Regional distribution of DNA and RNA in rat brain: a sensitive determination using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

DNA and RNA contents in 20 brain regions or nuclei of the rat were determined by a highly sensitive method using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The high DNA and RNA contents were found in the hypothalamic nuclei, especially the median eminence-arcuate nucleus. These results may be available for the preparation of nucleic acids as the regional control.

Striatal glutamic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid in transient cerebral ischemia in spontaneously hypertensive rats

A massive striatal dopamine release (241-fold increase) was observed in a previous study during acute cerebral ischemia in rats. In this study, extracellular levels of glutamic acid (GLU), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and lactic acid were simultaneously determined using in vivo brain dialysis in the striatum of spontaneously hypertensive rats during cerebral ischemia and after recirculation. Extracellular GABA levels increased to 932 +/- 75% (mean +/- SEM) of the resting level and GLU increased to 390 +/- 63% during 20 min ischemia. Although ischemia-induced release of GLU and GABA was demonstrated in this study, the degree of increase was smaller than that of dopamine. These findings may be relevant to the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia in the striatum.

Ischemic flow threshold for striatal dopamine release in rats

To determine the level of cerebral blood flow reduction which causes striatal dopamine release, extracellular dopamine and cerebral blood flow was simultaneously determined using in vivo brain dialysis and a hydrogen clearance method, respectively, in the striatum of spontaneously hypertensive rats before and during experimental cerebral ischemia. The ischemic flow threshold for neurotransmitter dopamine release was found to be 20% of the resting value or 8-10 ml/100g/min of cerebral blood flow, being similar to those for energy and membrane failures.

Acute effects of antihypertensive agents on cerebral blood flow in hypertensive rats

The acute effects of various antihypertensive agents on cerebral blood flow and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were studied in anesthetized (amobarbital 100 mg/kg) spontaneously hypertensive rats. Cerebral blood flow in the cortex and thalamus was measured by the hydrogen clearance method before and during a 60-min i.v. infusion of calcium antagonist (nifedipine), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (captopril) or beta-blocker (propranolol). Nifedipine, 30 or 150 micrograms/kg per h, decreased dose dependently the MAP by 20 or 31%, and concomitantly increased cortical blood flow by 28 or 74%, and thalamic blood flow by 51 or 64%, respectively. Captopril, 10 or 100 mg/kg per h, decreased MAP by 7 or 14%, but changed cerebral blood flow minimally. In contrast, propranolol, 1.0 or 5.0 mg/kg per h, decreased MAP by 13 or 11%, with a concomitant reduction of cortical and thalamic blood flow by 20 or 15 and 33 or 37%, respectively. It is concluded that the changes in cerebral blood flow in response to hypotension are varied by antihypertensive drugs depending on the direct or indirect effect of the drugs (dilatation or constriction) on cerebral vessels. Nifedipine seems to dilate while propranolol constricts cerebral vessels.

Cerebral blood flow and metabolism in normotensive and hypertensive patients with transient neurologic deficits

We used positron emission tomography to examine retrospectively the effects of blood pressure on regional cerebral blood flow and oxygen metabolism in seven normotensive and eight hypertensive patients with a history of transient neurologic deficits. In the hypertensive patients, a decrease in regional cerebral blood flow was closely related to blood pressure; these changes were most pronounced in the supratentorial structures, especially the striatum and thalamus. In contrast, the regional cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen was less related to blood pressure. Consequently, the regional oxygen extraction fraction was increased in the hypertensive patients, while regional cerebral blood volume and the regional cerebral blood flow volume ratio were unchanged. Multivariate regression analysis confirmed that hypertension was an independent factor affecting regional cerebral blood flow. The analysis also disclosed that age, sex, hematocrit, smoking, and PaCO2 affected regional cerebral blood flow. These findings suggest that the hemodynamic reserve in hypertensive individuals is reduced, which may predispose them to cerebral ischemia and perhaps stroke, even during small decreases in cerebral perfusion pressure.

