The effects of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor ENA713 and the M1 agonist AF150(S) on apolipoprotein E deficient mice

Apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient and control mice were treated chronically with either the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor ENA713, or the M1 muscarinic agonist AF150(S). Both treatments reversed the spatial working memory impairment of apoE-deficient mice but they differed in their effects on the levels of brain AChE activity. AF150(S) enhanced the brain AChE activity of apoE-deficient mice and rendered it similar to that of the untreated controls, whereas ENA713 reduced the brain AChE activity of control mice but had no effect on that of apoE-deficient mice. These findings suggest that AChE inhibition and M1 muscarinic activation have similar beneficial cognitive effects on apoE-deficient mice, but that the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these effects differ.

Rivastigmine, a brain-selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, ameliorates cognitive and motor deficits induced by closed-head injury in the mouse

The effects of Rivastigmine, a novel centrally-acting anticholinesterase agent, were evaluated on cerebral edema, neurological and motor deficits, and impairment of spatial memory induced in mice by closed-head injury (CHI). Severe injury was induced in the left hemisphere of mice under ether anesthesia. Rivastigmine (1 or 2 mg/kg) or saline (10 ml/kg) was injected SC 5 min later. Rivastigmine (2 mg/kg) reduced cerebral edema by at least 50% (p < 0.01), 24 h after CHI and accelerated the recovery of motor function 7 and 14 days after CHI. Control mice (n = 24), previously trained to find the goal platform in a Morris water maze failed to recall or relearn its position for at least 11 days post-injury. Those given a single injection of Rivastigmine (2 mg/kg) regained their pre-test latencies by the third day after CHI. The neuroprotective effects of Rivastigmine on brain edema, neurological and motor function, and performance in the Morris water maze were completely antagonized by simultaneous SC injection of either scopolamine (0.5 mg/kg) or mecamylamine (2.5 mg/kg). The antagonists alone had no significant effect on any of these parameters. These data show that the reduction by Rivastigmine of the immediate and long-term sequelae of brain injury are mediated by increased cholinergic activity at both muscarinic and nicotinic receptors.

Role of renal nerves in hemodynamic and natriuretic responses to saline in rabbits with impaired baroreflex sensitivity

The hemodynamic and urinary Na+ excretory response to a 2.5-fold increase in NaCl by i.v. infusion were assessed in conscious male rabbits with either high (BShi, salt-insensitive) or low (BSlo, salt-sensitive) cardiac baroreflex sensitivity, before, and 11-14 days after bilateral renal denervation. Effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) and proximal tubular Na+ reabsorption were measured by para-amino-hippurate (PAH) and Li+ clearances, respectively, before and after NaCl infused for 2 hr at a rate of 0.11 mL/kg/min. Intact BShi rabbits, showed a significant natriuresis within 30 min which was associated with an increase in ERPF and inhibition of proximal tubular reabsorption. The Na+ excretion rate was much slower in BSlo rabbits, while ERPF and proximal tubular reabsorption remained unchanged. Renal denervation reduced MAP, increased basal ERPF, Na+ and Li+ excretion in both groups, and abolished the difference in the renal hemodynamic re-sponse and Li+ excretion to increased NaCl, but not that in the rate of Na+ excretion. The data suggest that BSlo rabbits do not increase their ERPF and Li+ in response to saline because of an inability to bring about an inhibition of renal sympathetic nerve activity. This could be due to an impairment in the sensitivity of their cardiopulmonary baroreceptors. The difference in the rate of natriuresis in the two groups of rabbits which remained after renal denervation could involve an additional hormonal or a local renal mechanism.

Cerebro-protective effects of ENA713, a novel acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, in closed head injury in the rat

Focal ischemic brain damage and diffuse brain swelling occur in severe cases of traumatic head injury. Ischemia decreases brain acetylcholine (ACh) levels and head trauma upregulates acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in experimental animal models. The present study determined whether a brain-selective AChE inhibitor, ENA713, given once, up to 2 h after closed head injury (CHI) could reduce the vasogenic edema and accelerate recovery from neurological deficits induced by the injury in rats. ENA713 1-5 mg/kg produced a dose-related inhibition of AChE ranging from 40-85% in the cortex and hippocampus. Doses of 1, 2 and 5 mg/kg, significantly reduced the motor and neurological deficits and speeded recovery, as indicated by measurements made 7 and 14 days after injury. The two larger doses were still effective when injected 1 or 2 h after CHI. The acceleration by ENA713 of recovery of motor function was independent of its reduction in body temperature and was prevented by the simultaneous injection of mecamylamine (2.5 mg/kg), but not by scopolamine (0.2 or 1 mg/kg). Edema in the contused hemisphere (24 h after injury) and disruption of the blood brain barrier (4 h after injury) were significantly reduced (about 50%) by doses of 2 and 5 mg/kg, but not by 1 mg/kg. The data support the hypothesis that ENA713 exerts a neuroprotective effect in brain injury by preventing the decrease in cholinergic activity in cerebral vessels and in neurones.

