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Gastrointestinal intolerance has been associated with amino bisphosphonate therapy in the clinic. The objective of this study was to develop a model for assessing bisphosphonate-induced gastric damage that may aid in the development of future bisphosphonate therapies. Rats were dosed concomitantly with indomethacin (40 mg/kg, subcutaneously) and an amino or pyridinyl bisphosphonate (orally at. 150, 225 or 300 mg/kg). The bisphosphonates studied were pamidronate and alendronate (primary amino bisphosphonates) and risedronate and NE-97221 (pyridinyl bisphosphonates). Macroscopically, alendronate induced significantly (P < 0.05) more antral damage (both lesion length and number) than pamidronate and risedronate at 225 and 300 mg/kg, and more than NE-97221 at 300 mg/kg. NE-97221 induced significantly more antral damage (lesion length) than risedronate at 225 mg/kg and a greater number of lesions compared to pamidronate and risedronate at 225 and 300 mg/kg. The model was validated histologically, and macroscopic findings correlated with histologic evidence of antral mucosal necrosis and inflammatory infiltration of the lamina propria. The calcium chelators EGTA and EDTA did not induce gastric damage in this model when dosed according to the same protocol as the nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates. This suggests that calcium chelation does not account for the gastric effects in this model. The fasted, indomethacin-treated rat provides a novel nonclinical model to assess gastric effects of bisphosphonates, which may aid in the development of future bisphosphonate therapies. These data suggest that when expressed on an actual or anticipated clinical dose basis for osteoporosis (pamidronate, 150 mg; alendronate, 5-10 mg; risedronate and NE-97221, 5 mg), primary amino bisphosphonates may have a greater potential for inducing gastric damage than do pyridinyl bisphosphonates.

To elucidate the mechanisms of flavonoid-induced protection against nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (indomethacin)-induced acute gastric damage, the effects of 5-methoxyflavone and 5-methoxyflavanone on the gastric vasculature were compared both in vivo (using laser Doppler flowmetry in anesthetized rats) and in vitro on rat superior mesenteric arteries. The effects of the compounds on indomethacin-induced leukocyte adherence to mesenteric venules were investigated by intravital videomicroscopy. Oral 5-methoxyflavone reduced indomethacin-induced macroscopic damage by 38 to 99% (ED50 = 5.5 mg/kg). Damage was not significantly reduced by 5-methoxyflavanone. Light microscopy studies also demonstrated a reduction in damage severity. 5-Methoxyflavone, but not 5-methoxyflavanone, increased the gastric conductance significantly. The effects on isolated mesenteric arteries correlated with the effects on in vivo conductance. Finally, indomethacin-induced leukocyte adherence was inhibited to a greater extent by 5-methoxyflavone than by 5-methoxyflavanone. In conclusion, the flavonoid 5-methoxyflavone provides gastroprotection against nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced gastric damage. A structurally similar compound, 5-methoxyflavanone, demonstrated minimal gastroprotective activity, suggesting that the double bond of 5-methoxyflavone is required for biological activity. The finding that 5-methoxyflavone (but not 5-methoxyflavanone) significantly increased gastric vascular perfusion and reduced leukocyte adherence to mesenteric venules suggests that these mechanisms may contribute to the flavonoid's gastroprotective activity.

Mitotic activity of bone marrow and tumor of sarcoma-bearing rats and of bone marrow of healthy controls is circadian periodic. Whereas the circadian rhythm in mitotic activity of bone marrow is similar for intact and tumor-bearing rats, with a peak occurring shortly after the onset of the dark (activity) span, the circadian rhythm in mitotic activity of tumor has a much smaller amplitude and a different acrophase occurring late in the dark span. This difference in acrophase of mitotic activity of bone marrow and tumor has important implications for scheduling the administration of oncotherapy. For the tumor model examined herein, it suggests the possibility to achieve concomitantly near maximal efficacy and near minimal myelotoxicity, a result awaiting further investigation in humans with different kinds of malignancies.

The distribution of animal groups (3--4 control or gamma-irradiated mice per group) were obtained when analysing published data on the mean number of the CFUs in the femoral bone marrow or stem cells of small intestinal crypt. Almost 50% of such groups have the mean number less than the geometric mean. The mean value for the group of animals deviation from the expected geometric mean for all animal population for more than 2.5 times, both for the larger values and for the smaller, was about 5% in such groups for the marrow CFUs and 20% for intestinal stem cells. The percentage of mice, that died from acute radiation sickness after acute irradiation, was related with the parameter D(0), that characterized the CFUs survivability on the exponential part of the survivability curve. The negative correlation (r = -0.83) was determined between the mean value of the small intestine crypt stem cells and the ability of intestinal stem cells to the radiation damage reparation, evaluated through the parameter D(q) of the stem enterocyte survival curve for this animal groups.

Circadian changes of the mean value of each component of rat myelogram and of the proliferative pool of bone marrow cells were obtained. These changes were imposed on a monotonous decrease in the case of subpopulations of granulocytes or on a monotonous increase in the case of subpopulations of the erythroid cells and lymphocytes (from 12.00 to 09.00 next day). This process was not influenced by the elimination of the lymphocytes from the individual myelograms. These myelogram changes appeared to be due to the circadian mature cell production rhythm and flows of the lymphocytes and of mature granulocytes between the bone marrow and the peripheral blood. These changes also suggest the antiphase monotonous correction of the erythrocytic and granulocytic precursors production during several days.

