The rationale for the topical application of capsaicin and other vanilloids in the treatment of pain is that such compounds selectively excite and subsequently desensitize nociceptive neurons. This desensitization is triggered by the activation of vanilloid receptors (TRPV1), which leads to an elevation in intracellular free Ca2+ levels. Depending on the vanilloid concentration and duration of exposure, the Ca2+ influx via TRPV1 desensitizes the channels themselves, which may represent not only a feedback mechanism protecting the cell from toxic Ca2+ overload, but also likely contributes to the analgesic effects of capsaicin. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge concerning the mechanisms that underlie the acute capsaicin-induced Ca2+-dependent desensitization of TRPV1 channels and explores to what extent they may contribute to capsaicin-induced analgesia. In view of the polymodal nature of TRPV1, we illustrate how the channels behave in their desensitized state when activated by other stimuli such as noxious heat or depolarizing voltages. We also show that the desensitized channel can be strongly reactivated by capsaicin at concentrations higher than those previously used to desensitize it. We provide a possible explanation for a high incidence of adverse effects of topical capsaicin and point to a need for more accurate clinical criteria for employing it as a reliable remedy., L. Vyklický, K. Nováková-Toušová, J. Benedikt, A. Samad, F. Touška, V. Vlachová., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
There are two principal mechanisms of acetylcholine (ACh) release from the resting motor nerve terminal: quantal and non-quantal (NQR); the former being only a small fraction of the total, at least at rest. In the present article we summarize basic research about the NQR that is undoubtedly an important trophic factor during endplate development and in adult neuromuscular contacts. NQR helps to eliminate the polyneural innervation of developing muscle fibers, ensures higher excitability of the adult subsynaptic membrane by surplus polarization and protects the RMP from depolarization by regulating the NO cascade and chloride transport. It shortens the endplate potentials by promoting postsynaptic receptor desensitization when AChE is inhibited during anti-AChE poisoning. In adult synapses, it can also activate the electrogenic Na+/K+-pump, change the degree of synchronization of quanta released by the nerve stimulation and affects the contractility of skeletal muscles., F. Vyskočil, A. I. Malomouzh, E. E. Nikolsky., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Agonist-induced subcellular redistribution of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) and of trimeric guanine-nucleotide binding regulatory proteins (G-proteins) represent mechanisms of desensitization of hormone response, which have been studied in our laboratory since 1989. This review brings a short summary of these results and also presents information about related literature data covering at least small part of research carried out in this area. We have also mentioned sodium plus potassium dependent adenosine triphosp hatase (Na, K-ATPase) and 3H-ouabain binding as useful reference standard of plasma membrane purity in the brain., Z. Drastichová, L. Bouřová, V. Lisý, L. Hejnová, V. Rudajev, J. Stöhr, D. Durchánková, P. Ostašov, J. Teisinger, T. Soukup, J. Novotný, P. Svoboda., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
The effects of /¿-adrenergic agonists isoprenaline, fenoterol and clenbuterol on the activity of adenylyl cyclase from ciliary processes and on intraocular pressure were examined in pigmented rabbits. Isoprenaline, fenoterol and clenbuterol stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in vitro, but clenbuterol behaved as a partial agonist. Preincubation of ciliary processes with any of these three drugs led to the heterologous desensitization of adenylyl cyclase to the stimulatory effects of beta-adrenergic agonists or vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). This desensitization was dose-dependent and was expressed mainly as a decrease of the highest effects of stimulatory drugs. The exact mechanism of this phenomenon is not yet known. After topical administration, all three tested /¿-adrenergic agonists decreased intraocular pressure with approximately the same intensity. The relationship between ocular hypotensive effects of /¿-adrenergic agonists and their effects on adenylyl cyclase of ciliary processes is discussed. It is concluded that ocular hypotensive effects of adrenergic agonists and other drugs stimulating adenylyl cyclase cannot be explained simply by stimulation or desensitization of adenylyl cyclase of ciliary processes.