Prenatal stress depresses immune function in rats

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of prenatal stress on immune function in rats. Pregnant rats were stressed by noise and light, three times weekly throughout pregnancy. Experiments were performed on male and female offspring aged 2 months. Cellular immune responses of splenic lymphocytes to B-cell (pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and T-cell (phytohemagglutinin (PHA)) mitogens were measured by [3H]thymidine uptake, and natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity in blood and splenic lymphocytes was measured against the murine T-cell lymphoma, YAC-1, by a 4-h [51Cr] release assay. Prenatal stress suppressed immune function as shown by a) decreased NK cytotoxicity in splenic and blood lymphocytes, indicating that the effect was not confined to a particular immune compartment, and b) decreased rate of proliferation of splenic lymphocytes to PWM and a smaller depressant effect on their response to PHA. The suppression of B-cell proliferation was more marked in the female and that of NK cell cytoxicity, in the male. Prenatal stress did not alter the distribution of subsets of lymphocytes, in either the spleen or blood, indicating that the reduction in proliferative and cytotoxic activity resulted from functional modifications of effector mechanisms in the cells rather from alterations in their migration between immune compartments. The mechanisms underlying this effect of prenatal stress are not clear but could result from an action of maternal stress hormones on the developing fetal neuroendocrine system.

Effect of prenatal stress on opioid component of exploration in different experimental situations

Prenatal stress interferes with the expression of opioid systems in rats. The present study determined the effect of prenatal stress on the opioid-influenced component of exploratory behavior, defined as the difference between the behavior of vehicle-treated and naloxone-treated rats, in three novel situations previously shown to cause different degrees of arousal. Pregnant rats were stressed three times weekly on a random basis by noise and flashing lights. Experiments were performed on 60-70-day-old offspring (male and female) of control and stressed dams. Fifteen minutes after injection of vehicle or naloxone (1 mg/kg), the proportion of time spent in eight different behavioral parameters, including locomotion, rearing, sniffing, hole poking, pivoting, and grooming, was assessed during 4 min of exposure to an open field, either with or without prior exposure to a hole box. The magnitude of the depressant effect of naloxone on exploration depended on the nature of the environment, previous experience of the animal in another situation, and the parameter of exploration assessed. The opioid-influenced component of locomotion and rearing was significantly reduced by prenatal stress, particularly in female rats. Further studies using a cross-fostering design are needed to assess the relative contributions of pre- and postnatal factors to the reduction of opioid activity in prenatally stressed rats. More specific opioid antagonists could be used to determine the nature of the opioid receptors involved.

Possible role of the cholinergic system and disease models

Memory impairment associated with the loss of cortical cholinergic neurons in AD has stimulated the development of animal models based on blockade or destruction of these systems. Strategies include mechanical lesions, local injection of excitotoxic amino acids or ethylcholine aziridinium (AF 64A), which disrupt reference and working memory in rats, but lack specificity for cholinergic systems. Other models involving, reduction in cerebral blood flow and interference with oxidative metabolism of glucose, mimic those found in AD, and also interfere with working and long-term memory in the rat. Memory impairments can be reversed by acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and cholinergic agonists but beneficial effects of these agents in AD patients are small and inconsistent. This may be partly due to unfavorable pharmacokinetics and dose-limiting side effects of existing drugs. Newer, brain specific acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and M1 muscarinic agonists with a lower incidence of unwanted effects are currently being evaluated.

Does prenatal stress impair coping and regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis?

