Finally, i.c.v. injection of PACAP provoked a significant increase in plasma glucose level. Altogether, these results indicate that PACAP, acting through PAC1-R, may inhibit food intake via a melanocortin-dependent pathway. These data also suggest a central action of PACAP in the control of glucose metabolism.”
“Objective: The click here presence of a high ankle-brachial index (ABI) is related to stiff ankle arteries due to medial calcification. Recently, this condition has attracted new, interest after reports of a worse cardiovascular
prognosis, similar to a low ABI. We sought to compare risk factors contributing to a low (<= 0.90) and high (>= 1.40) AB. Additionally, we hypothesized that in instances of high ABI, occlusive PAD may coexist.
Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted at vascular laboratories in a university medical center. The subjects were 510 ambulatory patients
(37% had diabetes) previously examined at our vascular laboratories and who responded positively to our invitation. We collected data on smoking, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease history. The noninvasive assessment of lower limb arteries consisted of the measurement of ABI, toe-brachial index (TBI), and posterior tibial artery peak flow velocity (Pk-PT). A TBI >0.7 and a Pk-PT > 10 cm/s were considered normal.
Results: High- and low-ABI were detected, respectively, in 2.1% and 57.8% of limbs. For a low ABI, age (odds ratio [OR], 1.29/10y), pack-years (OR, 1.08/10 units), and hypertension (OR, 1.90) were independent significant (P < .001) factors. A strong association was found between diabetes and high ABI (OR, 16.0; P < .001). PND-1186 molecular weight When ABI ranges were compared with TBI and Pk-PT results, those with ABI <= 0.90 and ABI >= 1.40 presented
similar patterns of abnormalities. Pk-PT or TBI, or both, was abnormal in more than 80% of cases in both ABI <= 0.90 and >= 1.40 groups. The ABI vs TBI relationship appeared linear in Ribonucleotide reductase nondiabetic patients, but had an inverted J-shape in diabetic patients, suggesting high ABI masked leg ischemia.
Conclusions: Diabetes is the dominant risk factor for a high (>= 1.40) ABI. Occlusive PAD is highly prevalent in subjects with high ABI, and these subjects should be considered as PAD-equivalent. (J Vasc Surg 2008;48:1197-203.)”
“To better understand the effect of the dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) on glutamate (Glu) neurotransmission in the brain, we utilized transgenic mice with partial or complete removal of functional DRD4 plasma membrane expression ( DRD4 +/- and DRD4 -/-, respectively). We measured resting extracellular Glu levels, Glu clearance kinetics, and KCl-evoked release of Glu in the striatum and nucleus accumbens core of these mice using in vivo amperometry coupled to a novel microelectrode array configured for sub-second detection of Glu. Recordings from DRD4-/- and DRD4 +/- mice were compared with their wild-type littermates (DRD4+/+).