We aimed to study the impact of altered thyroid status on myocardial expression of electrical coupling protein connexin-43 (Cx43), the susceptibility of rats to ventricular fibrillation (VF) and the effects of antioxidant-rich red palm oil (RPO). Adult male and female euthyroid, hyperthyroid (treated with T3/T4), hypothyroid (treated with methimazole) Wistar rats supplemented or not with RPO for 6 weeks were used. Function of isolated perfused heart and VF threshold were determined. Left ventricular tissue was used for assessment of mRNA and protein levels of Cx43, its phosphorylated forms and topology. Protein kinase C signaling (PKC) and gene transcripts of some proteins related to cardiac arrhythmias were assessed. Hyperthyroid state resulted in decrease of total and phosphorylated forms of Cx43 and suppression of PKC-ε expression in males and females, decrease of Cx43 mRNA in females, decrease of VF threshold and increase of functional parameters in male rat hearts. In contrast, hypothyroid status resulted in the increase of total and phosphorylated forms of Cx43, enhancement PKC-ε expression in males and females, increase of Cx43 mRNA in females, increase of VF threshold and decrease of functional parameters in male rat hearts. Function of the heart was partially normalized by RPO intake, which also enhanced myocardial Cx43 and PKC-ε expression as well as increased VF threshold in hyperthyroid male rats. We conclude that there is an inverse relationship between myocardial expression of Cx43, including its functional phosphorylated forms, and susceptibility of male rat hearts to VF in condition of altered thyroid status. RPO intake partly ameliorated adverse changes caused by excess of thyroid hormones.

• MeSH
• aplikace orální MeSH
• konexin 43 antagonisté a inhibitory   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• messenger RNA antagonisté a inhibitory   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• myokard metabolismus   MeSH
• oleje rostlin aplikace a dávkování   farmakologie   MeSH
• potkani Wistar MeSH
• srdce účinky léků   MeSH
• srdeční arytmie farmakoterapie   metabolismus   MeSH
• štítná žláza účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: Early addition of endothelin (ET) type A (ETA) receptor blockade to complex renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockade has previously been shown to provide better renoprotection against progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Ren-2 transgenic hypertensive rats (TGR) after 5/6 renal ablation (5/6 NX). In this study, we examined if additional protection is provided when ETA blockade is applied in rats with already developed CKD. METHODS: For complex RAS inhibition, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor along with angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker was used. Alternatively, ETA receptor blocker was added to the RAS blockade. The treatments were initiated 6 weeks after 5/6 NX and the follow-up period was 50 weeks. RESULTS: When applied in established CKD, addition of ETA receptor blockade to the complex RAS blockade brought no further improvement of the survival rate (30% in both groups); surprisingly, aggravated albuminuria (588 ± 47 vs. 245 ± 38 mg/24 h, p < 0.05) did not reduce renal glomerular injury index (1.25 ± 0.29 vs. 1.44 ± 0.26), did not prevent the decrease in creatinine clearance (203 ± 21 vs. 253 ± 17 μl/min/100 g body weight), and did not attenuate cardiac hypertrophy to a greater extent than observed in 5/6 NX TGR treated with complex RAS blockade alone. CONCLUSIONS: When applied in the advanced phase of CKD, addition of ETA receptor blockade to the complex RAS blockade brings no further beneficial renoprotective effects on the CKD progression in 5/6 NX TGR, in addition to those seen with RAS blockade alone.

• MeSH
• albuminurie MeSH
• angiotensiny účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• antagonisté endotelinového receptoru A farmakologie   MeSH
• blokátory receptoru 1 pro angiotenzin II farmakologie   MeSH
• chronická renální insuficience metabolismus   MeSH
• hodnoty glomerulární filtrace účinky léků   MeSH
• hypertenze MeSH
• indoly farmakologie   MeSH
• inhibitory ACE farmakologie   MeSH
• kardiomegalie MeSH
• kombinovaná farmakoterapie MeSH
• kreatinin metabolismus   MeSH
• krevní tlak účinky léků   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• ledviny účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• losartan farmakologie   MeSH
• míra přežití MeSH
• nefrektomie MeSH
• potkani Sprague-Dawley MeSH
• potkani transgenní MeSH
• progrese nemoci MeSH
• pyrrolidiny farmakologie   MeSH
• receptor endotelinu A účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• receptor endotelinu B účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• renin-angiotensin systém účinky léků   MeSH
• renin účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

AIMS: There is evidence that in addition to hypertension and hyperactivity of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), enhanced intrarenal activity of endothelin (ET) system contributes to the pathophysiology and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This prompted us to examine if this progression would be alleviated by addition of type A ET receptor (ETA) blockade to the standard blockade of RAS. MAIN METHODS: Ren-2 transgenic rats (TGR) after 5/6 renal ablation (5/6 NX) served as a model of CKD. For RAS inhibition a combination of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (trandolapril, 6 mg/L drinking water) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (losartan, 100 mg/L drinking water) was used. Alternatively, ETA receptor blocker (atrasentan, 5 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1) in drinking water) was added to the combined RAS blockade. The follow-up period was 44 weeks after 5/6 NX, and the rats' survival rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP), proteinuria and indices of renal glomerular damage were evaluated. KEY FINDINGS: The survival rate was at first improved, by either therapeutic regime, however, the efficiency of RAS blockade alone considerably decreased 36 weeks after 5/6 NX: final survival rate of 65% was significantly lower than 91% achieved with combined RAS and ETA receptor blockade. SBP was not affected by the addition of ETA blockade while proteinuria and renal glomerular damage were further reduced. SIGNIFICANCE: Our data show that a combined RAS and ETA receptor blockade exhibits additional beneficial effects on survival rate and the progression of CKD in 5/6 NX TGR, as compared with RAS inhibition alone.

