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Previously we have shown that the temperature dependence of the sodium pump (Na+,K+-ATPase) is altered under different neuropathological conditions. In this study we compared temperature dependence of the Na+,K+-ATPase in the fronto-parietal cortex of CCK2 receptor-deficient (homo- and heterozygous) and normal (wild-type) mice. The Arrhenius plot for Na+,K+-ATPase from wild-type brain is non-linear with a breakpoint at 20.3 ± 0.4°C. In case of the brain cell membrane of CCK2 receptor-deficient mice (homo- and heterozygous) the breakpoint on Arrhenius plot was detected at 26.0 ± 1.1°C and 25.4 ± 0.4°C, respectively. The shift of the breakpoint on the Arrhenius plot established in CCK2 receptor-deficiency as well as in case of some other pathological conditions confirms that such kind of alteration in the Na+,K+-ATPase temperature dependence is likely related to the homeostatic adjustment of altered function of the sodium pump. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing evidence to suggest that the newly discovered cytokines interleukin (IL)-19 and -20 have a role in the function of epidermis and in psoriasis. The genes encoding these cytokines locate into the genomic IL-10 region on human chromosome 1. The aim of the present study was to analyze whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in these genes have an impact on the susceptibility for psoriasis. From pairwise linkage disequilibrium (LD) matrix of the IL-19 and -20 gene polymorphisms, what reflects the nonrandom association of alleles at these markers, it was apparent that IL-19 and -20 genes form one block of LD. We found that the HT3 CACCGGAA haplotype of the IL-19 and -20 genes was associated with an increased risk of psoriasis, reflecting its role in determining susceptibility to plaque-type psoriasis. Although association analysis of the IL-19 gene indicated that minor alleles of the IL-19 gene SNPs (rs2243188, rs2243169 and rs2243158) revealed protective effect to psoriasis and haplotype analysis of the IL-19 gene proved significant protective effect of the TGATA haplotype in case of late-onset disease, combined haplotype analysis of the IL-19 and -20 genes demonstrated that protective effect of the IL-19 gene is secondary to the susceptibility effect of the IL-20 gene.Genes and Immunity (2004) 5, 662-667. doi:10.1038/sj.gene.6364141 Published online 21 October 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed the frequency of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at positions -1053 (rs 2981572), 1380 (rs 2981573), 1462 (rs 2232360), and 3978 (rs 1518108) of the human interleukin-20 (IL-20) gene by tetraprimer ARMS-PCR method. A significant association between patients with psoriasis and the G allele at position -1053 (P<0.05) was established. The pairwise linkage disequilibrium (LD) matrix showed that the nearly complete LD was present within the polymorphisms at positions -1053, 1380, and 1462 of the IL-20 gene. We found that patients with plaque psoriasis had a higher frequency of the HT3 GAA haplotype (P<0.01, OR 2.341, 95% CI: 1.346-4.074) compared to the control group. Likewise, the HT3 GAA haplotype was associated with an increased risk of early-onset psoriasis (P<0.01, OR 2.305, 95% CI: 1.285-4.132), late onset of disease (P<0.01, OR 2.542, 95% CI: 1.266-5.102), familial psoriasis (P<0.02, OR 2.220, 95% CI: 1.249-3.945), and sporadic disease (P<0.01, OR 2.523, 95% CI: 1.390-4.580). Our data indicate that IL-20 gene polymorphisms should have a role in determining susceptibility to plaque-type psoriasis. The possible role of the studied SNPs in the regulation of the expression of IL-20 is unknown yet and needs further studies.Genes and Immunity (2004) 5, 117-121. doi:10.1038/sj.gene.6364046 Published online 8 January 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systemic treatment with caerulein (0.25-5 µg/kg SC), non-selective agonist of cholecystokinin (CCK) receptors, dose-dependently suppressed the exploratory behaviour of rats in an elevated plus-maze without producing remarkable changes in the locomotor activity of animals in an open field test. Ondansetron, a selective antagonist of 5-HT receptors, increased the number of open arm entries in the plus-maze test only at a dose 10 µg/kg. The other doses of