The effect of repeated stress on KCC2 and NKCC1 immunoreactivity in the hippocampus of female mice

AbstractK+–Cl− co-transporter (KCC2) and Na+–K+–2Cl− co-transporter (NKCC1) are the main regulators of neuronal intracellular chloride concentration; altered expression patterns of KCC2 and NKCC1 have been reported in several neurodegenerative diseases. In this paper, we show the effect of repeated stress on KCC2, NKCC1, and serine 940 phosphorylated KCC2 (pKCC2ser940) immunoreactivity.The data were obtained from the hippocampus of female mice using single-plane confocal microscopy images. The mean fluorescence intensity of the perisomatic area of neurons, defined as raw fluorescence intensity (RFI) was calculated. Repeated stress (RS) resulted in a decrease in perisomatic area of immunoreactive (IR)-KCC2 and an increase of the IR-NKCC1. In addition, RS decreased perisomatic IR-pKCC2ser940, corresponding to that of KCC2. The data in this article support the results of a previous study [1] and provide the details of immunohistological methods. Interpretation of the data in this article can be found in “Repeated stress-induced expression pattern alterations of the hippocampal chloride transporters KCC2 and NKCC1 associated with behavioral abnormalities in female mice” by Tsukahara et al. [1]

Effect of Donepezil on Group II mGlu Receptor Agonist- or Antagonist-Induced Amnesia on Passive Avoidance in Mice

We examined the effect of the acetylcholinesterase (ACHE) inhibitor, donepezil hydrocloride (DONP), on group II metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor agonist- or antagonist-induced amnesia in the step-through passive avoidance task in male mice. DCG-IV, a group II mGlu receptor agonist, at dose of 50 ng and LY341495, a group II mGlu receptor antagonist, at dose of 300 ng, significantly attenuated the latency on the step-through task. The subcutaneous injection of DONP at dose of 1 mg/kg 1 hour before passive avoidance performance ameliorated the amnesia induced by DCG-IV and LY341495, whereas donepezil alone did not affect task latency. The results suggest that activation of group II mGlu receptors and disinhibition of the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway (caused by group II mGlu receptor antagonist) have a negative action on step-through passive avoidance memory performance, and that group II mGlu receptors and ACh interact to modulate learning and memory function

Preparation of Enteric-coated Capsules of Beclomethasone Dipropionate for Patients with Intestinal Graft-versus-Host Disease and a Case Study

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major concern in transplantation patients. Gut GVHD is accompanied by diarrhea, abdominal pain, and/or melena. Although oral treatment with corticosteroids (CSs) is effective in treating gut GVHD, it can cause adverse reactions that affect the entire body. Topical administration of CSs can be effective in treating diseases in which lesions are limited locally, because adverse reactions can then be alleviated. In this study, we examine and discuss an enteric-coated beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) capsule (BDP-EC) formulated at Okayama University Hospital. The BDP-EC did not dissolve in solution 1 (pH1.2), and began disintegrating in solution 2 (pH6.8) after 5min, with a mean dissolution rate at 15min of 85%. We then used the capsule to treat a patient who developed gut GVHD after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Clinically, the frequency of diarrhea decreased after BDP-EC administration. In addition, we were able to decrease the prednisolone equivalent dose. Symptoms associated with adverse reactions to BDP were not observed during the hospitalization period. These findings suggest that the administration of BDP-EC in the early stages of gut GVHD may allow a reduction in the initial doses of systemic CSs

Prevention of Post-Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis by Endoscopic Pancreatic Stenting after Insertion of Self-Expandable Metal Stent for Malignant Distal Biliary Stricture

The insertion of a self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) for nonpancreatic cancer is a factor predicting the risk of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP). We evaluated the efficacy of endo-scopic pancreatic stenting (EPS) to prevent PEP after SEMS insertion in patients with malignant distal biliary stricture and without main pancreatic duct (MPD) obstruction. We performed a single-center, retrospective, historically controlled investigation to assess the outcomes of 33 consecutive patients who underwent SEMS insertion. From March 2013 to June 2015, 13 patients did not undergo EPS (Non-EPS group). The other 20 patients underwent EPS (EPS group) between July 2015 and August 2018. The background data demonstrated no significant differences. Except for one patient in the Non-EPS group, all patients underwent biliary sphinc-terotomy. The EPS group’s PEP incidence was significantly lower (n = 1, 5%) than that of the Non-EPS group (n = 4, 31%) (p = 0.04). The median serum amylase and lipase levels after the procedure were significantly lower in the EPS group than in the Non-EPS group (amylase: 104 vs. 262 U/L; p < 0.01, lipase: 102 vs. 666 U/L; p = 0.01). The use of EPS decreased the incidence of PEP after SEMS insertion in individuals with malignant distal biliary stricture and without MPD obstruction