Prenatally stressed (PS) human infants and experimental animals show attentional deficits, hyperanxiety and disturbed social behavior. Impaired coping in stressful situations in adult PS monkeys and rodents is associated with dysregulation of the HPA axis, characterized by decreased feedback inhibition of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and prolonged elevation of plasma glucocorticoids in response to stress. PS rats have higher levels of CRH in the amygdala, fewer hippocampal glucocorticoid receptors and less endogenous opioid and GABA/BDZ (benzodiazepine) inhibitory activity. The mechanisms by which maternal stress induce these long-lasting changes in the developing fetal neuroaxis remain to be elucidated. It is suggested that impaired coping in stressful situations and dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, result from the action of maternal hormones released during stress on the developing fetus. The similarities in coping behavior and dysregulation of the HPA axis in PS animals to those in humans with depression, suggest that gestational stress, at a critical time during fetal development, may increase the propensity to develop this condition.

An experimental model of closed head injury in mice: pathophysiology, histopathology, and cognitive deficits

The present study describes the characterization of an experimental model of closed head injury (CHI) in the mouse. This model is a modification of a setup described and used previously in the rat. The weight-drop device was modified and adapted to the size and weight of the mouse and the typical parameters that define the severity of the injury and its outcome were evaluated. The posttraumatic accumulation of water, i.e., cerebral edema, the disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), histopathology, motor and cognitive functions were studied up to 30 days following CHI. Increases in cerebral water content and of BBB permeability were observed in the injured hemisphere at 4 h (p < 0.05) and 24 h (p < 0.01) postinjury, respectively. By 7 days, edema disappeared, while the BBB remained open for up to 30 days. The motor function was evaluated by a set of criteria termed neurological severity score (NSS). NSS was severely impaired immediately after CHI and later showed a spontaneous progressive recovery, although some residual deficits, mainly of beam-walk and balance, were still present at 30 days. Mice trained in the Morris water maze before the injury demonstrated highly significant deficits in memory retention up to at least 11 days postinjury (p < 0.01). Histopathological analysis revealed significant neuronal cell death in CA1, CA2, and CA3 regions of the left hippocampus following CHI. However, in the right hippocampus, overt neuronal cell death was observed only in area CA3 at 7 days after CHI. These results suggest that the modified model of CHI in mice can reproduce the posttraumatic sequelae observed in rats and show that some of the data obtained in this model are essentially similar to those observed in human head injury. The experimental model of CHI in mice may be a useful tool for studies in animals that carry specific genetic alterations, aimed at manipulating neurochemical pathways involved in the pathophysiology of brain damage.

Role of experimental conditions in determining differences in exploratory behavior of prenatally stressed rats

The effect of prenatal stress was determined on exploration in situations that induce different levels of fear. Dams (12) were stressed by noise and light thrice weekly on an unpredictable basis throughout pregnancy, and 12 controls were left undisturbed. The time spent by different groups of their adult offspring of both sexes in exploration was assessed during 4 min in a plus maze; large, well-lit open field (1), and open field (2) after prior exposure to a small, dark holebox. Prenatal stress resulted in a significant reduction in the number of arm entries in the plus maze and amount of time spent in the open arms. Locomotion and rearing were also reduced in Open Field 1 and 2, but these activities and hole poking were unchanged in the holebox. It is concluded that prenatal stress renders the animal more fearful to a novel, intimidating environment, which may be expressed as a suppression of exploratory activity.

Prenatal naltrexone facilitates male sexual behavior in the rat

The involvement of endogenous opiates in the differentiation of sexual behavior was tested by exposing rat fetuses to continuous naltrexone during the last 9 days of gestation. Time-mated female rats received oral naltrexone, 40 mg/kg/day, via their drinking water, from gestational day 13 until parturition. Early motor development, measured by swimming ability in 7-, 9-, and 11-day-old offspring of the treated dams, was unaffected by prenatal naltrexone. Adult male offspring were given three tests of male sexual behavior, then castrated, primed with ovarian hormones, and given two tests of feminine receptivity (lordosis quotient). Prenatal naltrexone facilitated masculine behavior and suppressed feminine receptivity: latencies to first mount and to ejaculation were shorter, mount rate was higher, and lordosis quotient was lower in naltrexone-treated rats, compared with control animals. These findings implicate endogenous opiates in prenatal organization of sex-specific behavioral dispositions.