A new model of ex vivo vascularly perfused, isolated rat ileum was developed and evaluated. Segments of distal ileum (approximately 5 cm) from male Wistar rats were isolated on their vascular pedicles. Perfusion through an aortic cannula with oxygenated (95% O2, 5% CO2) Krebs solution containing 5% bovine albumin, 5.6 mM glucose, and 25 mM mannitol at 37 degrees C was initiated immediately after interruption of blood flow. The bowel preparations, including the abdominal aorta, were then transferred to a perfusion chamber. Perfusion pressure was maintained by gravity at 40 mm Hg. Flow was measured with an electromagnetic flow probe. The portal vein, together with the lymphatics, drained freely into collection tubes. The bowel lumen was perfused at 0.85 ml/min with isotonic modified Krebs solution containing [14C]polyethylene glycol, and the luminal perfusion pressure was monitored. Luminal effluents were collected through a large-bore outlet tubing. As determined by histology, O2 consumption, vascular reactivity, and mucosal permeability, the preparations were viable for at least 60 min of perfusion. With this model, a vasoconstrictor effect of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine was documented for the first time in isolated rat bowel.

1. The perfused adrenal gland of the rat was used to establish the identity of a non-cholinergic substance involved in splanchnic nerve-mediated secretion of catecholamines. 2. The perfused adrenal medulla was rich in vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) content (28 pmol g-1 of wet tissue). VIP-immunoreactive nerve fibres were present in the adrenal medulla and the adrenal cortex. 3. Field stimulation (10 Hz for 15 min plus 1 Hz for 15 min) caused a large increase in the output of VIP in the perfusate over the spontaneous release of VIP. Secretion of catecholamines was also greatly elevated by field stimulation. Field stimulation-evoked output of VIP and catecholamines was abolished after chronic denervation of the adrenal glands. 4. Infusion of acetylcholine (ACh) did not increase the output of VIP but caused a robust secretion of catecholamines. 5. The VIP output declined when the stimulation frequency was increased (8.6 x 10(-3) fmol pulse-1 at 1 Hz and 4.0 x 10(-3) fmol pulse-1 at 10 Hz). 6. In contrast, the output of 3H-acetylcholine (3H-ACh, expressed as a fraction of tissue 3H-ACh content) increased from 7.0 x 10(-2) pulse-1 at 1 Hz to 16.3 x 10(-2) pulse-1 at 10 Hz. 7. Secretion of catecholamines evoked by low-frequency stimulation (1 Hz) was reduced by 40% in the presence of cholinergic receptor antagonists (atropine plus hexamethonium). Inclusion of a VIP receptor antagonist ([Ac-Tyr1, D-Phe2]-GRF 1-29 amide) caused about 75% inhibition. 8. The VIP receptor antagonist inhibited VIP-evoked secretion of catecholamines without affecting ACh-evoked secretion. 9. In conclusion, VIP satisfies all the essential criteria to assume the role of a neurotransmitter in the rat adrenal medulla. The contribution of VIP to the secretion of adrenal medullary hormones is more prominent at low rates of neuronal activity whereas ACh is the major contributor at higher activity.

The expression of neuropeptides galanin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and substance P was compared after injury to somatic (sciatic, pudendal) and visceral (pelvic) nerves. Studies in normal rats and the mutant rat 'mutilated foot' suggested that galanin increases in sensory but not sympathetic fibres after sciatic nerve injury, while VIP appears to increase in both sensory and sympathetic fibres, and substance P to decrease in sensory fibres. A direct comparison of neuropeptide changes after somatic and visceral nerve injury was made in the cat dorsal sacral spinal cord, where both pudenal (somatic) and pelvic (visceral) afferents terminate. Four weeks after pudendal nerve transection in the cat there was an increase of VIP and galanin but decrease of substance P in the dorsal sacral cord, similar to the changes in lumbar dorsal cord after sciatic nerve section in the rat. In contrast, 4 weeks after pelvic nerve transection in the cat, galanin was unchanged in the ipsilateral dorsal sacral spinal cord, whereas VIP is known to decrease markedly and substance P to remain unchanged. There is thus differential peptide expression before and after injury in somatic and visceral systems, which may be regulated in part by the target organ. We have proposed that the neuropeptide changes occur in neurons that regulate development, maintenance and repair after injury, processes that may differ in somatic and visceral systems.

The neuropeptides vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), substance P and somatostatin were studied in skin biopsies from patients with eczema, psoriasis and axillary hyperhidrosis. VIP concentrations were elevated in skin affected by eczema and psoriasis, whereas substance P and somatostatin levels did not differ from controls. There was a higher concentration of VIP, but not of substance P or somatostatin, in normal axillary skin when compared to adjacent trunk skin, with abundant VIP-containing fibres surrounding eccrine sweat glands. The VIP concentration was unchanged in skin affected by axillary hyperhidrosis. VIP may increase local blood flow in eczema and psoriasis, but does not appear to play a role in axillary hyperhidrosis.

