This study evaluated whether increased release of nitric oxide (NO) from the nitrergic component of the nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) nerves may be partly responsible for the decrease in gastrointestinal motility observed during pregnancy. Segments of fundal strip, ileum, and colon were obtained from nonpregnant rats, rats in midpregnancy (days 9-11), and rats in late pregnancy (days 18-...

Testosterone synthesis within Leydig cells is a calcium-dependent process. Intracellular calcium levels are regulated by different processes including ATP-activated P2X purinergic receptors, T-type Ca2+ channels modulated by the luteinizing hormone, and intracellular calcium storages recruited by a calcium-induced calcium release mechanism. On the other hand, nitric oxide (NO) is reported to ha...

23 We have recently shown that membrane association of nNOSα is critical in the regulation 24 of synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) during nitrergic neurotransmission. The purpose of this 25 study was to examine the role of the synapse associated proteins in membrane association 26 of nNOSα. Varicosities (swellings on terminal axons) were isolated from mice 27 gastrointestinal tract and examined fo...

AIMS In humans, impaired gastric accommodation is associated with early satiety and weight loss. In animals, accommodation involves activation of gastric nitrergic neurones. Our aim was to study involvement of nitric oxide in gastric accommodation and in meal induced satiety in humans. METHODS The effect of N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) 4 mg/kg/h and 8 mg/kg/h on gastric compliance, on ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE We investigated whether pregnancy was associated with changed function in components of perivascular mesenteric innervation and the mechanism/s involved. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We used superior mesenteric arteries from female Sprague-Dawley rats divided into two groups: control rats (in oestrous phase) and pregnant rats (20 days of pregnancy). Modifications in the vasoco...

The effect of sympathectomy on parasympathetic regulation of ocular perfusion was investigated. Uveal blood flow through the vortex veins was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry during electrical stimulation of the superior salivatory nucleus, which activates ocular parasympathetic nerves, in adult rats with intact innervation and 2 days or 6 weeks after excision of the ipsilateral superior cer...

Locomotor control requires functional flexibility to support an animal's full behavioral repertoire. This flexibility is partly endowed by neuromodulators, allowing neural networks to generate a range of motor output configurations. In hatchling Xenopus tadpoles, before the onset of free-swimming behavior, the gaseous modulator nitric oxide (NO) inhibits locomotor output, shortening swim episod...

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an incretin, which is used to treat diabetes mellitus in humans, inhibited vagal activity and activated nitrergic pathways. In rats, GLP-1 also increased sympathetic activity, heart rate, and blood pressure (BP). However, the effects of GLP-1 on sympathetic activity in humans are unknown. Our aims were to assess the effects of a GLP-1 agonist with or without alp...

The Frank-Starling response is an intrinsic heart property that particularly evident in the fish because piscine cardiomyocytes are extremely sensitive to stretch. Several mechanisms and compounds influence response, including free radical nitric oxide produced by synthases vascular endothelium of all vertebrates. Besides its role scavenging oxide, hemoglobin may act as a source transporter. In...