Effect of thromboxane synthetase inhibitor on cerebral circulation and metabolism during experimental cerebral ischemia in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The protective effect of thromboxane synthetase inhibitor, OKY-046, on brain ischemia was studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Cerebral ischemia was developed by bilateral carotid artery ligation (BCL) for 1 or 3 h and thereafter, circulation was restored for 15 min. OKY-046, 5 or 30 mg/kg, or saline as control was administered i.v. before BCL. Neither blood pressure nor blood gases were altered by OKY-046 or saline injection. During BCL, cerebral cortical blood flow was reduced to 25 and 15% of the resting value at 30 and 60 min, respectively, and these changes were not different among the groups. In rats with ischemia longer than 1 h, the blood flow was well preserved by OKY-046, 30 mg/kg, to 10-17% of the resting level, thus significantly higher than that (less than 5%) in non-treated rats. After 15 min recirculation, the supratentorial lactate level was lower and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was higher in OKY-046-treated rats than in the saline-treated ischemic rats. Plasma thromboxane B2 was increased markedly in 1 h ischemic-reperfused rats without treatment and the increase was almost completely inhibited by OKY-046. In contrast, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha was increased 8.5-fold after ischemia and the increase was not affected by the treatment. OKY-046 seems to have an antiischemic effect on acutely induced cerebral ischemia. Selective inhibition of thromboxane A2 production and an inversely high level of prostaglandin I2 may be an important contribution to protection of the microcirculation during ischemia and preservation of ischemic cerebral metabolism.

[A case of a two-chambered right ventricle associated with aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva]

A 51-year-old male with a two-chambered right ventricle associated with an aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva, who underwent successful surgical repair without ventriculotomy, is reported. Preoperative right ventriculogram revealed that the right ventricle was divided by the anomalous muscle bundle, and the aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva growing from the right coronary sinus protruded just below the pulmonary valve. The right ventricular pressure was 107/10 mmHg and the pressure gradient between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery was 88 mmHg. Trans-pulmonary arterial resection of the aneurysm of Valsalva sinus was performed and the anomalous muscle bundle was successfully removed through the pulmonary arteriotomy and the right atrial incision. Post-operative right ventricular pressure dropped to 42 mmHg, and there was no stenosis in the right ventricle.

[A case of 72-year-old female with congenital esophago-bronchial fistula]

A 72-year-old female with congenital esophago-bronchial fistula is reported. She had complained of cough attack during meals and repeated pneumonia since childhood. A chest x-ray film showed chronic bronchitis in the right lower lung field. Esophagogram revealed a fistula between the esophagus and the right lower lobe bronchus. Resection of the right lower lobe and removal of the fistulous tract were successfully performed. Histological examination of the resected fistula with slight inflammatory change showed muscle layer and transitional zone between the stratified squamous epithelium of esophagus and the ciliated columnar epithelium of bronchus. This is the oldest case in the Japanese literature.

Cerebrospinal fluid lactate in patients with diabetes mellitus and hypoglycaemic coma

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate and pyruvate concentrations were determined in 20 patients with diabetes mellitus but without disturbance of consciousness and five who recovered from hypoglycaemic coma. CSF lactate was slightly but significantly higher in diabetes mellitus (1.78, SEM 0.04 m mol/l) than that in 15 control subjects (1.40, SEM 0.05 m mol/l). In those who recovered from hypoglycaemic coma, CSF lactate was markedly elevated to 2.45-4.43 m mol/l. CSF glucose concentrations, however, were substantially the same between treated hypoglycaemic and diabetes mellitus groups. These findings indicate that CSF lactate levels increase with glycaemic levels in diabetes mellitus owing to enhanced glucose influx into glycolytic pathway of the brain, and also increases in treated hypoglycaemic coma probably due to mitochondrial dysfunction or damage.

[Coronary bypass surgery in patients 70 years of age and older]

Twenty-six patients 70 years of age and older who underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting were analyzed. These patients were compared with 76 patients under 70 years of age. The results obtained were as follows. The aged group had significantly greater incidences of preoperative pulmonary and renal complications. Preoperative cardiac function in the aged group was not different from that in the younger one. The incidence of left main trunk stenosis among the aged group (31%) was twice that in the younger one (15%). Then mean number of grafts was 3.0 in both groups. There were no significant differences in the operation time, anoxic arrest time, and extracorporeal circulation time between these two groups. Although the operative mortality rate in the aged group (11.5%) was higher than that (2.6%) in the younger one, the difference was not significant. Postoperative cerebral, respiratory and renal complications were more common in the aged group. However, the incidences of these complications were not different between these two groups. Surgical mortality and morbidity were improved in the latter half of the patients of the aged group, in whom only one operative death was observed and there was no life-threatening postoperative complication. Symptomatic improvements in survivors were remarkable. Thus, we conclude that coronary artery bypass grafting can be performed with acceptable risk in patients 70 years of age and older.

