the hydrophobic proteins of plant plasma membrane still remain largely unknown.  for example in the arabidopsis genome, receptor-like kinases (rlks) are plasma membrane proteins, functioning as the primary receptors in the signaling of stress conditions, hormones and the presence of pathogens form a diverse family of over 610 genes. a limited number of these proteins have appeard in protein pro...

Introduction: The plethora of studies indicated that there is a cross talk relationship between harmaline and serotonergic (5-HT) system on cognitive and non-cognitive behaviors. Thus, the purpose of this study is to assess the effects of hippocampal 5-HT4 receptor on memory acquisition deficit induced by harmaline.  Methods: Harmaline was injected peritoneally, while 5-HT4 receptor ago...

In this study using clonidine (a mixed ?2 /I1 receptors agonist), tizanidine (pure ?2-receptor agonist), rilmenidine (I1 receptor agonist) and yohimbine (?2-receptor antagonist), we tried to clarify the role of imidazoline and ?2-receptors in morphine withdrawal syndrome. Morphine-dependence was induced by administration of increasing doses of morphine in mice. After the last administration of ...

In this study using clonidine (a mixed ?2 /I1 receptors agonist), tizanidine (pure ?2-receptor agonist), rilmenidine (I1 receptor agonist) and yohimbine (?2-receptor antagonist), we tried to clarify the role of imidazoline and ?2-receptors in morphine withdrawal syndrome. Morphine-dependence was induced by administration of increasing doses of morphine in mice. After the last administration of ...

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) shows a positive inotropic effect on cardiac muscle. Although the L-type Ca(2+) current (I(Ca)) is one of the important determinants of cardiac excitation-contraction coupling, the effect of ET-1 on the I(Ca) is not always clear. The controversial results appear to be due to different patch-clamp methods. The present study measured the effect of ET-1 on the I(Ca) of rat vent...

Accumulating evidence indicates that aldosterone plays a critical role in the mediation of oxidative stress and vascular damage. NADPH oxidase has been recognized as a major source of oxidative stress in vasculature. However, the relation between NADPH oxidase in aldosterone-mediated oxidative stress in endothelial cells remains to be ascertained. The present study aimed to investigate the rel...

background: angiotensin converting enzyme (ace) upregulation in stromal cells of joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis may lead to higher tissue angiotensin ii that is a vasoconstrictor and mitogen factor. to date, the role of angiotensin ii on regulating blood flow in inflamed joints has not been studied.   methods: acute and chronic joint inflammation was induced in rabbits by intra-articul...

Orexin-A is a regulatory peptide involved in the regulation of food intake, sleep-wakefulness, and it has various endocrine and metabolic functions. It orchestrates diverse central and peripheral processes through the stimulation of two G-protein coupled receptors, orexin receptor type 1 (OX1 receptor) and orexin receptor type 2 (OX2 receptor). In this study, human adrenocortical cells (NCI-H29...

The involvement of inhibitory transmitters for Ptychodiscus brevis toxin (PbTx)-induced depression of spinal synaptic transmission in neonatal rats was investigated. Stimulation of a dorsal root evoked monosynaptic reflex (MSR) and polysynaptic reflex (PSR) potentials in the segmental ventral root. The PbTx depressed the reflexes in a concentration-dependent manner and this depression was block...