ECL Cell Histamine Mobilization Studied byGastric Submucosal Microdialysis in Awake Rats:Methodological Considerations.

The ECL cells are endocrine/paracrine cells in the acid-producing part of the stomach. They secrete histamine in response to circulating gastrin. Gastric submucosal microdialysis has been used to study ECL-cell histamine mobilization in awake rats. In the present study we assess the usefulness and limitations of the technique. Microdialysis probes were implanted in the gastric submucosa. Histological analysis of the stomach wall around the probe revealed a moderate, local inflammatory reaction 1-2 days after implantation; the inflammation persisted for at least 10 days. Experiments were conducted 3 days after the implantation. The "true" submucosal histamine concentration was determined by perfusing at different rates (the zero flow method) or with different concentrations of histamine at a constant rate (the no-net-flux method): in fasted rats it was calculated to be 87±5 (means±S.E.M.) nmol/l and 76±9 nmol/l, respectively. The corresponding histamine concentrations in fed rats were 93±5 and 102±8 nmol/l, respectively. With a perfusion rate of 74 mul/hr the recovery of submucosal histamine was 49%, at 34 mul/hr the recovery increased to 83%. At a perfusion rate below 20 mul/hr the microdialysate histamine concentration was close to the actual concentration in the submucosa. The ECL-cell histamine mobilization was independent of the concentrations of Ca2+ in the perfusion medium (0-3.4 mmol/l Ca2+). In one experiment, histamine mobilization in response to gastrin (10 nmol/kg/hr subcutaneously) was monitored in rats pretreated with prednisolone (60 mg/kg) or indomethacin (15 mg/kg). The two antiinflammatory agents failed to affect the concentration of histamine in the microdialysate either before or during the gastrin challenge, which was in accord with the observation that the inflammatory reaction was modest and that inflammatory cells were relatively few around the probe and in the wall of the probe. In another experiment, rats were given aminoguanidine (10 mg/kg) or metoprine (10 mg/kg) 4 hr before the start of gastrin infusion (5 nmol/kg/hr intravenously). Metoprine (inhibitor of histamine N-methyl transferase) did not affect the microdialysate histamine concentration, while aminoguanidine (inhibitor of diamine oxidase) raised both basal and gastrin-stimulated histamine concentrations. We conclude that microdialysis can be used to monitor changes in the concentration of histamine in the submucosa of the stomach, and that the inflammatory reaction to the probe is moderate and does not affect the submucosal histamine mobilization

Effects of substance P, neurokinin A and calcitonin gene-related peptide in human skin and their involvement in sensory mediated responses.

The effects evoked by intradermal injections of substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA) or calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were studied in 51 non-atopic subjects. SP and NKA produced flare and weal, and CGRP produced an indurated erythema. The reactions to SP were strong, the flare being maximal 3–5 min after injection and the weal after 10–15 min. NKA evoked a much weaker flare and a slightly weaker weal than did SP. CGRP produced a prominent long-lasting, indurated erythema with pseudopodia surrounded by a pallor edge. The mode of action of the three peptides was studied by pretreatment of the skin with the histamine-releasing compound 48/80, the H1-antagonist mepyramine or the local anesthetic xylocaine. The results suggest that mast-cell histamine and an intact sensory nerve supply are essential for the flare response to both SP and NKA. The weal response to SP was somewhat reduced by pretreatment with either 48/80 or xylocaine. The weal response to NKA, however, did not seem to depend upon either mast cells or sensory nerve fibres. The erythema evoked by CGRP was not suppressed by pretreatment with xylocaine, compound 48/80 or mepyramine, suggesting a direct action of CGRP on the blood vessels. The interaction between SP and CGRP was studied in subjects receiving a low dose of CGRP and increasing doses of SP or a low dose of SP and increasing doses of CGRP. CGRP did not potentiate the SP-evoked flare and weal and SP did not seem to enhance the response to CGRP

Gastrin response to candidate messengers in intact conscious rats monitored by antrum microdialysis.

