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W De Jong

Publications and source records attributed to W De Jong.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Effect of SCH 23390 and quinpirole on novelty-induced grooming behaviour in spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar-Kyoto rats.

Grooming behaviour induced by exposure to a novel environment was studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). The dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, SCH 23390, and the dopamine D2 receptor agonist, quinpirole, were used to study brain dopamine systems in these rat strains, via their effects on grooming behaviour. The total grooming behaviour displayed in a 50-min observation period was significantly lower in SHR than in WKY. Except for the paw licking component no differences between the two strains were observed in the separate behavioural elements of grooming behaviour. SCH 23390 and quinpirole were found to suppress novelty-induced grooming behaviour of both strains. In SHR, grooming behaviour was less suppressed by SCH 23390, whereas the suppression by quinpirole was more pronounced than in WKY. These results indicate that there are alterations in central dopamine systems in SHR, probably involving changes both in dopamine D1 and D2 receptor mechanisms in the brain.

Animals

A hybrid plant RNA virus made by transferring the noncapsid movement protein from a rod-shaped to an icosahedral virus is competent for systemic infection.

For many plant RNA viruses, multiple viral gene products, including noncapsid movement proteins and capsid proteins, contribute to the spread of infection within plants. The extent to which these factors interact to support infection spread is not known, but, for movement protein mutants of certain viruses, the inability of coinoculated "helper" viruses to complement defective movement has suggested a possible requirement for coadaptation between noncapsid movement proteins and other virus factors. To test directly for required coadaptation, the 3a movement protein gene of cowpea chlorotic mottle virus, an icosahedral bromovirus, was replaced with the nonhomologous 30-kDa movement protein gene of sunn-hemp mosaic virus, a rod-shaped, cowpea-adapted tobamovirus. The resulting hybrid virus is competent for systemic infection of cowpea, with systemic infection dependent upon expression of the 30-kDa gene. In view of the dramatic differences between cowpea chlorotic mottle virus and sunn-hemp mosaic virus in genetic organization and particle morphology, the ability of the hybrid to systemically infect cowpea implies that the tobamovirus 30-kDa movement protein functions independently of sequence-specific interactions with other viral components or sequences. Similarly, the required contribution of bromovirus capsid protein to infection movement appears to be independent of specific interaction with the natural 3a movement protein. In addition to other implications concerning movement protein and coat protein function, the results are consistent with the possibility that two or more distinguishable transfer processes may be involved in crossing different tissue barriers to achieve full systemic spread of infection.

Base Sequence

Protective effects of an alpha-tocopherol analogue against myocardial reperfusion injury in rats.

Free radicals may cause part of the irreversible injury which occurs during myocardial infarction and reperfusion. In the present study MDL 73404, an alpha-tocopherol analogue which is a free radical scavenger has been evaluated for its effects on infarct size in an anaesthetised rat model of coronary artery ligation (60 min) and reperfusion (30 min). Intravenous infusion of the compound began 10 min before occlusion until the end of reperfusion. MDL 73404 (0.3-3 mg/kg per h) reduced infarct size, although not in a dose-related manner. Infusion of MDL 73404 (3 mg/kg per h) commencing 30 min before reperfusion until the end of reperfusion also induced a significant reduction in infarct size. In the isolated rat heart (Langendorff technique) subjected to 30 min no-flow global ischaemia, pretreatment with MDL 73404 (0.03 and 0.1 mM) in the perfusion buffer and during 30 min of reperfusion resulted in a significant increase in the maximal pressure development (+dP/dt max) and relaxation (-dP/dt max), left ventricular systolic pressure and heart rate during reperfusion, whereas left ventricular diastolic pressure was significantly reduced. In contrast, only one control heart out of five exhibited signs of recovery. Replacement, for 2 min, with a cardioplegic solution before the 30 min period of ischemia resulted in an increased heart rate and contractility during reperfusion compared to hearts that did not receive the cardioplegic solution. The presence of MDL 73404 (0.03 and 0.1 mM) in the perfusion fluid induced an additional increase in left ventricular systolic pressure to the pre-ischaemic levels. MDL 73404 may have potential for cardioprotective use in acute reperfusion of the myocardium following ischaemia.

