Search

Abstract: Dopamine (DA), released from the lateral olivocochlear (LOC) efferent terminals, the efferent arm of the short-loop feedback in the cochlea, is considered as a protective factor in the inner ear since it inhibits auditory nerve dendrite firing in ischemia- or noise-induced excitotoxicity leading to sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). In the present study we investigated the effect of oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), an in vitro ischemia model, on guinea-pig cochlear [3H]DA release in a microvolume superfusion system. We found that OGD alone failed to induce a detectable elevation of [3H]DA level, but in the presence of specific D2 receptor antagonists, sulpiride and L-741,626, it evoked a significant increase in the extracellular concentration of [3H]DA. D2 negative feedback receptors are involved not exclusively in the regulation of synthesis and vesicular release of DA, but also in the activation of its reuptake. Thus, D2 receptor antagonism interferes with the powerful reuptake of DA from the extracellular space. To explore the underlying mechanism of this DA-releasing effect we applied nomifensine and found that the effect of OGD on cochlear DA release in the presence of D2 antagonists could be inhibited by this selective DA uptake inhibitor. This finding indicates that the OGD-evoked DA release was mainly mediated through the reverse operation of the DA transporter. The two structurally different D2 antagonists also augmented the electrical field stimulation-evoked release of DA proving the presence of D2 autoreceptors on dopaminergic LOC terminals. Our results confirm the presence and role of D2 DA autoreceptors in the regulation of DA release from LOC efferents, and suggest a protective local mechanism during ischemia which involves the direct transporter-mediated release of DA. Increasing the release of the protective transmitter DA locally in the inner ear may form the basis of future new therapeutic strategies in patients suffering from SNHL. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Today, as a result of the complex and coordinated medical treatment of breast malignancies the long-term survival rate reaches 80%. Modern breast surgery plays a prominent role in the multidisciplinary treatment of breast tumors. Breast surgery in the 21st century simultaneously performs medical and aesthetic procedures on the same organ. Modern day breast surgery is founded on a complex view of breast malignancies, multidisciplinary cooperation, oncoplastic practice, and selecting the optimal surgery techniques, based on state of the art tools and a detailed treatment plan. Authors present the evolution of modern breast surgery; discuss the procedures such as mastectomy, breast conservation surgery, axillary lymph node removal, prophylactic mastectomy, as well as possible versions of immediate or delayed breast reconstruction.

In humans, serotonin (5-HT) has been implicated in numerous physiological and pathological processes in the peripheral auditory system. Dopamine (DA), another transmitter of the lateral olivocochlear (LOC) efferents making synapses on cochlear nerve dendrites, controls auditory nerve activation and protects the sensory nerve against overactivation. Using in vitro microvolume superfusion techniques we tested 5-HT(6) and 5-HT(7) receptor antagonists whether they can influence dopamine (DA) release from the guinea-pig cochlea in control and in ischemic conditions using currently available and new 5-HT(6) and 5-HT(7) antagonists and mixed antagonists, which were synthesized and characterized for the current study. While the 5-HT(7) antagonist SB-258719 was ineffective, SB-271046, which blocks the 5-HT(6) receptor, caused a significant increase in cochlear DA release what is contradictory with the excitatory nature of this type of receptor. Moreover, the mixed 5-HT(6/7) antagonist EGIS-12233 induced an even more pronounced increase in the resting DA release. To understand why the block of an excitatory receptor results in an increase instead of a decrease in function, we investigated the possible involvement of an indirect neural mechanism through an inhibitory system. In the presence of the GABA(A) receptor blocker bicuculline, EGIS-12233 failed to increase the release of DA, suggesting that the serotonin receptor modulation of DA release from the lateral olivocochlear efferents in the cochlea was produced indirectly by decreasing the GABAergic inhibitory tone on dopaminergic nerve endings. The mixed 5-HT(7)/D(4) receptor antagonist EGIS-11983 significantly increased both the stimulation-evoked and the resting DA release, while the selective D4 blocker L-741,741 alone had no significant effect. Ischemia, simulated by oxygen and glucose deprivation from the perfusion solution had no action on the effect of the drugs. Drugs that can increase the release of DA from LOC terminals in the cochlea may have a role in the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss.

Dopamine (DA), released from the lateral olivocochlear efferent fibers, is suggested to be neuroprotective against ischemia and noise exposure in the mammalian cochlea because it can reduce the postsynaptic excitotoxic effect of glutamate on the dendrite of the afferent auditory neuron. Using in vitro microvolume superfusion method on isolated guinea pig cochlea preparation, we found that the selective mGluR2/3 agonist (2R,4R)-aminopyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid (2R,4R-APDC) significantly increased the release of DA in a dose-dependent manner. Other mGluR agonists, acting on groups I and III receptors (3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine, amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid) and antagonists (2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine), (2S)-2-amino-2-(1S,2S-2-carboxycyclopronan-1-yl-3-(xanth9-yl)propanoic acid, alpha-methylserine-O-phosphate), were ineffective. The GABA(A) antagonist bicuculline (10microM) could antagonize the effect of 2R,4R-APDC suggesting that the mGluR-mediated enhancement of DA release was most likely attributable to a disinhibitory mechanism involving local GABAergic fibers. Bicuculline alone could also elevate the DA outflow indicating that cochlear GABA controls local DA release tonically. Our findings expand the view on the local effects of glutamate in the cochlea by showing the ability of the excitatory neurotransmitter to alleviate its own action on type I afferents via mGluRs and initiate a neuroprotective mechanism.