Flow cytofluorimetry and statmokinetic method were used to study the circadian rhythm of bone marrow proliferation in Pliss' lymphosarcoma-bearing and intact rats. These data were compared to those obtained in the study of the mitotic activity of the bone marrow in cancer patients. It was found that, already at early stage, tumor affected the circadian rhythm of bone marrow proliferation, reducing the amplitude of oscillations. A model simulating formation of the circadian rhythm of the bone marrow was suggested basing on the possibility to arrest cells at the end of G1 phase. The rate of transition of G1 cells to S phase was determined not only by endogenous "set-points" of the rhythm which formed the basic wave of proliferation but also by conditions of animal upkeep.

Injection of the structurally related peptides, endothelin-1 and vasoactive intestinal contractor (VIC), into a branch of the superior mesenteric artery in anesthetized cats caused dose-dependent reductions in blood flow in the portal vein and inferior mesenteric artery. The maximum effect occurred after 1 minute and was more prolonged in the portal vein. The effects of the two peptides were not significantly different. The colonic output of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) into portal venous blood was decreased significantly by endothelin-1 and VIC, returning to baseline more rapidly than blood flow. When norepinephrine was injected to produce comparable reductions in blood flow, the output of VIP into portal venous blood was not altered significantly. These results suggest that inhibition of output of the vasodilator VIP contributes to the vasoconstrictor effects of endothelin-1 and VIC in the feline colonic vascular bed.

The increased expression of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in injured peripheral neurons was studied. In contrast to substance P, there was a marked increase, and maintained fast axonal transport, of VIP in rat sciatic nerve after peripheral axotomy. Local capsaicin application to the nerve trunk failed to inhibit the injury-induced VIP increase, and capsaicin even increased VIP levels when applied locally to uninjured nerves. Pharmacological sympathectomy showed that some of the peripheral VIP increase may occur in post-ganglionic sympathetic fibres. The VIP increase after injury appeared unaffected in the mf mutant rat, in spite of its loss of lumbar dorsal root ganglion cells. VIP-staining fibres in the epi- and peri-neurium and perivascular plexuses of sciatic nerve showed an increase in number in parallel with the changes of the nerve VIP content. These findings suggest that sensory and sympathetic nerve fibres expressing VIP after injury play a role in the regulation of blood flow to nerves, and in the pathophysiological processes in nerve and dorsal spinal cord which follow peripheral nerve injury.

The effect of the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) antagonist [N-Ac-Tyr1,D-Phe2]-GRF-(1-29)-NH2 on pelvic nerve-induced colonic vasodilation and VIP release was investigated in chloralose-anesthetized cats. VIP antagonist (10 and 50 nmol/kg in saline) or saline alone was injected into a branch of the superior mesenteric artery immediately before bilateral pelvic nerve stimulation. The increase in conductance in the inferior mesenteric artery during pelvic nerve stimulation was reduced in an apparently dose-dependent fashion by the VIP antagonist (by 35 +/- 10 and 42 +/- 9%, respectively) compared with the pelvic nerve-induced increase in conductance after injection of saline alone. Injection of the VIP antagonist (50 nmol/kg) did not alter conductance in the absence of pelvic nerve stimulation. VIP was released into portal venous blood during pelvic nerve stimulation in the presence of the antagonist (from 103 +/- 29 to 165 +/- 45 pmol/l). This was not significantly different from release in the presence of saline. The effect of the VIP antagonist (10 nmol.kg-1.min-1) on inferior mesenteric arterial vasodilation induced by exogenous VIP was also quantitated. The increase in conductance after VIP injection (0.2 nmol/kg) was significantly reduced when accompanied by simultaneous infusion of the VIP antagonist (by 54 +/- 6%) compared with the increase in conductance during simultaneous infusion of saline. We conclude that [N-Ac-Tyr1,D-Phe2]-GRF-(1-29)-NH2 is an inhibitor of pelvic nerve-induced vasodilation in the feline colon and does not act by modulating VIP release.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The aim of this study was to determine whether short-segment jejunal allografts maintained the viability and nutritional status of outbred recipient pigs treated with low-dose cyclosporine. The animals were subjected to total small bowel resection (from the ligament of Treitz to the ileocecal valve, approximately 15 m). Short-gut control animals (n = 8) who had no transplant died of malabsorption on day 62.5 +/- 4.1 (mean +/- SEM). Without cyclosporine immunosuppression, recipients (n = 5) of 3 m to 4 m jejunal allografts died of rejection on day 8.8 +/- 0.7. However enterectomized pigs (n = 11) who had segmental jejunal allograft transplants and were treated with cyclosporine (10 mg/kg/day) demonstrated significantly prolonged survival (to day 80.9 +/- 22.3; p less than 0.05). By 180 days after transplant, surviving animals increased their weight by almost 40%. In conclusion short-segment jejunal allografts significantly improved the mortality and morbidity rates from surgically created short bowel syndrome in pigs.

