Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0011570 (depression)
172,036 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Sharp pain is conducted rapidly by myelinated delta A fibers and diffused pain slowly by nonmyelinated C fibers to pseudobipolar neurons in the posterior ganglion and from there to neurons located in the posterolateral horn of the spinal cord. From here on nociferous impulses are transmitted by excitatory peptides (e.g. substance P) or amino acids (e.g. glutamate, aspartate) through interconnecting neurons of the pain pathways, primarily on the contralateral side, to the brain stem and from there to the sensory cortex, where they are appreciated and acted upon. There are specific inhibitory receptors located on axon terminals, near to the release sites of the excitatory amino acids and peptides. Stimulation of these receptors by their appropriate ligands such as endogenous (e.g. enkephalis, endorphins) or exogenous opioids, clonidine, serotonin, somatostatin inhibits the release of excitatory neurotransmitters and relieves pain. There are at least 3 different opioid receptors, called mu-, kappa- and delta-receptors in the spinal cord. These can be differentiated from one another by their specific affinity toward different endogenous or exogenous opioids and the pure narcotic antagonist, naloxone. It appears that the nociferous impulses transmitted by parallel pathways equipped with different inhibitory receptors have to be integrated to produce pain sensation and partial inhibition of transmission in different pathways or complete inhibition in one of the pathways may relieve pain. In recent years the concept of "selective spinal analgesia" has been applied clinically for the relief of postoperative, obstetrical and chronic pain. At first it was expected that the intrathecal or peridural administration of morphine will produce analgesia without the side effects of systemically administered morphine. It soon became evident, however, that intrathecally and peridurally administered morphine after several hours of delay reaches the fourth ventricle and by stimulating mu-receptors may cause respiratory depression and other undesired effects (e.g. nausea, vomiting, pruritus). Several different approaches are being investigated for the production of selective spinal analgesia without side effects. They include: a. the use of more lipophilic, long-lasting opioids (e.g. lofentanil) which would be almost completely absorbed by the spinal cord and therefore would not reach the medullary centers; b. the development of opioids with specific affinity to kappa- and for delta- and little or no affinity to mu-receptors, primarily responsible for side effects; and c. combining lower doses of opioid agonists with alpha 2-adrenergic agonists (e.g. clonidine) or with somatostatin. It is conceivable that in the not-too-distant future, it will be possible to achieve through these measures, selective spinal analgesia without side effects.
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PMID:Pain control with intrathecally and peridurally administered opioids and other drugs. 168 73

Repeated exposure of the rat vas deferens to the imidazoline oxymetazoline (OXY) results in a progressive loss of response which can appear selective for imidazoline agonists. The present study tests the hypothesis that imidazolines produce desensitization through prolonged blockade or inactivation of alpha-1 adrenoreceptors. Repeated exposure to OXY, naphazoline (NPZ) or tetrahydrozoline (THZ) produces a concentration- and time-dependent rightward shift and depression of the (-)-epinephrine concentration-effect curve, suggesting a mechanism of prolonged receptor blockade or inactivation. (-)-Epinephrine Kd values were similar when estimated after either receptor inactivation with phenoxybenzamine or repeated exposure to imidazolines. The differences in the ability of individual imidazolines to produce desensitization (order of potency: OXY greater than NPZ greater than or equal to THZ) do not follow their intrinsic activity (NPZ approximately THZ approximately OXY) or affinity (OXY greater than or equal to NPZ greater than THZ). The ability of individual imidazoline and phenethylamine agonists to produce a response in imidazoline-desensitized rat vas deferens reflects agonist intrinsic efficacy. Desensitization by imidazoline exposure does not affect contraction produced by either KCl or neurokinin A. Imidazolines produce effects similar to receptor inactivation and their desensitization in vas deferens can be explained without invoking an imidazoline subtype of alpha-1 adrenoreceptor.
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PMID:Imidazoline desensitization of epinephrine responses in rat vas deferens. 168 17

