Corticosteroids are used in the treatment of many diseases; however, they also induce various side effects. Dexamethasone is one of the most potent corticosteroids, and it has been reported to induce the side effect of impaired salivary gland function. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dexamethasone on mouse submandibular gland function to gain insight into the mechanism of dexamethasone-induced salivary hypofunction. The muscarinic agonist carbachol (CCh) induced salivary secretion and was not affected by short-term dexamethasone treatment but was decreased following long-term dexamethasone administration. The expression levels of the membrane proteins Na-K-2Cl cotransporter, transmembrane member 16A, and aquaporin 5 were comparable between the control and long-term dexamethasone treatment groups. The CCh-induced increase in calcium concentration was significantly lower in the presence of extracellular Ca in the long-term dexamethasone treatment group compared to that in the control group. Furthermore, CCh-induced salivation in the absence of extracellular Ca and Ca ionophore A23187-induced salivation was comparable between the control and long-term dexamethasone treatment groups. Moreover, salivation induced by the Ca-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin was diminished in the long-term dexamethasone treatment group. In summary, these results demonstrate that short-term dexamethasone treatment did not impair salivary gland function, whereas long-term dexamethasone treatment diminished store-operated Ca entry, resulting in hyposalivation in mouse submandibular glands.
Acinar Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium Signaling ; drug effects ; Carbachol ; pharmacology ; Dexamethasone ; therapeutic use ; Mice ; Muscarinic Agonists ; pharmacology ; Saliva ; metabolism ; Salivation ; drug effects ; Submandibular Gland ; drug effects ; metabolism

The autonomic nervous system contributes to prostate cancer proliferation and metastasis. However, the exact molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M1 (CHRM1) expression was measured via immunohistochemical analysis in human prostate cancer tissue array slides. PC-3, LNCaP, and A549 cells were treated with pirenzepine or carbachol, and the cell migration and invasion abilities were evaluated. Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR were performed to measure GLI family zinc finger 1 (GLI1), patched 1 (PTCH1), and sonic hedgehog (SHH) expression levels. High expression of CHRM1 was found in early-stage human prostate cancer tissues. In addition, the selective CHRM1 antagonist pirenzepine inhibited PC-3, LNCaP, and A549 cell migration and invasion, but the agonist carbachol promoted the migration and invasion of these three cell lines. Muscarinic signaling can be relayed by hedgehog signaling. These data show that CHRM1 is involved in the regulation of prostate cancer migration and invasion through the hedgehog signaling pathway.
Carbachol/pharmacology* ; Cell Movement/genetics* ; Cell Proliferation ; Hedgehog Proteins/genetics* ; Humans ; Male ; Muscarinic Agonists/pharmacology* ; Muscarinic Antagonists/pharmacology* ; Patched-1 Receptor/genetics* ; Pirenzepine/pharmacology* ; Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology* ; Receptor, Muscarinic M1/genetics* ; Zinc Finger Protein GLI1/genetics*

OBJECTIVETo observe the relaxant effect of Aike Mixture (AKM) on isolated bladder and prostatic urethral smooth muscle of rabbits.

METHODSThe isolated bladder and prostatic urethral smooth muscle from male rabbits were placed in a Magnus bath and smooth muscle contraction was measured using a biological signal acquisition and analysis system. The effects of AKM in combination with methoxyamine, carbachol and CaCl2 on the contractile tension of muscle strips were determined by cumulative dosing.

RESULTSAKM dose-dependently reduced contractile tension of bladder trigone smooth muscle (r=0.831, P<0.05), reduced contractile wave amplitude (r=0.837, P<0.05) and decreased contractile frequency (r=-0.917, P<0.01). AKM significantly inhibited the increases in smooth muscle contraction induced by methoxyamine, carbachol and CaCl2.

CONCLUSIONAKM dose-dependently inhibited the contraction of rabbit isolated bladder and prostatic urethral smooth muscle by antagonizing α1-adrenergic receptors and M-cholinergic receptors.

Animals ; Calcium Chloride ; pharmacology ; Carbachol ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hydroxylamines ; pharmacology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Muscle Contraction ; drug effects ; Muscle, Smooth ; drug effects ; physiology ; Neuromuscular Agents ; pharmacology ; Prostate ; drug effects ; physiology ; Rabbits ; Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Muscarinic ; metabolism ; Urethra ; drug effects ; physiology ; Urinary Bladder ; drug effects ; physiology