[A case of coexisting descending thoracic aortic aneurysm and atypical aortic coarctation treated successfully by surgery using the thromboexclusion method]

The thromboexclusion method was successfully applied to a 43-year-old male with aortitis syndrome. Preoperative aortogram showed a fusiform aneurysm of the descending aorta just below the left subclavian artery and atypical coarctation of the descending aorta distal to this aneurysm. Pressure gradient across the stenosis was about 70 mmHg. The technique of flow reversal and thromboexclusion was performed in this patient because of severe calcification in the aortic arch and the entire descending aorta. A long extra-anatomical bypass between the ascending aorta and the infrarenal abdominal aorta was made, and a permanent aortic clamp was placed across the aorta at the left subclavian artery. Hypertension in the arm disappeared immediately after the operation, and postoperative catheterization revealed no pressure gradient between the ascending and the abdominal aorta. Computed tomogram performed 18 days after the operation and aortogram done 44 days postoperatively disclosed thrombi formation in the aneurysm.

Involvement of brain stem noradrenergic neurons in the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats

This study attempted to investigate the possible involvement of the brain stem noradrenergic system in the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Steady-state norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentrations and norepinephrine turnover were determined in the individual brain stem nuclei using high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Decreased norepinephrine contents in the nucleus tractus solitarii in spontaneously hypertensive rats compared with Wistar-Kyoto rats at the age of 4, 8, and 16 weeks were demonstrated. In later stages (8 and 16 weeks), increased norepinephrine levels were observed in the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis, the A1 and A5 areas. Norepinephrine turnover was not different between spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar-Kyoto rats in the nucleus tractus solitarii at the age of 4 and 16 weeks and increased in the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis of spontaneously hypertensive rats at 16 weeks. Our results indicate that altered norepinephrine metabolism in the specific brain stem nuclei, especially the consistently decreased norepinephrine in the nucleus tractus solitarii of spontaneously hypertensive rats, contribute to the development of genetic hypertension.

Cerebral ischemia in spontaneously hypertensive rats with type 2 (noninsulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus, cerebral blood flow and tissue metabolism

The present study was designed to examine the effect of chronic type 2 (noninsulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus on cerebral blood flow and metabolism during cerebral ischemia induced by bilateral carotid artery occlusion in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Diabetes was produced by streptozotocin treatment in 2-day neonates and the experiment was performed at the age of 5 months. The level of mean arterial pressure was not different between diabetic and nondiabetic rats. At 1 h after ischemia, cerebral blood flow was decreased to 1% of the resting value and supratentorial lactate was increased by 8-fold of control, being virtually the same in both groups of rats. In contrast, reduction of cerebral ATP was much less in diabetic rats (1.64 +/- 0.15 mmol/kg) than in nondiabetic rats (0.74 +/- 0.07 mmol/kg) (p less than 0.001); ATP in nonischemic control is 2.80-2.85 mmol/kg. These results could not be explained by the difference in cerebral blood flow between the groups during ischemia. The results suggest that chronic mild hyperglycemia exerts rather a protective effect on the brain against ischemic insult. Effective utilization of metabolites, such as glucose and ketone bodies, may play an important role to minimize metabolic derangements in the ischemic brain in type 2 diabetic-hyperglycemic rats.

Massive striatal dopamine release in acute cerebral ischemia in rats

Extracellular dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and cerebral blood flow were simultaneously determined using in vivo brain dialysis and a hydrogen clearance method in the striatum of spontaneously hypertensive rats during ischemia and after recirculation. Massive striatal dopamine release was demonstrated in acutely induced ischemic brain.

Impairment of cerebellar blood flow autoregulation during cerebral ischemia in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Participation of the autonomic nervous system in cerebellar autoregulation during supratentorial cerebral ischemia induced by bilateral carotid ligation was studied using 23 spontaneously hypertensive rats. Cerebral and cerebellar blood flows measured by a hydrogen clearance method were evaluated under stepwise hemorrhagic hypotension before and 30 minutes after ligation and after a 30-minute recirculation period following 1 hour of ligation. alpha-Adrenergic blockade with phenoxybenzamine, beta-adrenergic blockade with propranolol, and muscarinic cholinergic blockade with atropine were selectively administered before ligation for inhibition of sympathetic and parasympathetic tone. Cerebral blood flow autoregulation was severely impaired during and after cerebral ischemia in each treatment group. During cerebral ischemia, cerebellar blood flow autoregulation was also significantly impaired in both the propranolol and atropine groups although it was better preserved in the phenoxybenzamine group. After recirculation, cerebellar blood flow autoregulation recovered almost to the normal range in the phenoxybenzamine and atropine groups but remained impaired in the propranolol group. Our results suggest that impaired cerebellar blood flow autoregulation in supratentorial cerebral ischemia is partly modulated by the alpha-adrenoceptor system, which is activated by hypertensive stimuli and cerebral ischemia, leading to vasoconstriction in the cerebellum.