Denervation of the gut, resulting in altered bowel function, has been viewed as an impediment to the clinical success of small intestinal transplantation. This study examined the effect of complete extrinsic denervation of the jejunum and ileum on tissue levels of VIP, SP, and 5-HT in a rat model of small intestinal transplantation. Orthotopic total small bowel isograft transplants were performed in 18 Lewis inbred rats. Sham operations consisted of occluding the superior mesenteric artery of 18 Lewis rats for 10 minutes to provide comparable degrees of ischemia. Six rats from each group were sacrificed 1, 2, and 4 weeks following transplantation or sham operation. The jejunum and ileum were removed and extracted in acid for measurement of VIP, SP, and 5-HT by radioimmunoassay. There were no statistically significant differences in the jejunal or ileal content of VIP or 5-HT or the jejunal content of SP between the transplant and sham groups. An initial decrease in ileal SP content at 1 week following transplantation was no longer evident by the fourth week. We conclude that the extrinsic denervation of small intestinal transplantation has minimal effects on the intestinal content of VIP, SP, and 5-HT and should not significantly affect physiologic function controlled by these gastrointestinal hormones.

The possible involvement in idiopathic detrusor instability of a newly discovered type of autonomic nerve containing vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) has been studied. Immunocytochemistry and radioimmunoassay, using specific antibodies against VIP, were carried out on 20 biopsy specimens from the bladders of patients with detrusor instability and 20 specimens from control patients. The concentration of VIP in the unstable bladders was found to be markedly reduced from 36.52 +/- 4.8 pmol/g (mean +/- SEM) to 7.62 +/- 1.84 pmol/g (P less than 0.01). The number of VIP immunoreactive nerves was greatly decreased in all of the layers but particularly in the muscle layer of the unstable bladder in comparison with the controls. These findings may provide important information about the mechanism of this disorder.

The effects of neonatal thyroid deficiency or hyperthyroidism on the development of neurones containing certain neuropeptides was examined in the brains of rats killed at two weeks of age. Five brain areas were dissected and extracted for radioimmunoassay measurement of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), somatostatin, cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK), substance P and neurotensin, whilst corresponding immunocytochemical data were obtained from a quantitative morphological analysis of cell bodies in the cingulate cortex. The two methods of analysis did not always agree, but in hypothyroidism both the concentration of VIP and the number of cells containing VIP-like immunoreactivity were significantly decreased in the anterior and posterior cingulate cortex. In contrast to these effects on the late maturing VIP neurones, the earlier developing somatostatin system was relatively unaffected, whilst neuropeptides localized in cortical fibres rather than cell bodies (such as substance P and neurotensin) were found by radioimmunoassay to be elevated. Hyperthyroidism had less marked effects than neonatal thyroidectomy, although the concentration of CCK (but not the number of immunostained cells) was significantly increased in the cingulate cortex. Radioimmunoassay results from three subcortical areas showed a decrease in VIP concentration in the hypothyroid hypothalamus, and in hyperthyroidism significant elevations of VIP in the basal ganglia, somatostatin in the hypothalamus and CCK in the hippocampus. It appears that in the brain areas studied thyroid disorders result in dis-synchronous shifts in the developmental patterns of the different neuropeptides, and that the effects of thyroid hormone on peptides as on other transmitters are critically dependent on the developmental profile of the system in question., (Copyright © 1983. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

VIP- and substance P-like immunoreactivities were found in considerable concentrations (VIP: 17.3 +/- 4.8 pmol/g, mean +/- SEM; substance P:11.1 +/- 1.8 pmol/g) in the uveal portion of the guinea pig eye. Immunocytochemistry localised these two regulatory peptides to nerve fibres found principally in a plexus in the iris (substance P) and in an extensive network surrounding the blood vessels of the choroid (VIP). A remarkable anatomical demarcation of the two types of peptide-containing nerves was established by the staining of substance P-containing nerves, which stops at the level of the ciliary body. This uveal area is known to be involved in the ocular responses to nociceptive stimuli. At the ultrastructural level, immunoreactivity for both peptides was localised to distinct subpopulations of p-type nerves, distinguishable by the size of their large dense-cored vesicles. Those immunoreactive for VIP were significantly larger (p less than 0.0005) than those immunoreactive for substance P (95 +/- 7 nm and 82 +/- 9 nm respectively; mean +/- SD). Interruption of the trigeminal pathway produced a remarkable decrease of substance P immunoreactivity in the anterior portion of the uvea (9.1 +/- 1.5 pmol/g, mean +/- SEM, control; 5.3 +/- 1.3 pmol/g, denervated), but not of VIP immunoreactivity in the choroid. Following colchicine treatment, VIP-immunoreactive neuronal cell bodies were localised in the choroid. The separate anatomical localisations and distributions of the two uveal peptides appear to be related to their different origins and functional roles in the response of the eye to noxious stimuli.

