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T Zelles

Publications and source records attributed to T Zelles.

107 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Functional and immunocytochemical evidence that galanin is a physiological regulator of human jejunal motility.

The neuropeptide galanin has species-dependent effects on intestinal motility. It has a contractile effect on rat jejunal muscle while it relaxes guinea-pig ileum by inhibiting cholinergic transmission. Its effect on human gut motility has been unknown. Extensive work led to the discovery of selective galanin analogues such as M15 [galanin(1-12)-Pro-substance-P(5-11)], M35 [galanin(1-12)-Pro-bradykinin(2-9)-amide] that competitively inhibit various actions of galanin in the central nervous system. The present study was designed to examine the effect of galanin, M15 and M35 on longitudinal jejunal smooth muscle strips isolated from humans and rats, and to localize galanin-immunoreactivity in human jejunum. Galanin and ACh were equally effective in stimulating contractions of the isolated jejunal muscle: sigmoid curve fitting showed that maximal contractile response to galanin and ACh were 25.7+/-11.1 mN and 23.7+/-9.7 in humans, while 8.0+/-0.6 and 8.1+/-0.3 mN in rats, respectively. These effects of galanin were not inhibited by either atropine (5 x 10(-6) M) or tetrodotoxin (3 x 10(-6) M). The potency of galanin inducing the contractile actions were similar in humans and rats. Interestingly, neither M15 nor M35 (up to 10(-7) M) were able to inhibit the responses of the smooth muscle to galanin. However, both putative galanin receptor antagonists showed agonist effects in our experimental models. In accordance with the functional studies, both the longitudinal and the circular muscle layers were abundant in nerve fibers and varicosities showing galanin immunoreactivity. Our data suggest that galanin is a potent physiological regulator of jejunal contractions in humans. Its action on the jejunum, however, is mediated by galanin receptors that are different from those located in the central nervous system.

Acetylcholine↗

Changes of salivary amylase in serum and parotid gland during pharmacological and physiological stimulation.

Although serum amylase level is an important diagnostic factor in certain salivary and pancreatic diseases, little information is available regarding the mechanism by which parotid amylase reaches the circulatory system. The present study was carried out to investigate the relationship between parotid isoamylase concentrations in blood serum and in parotid tissue in response to various stimuli. Wistar rats were fed with standard laboratory rodent chow; water was supplied ad libitum. In the first experiment, after a 16-h fasting, rats received either 5 mg/kg pilocarpine or saline (control). In the second study, after fasting, half of the rats were fed for 1 h, the other half received no food. In the third experiment, the changes in serum and tissue enzyme levels were monitored in freely fed animals during the peak-food intake phase, the first 2 h of the dark period. Amylase concentration was determined by using starch as a substrate. Pancreatic and parotid isoamylase levels in serum were separated by gel-electrophoresis utilizing differences in ionic properties of the isoenzymes. As expected, pilocarpine strongly stimulated tissue amylase discharge and serum amylase elevation. Similar, but less pronounced changes were observed not only during refeeding of fasted animals, but also in nonfasted rats during their peak-feeding period. Our data suggest that pharmacological stimulation, such as with pilocarpine or feeding in fasted state, as well as a mild stimulation of parotid function by spontaneous food intake during nonfasted state results in a decrease in parotid tissue amylase activity and a proportional increase in serum levels of parotid isoamylase.

Amylases↗

Effects of putative galanin antagonists M35 and C7 on rat exocrine pancreas.

Galanin is a neuropeptide having a wide range of biological actions. Recently selective galanin receptor antagonists such as M35 [galanin(1-12)-Pro-bradykinin(2-9)-amide] and C7 [galanin(1-12)-Pro-spantide-amide] have been described. These antagonists have blocked the actions of galanin on flexor reflex, glucose-induced insulin secretion, and acetyicholine release from hippocampus. Our present aim was to investigate whether M35 and C7 can affect galanin-induced inhibition of pancreatic enzyme secretion in rats. Pancreatic enzyme secretion was studied in urethane-anesthetized rats supplied with jugular vein catheter and pancreatic cannula. Amylase secretion evoked by submaximal CCK-8 stimulation was inhibited dose-dependently by galanin in anesthetized rats. Surprisingly, neither M35 nor C7 was able to inhibit the responses of the exocrine pancreas to galanin. However, both putative galanin receptor antagonists behaved as agonists in our experimental models. Our data suggest that the effects of galanin on pancreatic enzyme secretion are not mediated by M35- or C7-sensitive galanin receptors. Therefore, these galanin receptors are different from those described in the central nervous system.