To investigate the mechanisms underlying the cholinergic agonist carbachol-induced cardiovascular responses, changes of renin-angiotensin system were examined in fetal hormonal systems. In the ovine fetal model under stressless condition, the cardiovascular function was recorded. Blood samples were collected before (during baseline period) and after the intravenous administration of carbachol. Simultaneously, the levels of angiotensin I (Ang I), angiotensin II (Ang II) and vasopressin in the fetal plasma were detected by immunoradiological method. Also, blood gas, plasma osmolality and electrolyte concentrations were analyzed in blood samples. Results showed that in chronically prepared ovine fetus, intravenous infusion of carbachol led to a significant decrease of heart rate (P < 0.05), and a transient decrease followed by an increase of blood pressure (P < 0.05) within 30 min. After the intravenous infusion of carbachol, blood concentrations of Ang I and Ang II in near-term ovine fetus were both significantly increased (P < 0.05); however, blood concentration of vasopressin, values of blood gas, electrolytes and plasma osmolality in near-term ovine fetus were not significantly changed (P > 0.05). Blood levels of Ang I and Ang II in the atropine (M receptor antagonist) + carbachol intravenous administration group was lower than those in the carbachol group without atropine administration (P < 0.05). In conclusion, this study indicates that the near-term changes of cardiovascular system induced by intravenous administration of carbachol in ovine fetus, such as blood pressure and heart rate, are associated with the changes of hormones of circulatory renin-angiotensin system.
Angiotensin I ; blood ; Angiotensin II ; blood ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Carbachol ; pharmacology ; Cholinergic Agonists ; pharmacology ; Fetus ; Heart Rate ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; Sheep ; Vasopressins ; blood

Animals ; Botulinum Toxins, Type A ; pharmacology ; Capsaicin ; pharmacology ; Carbachol ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Keratoconjunctivitis ; surgery ; Phenylephrine ; pharmacology ; Saliva ; drug effects ; Submandibular Gland ; drug effects ; transplantation ; Translational Medical Research

Burst firing of dopaminergic neurons in ventral tegmental area (VTA) induces a large transient increase in synaptic dopamine (DA) release and thus is considered the reward-related signal. But the mechanisms of burst generation of dopaminergic neuron still remain unclear. This experiment investigated the burst firing of VTA dopaminergic neurons in rat midbrain slices perfused with carbachol and L-glutamate individually or simultaneously to understand the neurotransmitter mechanism underlying burst generation. The results showed that bath application of carbachol (10 μmol/L) and pulse application of L-glutamate (3 mmol/L) both induced burst firing in dopaminergic neuron. Co-application of carbachol and L-glutamate induced burst firing in VTA dopaminergic cells which couldn't be induced to burst by the two chemicals separately. The result indicates that carbachol and L-glutamate co-regulate burst firing of dopaminergic neuron.
Action Potentials ; drug effects ; Animals ; Carbachol ; pharmacology ; Dopaminergic Neurons ; physiology ; Drug Synergism ; Female ; Glutamic Acid ; pharmacology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ventral Tegmental Area ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of AT₁ receptor on the changes of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactivity (TH-IR) in rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) induced by brain cholinergic stimuli in rats.

METHODSMale SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: NS + CBC group, Los + CBC group, Los + NS group and NS + NS group. AT₁ was blocked by pretreatment of 20 μg losartan in Los + CBC and Los + NS groups; intracerebroventricular injection of 0.5 μg carbachol was used for cholinergic stimuli in NS + CBC and Los + CBC groups; normal saline (NS) was used for control. The output amount of natrium in kidney, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (PRF) were observed. The changes of TH-IR in the RVLM were observed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTIn NS + CBC group carbachol induced potent natriuresis, after pretreatment of losartan the natriuretic effect was partially inhibited in Los + CBC group. Both the number and optical density of TH-IR positive neurons in NS + CBC group were markedly increased than those in NS + NS group (P < 0.05); while those in Los + CBC group were significantly lower than those in NS+CBC group (P < 0.05). Intracerebroventricular injection of carbachol and losartan had no effect on GFR and RPF(P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that cholinergic stimuli can induce potent natriuresis and increase the activity of adrenergic neurons in the RVLM; the above effects can be down regulated by blockade of brain AT₁ receptor.

Animals ; Carbachol ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Drug Antagonism ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; drug effects ; Losartan ; pharmacology ; Male ; Medulla Oblongata ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Natriuresis ; drug effects ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; physiology ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of carbachol(CAR) on oxygen dynamic parameters and hyperlactacidemia during oral fluid resuscitation of burn shock.