The effects of substance P, a putative central and peripheral neurotransmitter, on coronary vasculature and its mechanisms were studied in 31 anesthetized open chest dogs. Without coronary stenosis, intracoronary infusion of substance P (0.001 to 1 pmol/kg per min) for 40 s increased coronary blood flow up to 173 +/- 10.7% in dose-dependent fashion. Application of coronary stenosis created by an inflated intraluminal microballoon that preserved active vasomotion of the stenosed segment produced a pressure gradient of 34 +/- 2 mm Hg, a decrease in rest coronary blood flow of 21 +/- 1.6% and significant depression of the rate of rise in left ventricular pressure (dP/dt). During coronary stenosis, substance P increased coronary blood flow up to 150 +/- 9.4%, lowered mean distal coronary pressure and decreased stenosis resistance in dose-dependent fashion. After endothelial denudation of the proximal part of the coronary artery, the substance P-induced increments in coronary blood flow during coronary stenosis were abolished. In vitro measurements of isometric tension from both intact and denuded portions of coronary arteries confirmed a marked inhibition of substance P-induced relaxation in the denuded segments. These results show the obligatory role of the endothelium in substance P-induced coronary artery dilation. Furthermore, intracoronary infusion of substance P (1 pmol/kg per min) from the site distal to coronary stenosis that precluded the responsiveness of the large coronary artery decreased coronary blood flow by 24 +/- 4%, lowered mean distal coronary pressure by 15 +/- 1.9 mm Hg and intensified stenosis resistance by 77 +/- 7.2%. Thus, substance P exerts a direct potent dilating effect on both large and small coronary arteries. However, because of its strict endothelium-dependency, this peptide may play a detrimental role in the regulation of coronary blood flow when an atherosclerotic stenotic lesion with endothelial damage or dysfunction is present in the proximal part of the coronary artery.
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PMID:Endothelium-dependent vasodilating effect of substance P during flow-reducing coronary stenosis in the dog. 169 51

Adrenal and nonadrenal sympathetic preganglionic neurones (SPNs) in the intermediolateral nucleus of spinal segments T8-T10 in the cat were compared according to their responses to iontophoretic application of serotonin, substance P, and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). Responses of both types of SPN to iontophoretic application of serotonin were characterized by an increase in the rate of discharge that was slow in onset (mean +/- SD = 36 +/- 21 s) and prolonged in afterdischarge (115 +/- 70 s) following termination of application. Depression was never observed and responses were similar whether using serotonin at a pH of 3.3 or 4.5, suggesting that the absence of a depressant effect cannot be accounted for by pH, as has been reported with cortical neurones. Iontophoretic application of methysergide resulted in a decrease in the rate of discharge of both types of SPN and blocked the excitatory responses to serotonin. Adrenal and nonadrenal SPNs were excited by iontophoretic application of substance P. Responses of both types of SPN were similar and were characterized by a gradual increase in the rate of discharge that was slow in onset (42 +/- 27 s) and prolonged in afterdischarge (96 +/- 42 s). Finally, adrenal and nonadrenal SPNs were also weakly excited by iontophoretic application of TRH. These responses were slow in onset (48 +/- 27 s) and prolonged in afterdischarge (78 +/- 35 s). These data indicate that serotonin, substance P, and TRH exert excitatory effects on functionally dissimilar sympathetic preganglionic neurones and support the possibility that they may be chemical mediators of synaptic transmission in the intermediolateral nucleus. In addition, these data may be interpreted to support the notion that serotonin, substance P, and TRH are involved in global activation of the sympathetic nervous system.
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PMID:Adrenal versus nonadrenal sympathetic preganglionic neurones in the lower thoracic intermediolateral nucleus of the cat: effects of serotonin, substance P, and thyrotropin-releasing hormone. 169 19

The biological activity of two galanin (GAL) fragments, GAL-(1-16) and GAL-(17-29), was tested in vivo by using a spinal nociceptive flexor reflex model in the rat. Intrathecal (i.t.) GAL-(1-16) had a similar biphasic effect on the flexor reflex, with facilitation at lower doses and facilitation followed by depression at higher doses, as the full length peptide GAL-(1-29). GAL-(1-16) also effectively depressed the facilitation of the flexor reflex caused by i.t. substance P (SP) or C-fiber conditioning stimulation (CS) and potentiated the depressive effect of i.t. morphine on the reflex, both actions that have been reported earlier with GAL-(1-29). In contrast, i.t. GAL-(17-29), even at high doses, did not induce changes in the amplitude of the flexor reflex, nor did it interact with the effects of i.t. SP, morphine or C-fiber CS. It is concluded that the N-terminal portion of GAL-(1-29) is critical for the biological activity of the intact peptide in the dorsal horn of the rat spinal cord. The similarity between the effects of GAL-(1-16) and GAL-(1-29) indicates that they probably act on the same GAL receptor.
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PMID:The N-terminal 1-16, but not C-terminal 17-29, galanin fragment affects the flexor reflex in rats. 169 60