ondansetron (0.1, 1 and 100 µg/kg IP) did not significantly change either the locomotor activity or the exploratory behaviour of rats. Pretreatment of rats with ondansetron (at 10 µg/kg, but not at 0.1, 1 or 100 µg/kg) completely reversed the anti-exploratory effect of caerulein (5 µg/kg). The concomitant treatment with caerulein and ondansetron did not cause any major change in the locomotor activity of animals in open field. Consequently, we propose that 5-HT-ergic mechanisms are involved not only in the regulation of CCK release in the cerebral cortex and nucleus accumbens, but also in the modulation of the anti-exploratory effect of caerulein, a CCK agonist, in the elevated plus-maze. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared the influence of two cholecystokinin (CCK) antagonists, devazepide and L,365,260 [3R-(+)-(2,3-dihydro-1-methyl-2-oxo-5-phenyl-1 H-1,4-benzodiazepine-3y1)-N′-(3-methyl-phenyl)urea], upon two distinct phenomena, behavioural and hormonal effects of caerulein (5 μg/kg s.c.), and unselective CCK agonist, in rats. Behavioural effects were assessed in the elevated plusmaze and open field tests. In separate experiments, effects on thyrotropin (TSH), prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) levels in serum of male rats were studied. Caerulein inhibited the exploratory behaviour in the plus-maze. Time spent in the open part, the number of line crossings and closed arm entries were significantly decreased, whereas the ratio of failed attempts/closed arm entries was increased. The anti-exploratory effect of caerulein was antagonized by the pretreatment with L-365,260 (10 μg/kg), a preferential antagonist at CCK receptors, but was increased by devazepide (1-100 μg/kg), a preferential CCK antagonist. L-365,260 (1-100 ⧎/kg) and devazepide (1-100 Fig/kg) given alone did not change the behaviour of rats in the plusmaze test. Caerulein (5 μg/kg) itself did not modify the locomotor activity of rats in open field. However, the concomitant administration of caerulein with devazepide (1-10 μg/kg) reduced the frequency of line crossings and rearings. In the hormonal studies caerulein significantly decreased the cold-induced increase of TSH levels in serum. GH and PRL levels were not markedly affected by caerulein. Pretreatment with devazepide (100 μg/kg) antagonized, while Lr365,260 (100 Ng/kg) even increased, the suppressing effect of caerulein on TSH levels. The concomitant administration of L-365,260 and caerulein reduced the levels of GH, whereas the combination of CCK agonist with devazepide caused the opposite effect. L-365,260 and devazepide alone did not change the levels of hormones in serum. The results support the idea that CCK and CCK receptors exert an opposite influence not only upon the exploratory behaviour in rats (CCK receptor activation mediates an increase, CCK receptor activation a decrease) but also upon the secretion of two anterior pituitary hormones, TSH and probably GH (CCK receptor activation mediates a decrease, CCK receptor activation an increase). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of cholecystokinin (CCK) receptors in the development of anxiety caused by social isolation of rats was studied using the elevated plus-maze and receptor binding techniques. The isolation of male Wistar rats significantly reduced their exploratory activity in the elevated plus-maze compared with that of rats kept in groups of four. Caerulein (0.1-5 μg/kg s.c.), an agonist at CCK receptors, only at the highest dose (5 μg/kg) significantly decreased the exploratory behaviour of rats housed in groups, but not in the isolated rats. By contrast, small doses of caerulein (0.1-0.5 μg/kg) even tended to increase the behavioural activity of isolated rats in the plus-maze test. In parallel to the behavioural changes, isolation of the rats increased the number of [H]pCCK-8 binding sites in the frontal cortex, but not in the other forebrain structures (the mesolimbic area, striatum and hippocampus). Isolation did not affect the density of benzodiazepine receptors in the frontal cortex. In conclusion, the isolation of rats for 7 days produced anxiogenic-like effect on the behaviour of rats and increased the number of CCK receptors in the frontal cortex without affecting benzodiazepine receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]