METHODSTwelve male Beagle dogs were surgically prepared for cannulation of carotid and jugular vein, and enterostomy, 24 hours later they were subjected to a 50% (total body surface area, TBSA) full-thickness flame injury under a 10-15 minute anesthesia by IV injection of propofol. The dogs were randomized to gastric fluid infusion group (GI group)and gastric fluid infusion plus CAR group (GI + CAR). Either a glucose-electrolyte solution(GES) or GES containing CAR (20 microg/kg) were intragastricly given to animals in GI group or GI+ CAR groups. The delivery rate and volume of GES was in accordance with that of Parkland formula. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), intestinal mucosal blood flow (IMBF) and blood lactic acid were determined, and blood gas analysis evaluated for oxygen delivery (DO2), oxygen consumption (VO2) and oxygen uptake (O2ext) at 0, 2, 4, 8, 24, 48 and 72 hours after injury.

RESULTSThe levels of MAP and IMBF markedly reduced, and LAC obviously increased in both groups after burn. MAP returned to 0 h level at 72 h post burn, while IMBF, and LAC were still higher or lower than 0 h levels. The level of MAP of GI + CAR group was significantly higher than that of GI group at 2 h, and those showed no significant differences between two groups after then. Carbochol administration led to a markedly higher levels of IMBF, and significant lower levels of LAC from 8 h after burn compared with those of GI group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The levels of DO2 VO2 and Oext were reduced markedly after burn in both groups. At 72 h after burn, DOQ returned to 0 h level; while VO2 and Oext though still much lower than 0 h levels. The level of DO2. VO2 and Oext of GI + CAR group were significantly higher than those of GI group from 8 h after burn (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Three of six animals died in GI+ CAR group, which was lower than two of six in GI group.

CONCLUSIONThe results indicates that carbachol promotes intragastric fluid resuscitative effect of burn shock by increasing oxygen delivery and decreasing hyperlactacidemia.

Animals ; Burns ; complications ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Carbachol ; pharmacology ; Dogs ; Electrolytes ; administration & dosage ; Fluid Therapy ; methods ; Glucose ; administration & dosage ; Intestinal Absorption ; drug effects ; Male ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Resuscitation ; methods ; Shock ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulation of atropine to the expression and secretion of TGF-beta2 in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells by observing the changes of those under different treatments of atropine and carbachol. METHODS: D407 cells were cultured conventionally and divided into 4 groups as follows: (1) An experimental group (Group A), cells were pretreated with 10(-4)-10(-8) mol/L atropine for 30 min, and then treated with 10(-5) mol/L carbachol; (2) a negative control group (Group B), cells were treated with 10(-4)-10(-8) mol/L atropine; (3) a positive control group (Group C), cells were treated with 10(-5) mol/L carbachol; (4) a blank control group (Group D). The concentration of TGF-beta2 in the supernate, and the level of TGF-beta2 mRNA and protein were measured by ELISA, RT-PCR, and Western blot after the 24-hour treatment. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance. RESULTS: The levels of TGF-beta2 mRNA and protein in the cytoplasm and the concentration of TGF-beta2 in the supernate in the experimental groups were lower than those of the positive control group. Atropine at 10-4 mol/L could completely inhibit the effect of carbachol at 10-5 mol/L. The effect of atropine was concentration-dependent (F=1,056.897,1,320.170, and 475.657; P<0.001). There was no change of TGF-beta2 level in the cytoplasm and supernate with the treatment of atropine alone (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Carbachol can promote the expression and secretion of TGF-beta2 in human RPE cells and atropine could reverse it effectively, suggesting that M receptor may be involved.
Adult ; Atropine ; pharmacology ; Carbachol ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Muscarinic Antagonists ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Retinal Pigment Epithelium ; cytology ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: The sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA), encoded by ATP2A2, is an essential component for G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR)-dependent Ca(2+) signaling. However, whether the changes in Ca(2+) signaling and Ca(2+) signaling proteins in parotid acinar cells are affected by a partial loss of SERCA2 are not known. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In SERCA2(+/-) mouse parotid gland acinar cells, Ca(2+) signaling, expression levels of Ca(2+) signaling proteins, and amylase secretion were investigated. RESULTS: SERCA2(+/-) mice showed decreased SERCA2 expression and an upregulation of the plasma membrane Ca(2+) ATPase. A partial loss of SERCA2 changed the expression level of 1, 4, 5-tris-inositolphosphate receptors (IP(3)Rs), but the localization and activities of IP3Rs were not altered. In SERCA2(+/-) mice, muscarinic stimulation resulted in greater amylase release, and the expression of synaptotagmin was increased compared to wild type mice. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a partial loss of SERCA2 affects the expression and activity of Ca(2+) signaling proteins in the parotid gland acini, however, overall Ca(2+) signaling is unchanged.
Amylases/metabolism ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Calcium/metabolism ; Calcium Signaling/drug effects/genetics/*physiology ; Carbachol/pharmacology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors/metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Parotid Gland/*metabolism ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases/genetics/*metabolism ; Signal Transduction/drug effects/genetics/physiology