Renal denervation prevents sodium retention and hypertension in salt-sensitive rabbits with genetic baroreflex impairment

1. Rabbits with a genetic impairment in baroreflex control of heart rate become hypertensive on a high salt diet. The present study determined the effect of bilateral renal denervation on blood pressure and sodium balance after salt loading (four times normal intake; 28-36 mEq NaCl/day) in normotensive rabbits with high (Group I) and low (Group II) baroreflex sensitivity, respectively. 2. Eight rabbits in each group were denervated or sham-denervated 1 week before commencement of the high salt diet. Before operation, the two groups differed only in the gain of their cardiac baroreflex (Group I, -6.4 +/- 0.4 beats min-1 mmHg-1; Group II, -3.2 +/- 0.15 beats min-1 mmHg-1). 3. In Group I sham-denervated rabbits, mean arterial pressure remained unchanged, and plasma renin activity and heart rate fell significantly in response to the high salt. In Group II sham-denervated rabbits, mean arterial pressure increased by 10.6 +/- 1.2 mmHg, and heart rate and plasma renin activity remained unchanged. Their cumulative Na+ retention and weight gain was more than twice that of Group I sham-denervated rabbits. 4. Renal denervation decreased plasma renin activity in both groups to < 1 pmol Ang I h-1 ml-1, lowered cumulative Na+ retention from 102 +/- 4 to 35 +/- 5 mEq (P < 0.01) and completely prevented the increase in mean arterial pressure in response to high salt in Group II. 5. The results suggest that Group II rabbits retain salt and fluid in response to their diet because of an abnormality in their control of renal nerve activity, possibly via vagal afferents. This results in blood pressure elevation because of an inability to lower peripheral resistance and heart rate in response to the increase in cardiac output. 6. Since they display several of the characteristics of salt-sensitive hypertensive humans, i.e. salt retention, normal plasma renin activity, but abnormal regulation of plasma renin activity and blood flow in response to salt loading, Group II are an appropriate model of human salt-induced hypertension.

Relationship among homocyst(e)ine, vitamin B-12 and cardiac disease in the elderly: association between vitamin B-12 deficiency and decreased left ventricular ejection fraction

We evaluated the association of moderate hyperhomocyst(e)inemia and vitamin B-12 status with coronary artery disease (CAD) and left ventricular ejection fraction in 367 elderly patients undergoing coronary angiography. The extent of CAD was scored, left ventricular ejection fraction was assessed and vitamins B-12 and folate and the metabolites homocyst(e)ine, methylmalonic acid and 2-methylcitric acid were measured. There was no significant trend in change in homocyst(e)ine as the extent of CAD increased. There was an association between vitamin B-12 deficiency, i.e., vitamin B-12 < 221 pmol/l and homocyst(e)ine > 16 nmol/ml and low left ventricular ejection fraction (P = 0.014). Of 105 samples, selected for vitamin B-12 < 221 pmol/l or high normal vitamin B-12 and folate levels, metabolites including methylmalonic acid revealed a specific diagnosis of vitamin B-12 deficiency in 18 patients. The trend among these vitamin B-12-deficient patients and low left ventricular ejection fraction was significant (P = 0.028). In vitro studies on rat heart revealed that nitrous oxide in the presence of 200 microM/l methionine reduced contractility of the heart. In conclusion, vitamin B-12-deficient patients had significantly lower left ventricular ejection fractions than nonvitamin B-12-deficient patients. Whether low left ventricular ejection fraction results in malabsorption of vitamin B-12 and vitamin B-12 deficiency, or conversely, whether vitamin B-12 and its marker, elevated homocyst(e)ine, depress left ventricular function warrants further evaluation.

The pharmacotherapy of Alzheimer's disease based on the cholinergic hypothesis: an update

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with impairment of cognitive function and personality. The synaptic loss, neuronal atrophy and degeneration of cholinergic nuclei in the basal forebrain may be associated with a reduction in oxidative metabolism of glucose, a fall in acetyl CoA and ATP. Current pharmacological strategies, aimed at increasing cholinergic activity include acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, cholinergic agonists, acetylcholine (ACh) releasers and stimulants of nerve growth factors (NGF). AChE inhibitors, physostigmine and Tacrine can slow the decline of cognitive function and memory in some patients with mild or moderate AD, if given for at least 3-6 months in sufficient doses to inhibit brain AChE. Their main disadvantages are low oral bioavailability, peripheral cholinergic hyperactivity and liver toxicity with Tacrine. Newer, less toxic AChE inhibitors, with selective central activity, formulations of physostigmine, selective Ml and nicotinic agonists are becoming available with improved bioavailability and pharmacokinetics. These may increase the likelihood of therapeutic benefit in AD. Nootropic drugs, e.g. piracetam, which release ACh and are relatively non-toxic could possibly slow the progression of the disease. A combination of an AChE inhibitor, piracetam and a stimulator of NGF may show additive effects on memory processes but with a lower incidence of untoward effects.