In order to compare within the same brains the quantitative distributions of a range of neuropeptides, bombesin, N- and C-terminal glucagon, cholecystokinin, neurotensin, somatostatin, substance P and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide immunoreactivities were determined by radioimmunoassay in 24 regions of 5 normal adult human brains. Each peptide showed a different distribution pattern. Of the peptides not previously mapped in detail in the human brain, bombesin-like immunoreactivity was present in all regions with the highest concentrations in particular areas of the hypothalamus, septal nuclei, nucleus accumbens, globus pallidus, amygdala, periaqueductal grey and substantia nigra. C- and N-terminal glucagon immunoreactivities were detected only in the ventromedial hypothalamus. The concentrations of the remaining 5 peptide immunoreactivities, and their molecular forms, were in good general agreement with those reported individually by others in both human brains and those of experimental animals. The quantitative mapping of the regulatory peptides in the human brain provides an essential base for further comparative study in diseased postmortem brains.

Nerve fibres containing VIP and the co-produced PHI are found in the dorsal horn and autonomic centres of the sacral spinal cord and in pelvic organs. We have investigated the origin of these nerve fibres and a possible peptide-containing pathway linking pelvic viscera with the spinal cord of the cat and rat using neurochemical and neurosurgical procedures, retrograde tracing and immunocytochemistry. Cell bodies were located in the dorsal root ganglia (after colchicine injection), pelvic ganglia and bladder wall. Capsaicin treatment induced a loss of VIP/PHI from the dorsal horn. Retrograde tracing from the bladder revealed True Blue labelled cells in the dorsal root ganglia (L6, S1), parasympathetic nuclei and pelvic ganglia. Labelled cells were sequentially immunostained for VIP/PHI which were numerous in pelvic ganglia and scattered and weak in dorsal root ganglia. Pelvic nerve section induced a decrease of VIP/PHI immunoreactivity from the spinal cord and no change or a minimal increase in immunoreactive nerve fibers of the bladder. Thus pelvic visceral afferents with cell bodies in the dorsal root ganglia are a significant source of VIP/PHI-containing fibres in the sacral dorsal horn.

Levels of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)- and substance P (SP)-like immunoreactivity were measured in ocular and orbital tissues of albino rabbits. Substantial amounts of VIP were detected in the choroid (22.6 +/- 3.6 pmol g-1), and in the lacrimal (13.6 +/- 4.4 pmol g-1) and Harderian glands (20.2 +/- 4.9 pmol g-1). Somewhat less was found in the anterior uvea (3.6 +/- 1.1 pmol g-1), retina (5.4 +/- 1.3 pmol g-1) and optic nerve head (4.1 +/- 1.1 pmol g-1). Other tissues, including conjunctiva and extraocular muscle showed very little VIP-like immunoreactivity. Seven days after diathermic damage to the region of the pterygopalatine ganglion VIP was virtually eliminated from all these tissues. SP levels were also reduced, notably in the anterior uvea, probably due to concurrent destruction of sensory fibres. Electron microscopy revealed extensive degeneration of unmyelinated axons in the short ciliary nerves and in the choroid. No changes in ocular VIP levels were detected after sympathetic denervation, although a significant rise in SP was observed in the anterior uvea. The decrease in retinal VIP, believed to be confined to the amacrine cells, is considered to be a result of post-operative lid closure, rather than of VIIth nerve degeneration. Nevertheless, with this exception, VIP in ocular and orbital tissues of the rabbit appears to be contained exclusively within parasympathetic fibres of facial nerve origin.

The origin of the abundant vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-immunoreactive nerves in the uterus has not been fully determined. In this study, a fluorescent dye, True Blue was injected into the uterus of rat and 6 days later, neuronal cell bodies of the paracervical ganglion were found to be labelled by this dye. Some of these labelled ganglion cells were also found to contain VIP immunoreactivity by immunocytochemistry. When the preganglionic pelvic and/or hypogastric nerves of rats were sectioned, the VIP-immunoreactive nerves in the uteri were not depleted, indicating that these nerves did not originate from the splanchnic ganglion, dorsal root ganglion or the spinal cord. Therefore it is concluded that VIP-immunoreactive nerves in the uterus originate from the paracervical ganglion.

Intracavernosal and peripheral venous vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) levels were measured in men with predominantly organic or predominantly psychogenic impotence. The measurements were taken at intervals up to 30 min following intracavernosal injections of saline, papaverine hydrochloride and papaverine hydrochloride and phentolamine. Levels were also measured after tactile and visual sexual stimulation and following an intravenous injection of papaverine and phentolamine. A penile erection occurred in all men receiving intracavernosal vasoactive compounds. The mean VIP concentration did not alter significantly in either cavernosal or peripheral venous blood during the erection. Mean VIP concentrations were significantly greater in the neurogenic (all diabetic) group than in the other groups studied. Mean cavernosal and peripheral VIP concentrations did not alter following tactile or visual sexual stimulation and no significant alteration in mean peripheral venous VIP concentration occurred following injection of papaverine and phentolamine. The putative role of VIP in the induction of penile erection has not been elucidated in these studies.