We monitored gastrin release in response to locally applied candidate messengers in intact conscious rats. Earlier studies have been performed on anaesthetized animals, isolated pieces of antrum, or purified preparations of gastrin cells. In this study we created an experimental situation to resemble physiological conditions, using reverse microdialysis to administer regulatory peptides and amines that might affect gastrin secretion. Microdialysis probes were implanted in the submucosa of the antrum of the rat stomach. Three days later, putative messenger compounds were administered via the probe. Their effects on basal (24h fast) and omeprazole-stimulated (400mumol/kg/day, 4days peroral administration) gastrin release were monitored by continuous measurement (3h) of gastrin in the perfusate (radioimmunoassay). Fasted rats (low microdialysate gastrin, 2.1+/-0.1pmoll(-1)) were used to study stimulation of gastrin release. Omeprazole-treated rats (high microdialysate gastrin, 95.8+/-6.7pmoll(-1)) were used to study suppression of gastrin release. The following agents raised the concentration of microdialysate gastrin (peak response): gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) (11-fold increase at a near-maximal dose), carbachol (5-fold increase), serotonin (2-fold increase) and isoprenaline (20-fold increase). Adrenaline and noradrenaline induced transient but powerful elevation (40- and 20-fold increase). Somatostatin, galanin and bradykinin (at near-maximal doses) suppressed omeprazole-stimulated gastrin release (50% decrease). Calcitonin gene-related peptide, ghrelin, gastric inhibitory peptide, motilin, neurotensin, neuromedin U-25, peptide YY and vasoactive intestinal peptide were without effect on gastrin release, as were aspartate, gamma-aminobutyric acid, glutamate, glycine, dopamine and histamine. The results support the view that G cells operate under neurocrine/paracrine control. They were stimulated by agents present in enteric neurons (GRP, galanin, choline ester and catechol amines) and in gastric endocrine cells (serotonin). They were inhibited by somatostatin (D cell peptide), galanin (neuropeptide) and by the inflammatory agent bradykinin

Gastrectomized rats respond with exaggerated hypercalcemia to oral and intravenous calcium loads because of impaired ability of bone to take up Ca2+.

BACKGROUND: Gastrectomy (Gx) causes osteopenia. The hypothesis tested in the present study is that Gx affects Ca homeostasis and that an impaired ability to handle Ca contributes to the Gx-evoked osteopenia. METHODS: SHAM-operated and Gx rats were compared with respect to changes in blood Ca2+ after oral or intravenous loads of CaCl2 1-2 weeks or 2-4 months after the operations. RESULTS: Different doses of oral CaCl2 raised blood Ca2+ more in Gx than in SHAM rats, more so after 2-4 months than after 1-2 weeks. The rise was greater in fasted (48 h) rats than in fed rats regardless of whether they were SHAM or Gx. While SHAM rats tolerated high doses of CaCl2 well, Gx rats died when exposed to quite modest doses, particularly 2-4 months after Gx. Intravenous infusion of CaCl2 (2,500 micromol/kg/h) induced a greater and steeper rise in blood Ca2+ in Gx rats than in SHAM rats. Kinetic analysis of the blood Ca2+ data showed Gx rats to display: 1) a decreased Ca2+ elimination clearance from the central distribution compartment (blood), 2) a reduced size of the peripheral distribution compartment (the so-called bone fluid compartment). and 3) a spectacular decrease in the intercompartmental clearance (transfer of Ca2+ from blood to bone). These effects were notably apparent after 2-4 months. At sacrifice, the Gx-evoked osteopenia was confirmed by planimetric analysis of the calvariae. revealing 40% reduction of bone tissue after 2-4 months. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the present data we argue that Gx rats respond with exaggerated hypercalcemia to oral and intravenous CaCl2 loads because of a greatly impaired transfer of Ca+ from blood to bone. We suggest that with time this impairment results in osteopenia

Evidence for different pre- and post-junctional receptors for neuropeptide Y and related peptides

The effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY), peptide YY (PYY), desamido-NPY and five C-terminal fragments of NPY or PYY were tested on different smooth muscle preparations in vitro. The fragments were NPY 19–36, NPY 24–36, PYY 13–36, PYY 24–36 and PYY 27–36. NPY and PYY appear to exert three principally different effects at the level of the sympathetic neuroeffector junction. Firstly, they have a direct post-junctional effect, leading to constriction of certain blood vessels; this was studied on the guinea-pig iliac vein. Secondly, they potentiate the response to various vasoconstrictors; this was studied on the rabbit femoral artery and vein, using noradrenaline and histamine, respectively, as agonists. Thirdly, NPY and PYY act prejunctionally in that they suppress the release of noradrenaline from sympathetic nerve endings upon stimulation; this was studied in the rat vas deferens. NPY and PYY were approximately equipotent in constricting the guinea-pig iliac vein, while desamido-NPY and the fragments were without effect. Desamido-NPY and the fragments were ineffective also in potentiating the response to noradrenaline in the rabbit femoral artery, nor did they potentiate the response to histamine in the rabbit femoral vein. NPY and PYY potentiated the response to noradrenaline in the artery, as well as the response to histamine in the vein. The NPY- and PYY-induced suppression of noradrenaline release from the prostatic portion of the rat vas deferens was reproduced by PYY 13–36 but not by the shorter fragments nor by desamido-NPY. In conclusion, a C-terminal portion seems to be sufficient for exerting the pre-junctional effect of NPY and PYY, while the whole sequence seems to be required for post-junctional (direct and modulatory) effects. An amidated C-terminal is crucial for maintaining the biological activity of NPY. Desamido-NPY and the fragments that were inactive as agonists also seemed inactive as antagonists