Comparison of the effects of angiotensin II, losartan, and enalapril on baroreflex control of heart rate in conscious rabbits

We compared the effects of angiotensin II (AII), enalapril, and losartan given by acute intravenous (i.v.) injection, on cardiac baroreflex sensitivity in two groups of conscious normotensive rabbits bred for high gain [> 5 beats/min/mm Hg] (group I) and low gain [< 4 beats/min/mm Hg] (group II) of the mean arterial blood pressure-heart rate (MAP/HR) relationship, respectively. Full sigmoid barocurves were produced in 62 rabbits by i.v. injection of phenylephrine (PE 1-15 micrograms/kg) and nitroglycerin (NTG 1-20 micrograms/kg) after pretreatment with saline or with AII, enalapril, or losartan. In group II, AII had a biphasic effect on baroreflex sensitivity; at 10 and 50 ng/kg/min, it increased the gain from 3.47 +/- 0.21 to 4.75 +/- 0.44 and 5.13 +/- 0.28 beats/min/mm Hg (p < 0.05 and p < 0.025, respectively), but had no effect at 100 ng/kg/min. BP increased in these rabbits by 11.5, 10, and 23 mm Hg after these three doses. In group I, AII 50 ng/kg/min increased BP by 8 mm Hg, (p < 0.05) and decreased gain from 6.13 +/- 0.32 to 4.75 +/- 0.44 beats/min/mm Hg (p < 0.01). Therefore, AII 50 ng/kg/min equalized baroreflex sensitivity in the two groups. In group II, both losartan (2.5 mg/kg) and enalapril (1 mg/kg) decreased BP by 8.6 +/- 1.0 1.0 and 10.2 +/- 2.1 mm Hg, (p < 0.01), respectively, and increased the gain by 1-2 beats/min/mm Hg; the drugs did not influence baroreflex sensitivity to any significant extent in group I.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Maternal naltrexone prevents morphological and behavioral alterations induced in rats by prenatal stress

The influence of opioid receptor blockade on the developmental and behavioral effects of prenatal stress was studied. Time-mated dams were implanted with minipumps on day 17 of gestation containing vehicle (V) or naltrexone (NTX, 10 mg/kg/day). Noise and light stress was applied on an unpredictable basis, three times a week throughout gestation to half the dams. Maternal NTX completely prevented the reduction in anogenital distance in prenatally stressed (PS) males and restored the growth rate of both sexes. NTX also decreased the anxiety of PS rats in the plus-maze, increased the opioid component of exploration to control levels, but increased anxiety in control males. NTX did not restore the lower saccharin preference in PS females and decreased it in C females. This suggests that some morphological and behavioral changes induced by prenatal stress could result from excess opioid activity induced by maternal stress.

Cardiac baroreflex sensitivity and sodium excretion are reduced both by a deficit and an excess of dietary salt in the conscious dog

In 10 conscious, chronically instrumented beagle dogs we studied the effects of four different dietary sodium intakes (mmol Na/kg body wt/day: 14.5 [excess], 7.5 [high], 2.5 [normal], and 0.5 [low] [plus an additional standardized sodium depletion produced by peritoneal dialysis several days before the experiments]) on cardiac baroreflex sensitivity and renal response to an acute saline load. Full sigmoid barocurves were produced by intravenous injection of phenylephrine (2.5 to 20 micrograms/kg) and nitroglycerine (2.5 to 30 micrograms/kg). The gain of this relationship was significantly decreased by both an excess and low sodium intake (8.0 +/- 1.0 and 8.3 +/- 0.8 beats/min/mm Hg, respectively) when compared with the 2.5 and 7.5 (12.1 +/- 1.4 and 16.0 +/- 1.7 beats/min/mm Hg, respectively) mmol Na/kg/day sodium intake. Water and sodium excretion in response to saline infusion were lower in the 0.5 and 14.5 mmol/kg/day sodium intake groups in spite of the higher atrial natriuretic peptide and lower plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone levels in the latter. Mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and central venous pressure increased during saline loading in all groups; hematocrit and plasma protein concentration decreased similarly in all groups. The results suggest that the rapid renal homeostatic response to an acute salt load in animals kept chronically on normal or moderately increased dietary sodium intake is regulated by baroreflex control of the renal homeostatic response. Excess dietary sodium intake attenuates baroreflex sensitivity and delays sodium and water excretion after acute loading.