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P, neuropeptide Y and peptide histidine isoleucine immunoreactivities have been demonstrated in the female genitalia of rat, cat, mouse and guinea-pig using immunocytochemistry and radioimmunoassay. They were localized to nerves. Each type of immunoreactive nerve showed a distinct pattern of distribution, though all were associated to some degree with blood vessels and smooth muscle. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-immunoreactive and neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive nerves were the most abundant. Higher concentrations of peptides were detected in the female genitalia of the mouse than those of the other species studied. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-immunoreactive nerves were particularly concentrated in the cervix (89.1 +/- 17.2 pmol/g, mean +/- S.E.M.) and the uterus (57.4 +/- 14.8 pmol/g) of the mouse, while neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity was more abundant in the Fallopian tube of the mouse (31.6 +/- 11.8 pmol/g) and the vagina of the rat (38.6 +/- 4.8 pmol/g) than in other regions. Separate populations of ganglion cells in the paracervical ganglia were found to contain vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and neuropeptide Y immunoreactivities. Peptide histidine isoleucine-immunoreactive and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-immunoreactive nerves were similarly distributed, but the former were much less frequent. Substance P-immunoreactive nerves were seen mainly beneath the epithelium of the vagina and were, in general, more numerous in the guinea-pig than in other species. The significance of these peptide-immunoreactive nerves in the female genital organ remains to be determined.

The occurrence and distribution of neuropeptide Y has been determined in the rat female genitourinary tract by radioimmunoassay and chromatographic analysis. Within the bladder, higher concentrations of neuropeptide Y were found in the trigone (48.8 +/- 5.2 pmol/g) than in the dome (36.0 +/- 2.1 pmol/g). In the genital tract, highest concentrations were identified in the vagina (41.4 +/- 2.1 pmol/g). Treatment of rats with 6-hydroxydopamine resulted in significant depletion of neuropeptide Y concentrations in both parts of the bladder, together with vagina, uterine horn and fallopian tube. No change was observed in the cervix, uterine body and ovary. Concentrations of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide were unaffected by treatment with 6-hydroxydopamine except in the area of the cervix where concentrations rose from 64.1 +/- 5.7 pmol/g to 133.6 +/- 15.1 pmol/g (p less than 0.05). There was a generalised, but statistically insignificant rise in substance P concentrations.

The nuclear genome of Syrian hamster virrion non-producer tumor contains the Rous sarcoma virus-specific nucleotide sequences. The information complexity of the proviral DNA from its tumor is similar to that for the DNA of Rous chicken sarcoma. The proviral DNA both in the hamster and chicken tumor consists of moderately reiterated and unique sequences. The avian oncornavirus-specific sequences are absent in the DNA of normal hamster tissue.

CGRP-immunoreactivity was found throughout the female rat urogenital tract by specific radioimmunoassay, and shown to be present in nerve fibres by immunocytochemistry. The highest concentrations of CGRP-like immunoreactivity were found in the urinary tract, with lower levels in regions of the genitalia. Chromatographic analysis of bladder and vaginal extracts on Sephadex G-50 columns and HPLC revealed at least three CGRP-immunoreactive peaks. The major peak emerged in the same position as synthetic rat CGRP. CGRP nerve fibres were associated mainly with blood vessels, non-vascular smooth muscle, squamous epithelium and uterine and cervical glands, and were particularly abundant in the ureter and bladder. CGRP-immunoreactivity was depleted by neonatal treatment with capsaicin and after surgical section of pelvic and/or hypogastric nerves. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated that depletion occurred predominantly in the mucosal layer of the urogenital tract. These findings indicate a sensory function for most of the CGRP-immunoreactive nerves in the rat urogenital tract.

Peptide histidine methionine-like immunoreactivity (PHM-IR) has been demonstrated to be present in the human penis both by radioimmunoassay and immunohistochemistry with particularly high levels in the corpus cavernosum and vas deferens. In the cavernosa, PHM-IR has been localised entirely, in nerves around arteries. High performance liquid chromatography indicated that this PHM-IR co-eluted with synthetic PHM but not porcine PHI. The presence of PHM-IR in the penis suggests that this neuropeptide may play a functional role in penile function.

The pharmacological effects of peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI), glucagon and secretin were compared with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) on rabbit urethra and anococcygeus muscle. VIP and PHI dose-dependently inhibited induced contractions of both smooth muscle preparations. Cross-tachyphylaxis between VIP and PHI was demonstrated in the urethra preparation, suggesting that their activity is mediated via a common receptor or second messenger. Glucagon and secretin were without effect on either preparation. Radioimmunoassays demonstrated substantial concentrations of VIP and PHI in both urethra and anococcygeus tissue extracts. These observations suggest that PHI is an additional candidate together with VIP to mediate relaxation of rabbit urethra and anococcygeus muscle. When compared with VIP, Gila monster venom was found to inhibit both smooth muscle preparations, producing concentration-response curves parallel to those produced by VIP.

The quantitative distribution of bombesin- and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-like immunoreactivities was determined by RIA and immunocytochemistry in regions of trachea, bronchus, and whole lung at various stages of human fetal development and in neonates, children, and adults. In addition, these two immunoreactivities were studied in infants that had died of the acute respiratory distress syndrome. The concentration of bombesin-like immunoreactivity in the whole respiratory tract steadily increased during gestation, reaching a plateau at birth. In the lung, the bombesin concentration remained almost unchanged during childhood, but decreased to one tenth in the adult. In neonates with the acute respiratory distress syndrome, there was a significantly lower bombesin content in all regions of the respiratory tract compared to either normal full-term infants or 24- to 28-week-old fetuses. Immunocytochemistry localized bombesin immunoreactivity within mucosal neuroendocrine cells present in the airway epithelium throughout the respiratory tract and particularly in the intrapulmonary airways. The number of cells increased throughout gestation, reflecting the pattern found by RIA, and were greatly decreased in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients. VIP concentrations were much lower than those of bombesin and did not change significantly with gestational age. In contrast to bombesin, VIP was mainly concentrated in the upper respiratory tract. In infants with the respiratory distress syndrome, the VIP content was not different from normal. These results are compatible with the possibility that bombesin-like peptides may have a role in the normal development of the human lung.

