Nerve growth factor (NGF) as an autocrine or paracrine growth factor plays a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of human pancreatic cancer. NGF is synthesized as a proform (proNGF) that, when cleaved, releases mature ligand (mNGF). proNGF and mNGF bind to high-affinity tyrosine kinase receptor A (TrkA) and low-affinity receptor p75 to different extents. Histamine is a potent stim...

We report the discovery, tissue distribution and pharmacological characterization of a novel receptor, which we have named H4. Like the three histamine receptors reported previously (H1, H2, and H3), the H4 receptor is a G protein-coupled receptor and is most closely related to the H3 receptor, sharing 58% identity in the transmembrane regions. The gene encoding the H4 receptor was discovered i...

Experiments were designed to determine the endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent responses to aggregating platelets in porcine pulmonary arteries. Isolated rings with and without endothelium from large (5-7-mm-diameter) and small (2-3-mm-diameter) pulmonary arteries were suspended in modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution bubbled with 95% 02-5% CO2 in the presence of indomethaci...

INTRODUCTION There are many common drugs which have significant sedative-hypnotic properties. Alcohol and barbiturates have been discussed separately in this appendix, and their many pharmacological similarities were indicated. Barbiturates are often considered the prototype of sedative-hypnotic drugs; pharmacologically related compounds are frequently identified or discussed in terms of their ...

1. When isolated perfused lungs from normal and ovalbumin sensitized guinea-pigs were challenged with histamine and 2-methylhistamine (agonists for H1-receptor), a release of thromboxane A2-like substance was observed. The effect of histamine on production of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) in sensitized lungs, was more pronounced than in normal lungs (P less than 0.01). 2. Specific activation of histami...

AIM OF THE STUDY To provide ethnopharmacological basis for the medicinal use of Lepidium sativum seeds in indigestion and constipation. MATERIALS AND METHODS The in vivo studies were conducted in mice, while isolated tissues of mouse, guinea-pig and rabbit were suspended in tissue bath to measure isotonic contractions. RESULTS The aqueous-methanolic extract of Lepidium sativum seeds (Ls.Cr)...

Statins and aspirin deliver well-established cardiovascular benefits resulting in their increased use as combined polypills to decrease risk of stroke and heart disease. However, the direct endothelial effect of combined statin/aspirin cotreatment remains unclear. Histamine is an inflammatory mediator that increases vascular permeability, and so we examined the effect of treating human umbilica...

Findings have shown that histamine receptors in the hippocampus modulate the acquisition and extinction of fear motivated learning. In order to determine the role of hippocampal histaminergic receptors on recognition memory, adult male Wistar rats with indwelling infusion cannulae stereotaxically placed in the CA1 region of dorsal hippocampus were trained in an object recognition learning task ...

Histaminergic neurons play an important role in the regulation of sleep-wake behavior through histamine H(1) receptors (H(1)R). Blockade of the histamine H(3) receptor (H(3)R) is proposed to induce wakefulness by regulating the release of various wake-related transmitters, not only histamine. In the present study, we characterized sleep-wake cycles of H(1)R knockout (KO) mice and their arousal ...

The concept of functional interaction between mast cells and intestinal afferents is gaining support. We have therefore characterized the action of histamine on jejunal afferent discharge in the anesthetized rat. Whole nerve mesenteric afferent discharge was recorded in conjunction with intestinal pressure in response to a range of histamine agonists and antagonists. Histamine at 2, 4, and 8 μm...