.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

PubMed2004

PKC and PKA inhibitors reverse tolerance to morphine-induced hypothermia and supraspinal analgesia in mice.

Morphine antinociceptive tolerance in the tail-flick test is completely reversed by inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) or cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). The effects of these inhibitors on tolerance to supraspinally mediated antinociception, such as the hot-plate test was unknown, as well as their effects in tests of mechanical nociception. The PKC inhibitors bisinolylmaleimide I ((2-[1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-maleimide) and Gö-7874 [2[1[(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-5-methozyindol-3-yl]-3-(1H-indol-3-yl) hydrochloride] completely reversed the tolerance to morphine in both the hot-plate and tail-pinch tests. Similarly, the PKA inhibitor KT-5720 (8R, 9S, 11S)-(-)-9-hydroxy-9-hexoxycarbonyl-8-methyl-2,3,9,10-tetrahydro-8,11-epoxy-1H,8H,11H-2,7b,11a-triazadibenzo[a,g]cycloocta[cde]trinden-1-one also reversed tolerance in both tests. The role of PKC and PKA in mediating tolerance to morphine-induced hypothermia was also investigated. Bisinolylmaleimide I, Gö-7874 and KT-5720 only partly reversed the 32-fold level of tolerance induced by the morphine pellets. However, co-administration of bisinolylmaleimide I with KT-5720 or Gö-7874 with KT-5720 completely reversed the tolerance. This demonstrates that tolerance in a non-behavioral system involves the actions of PKC and PKA.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

PubMed2004

Sympathetic drive in anterior and inferior uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: The sympathetic activation that follows acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Because the prognosis after anterior AMI (ant-AMI) is worse than that after inferior AMI (inf-AMI), we planned to determine whether the magnitude of sympathetic hyperactivity differs between the two. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients with uncomplicated AMI, comprising 2 matched groups of 17 patients with ant-AMI, and 22 patients with inf-AMI were examined. Measurements were obtained 2 to 4 days after AMI and compared with 20 normal subjects (NC) who were matched in terms of age and body weight to the AMI groups. Resting muscle sympathetic nerve activity was quantified from multiunit bursts (MSNA) and from single units (s-MSNA). Both groups of AMI patients were matched with regard to hemodynamic variables, left ventricular function, and infarct size. Both groups had greater (at least P<0.01) sympathetic nerve activity than NC (60+/-4.3 bursts/100 cardiac beats and 68+/-4.9 impulses/100 cardiac beats), but the magnitude of sympathetic nerve hyperactivity in ant-AMI (81+/-4.0 bursts/100 cardiac beats and 91+/-4.9 impulses/100 cardiac beats) was similar (P>0.05) to that in inf-AMI (80+/-3.2 bursts/100 cardiac beats and 90+/-4.0 impulses/100 cardiac beats) CONCLUSIONS: Both ant-AMI and inf-AMI resulted primarily in a similar magnitude of sympathetic nerve hyperactivity. These findings suggest that the worse prognosis after ant-AMI compared with after inf-AMI would not be related primarily to the degree of sympathetic hyperactivity.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed2004

Relationship of neurovascular compression to central sympathetic discharge and essential hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: We planned to examine the relationship between neurovascular compression (NVC) of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) and the magnitude of central sympathetic hyperactivity in normal subjects and in patients with untreated and uncomplicated essential hypertension (EHT). BACKGROUND: Previously it has not been possible to establish a definitive relationship between EHT and NVC of the RVLM, a location containing efferent sympathetic vasoconstrictor neurons. Furthermore, the relationship between NVC and magnitude of sympathetic nerve hyperactivity has not been adequately examined, despite the knowledge that hyperactivity varies according to EHT severity. METHODS: In 83 subjects, we used magnetic resonance imaging to detect NVC and, independently, peroneal microneurography to quantify muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), expressed as the mean frequency of multi-unit discharge (m-MSNA) and of single units (s-MSNA). Subjects were classified according to arterial pressure values into groups with normal (NT) (n = 24) or high-normal (HN) (n = 14) arterial pressure and mild (EHT-1) (n = 26) or severe (EHT-2/3) (n = 19) EHT. RESULTS: A significantly greater sympathetic activity was found in 23 subjects with NVC, compared with 60 subjects without NVC. The prevalence of NVC and the magnitude of sympathetic hyperactivity were greater in the EHT-1 group (p < 0.05) than in the other three groups. There was no significant difference in confounding variables between the groups. Although increased sympathetic activity was strongly predictive of NVC, this was not significantly related to baroreceptor sensitivity controlling the pulse interval (cardiac baroreceptor reflex sensitivity). CONCLUSIONS: Neurovascular compression of the RVLM may cause central sympathetic activation in normal and hypertensive populations and therefore has significant implications regarding the pathogenesis of EHT.

Adult↗