An increase in vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) immunoreactivity in the dorsal lumbar hemisegment L4 of the spinal cord was observed by both radioimmunoassay and immunocytochemistry following sciatic nerve section or crush. Compared to the contralateral control hemisegment there was 125% and 35% more VIP immunoreactivity in the L4 hemisegment ipsilateral to the lesion 14 days following nerve section and crush respectively. The contralateral control hemisegment contained levels similar to L4 hemisegments from unoperated control rats. This increase appeared by immunocytochemistry to be confined to the substantia gelatinosa, in the region of termination of the majority of unmyelinated sciatic nerve afferents. Similar increases to VIP were observed for the peptide PHI, which is closely related to VIP. However, spinal cord substance P and somatostatin immunoreactivities were reduced following nerve section and unchanged following nerve crush whilst neurotensin and bombesin immunoreactivities were not affected following either lesion. Previous studies have shown that peripheral nerve injury produces a number of electrophysiological and biochemical changes in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, including depletion of substance P in primary afferent neurones. The location of the cell bodies of fibres showing increased immunoreactivity remains to be established. Further studies are required to elucidate how these peptide changes are related to the adaptive processes which occur centrally following peripheral nerve injury.

The innervation of the urinary bladder is known to include a considerable number of nerves containing vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). The origin of such nerves in the bladder of rat was investigated in this study using the methods of immunocytochemistry and radioimmunoassay combined with surgical sectioning of the hypogastric and/or pelvic nerves to the bladder. Eight days after pelvic nerve sectioning proximal to the main pelvic ganglion, VIP-immunoreactive nerves and VIP content were markedly increased from the level in the sham-operated rat bladder. Sectioning of hypogastric or both nerve pathways led to a less significant increase. It was therefore postulated that the majority of VIP-immunoreactive nerves originate from ganglia located either close to the bladder or within the bladder wall. It is interesting that in these experiments the VIP content of the bladder nerves is inversely related to the changes in motility that would be expected to result from the nerve sections.

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-containing nerves were depleted in the penises of 28 impotent men. The extent of the decrease in VIP-containing nerves broadly reflected the severity of erectile dysfunction. VIP-immunoreactive nerves were most depleted in those men with complete erectile impotence, irrespective of the aetiology of the dysfunction, whereas in those men in whom some erectile function persisted, loss of VIP-immunoreactive nerves was more variable and less complete. Conventional histology demonstrated only mild changes (muscle atrophy and occasional thickening of blood vessel walls). VIP levels, measured by radioimmunoassay of tissue extracts, were depleted by more than 80% in penises from impotent diabetics (43.4 +/- 9.9 pmol/g wet weight [mean +/- SEM]), when compared with 6 controls (189.9 +/- 45.9 pmol/g). These findings not only support the contention that VIP may be the principal neurotransmitter involved in penile erection, but also suggest that depletion of this powerful vasodilatory peptide may play a key role in the development of penile impotence.

The regional distributions of neuropeptide Y (NPY), peptide histidine-methionine (PHM), and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) immunoreactivities in the human female genital tract have been estimated by specific radioimmunoassays, and their molecular forms determined by chromatography. The localisation and distribution of these three peptides was carried out by immunocytochemistry. The vagina and cervix contain high concentrations of NPY- and VIP-immunoreactive nerves, mainly localised around the vascular and nonvascular smooth muscle. VIP-containing nerves were, in addition, seen beneath the cervical and, in particular, the vaginal epithelium. A comparatively high level of immunoreactive NPY is found in the fallopian tube, mainly around the circular muscle coat. There is evidence that VIP is a neurotransmitter in the female genital tract, and these results suggest a similar role for NPY and PHM.

Regional specific antibodies and chromatography were used to analyze the distributions and molecular forms of peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the porcine intestine. Both peptides were present along the entire length of the intestine, the highest concentrations occurring in the colon. Concentrations of PHI immunoreactivity, measured with three different antisera, and VIP immunoreactivity were approximately equal in all parts of the gastrointestinal tract except in the stomach. In the stomach, the concentration of PHI immunoreactivity, measured with the N-terminally directed antibody R8403, although equal to the corresponding VIP concentration, was two to four times higher than the PHI immunoreactivity detected with the two C-terminally directed PHI antisera T33 and T41. Chromatographic analysis on Sephadex G-50 superfine of gastric extracts revealed only one VIP immunoreactive peak that eluted in the same position as the porcine VIP standard, at Kav 0.53. A PHI immunoreactive peak was also detected with the C-terminally directed PHI antisera in the same position as porcine PHI standard. However, with the N-terminally directed PHI antiserum R8403, an additional PHI immunoreactive peak was detected in gastric extracts constituting the predominant form present, and this peak eluted earlier at Kav 0.37. The PHI immunoreactive material that eluted earlier was present in the rest of the intestine in only small amounts. As VIP and PHI are believed to be derived from a common precursor, it is suggested that in the stomach the posttranslational enzymic processing of the precursor is different from that in the other parts of the intestine.

