Adrenoceptor‐related decrease in serum triglycerides is independent of PPARα activation

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151956/1/febs14966.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151956/2/febs14966_am.pd

Drosophila Eggshell Production: Identification of New Genes and Coordination by Pxt

Drosophila ovarian follicles complete development using a spatially and temporally controlled maturation process in which they resume meiosis and secrete a multi-layered, protective eggshell before undergoing arrest and/or ovulation. Microarray analysis revealed more than 150 genes that are expressed in a stage-specific manner during the last 24 hours of follicle development. These include all 30 previously known eggshell genes, as well as 19 new candidate chorion genes and 100 other genes likely to participate in maturation. Mutations in pxt, encoding a putative Drosophila cyclooxygenase, cause many transcripts to begin expression prematurely, and are associated with eggshell defects. Somatic activity of Pxt is required, as RNAi knockdown of pxt in the follicle cells recapitulates both the temporal expression and eggshell defects. One of the temporally regulated genes, cyp18a1, which encodes a cytochromome P450 protein mediating ecdysone turnover, is downregulated in pxt mutant follicles, and cyp18a1 mutation itself alters eggshell gene expression. These studies further define the molecular program of Drosophila follicle maturation and support the idea that it is coordinated by lipid and steroid hormonal signals

Effect of cyproheptadine treatment on conditioned avoidance response in female rats

The percentage of conditioned avoidance response was higher during proestrus compared to diestrus. Cyproheptadine (CPH) significantly enhanced avoidance behavior during diestrus. On the other hand, CPH treatment did not alter avoidance behavior during proestrus. Serum progesterone and testosterone levels were determined at the end of 60 trials for acquisition of conditioned avoidance response after prolonged (12-15 days) CPH treatment (0.5 mg/kg for 24 h per os (p.o.). Prolonged CPH treatment lowered adrenal testosterone levels, and rats with impaired avoidance had higher testosterone and progesterone levels. The results of this study indicate a positive role for CPH in the acquisition of avoidance response during diestrus, and a negative effect of progesterone and adrenal testosterone on the avoidance response

Effect of cyproheptadine hydrochloride on ingestive behaviors

Cyproheptadine (CY) has been used therapeutically as an appetite stimulant at a dose which appears to have antiserotoninergic activity. However, the role which CY may play in appetite regulation remains unclear. This study was designed to examine the effect of CY on ingestive behaviours in female Wistar rats. CY administered orally (0.52 mg kg-1 b.w., dissolved in the daily water) for up to six oestrus cycles did not affect 24 h food intake. On the other hand, CY reduced both 24 h liquid intake and 24 h urine output. Furthermore, 24 h liquid consumption and 24 h urine output, were found to fluctuate according to the oestrus cycle

The plasma coagulation cascade: Potential targets for novel anticoagulants in major lower limb surgery

Strategies for prevention of venous thromboembolism in orthopaedic patients undergoing major lower limb surgery include pharmacological prophylaxis. Over the last three decades, the search for new safe and effective approaches for the prevention of venous thromboembolism in these patients has continued. Increased understanding of the haemostatic process has led to a clearer appreciation of the mechanisms of action of antithrombotic drugs already in use as well as the identification of new targets for novel drug development. As a result, the development of new anticoagulants has advanced rapidly over recent years. The molecular targets of several novel anticoagulants, and their effectiveness in early Phase II and Phase III trials are reviewed. © 2011 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd

Stress through handling for vaginal screening, serotonin, and ACTH response to ether

The effect of duration of handling for vaginal smear screening on the adrenal weight and acute ACTH response to ether were examined in 4-day-cycling female rats, sacrificed at 97-103 days of age on diestrus-2 after evaluation of resistance to handling, thymus weight, and hypothalamic serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA). Prolonged handling paralleled increased resistance (behavioral response) to handling and adrenal weight but was inversely related to thymus weight. The hypothalamic 5-HT, 5-HIAA, and 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio, compared to controls with similar conditions of handling, were not modified after 2.5 min of ether despite the ACTH rise. In ether-stressed rats, the ACTH response to ether was lower after prolonged handling compared to short handling paralleling decreased thymus weight. In contrast, 5-HT, 5-HIAA, and the 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio were higher, paralleling increased resistance and adrenal weight. The results suggest chronic activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis with positive serotonergic involvement after prolonged handling and resistance during vaginal screening and a negative implication of this activation on the acute ACTH response to ether