The mechanisms of a cutaneous nerve-evoked inhibition of monosynaptic reflex were investigated in an isolated spinal cord-peripheral nerve preparation of the neonatal rat. Conditioning stimulation of the saphenous nerve, with five pulses at 50 Hz and a strength sufficient to activate C fibers, evoked an inhibition lasting about 20 s of the monosynaptic reflex that was elicited by stimulation of the nerve branch to quadriceps femoris muscle and recorded from the L3 ventral root. This inhibition of monosynaptic reflex was potentiated by an anticholinesterase, edrophonium, and mostly blocked by atropine. Application of acetylcholine, muscarine, bethanechol, carbachol, arecoline and oxotremorine induced an inhibition of monosynaptic reflex. From the effects of muscarinic antagonists, pirenzepine, AF-DX 116, and 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine on the agonist-evoked and primary afferent-evoked inhibition of monosynaptic reflex it was concluded that the muscarinic receptors involved in the cutaneous nerve-evoked inhibition of monosynaptic reflex are of M2 type. When monosynaptic reflexes were evoked by two successive stimuli with intervals of 15 ms to 1 s, the second response was smaller than the first. This depression of monosynaptic reflex became less pronounced when the reflex was reduced by application of oxotremorine or arecoline or by conditioning stimulation of primary afferents, suggesting that the inhibition of monosynaptic reflex is presynaptic in nature. The late phase of the cutaneous nerve-evoked inhibition of monosynaptic reflex (5-20 s after conditioning stimulation) was markedly depressed by a tachykinin antagonist, spantide. Perfusion of the spinal cord with capsaicin (1 microM) for 1 h also abolished the late phase of the inhibition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Cutaneous nerve-evoked cholinergic inhibition of monosynaptic reflex in the neonatal rat spinal cord: involvement on M2 receptors and tachykininergic primary afferents. 170 24

There are receptors on lymphocytes for substance P which are found both on small recirculating and on blast lymphocytes. The principal effect of substance P on lymphocytes appears to be a stimulating one, both in vitro and in vivo. The in vivo administration of substance P to sheep by acute infusion into cannulated afferent lymphatics of peripheral lymph nodes has been found to stimulate efferent lymph flow and the output into efferent lymph of both small recirculating and blast lymphocytes. We here report that substance P both enhances and prolongs the enhancement of the output of T4 (CD4) lymphocytes from lymph nodes of sheep in vivo. This output-stimulating effect appears to be specific to T4 (CD4) lymphocytes and is associated with a depressant effect on the output of T8 (CD8) and B lymphocytes. The output-stimulating effect on small T4 (CD4) lymphocytes is quite prolonged, lasting in excess of 96 h after a single 50 micrograms acute infusion. A brief post-infusion depression in T4 (CD4) lymphocyte output is associated with an equally brief, but marked, elevation in the output into efferent lymph of the arachidonic acid metabolite, thromboxane B2. The output-stimulating effect of substance P on blast T lymphocytes is confined to the T4 (CD4) blast lymphocytes. Substance P or a similar molecule may be of value when a specific T4 (CD4) lymphocyte output stimulant effect is desired. A single prior (6 days) acute infusion of substance P into a popliteal lymph node via its cannulated afferent lymphatic produced profound changes in the response to nodal drainage area immunization with killed S. muenchen bacteria. The latent period prior to increased antibody production was abolished, as was the standard post-immunization 'shutdown' period of decreased output of lymphocytes into efferent lymph. These changes were accompanied by a marked and progressive increase in antibody production. The findings reported here suggest substance P-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) of the immune response and raise the question of an involvement of substance P as a major mediator of immunological memory.
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PMID:Substance P increases and prolongs increased output of T4 (CD4) lymphocytes from lymph nodes of sheep in vivo: is it a mediator of immunological memory? 170 49

The facilitatory effect of intrathecal (i.t.) morphine on the excitability of the nociceptive flexor reflex was examined in decerebrate, spinalized, unanesthetized rats with intact or sectioned sciatic nerves. Low doses of i.t. morphine (10 ng in rats with intact nerves and 10 or 100 ng in rats with sectioned nerves) facilitated the flexor reflex. Higher doses of morphine caused facilitation followed by reflex depression. Facilitation of the flexor reflex induced by 10 or 100 ng morphine was prevented by i.t. naloxone (1 microgram). In rats with intact sciatic nerves the facilitation was partially antagonized by the tachykinin antagonist spantide II (D-NicLys1,3-Pal3,D-Cl2Phe5,Asn6,D-Trp7,9,Nle 11)-substance P (SP), indicating that the reflex facilitation evoked by low doses of morphine may be due to the release of SP and perhaps other neuropeptides. In axotomized animals, 14-20 days after unilateral sciatic nerve section, spantide II failed to antagonize morphine-induced facilitation, suggesting that SP or other tachykinins, no longer played a role in this effect. In contrast, the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) antagonist (N-Ac-Tyr1,D-Phe2)-GRF (1-29)-NH2 blocked morphine-induced reflex facilitation in axotomized rats, but not in rats with intact nerves. The present study provides evidence that low doses of morphine may induce the release of excitatory neuropeptides, thereby facilitating spinal nociceptive transmission. The identity of the neuropeptides depends on whether or not peripheral axons are intact, tachykinins in rats with intact nerves and VIP in axotomized rats.
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PMID:Low-dose intrathecal morphine facilitates the spinal flexor reflex by releasing different neuropeptides in rats with intact and sectioned peripheral nerves. 171 3