Rabbits with a genetic impairment in baroreceptor reflex sensitivity show abnormal renal haemodynamics and proximal tubular sodium reabsorption in response to a saline infusion

OBJECTIVE

To compare renal haemodynamics and proximal tubular sodium reabsorption (PTSR) in response to an acute intravenous saline infusion in rabbits bred for genetic differences in cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). Rabbits with low BRS increase their blood pressure significantly on a high-salt diet, in association with an initial delay in sodium excretion. It was hypothesized that this could occur through an impaired baroreflex regulation of renal sympathetic nerve activity. This, in turn, would alter renal blood flow and PTSR.

DESIGN

Experiments were performed in two groups of normotensive male rabbits (n = 10 per group), one of which had high BRS (> 5 beats/min per mmHg; group I) and one of which had low BRS (< 4 beats/min per mmHg; group II). Effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) was measured by para-aminohippuric acid clearance, and PTSR by the lithium clearance technique. Sodium, lithium, para-aminohippuric acid and glomerular filtration rate were measured from urine samples collected every 30 min (for 90 min) via an indwelling bladder catheter, during a control infusion of glucose (30 mg/ml) NaCl (1.8 mg/ml), and for 2 h after a threefold increase in NaCl.

RESULTS

Group I rabbits increased their ERPF by approximately 40%, in response to saline, and doubled their sodium and lithium clearances within the 2 h, but those in group II did not change their cation excretion or their ERPF significantly during this period. Blood pressure did not increase in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

A genetic impairment in BRS may be responsible for the inadequate depression of renal sympathetic nerve activity, which results in a failure to increase ERPF and suppress sodium reabsorption in the proximal tubule in response to salt loading.

Low baroreflex sensitivity predisposes to salt-sensitive hypertension in the rabbit

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of an increase in dietary salt on blood pressure (BP), Na+ balance, and plasma renin activity (PRA) in normotensive rabbits bred for differences in cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). Food and fluid intake, BP, heart rate, body weight, PRA, hematocrit, and creatinine clearance were monitored weekly and Na+ balance daily for 3 wk each on normal NaCl (8 meq/day) and high salt (32 meq/day) in 27 rabbits of the second and third generation of animals bred for high BRS (group I, 6.1 +/- 0.3 beats.min-1.mmHg-1, n = 9) or low BRS (group II, 3.61 +/- 0.1 beats.min-1.mmHg-1, n = 18). BRS was assessed in each animal on normal salt and at the end of the high-salt period. Both systolic and diastolic BP rose by > 10 mmHg in 50% of group II and by < 5 mmHg in the remainder and in all group I. The rise in BP was associated with Na+ and fluid retention and weight gain during the first 2 wk, which returned to presalt levels by the 3rd wk, although BP continued to rise. The lack of effect on BP in the remaining nine group II was associated with a marked sensitization of their BRS by the high salt to 6 +/- 0.4 beats.min-1.mmHg-1. BRS remained unchanged in the other rabbits. A highly significant correlation (P < 0.001) was found between the increment of BP and BRS after 3 wk of raised salt intake.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prenatal stress selectively alters the reactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal system in the female rat

A study was made of the effects of prenatal stress on the reactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis in male and female offspring. Rat dams were subjected to noise and light stress on an unpredictable basis throughout pregnancy. At 28 days of age mRNA for POMC, proenkephalin and prodynorphin were measured in the hypothalamus of the offspring. A marked reduction was found in POMC mRNA in PS females (PSF) but not in males (PSM), but the other mRNA's did not differ from controls (C). At 60 days of age, PSF has 3 times higher resting levels of serum corticosterone (COR) and significantly lower dexamethasone (DEX)3H hippocampal binding sites than CF. Overnight adrenalectomy abolished the difference in DEX binding. After 10 min exposure to open field PS males and females voided more fecal pellets and made fewer center entries than C offspring, testifying to increased emotionality. Open field stress caused a 3-5-fold rise in circulating COR in all groups within 15 min, which returned to baseline by 90 min in all rats except PSF. These data show that prenatal stress can cause permanent alterations in the behavior of both sexes in stressful situations but appears to cause a selective effect on the HPA axis in the female rat.