Animals

Effect of the dopamine D2 receptor agonist quinpirole on the in vivo release of dopamine in the caudate nucleus of hypertensive rats.

Using an in vivo microdialysis method, we found that the extracellular concentrations of dopamine and its main metabolite dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) were lower in the caudate nucleus of 8-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) than in the same area of age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). No differences in the extracellular concentrations of dopamine and DOPAC were found between renal and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats when compared to their respective controls. After subcutaneous administration of the dopamine D2 receptor agonist quinpirole (10, 33 and 100 micrograms/kg), the amount of dopamine and DOPAC in the dialysates was diminished dose dependently. The quinpirole-mediated inhibition of dopamine release was more pronounced in SHR than in WKY, whereas inhibition of the extracellular DOPAC concentration was not different. Compared to WKY, the dose-response curve for the inhibition of dopamine release by quinpirole was shifted to the left in SHR and the maximal inhibition in response to the highest dose was significantly greater. Renal and DOCA-salt hypertensive rats showed no differences in the quinpirole-induced inhibition of the extracellular concentrations of striatal dopamine and DOPAC compared to their controls. The present findings on changes in dopaminergic neurotransmission and D2 autoreceptor-mediated modulation of dopamine release in genetically hypertensive rats but not in rats with experimentally induced hypertension provide further evidence for the hypothesis that alterations in the nigrostriatal dopamine system may be involved in the initiation of the development of spontaneous hypertension.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid

Effect of a cardioselective alpha-tocopherol analogue on reperfusion injury in rats induced by myocardial ischaemia.

Free radicals may cause some of the irreversible injury which occurs during myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion. In the present study the effects of a cardioselective, free radical scavenger, MDL 74270, which is an analogue of alpha-tocopherol, on myocardial infarct size in an anaesthetised rat model of coronary artery ligation (60 min) and reperfusion (30 min) has been evaluated. Infusion of MDL 74270 (0.3-3.0 mg/kg per h) commencing 10 min before occlusion until the end of reperfusion significantly reduced infarct size. The highest dose also caused a significant reduction in serum creatine phosphokinase levels. Similar findings have been obtained with the bromide salt of MDL 74270. Tissue distribution studies with 14C-labelled MDL 74270 and its tertiary amine analogue (MDL 74366) showed heart/blood ratios of total radioactivity, 1-6 h after i.v. administration, greater than 20 after MDL 74270 and around 1 after MDL 74366. The importance of accumulation of total radioactivity in the heart after MDL 74270 is supported by the fact that MDL 74366 was 30 times less potent as a myocardial protector in the ligation/reperfusion studies. It is concluded that MDL 74270 has potential for cardioprotective use in conditions of acute reperfusion.

Animals

The electrically stimulated release of [3H]noradrenaline from nucleus tractus solitarii slices in vitro is modulated via mu-opioid receptors.

The electrically stimulated release of [3H]noradrenaline ([3H]NA) from slices of the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) from the rat in vitro was inhibited by the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, clonidine, in a concentration-dependent manner and enhanced by the alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, yohimbine. Phenylephrine, isoprenaline, carbachol, quinpirole and SKF 38393, all at 10(-6) M, did not affect the stimulus-evoked release of [3H]NA. The opioid peptides, alpha- and gamma-endorphin, did not have a significant effect on the stimulus-evoked release of [3H]NA; however, beta-endorphin reduced it in a concentration-dependent manner. [Leu5]Enkephalin also reduced [3H]NA release, but higher concentrations were necessary. The selective delta opioid receptor agonists, [D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE) and [D-Ser2(O-tert-butyl),Leu5]enkephalyl-Thr6 (DSTBULET), as well as the selective kappa opioid receptor agonist, U-69593, were not effective. The selective mu opioid receptor agonist, [D-Ala2,NMePhe4,Gly-ol5]enkephalin (DAGO), concentration dependently reduced the stimulus-evoked release of [3H]NA to the same extent as beta-endorphin did. Naloxone, while having no effect on stimulus-evoked [3H]NA release, antagonized the effect of DAGO. These results corroborate that the release of NA from noradrenergic terminals in the NTS region of the medulla oblongata of the rat is modulated via alpha 2-adrenoceptors and suggest that the release of NA in the NTS in rats is also modulated via mu opioid receptors.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists

A cardioselective, hydrophilic N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium alpha-tocopherol analogue that reduces myocardial infarct size.

The alpha-tocopherol analogue 3,4-dihydro-6-hydroxy-N,N,N,2,5,7,8- heptamethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-ethanaminium 4-methylbenzenesulfonate (1a, MDL 73404) and its O-acetate 1b (MDL 74270) were synthesized. Compound 1a was found to be hydrophilic (log P = -0.60) and to prevent lipid autoxidation in rat brain homogenate with an IC50 of 1.7 +/- 0.9 microM. Tissue distribution studies with [14C]-1b in rats (1 mg/kg iv) showed that radioactivity accumulates in the heart (ratio 20:1 vs blood after 1 h). Infusion of 1 mg/kg per h of 1b bromide reduced infarct size by 54% in rats subjected to coronary artery occlusion for 60 min followed by reperfusion for 30 min, compared to saline-infused controls. By comparison, the tertiary amine analogue 5 was found not to accumulate in heart tissue, to be an equally effective free-radical scavenger in vitro, but to require a higher dose to reduce infarct size in rats. This shows that the cardioselectivity of compound 1 contributes to its potency in salvaging myocardial tissue in rats after ischemia and reperfusion.

Animals

A water-soluble quaternary ammonium analog of alpha-tocopherol, that scavenges lipoperoxyl, superoxyl and hydroxyl radicals.

The new water-soluble ammonium-analog of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) (compound 1: 3,4-dihydro-6-hydroxy-N,N, N-2,5,7,8-heptamethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-ethanaminium 4-methylbenzenesulfonate) and its tertiary amine derivative (compound 2: 3,4-dihydro-2-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2H-1-benzopyran -6-ol hydrochloride) were investigated as scavengers of oxygen-derived free radicals. Compounds 1 and 2 were at least 40 times more potent inhibitors of Fe-driven heart microsomal lipid peroxidation than Trolox. While the alpha-tocopherol analogs had the same potency as scavengers of xanthine/xanthine oxidase-generated superoxyl radicals, the thiol compounds D,L-penicillamine and N-2-mercaptopropionyl glycine reacted at a much slower rate. The O-acetyl derivatives of compounds 1 and 2 were not scavengers of superoxyl radicals. Considerable differences between the alpha-tocopherol analogs were observed in their competition with 2-deoxyribose for hydroxyl radicals (OH.). Compound 2 was equipotent with Trolox and thiourea, whereas the reactivity of these substances was diminished by more than 30% as compared to compound 1. Although showing lower reactivity, the O-acetyl derivatives of compounds 1 and 2 were active nevertheless as OH.-scavengers. The previously reported high potency of compound 1 in reducing infarct size during myocardial ischemia/reperfusion appears to be due to its radical-scavenging properties, likely to be enhanced by its previously described cardioselectivity.

Animals

Electrically stimulated [3H]dopamine and [14C]acetylcholine release from nucleus caudatus slices: differences between spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar-Kyoto rats.