A systematic immunohistochemical and radio-immunological survey of the occurrence, distribution and origin of the peptidergic nerve supply in guinea-pig and rat male genitalia is presented. Neuropeptide Y (NPY), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI), substance P and CGRP were detected in the genital organs of both species. The densities and distribution patterns of the peptidergic nerves were compared with those of the adrenergic nerves, as revealed by antibodies raised against dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (D beta H) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and the general neuronal component, as revealed by antibodies raised against neurofilament proteins (NF). Bilateral transection of the hypogastric nerves, in the guinea-pig, resulted in a decrease of substance P-containing nerves in the vas deferens and of NPY-, PHI- and VIP-containing nerves in the seminal vesicle. Unilateral disconnection of the pelvic nerves caused a decrease of VIP, PHI, substance P and CGRP nerve supply in the ipsilateral vas deferens and cauda epididymidis in the guinea-pig. A marked reduction of noradrenergic and NPY-containing nerves was observed in the vas deferens and sexual accessory glands of rats, chemically sympathectomised by chronic injection of low doses of guanethidine. Conversely, increase of substance P and CGRP immunoreactivities were observed, particularly in the vas deferens. After guanethidine, the cauda epididymidis and vas deferens were distended with spermatozoa, suggesting paralysis of the ducts. Spermatozoa had a decreased percentage of attached cytoplasmic droplets, indicating prolonged retention in the ducts.

Nerves containing immunoreactive vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), substance P and two newly discovered peptides, neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY) and PHI (peptide having N-terminal histidine and C-terminal isoleucine), have been found in the human urinary bladder by immunocytochemistry and radioimmunoassay. Somatostatin immunoreactivity was detected by radioimmunoassay. The VIP-immunoreactive nerves were widely distributed in all regions, but were particularly dense beneath the epithelium and in the muscle layer. Scattered intramural ganglia were found to be reactive to VIP antiserum. Higher concentrations of extractable VIP were detected in the trigone than in the dome. VIP- and PHI-immunoreactive nerves were similarly distributed, the latter being less numerous. NPY-immunoreactive nerves were seen mainly in the muscle layer, particularly in the trigonal area. The distribution patterns of VIP- and NPY-immunoreactive nerves resembled those of the previously reported cholinergic and adrenergic nerves, respectively. Many blood vessels were found to be innervated by both types of immunoreactive nerves. Scattered substance P-immunoreactive fibers were occasionally seen, being present in the submucosa and around the detrusor muscles. The significance of these nerves remains to be elucidated.

The effect of vagal stimulation in chloralose-anesthetized cats on release of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide into the jejunal lumen and portal venous blood was tested simultaneously, and the effect of atropine and hexamethonium was investigated to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms involved in the release. Vagal stimulation caused a significant increase in vasoactive intestinal polypeptide concentrations in the luminal perfusates. A significant concomitant increase was seen in portal plasma. Gel filtration chromatography of luminal and portal samples demonstrated that the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide coeluted with synthetic porcine vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide infusion at 80 and 160 pmol/kg.min produced portal plasma levels of at least 3000 pM but did not increase vasoactive intestinal polypeptide concentrations in the luminal perfusates. Thus, luminal vasoactive intestinal polypeptide originates from gastrointestinal tissue rather than by transduction from the circulation. Vagally induced release of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide into the lumen and portal plasma was not abolished by atropine but was totally suppressed by hexamethonium. The regulatory mechanisms controlling the parallel release of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide into both the jejunal lumen and portal circulation are identical and involve a non-muscarinic process which is under cholinoceptive, nicotinic control.

The eyes and urinary bladder of non-diabetic, prediabetic and diabetic Chinese hamsters were evaluated by radioimmunoassay and immunocytochemistry to determine the content and distribution of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). The average concentration of VIP was increased in the eyes of all diabetic (pmol/g = 68%, pmol/organ = 50%) and prediabetic (pmol/g = 152%, pmol/organ = 115%) hamsters compared with age-matched non-diabetic animals. Immunocytochemistry showed that the elevation of VIP was primarily related to greater intensity of fluorescence of the nerve fibres in the vasculature of the choroid. The average content of VIP in the urinary bladder was greater in diabetic animals only on the basis of pmol/organ (135%) and in prediabetics on the basis of pmol/g (87%) compared with non-diabetic animals. Qualitative immunocytochemistry suggested that the elevated level of VIP was related to a larger distribution of nerve fibres in the urinary bladder of diabetic hamsters. The high level of VIP in the eyes and urinary bladder of diabetic and prediabetic hamsters is an interesting observation which should receive further study to determine whether it is an aetiological agent underlying the pathogenesis of ophthalmic complications and neurogenic bladder or the result of some pathological process which affects these organs.