Amylases↗

The effect of L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway on salivary amylase secretion in conscious rats.

In a recent study we have demonstrated the presence of nitric oxide synthase immunoreactive neurons and also perivascular, periacinar and periductal nerve fibres in feline submandibular salivary gland. The role of nitric oxide (NO) in salivary vasoregulation has been suggested by other data too, but the effect of NO on salivary amylase secretion has not been investigated yet. Under ether anaesthesia a catheter was introduced into the oesophagus for salivary juice collections, and a cannula was inserted into the jugular vein for infusions. After postanaesthesia recovery, submaximal carbachol infusion was given as a background to obtain steady secretion because of the low basal secretory rate. Then different groups of animals received NO synthase inhibitor NOLA (NG-nitro-L-arginine), L-arginine, D-arginine or NO donor SIN-1 (3-morpholinosydnonimine). Volume and amylase activity were determined in mixed saliva samples collected for 30 min. Carbachol background infusion alone induced an elevated, sustained salivary secretion. NOLA (30 mg/kg) increased both volume and amylase output (P < 0.001). This effect was prevented by L-arginine but not by D-arginine. SIN-1 did not change either volume or amylase secretion. The present results suggest that the L-arginine/NO pathway has a modulatory effect on salivary fluid and amylase secretion, which is probably not related to its effect on salivary blood flow. NO may block certain presently unidentified secretagogue mechanisms and/or may relax myoepithelial cells.

Amylases↗

Antisecretory effects of galanin and its putative antagonists M15, M35 and C7 in the rat stomach.

The neuropeptide galanin has been reported to have a wide range of biological actions both in the central nervous system and in the gastrointestinal tract. Recent works led to the discovery of selective galanin receptor antagonists including M15 (galanin(1-12)-Pro-substanceP(5-11)-amide), M35 (galanin(1-12)-Pro-bradykinin(2-9)-amide) and C7 (galanin(1-12)-Pro-spantide-amide). These antagonists were shown to competitively inhibit actions of galanin in the central nervous system. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of galanin, M15, M35 and C7 on gastric acid secretion and gastric emptying. Pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion was inhibited by galanin (0.1-9 nmol x kg(-1) x h(-1), i.v.) in a dose-dependent manner (ID50 = 1.8 +/- 0.3 nmol x kg(-1) x h(-1)). When 9 nmol x kg(-1) x h(-1) galanin infusion was given, inhibition became almost complete. M15, M35 and C7 (1-9 nmol x kg(-1) x h(-1)) did not modify responses of the stomach to galanin, but acted as agonists of galanin on acid secretion. Neither galanin nor its putative antagonists affected the emptying of non-caloric liquids from the stomach. In conclusion, galanin may play an antisecretory role in the regulation of gastric acid secretion but not in the control of gastric emptying of liquids in rats. Its antisecretory action on the stomach is mediated by galanin receptors that are distinct from those in the central nervous system.

Animals↗

Differential absorption and distribution of epidermal growth factor and insulin-like growth factor in diabetic NOD mice.

Previous studies have shown that absorption of growth factors occurs through the gastrointestinal tract and the oral cavity. The non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse, a model for spontaneous development of type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM), was evaluated for the absorption and systemic distribution of growth factors. Radiolabeled epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor, type I (IGF-I), were administered by gavage into the stomach or by lozenge into the sublingual vasculature of either diabetic or nondiabetic mice. After a time-dependent uptake, the levels of absorption and distribution through the tissues were measured. A similar time course of EGF absorption following gavage administration was determined for NOD and C57BL/6 mice, with a maximum tissue distribution by 30-min post infusion. Diabetic NOD mice showed similar levels of IGF uptake and tissue distribution compared with nondiabetic NOD and normal healthy C57BL/6 mice, whether administered by gavage or sublingual lozenge. On the other hand, gavage uptake and tissue distribution of EGF was significantly higher in diabetic mice when compared to sublingual administration in nondiabetic NOD or C57BL/6 healthy control mice. These findings suggest that the overall potential uptake and distribution of saliva-derived growth factors in systemic wound-healing processes is retained with diabetes onset, and may offer a new avenue to treating this complication of diabetes.

Administration, Oral↗