Using an in vitro superfusion method it was found that nucleus caudatus slices of 8- and 12-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) release significantly less [3H]dopamine and [14C]acetylcholine upon electrical stimulation than do slices of normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) at all frequencies tested. At 4 weeks similar trends were seen, but the difference in [14C]acetylcholine release was not significant. That the difference in release of dopamine was already present prior to the onset of the development of hypertension, i.e. at the age of 4 weeks, indicates that it is probably not a consequence of, but rather associated with the development of hypertension. Addition of the dopamine uptake inhibitor nomifensine to the superfusion medium caused an increase in the net release of [3H]dopamine by inhibiting re-uptake, but did not influence the difference in release between SHR and WKY. The release of labelled dopamine and acetylcholine was inhibited in the presence of the dopamine D2 receptor agonist quinpirole. The concentration-response curve for the inhibition of the release of [3H]dopamine, but not that of [14C]acetylcholine, by quinpirole was shifted to the left and the maximum inhibition was higher for SHR than for WKY. These results suggest that the difference in stimulus-evoked release of labelled dopamine in the nucleus caudatus is not the consequence of changes in the uptake mechanism of dopamine, but is associated with differences between SHR and WKY in dopamine D2 autoreceptor regulation.

Acetylcholine

Changes in heart rate and body temperature during passive avoidance behavior in rats.

Heart rate, core temperature and gross locomotor activity during passive avoidance behavior in rats were recorded by a telemetry system connected to a computer data acquisition program. Passive avoidance latency and approach to the dark compartment were evaluated. Rats were assigned to five different groups, i.e., the shock groups that received different intensities of footshock (0.15, 0.25 and 1.0 mA, respectively, for 3 sec), a no footshock control group and a group that had no access to the dark compartment (i.e., no dark compartment control group). Retention tests were carried out 24 and 120 hr after the learning trial. Rats exposed to footshock showed a decrease in heart rate during the first 10 sec of the observation period in both retention tests. An average bradycardia was found in the lowest shock intensity group (0.15 mA) at both the 24- and 120-hr retention test whereas the other two groups (0.25 and 1.0 mA) showed a gradual increase in heart rate. This increase was more pronounced the longer the rats stayed on the platform. Similarly, a gradual rise in core temperature was observed in these rats as well as in the no dark compartment control group. The number of approaches to the dark compartment was significantly depressed in the group exposed to 1.0 mA footshock intensity. Gross locomotor activity was reduced in animals that exhibited maximum avoidance latency. Exposure of rats to the above-described behavioral paradigms induced autonomic activation resulting in changes in heart rate and temperature. These changes were not caused by gross locomotor activity and may thus be related to the various behavioral states.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Vasopressin, vasopressin fragments and a C-terminal peptide of the vasopressin precursor share cardiovascular effects when microinjected into the nucleus tractus solitarii.

Arginine-vasopressin (VP), the VP fragments VP-(1-8), [pGlu4,Cyt6]VP-(4-9) and -(4-8), and a fragment of the C-terminal glycopeptide of the VP precursor [CPP-(22-39)] decreased blood pressure and heart rate in anesthetized rats when microinjected bilaterally into the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS). The magnitude of the effect was similar at doses of 20 pg, except for VP-(1-8) which required about 500 pg. The strongest decrease in blood pressure and heart rate was observed with 100 pg VP. Higher doses of other peptides either were ineffective [CPP-(22-39)] or increased blood pressure [( pGlu4,Cyt6]VP-(4-9) and -(4-8)). VP metabolites thus may participate in the control of cardiovascular functions exerted by VP. The effect of CPP-(22-39) indicates that the C-terminal glycopeptide of the VP precursor contains biological activity, which may support the cardiovascular action of VP in the NTS.

Animals

Vasopressin micro-injections into the nucleus tractus solitarii decrease heart rate and blood pressure in anaesthetized rats.