• MeSH
• angiotensin II krev   MeSH
• antagonisté endotelinového receptoru terapeutické užití   MeSH
• endotelin-1 metabolismus   MeSH
• kardiomegalie krev   komplikace   farmakoterapie   patologie   MeSH
• krevní tlak účinky léků   MeSH
• ledviny účinky léků   patologie   patofyziologie   MeSH
• nefrektomie * MeSH
• nemoci ledvin krev   komplikace   farmakoterapie   patologie   MeSH
• ochranné látky farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• potkani Sprague-Dawley MeSH
• potkani transgenní MeSH
• receptor endotelinu A metabolismus   MeSH
• renin-angiotensin systém účinky léků   MeSH
• renin genetika   MeSH
• systola účinky léků   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Methoctramine (N,N'-bis[6-[[(2-methoxyphenyl)-methyl]hexyl]-1,8-octane] diamine) is an M(2)-selective competitive antagonist of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and exhibits allosteric properties at high concentrations. To reveal the molecular mechanisms of methoctramine binding and selectivity we took advantage of reciprocal mutations of the M(2) and M(3) receptors in the second and third extracellular loops that are involved in the binding of allosteric ligands. To this end we performed measurements of kinetics of the radiolabeled antagonists N-methylscopolamine (NMS) in the presence of methoctramine and its precursors, fluorescence energy transfer between green fluorescent protein-fused receptors and an Alexa-555-conjugated precursor of methoctramine, and simulation of molecular dynamics of methoctramine association with the receptor. We confirm the hypothesis that methoctramine high-affinity binding to the M(2) receptors involves simultaneous interaction with both the orthosteric binding site and the allosteric binding site located between the second and third extracellular loops. Methoctramine can bind solely with low affinity to the allosteric binding site on the extracellular domain of NMS-occupied M(2) receptors by interacting primarily with glutamate 175 in the second extracellular loop. In this mode, methoctramine physically prevents dissociation of NMS from the orthosteric binding site. Our results also demonstrate that lysine 523 in the third extracellular loop of the M(3) receptors forms a hydrogen bond with glutamate 219 of the second extracellular loop that hinders methoctramine binding to the allosteric site at this receptor subtype. Impaired interaction with the allosteric binding site manifests as low-affinity binding of methoctramine at the M(3) receptor.

• MeSH
• diaminy metabolismus   MeSH
• DNA-topoisomerasy I genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• heterocyklické sloučeniny tetra- a více cyklické farmakologie   MeSH
• isochinoliny farmakologie   MeSH
• kompetitivní vazba účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• kumariny farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mitochondriální DNA genetika   MeSH
• mitochondrie účinky léků   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• receptory muskarinové genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• vazebná místa účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurologic disorders affecting a substantial part of the population worldwide. Epileptic seizures represent the situation of increased neuronal activity associated with the enhanced demands for sufficient energy supply. For that purpose, very efficient regulatory mechanisms have to operate to ensure that cerebral blood flow, delivery of oxygen, and nutrients are continuously adapted to the local metabolic needs. The sophisticated regulation has to function in concert at several levels (systemic, tissue, cellular, and subcellular). Particularly, mitochondria play a key role not only in the energy production, but they are also central to many other processes including those leading to neuronal death. Impairment of any of the involved pathways can result in serious functional alterations, neurodegeneration, and potentially in epileptogenesis. The present review will address some of the important issues concerning vascular and metabolic changes in pathophysiology of epilepsy.

• MeSH
• epilepsie komplikace   genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• metabolické nemoci etiologie   genetika   MeSH
• mitochondriální DNA genetika   MeSH
• mozek metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Our previous studies in rats with ablation nephrectomy have shown similar cardiorenal protective effects of renin-angiotensin system (RAS)-dependent treatment (combination of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin II receptor blocker) and RAS-independent treatment (combination of α- and β-adrenoreceptor antagonist and diuretics). Moreover, selective blockade of endothelin (ET) receptor type A (ET(A)) improved survival rate and attenuated hypertension and organ damage in Ren-2 transgenic rats. Therefore, we were interested in whether ET(A) receptor blockade could have additive effects to the classical blockade of the RAS. Transgenic rats underwent 5/6 renal ablation at the age of 2 months and were treated for 20 weeks with RAS blockers alone (angiotensin II receptor blocker - losartan, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor - trandolapril), ET(A) receptor blocker alone (atrasentan) or with the combination of RAS and ET(A) receptor blockade. RAS blockade normalized blood pressure and improved survival. It decreased cardiac hypertrophy and proteinuria as well as tissue angiotensin II and ET-1 levels. In contrast, ET(A) receptor blockade only partially improved survival rate, reduced blood pressure, attenuated the development of cardiac hypertrophy and transiently reduced proteinuria. However, no additive cardio- and renoprotective effects of ET(A) and RAS blockade were noted at the end of the study.