The aim of the study was to assess which tachykinin receptors mediate the contractile response in the guinea-pig isolated bronchi. Experiments with natural tachykinins and receptor-selective tachykinin agonists were performed in the absence or presence of peptidase inhibitors and in bronchi pretreated with phenoxybenzamine. Both NK-1 (substance P, substance P methylester and septide) and NK-2 (neurokinin A, [beta-Ala8]neurokinin A-(4-10) and MDL 28,564) receptor agonists produced concentration-dependent contraction. NK-3 agonists (senktide and [MePhe7]neurokinin B) were active only at high concentrations. Phenoxybenzamine pretreatment reduced the maximal response to NK-1 agonists and produced a rightward shift of the curve to NK-2 agonists, without depression of the maximum. Five tachykinin antagonists selective for the NK-1 (L 668,169) or the NK-2 (MEN 10,207, MEN 10,376, L 659,877 and R 396) receptor were tested against substance P methylester and [beta-Ala8]neurokinin A-(4-10). The results indicated that these receptor-selective antagonists maintain their characteristic even when tested in a multireceptor assay such as the guinea-pig bronchus. The rank order of potency of NK-2 antagonists against [beta-Ala8]neurokinin A-(4-10) was MEN 10,207 = MEN 10,376 greater than L 659,877 much greater than R 396. This pattern, with the observation of the full agonist activity of MDL 28,564, indicates that in addition to NK-1 receptors, NK-2 receptors also are present in the guinea-pig bronchi and belong to the same subtype (NK-2A) as present in the rabbit pulmonary artery.
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PMID:Tachykinin receptors in the guinea-pig isolated bronchi. 171 90

The mammalian tachykinins, substance P and neurokinin A, and the non-mammalian tachykinin, physalaemin, were tested on functionally identified dorsal horn neurones in vivo. The experiments were done on cats which were anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbital or were anaemically decerebrated. Extracellular single-unit recordings were made in the lumbar spinal cord and the tachykinins were applied by iontophoresis. Each neurone was classified functionally as wide dynamic range, non-nociceptive, nociceptive specific or proprioceptive. The response to tachykinin application was determined for each neurone. Application of each of the tachykinins evoked a characteristic excitatory response which was delayed in onset, slow in developing and prolonged: physalaemin excited 99/131 neurones tested, neurokinin A excited 45/63 neurones and substance P excited 32/49 neurones. With two neurones physalaemin evoked a depression of the rate of firing, which may have been caused indirectly by excitation of a neighbouring neurone. Such depression was not elicited by either substance P or by neurokinin A. Physalaemin had a preferential excitatory effect on nociceptive neurones evoking excitation of 76/94 nociceptive neurones compared with 12/23 non-nociceptive neurones (chi 2 = 7.9, 1 d.f., P = 0.005). Substance P also caused a preferential excitation, with 30/40 nociceptive neurones being excited while all of the non-nociceptive neurones (n = 7) were unaffected (chi 2 = 11.5, 1 d.f., P = 0.0007). In contrast, neurokinin A failed to have a preferential effect; 32/46 nociceptive and 9/10 non-nociceptive neurones were excited (chi 2 = 1.0, 1 d.f., P = 0.40). Comparing the proportions of nociceptive neurones excited by the different tachykinins indicated that this type of neurone was not differently sensitive to any of the three peptides (chi 2 = 3.2, 2 d.f., P = 0.20). On the other hand, non-nociceptive neurones were preferentially excited by neurokinin A and physalaemin compared with substance P (chi 2 = 13.4, 2 d.f., P = 0.001). With regard to the endogenous tachykinins the results of this study may be interpreted in the following ways. The differential excitatory effect of substance P on nociceptive neurones supports the proposed role for this peptide in the transmission specifically of nociceptive inputs at the first afferent synapse. On the other hand, as neurokinin A excited non-nociceptive as well as nociceptive neurones, there may be a functional role for neurokinin A distinct from that of substance P.
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PMID:Responses of functionally identified neurones in the dorsal horn of the cat spinal cord to substance P, neurokinin A and physalaemin. 171 88


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