Importance of bilateral sympathetic innervation on cerebral blood flow autoregulation in the thalamus

Effects of bilateral sympathetic innervation on the regulation of cerebral blood flow to the thalamus were examined in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The superior cervical ganglion was removed on one side or bilaterally, and blood flow in the thalamus was repeatedly measured with a hydrogen clearance technique during a stepwise increase in arterial pressure. Regional blood flow in the thalamus was unchanged following acute ganglionectomy: 55 +/- 6 ml/100 g/min in the intact rats and 56 +/- 4 in the denervated rats. Sympathectomy on one side neither had effects on the pressure-flow relationship nor on the blood pressure levels of upper limits of autoregulation in the ipsilateral thalamus. In contrast, bilateral sympathetic denervation impaired the autoregulatory function in the thalamus and the upper limits were significantly lower than those in intact rats: 206 +/- 8 vs 226 +/- 10 mm Hg, respectively (P less than 0.02). It is concluded that overlapping innervation of sympathetic nerves has an important role in regulation of blood flow to the thalamus during an acute rise in arterial pressure in SHR.

Mass fragmentographic determination of gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamic acid in discrete amygdaloid nuclei of rat brain

A mass fragmentographic method for the simultaneous quantification of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamic acid is described. In a convenient one-step reaction, the two amino acids were derivatized with pentafluoropropionic anhydride and pentafluoropropanol. The derivatization products were stable for several days. The technique has been applied to the assay of GABA and Glu in five amygdaloid nuclei of the rat brain. The GABA level was high in the central and medial nuclei, whereas the Glu level was high in the lateral and basal nuclei. The regional distribution of GABA was different from that of Glu within the amygdaloid nuclei.

Renal blood flow in acute cerebral ischemia in spontaneously hypertensive rats: effects of alpha- and beta-adrenergic blockade

The influences of acute cerebral ischemia on renal hemodynamics were examined in spontaneously hypertensive rats in which cerebral ischemia was induced by bilateral carotid artery occlusion. Renal and cerebral blood flow were measured with a hydrogen clearance technique. Either phenoxybenzamine (0.5 mg/kg body wt) or propranolol (2 mg/kg) was given i.v. immediately after ischemia was induced to examine the drugs' effects on cerebral and renal hemodynamics. One hour after ischemia, cerebral blood flow was markedly reduced to 5, 3, and almost 0% of the preischemic value in the untreated, phenoxybenzamine-treated, and propranolol-treated rats, respectively. In contrast, renal blood flow at that time was decreased to 65, 88, and 67%, respectively. The calculated renal vascular resistance was similarly increased to 151% in the untreated and 136% in the propranolol-treated rats, but decreased to 82% in the phenoxybenzamine-treated rats. The present results indicate that in acute cerebral ischemia renal blood flow was considerably decreased with concomitant increased renal vascular resistance, and that such reduction in renal blood flow was minimized by alpha-adrenergic blockade but not by beta-blockade. It is concluded that activation of the alpha-adrenergic system in acute cerebral ischemia causes renal vasoconstriction.

Long-lasting effect of systemically administrated caerulein on monoaminergic neuronal pathways in rat brain

The effect of systemically administrated cholecystokinin analog, caerulein, on monoaminergic neurons was examined in discrete regions of rat brain. A single injection of caerulein (400 micrograms/kg, i.p.) significantly elevated 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) levels in the prefrontal cortex lateral field, nucleus accumbens, tuberculum olfactorium and striatum after 2 hours, together with a significant increase in striatal serotonin (5HT). Moreover, the time-course study showed that the caerulein-induced increase in both 5HIAA and 5HT levels lasted even for 24 hours, and their levels tended to recover to the control values gradually. This time-dependent change was not found in the other monoamines and their metabolites. These results suggest a long-lasting action of caerulein on 5HT neurons in specific regions of rat brain.