We studied whether noradrenaline release is affected by interleukin-1β and the neuropeptides urotensin II, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), neuropeptide W (NPW) and neuropeptide FF (NPFF). Rodent tissues preincubated with [3H]noradrenaline were superfused, and the effect of peptides on the electrically-evoked tritium overflow ("noradrenaline release") was studied. In mouse brain cortex, int...

Urotensin II (UII) is an 11 amino acid cyclic peptide originally isolated from the goby fish. The amino acid sequence of UII is exceptionally conserved across most vertebrate taxa, sharing structural similarity to somatostatin. UII binds to a class of G-protein coupled receptor known as GPR14 or the urotensin receptor (UT). UII and its receptor UT are widely expressed throughout the cardiovascu...

INTRODUCTION IgA nephropathy is a disease where the pathogenesis is still poorly understood. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) microarray technique allows tens of thousands of gene expressions to be examined at the same time. Commercial availability of microarray genechips has made this powerful tool accessible for wider utilisation in the study of diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seven patients wit...

The urotensinergic system plays central roles in the physiological regulation of major mammalian organ systems, including the cardiovascular system. As a matter of fact, this system has been linked to numerous pathophysiological states including atherosclerosis, heart failure, hypertension, diabetes as well as psychological, and neurological disorders. The delineation of the (patho)physiologica...

Urotensin-II (U-II), the most potent vasoconstrictor that has recently been recognized as a new candidate in cardiovascular dysfunction, might exert vasoconstriction through, at least partially, potassium channels that are predominant in both endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The present study was designed to evaluate the roles of potassium channels in vascular responses to ...