Bilateral micro-injections of arginine vasopressin into the nucleus tractus solitarii caused a dose-dependent (1-100 pg) decrease in blood pressure and heart rate in anaesthetized rats. Higher doses (1-20 ng) caused an increase in both parameters. Subcutaneous injection of an antagonist [d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)-arginine vasopressin] failed to block these effects. Micro-injections of the antagonist (0:1-100 pg) into the nucleus tractus solitarii decreased blood pressure and the heart rate similarly to arginine vasopressin. The effect of the antagonist disappeared after about 30 min. At that time administration of arginine vasopressin into the nucleus tractus solitarii was ineffective in inducing changes in blood pressure and the heart rate. When a low-dose (0.1 or 1 pg) antagonist was used the effect of 100 pg arginine vasopressin was partially inhibited. We conclude that administration of arginine vasopressin into the nucleus tractus solitarii is effective at low doses, and may be involved in inhibitory cardiovascular control at the level of nucleus tractus solitarii.

Animals

Endorphinergic mechanisms in cerebral blood flow autoregulation.

The influence of naturally occurring opioid peptides (Met-enkephalin (Met-Enk), dynorphin (DYN), beta-endorphin (beta-EP)) as well as morphine and the opiate antagonist naloxone and specific antisera on cerebral blood flow autoregulation was studied in anesthetized, artificially ventilated rats. Local hypothalamic blood flow (CBF, H2-gas clearance technique) and total cerebral blood volume (CBV, photoelectric method) were simultaneously recorded. Autoregulation was tested by determining CBF and CBV during consecutive stepwise lowering of the systemic mean arterial pressure to 80, 60 and 40 mm Hg, by hemorrhage. Resting CBF decreased following Met-Enk, DYN, beta-EP or morphine administration without simultaneous changes in CBV. Naloxone administration, on the contrary, increased CBV without affecting local CBF. Autoregulation of cerebral blood flow was maintained until 80 mm Hg, but not completely at 60 and 40 mm Hg arterial pressure in the control group. General opiate receptor blockade by 1 mg/kg s.c. naloxone abolished autoregulation at all levels, since CBF and CBV passively followed the arterial pressure changes. Intracerebroventricularly injected naloxone (1 microgram/kg) as well as a specific antiserum against beta-EP, but not against Met-Enk or DYN, resulted in the very same effect as peripherally injected naloxone. The present findings suggest that central, periventricular beta-endorphinergic mechanisms might play a major role in CBF autoregulation.

Animals

Cardiovascular effects of central 6-OHDA treatment: a comparison of indirect and direct measurements.

The effect of intracerebro-ventricular treatment with 6-hydroxydopamine on blood pressure and heart rate was studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto controls (WKY). When measured with the indirect tail-cuff method, the development of hypertension was found to be markedly inhibited in 6-OHDA treated SHR, while blood pressure was slightly lower in treated WKY. Heart rate was lower in both strains, although the greatest effect was found in SHR. In contrast, direct measurement via an arterial cannula indicated significantly lower blood pressure in 6-OHDA treated SHR only. Heart rate was by this method found to be not different between the SHR groups, but was increased in treated WKY. These results indicate that the mild stress of indirect blood pressure determinations has a marked influence on the results found.

Animals

Substantia nigra lesions attenuate the development of hypertension and behavioural hyperreactivity in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The possible relation between changes in behaviour and the development of hypertension was investigated. Depletion of striatal dopamine by lesions in the substantia nigra of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) was associated with an inhibition of the development of hypertension. In the open field a decrease in rearing score was found with no effect on other parameters. Rearing activity was significantly correlated with blood pressure as well as with striatal dopamine content. Blood pressure was weakly, although significantly, correlated with striatal dopamine content. Neither blood pressure nor striatal dopamine content was significantly correlated with ambulation activity. In normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats a decrease was also found in rearing activity after nigra lesions, although this effect was less pronounced. Antihypertensive treatment of SHR with captopril or hydralazine did neither affect striatal dopamine levels nor open-field behaviour. Induction of renal hypertension or DOCA-salt hypertension in Wistar rats did not influence brain dopamine or behaviour. The results support the suggestion that brain dopamine systems may play a role in the development of hypertension in SHR as well as in the changes in behaviour observed in these rats. Changes in behaviour do not appear to be mediated by changes in blood pressure per se.

Animals