• MeSH
• analýza přežití MeSH
• antagonisté endotelinového receptoru A MeSH
• blokátory receptoru 1 pro angiotenzin II farmakologie   MeSH
• chronická renální insuficience farmakoterapie   mortalita   patologie   MeSH
• indoly farmakologie   MeSH
• inhibitory ACE farmakologie   MeSH
• kombinovaná farmakoterapie MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• ledviny patologie   MeSH
• losartan farmakologie   MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• nefrektomie metody   MeSH
• potkani Sprague-Dawley MeSH
• potkani transgenní MeSH
• pyrrolidiny farmakologie   MeSH
• receptor angiotensinu typ 1 metabolismus   MeSH
• receptor endotelinu A metabolismus   MeSH
• renální hypertenze farmakoterapie   mortalita   patologie   MeSH
• renin-angiotensin systém účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Although Ren-2 transgenic rat (TGR) is defined as a model of angiotensin II-dependent hypertension, we studied whether the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is really the main contributor to blood pressure (BP) elevation in hetero- and homozygous TGRs. Moreover, we examined whether repeated antisense (AS) therapy against AT(1) receptors would have a similar effect on the BP and the contribution of the principle vasoconstrictor/vasodilator systems to BP regulation in young and adult TGRs. From the age of 30 (young) and 100 (adult) days, rats were injected with AS for 40 days in 10-day intervals. After 10 and 40 days of AS therapy, the basal BP and acute BP responses to the sequential blockade of the RAS, sympathetic nervous (SNS) and nitric oxide systems were determined in conscious rats. The RAS system was the major system maintaining elevated BP in young homozygous animals, whereas there was an increasing contribution of the SNS in heterozygous TGR with age. The AS therapy in the young TGR had a transient BP-lowering effect that was associated with reduced cardiac hypertrophy; the AS therapy was most effective in young homozygous TGR, causing a substantial reduction of angiotensin-dependent vasoconstriction. In heterozygous rats, AS therapy at earlier stages was related to an inhibition of sympathetic vasoconstriction, whereas to RAS inhibition in established hypertension. In conclusion, repeated AS therapy had transient antihypertensive effects exclusively in young TGR. The contribution of the RAS to BP maintenance is highly important only in homozygous TGRs, whereas it is surpassed by SNS in heterozygous TGR.

• MeSH
• antihypertenziva terapeutické užití   MeSH
• antisense oligonukleotidy terapeutické užití   MeSH
• heterozygot MeSH
• homozygot MeSH
• hypertenze terapie   MeSH
• kardiomegalie farmakoterapie   patofyziologie   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• oxid dusnatý fyziologie   MeSH
• potkani transgenní MeSH
• receptor angiotensinu typ 1 genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• renin-angiotensin systém účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• stárnutí genetika   fyziologie   MeSH
• sympatický nervový systém účinky léků   patofyziologie   MeSH
• vazokonstrikce účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobehavioral disorder of childhood. Problems with sleep structure, efficiency, and timing have been reported in some, but not all, studies on ADHD children. As the sleep-wake cycle belongs to circadian rhythms, the timekeeping circadian system might be involved in ADHD. To assess whether the circadian system of ADHD children differs from that of controls, the rhythm of the pineal hormone melatonin was used as a reliable marker of the system. Saliva from 34 ADHD and 43 control 6- to 12-yr-old children was sampled at 2-h intervals throughout the entire 24-h cycle, and the melatonin profiles of the ADHD and control children were compared. The nocturnal melatonin peaks of the ADHD and control group did not differ significantly. The high nocturnal interindividual variability of the peaks seen in adulthood was present already in the studied children. The 24-h melatonin profiles of all the ADHD subjects did not differ significantly from those of the control subjects. Categorization of subjects according to age, into groups of 6- to 7-yr-old (9 ADHD, 5 control), 8- to 9-yr-old (16 ADHD, 26 control), and 10- to 12-yr-old (9 ADHD, 12 control) children, revealed significant differences between the ADHD and control group in the melatonin rhythm waveform, but not in nocturnal melatonin peaks; the peaks were about the same in both groups and did not change significantly with increasing age. In the oldest, but not in the younger, children, the melatonin signal duration in the ADHD group was shorter than in the control group. The difference might be due to the fact that whereas in the control group both the evening melatonin onset and the morning offset phase delayed in the oldest children relative to those in the youngest children, in the ADHD group only the onset, but not the offset, phase delayed with increasing age. The data may indicate subtle differences between the circadian system of ADHD and control children during development.

• MeSH
• biologické markery metabolismus   MeSH
• cirkadiánní rytmus fyziologie   MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• hyperkinetická porucha patofyziologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• melatonin metabolismus   MeSH
• radioimunoanalýza MeSH
• sliny chemie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH