Cyclic guanosine monophosphate is the mediator of platelet-activating factor inhibition on transport by the mouse kidney thick ascending limb.

Since we have previously shown a direct inhibitory effect of platelet-activating factor (PAF) on Cl reabsorption in the medullary thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (TAL), the aim of this study was to extend this effect to the whole TAL and to further investigate the signaling pathway involved. In microperfused cortical TALs, PAF significantly decreased Cl reabsorption by 50.3 +/- 6.5%. On the one hand, this effect was not modified in the presence of staurosporine and was not mimicked by phorbol ester; chelating cytosolic Ca by BAPTA/AM failed to suppress the inhibitory effect of PAF on Cl reabsorption; moreover, no significant increase in intracellular Ca concentration could be observed in the presence of PAF on isolated tubules. On the other hand, 8-bromo cyclic GMP mimicked the PAF effect on Cl reabsorption and prevented a further effect of this agent; the PAF effect was significantly reduced by H-8, a cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor; in medullary TALs, PAF significantly increased by twofold cyclic GMP content, an effect inhibited by the PAF antagonist BN 50730, whereas PAF did not significantly modify cAMP content in basal or stimulated conditions. Finally, inhibition of nitric oxide production by NAME or NMMA failed to prevent the effect of PAF on Cl reabsorption. It is concluded that the PAF-induced inhibition of Cl reabsorption in the TAL was mediated by cyclic GMP, likely independent of a nitric oxide synthesis.

Adenylate cyclase responsiveness to hormones in various portions of the human nephron.

The action sites for parathyroid hormone (PTH), salmon calcitonin (SCT), and arginine-vasopressin (AVP) were investigated along the human nephron by measuring adenylate cyclase activity, using a single tubule in vitro microassay. Well-localized segments of tubule were isolated by microdissection from five human kidneys unsuitable for transplantation. PTH (10 IU/ml) increased adenylate cyclase activity in the convoluted and the straight proximal tubule, in the medullary and cortical portions of the thick ascending limb, and in the early portion of the distal convoluted tubule (corresponding stimulated:basal activity ratios were 64, 19, 10, 18, and 22, respectively). SCT (10 ng/ml) increased adenylate cyclase activity in the medullary and cortical portions of the thick ascending limb, in the early portion of the distal convoluted tubule, and, to a lesser extent, in the cortical and the medullay collecting tubule (activity ratios were 7, 14, 15, 3, and 3, respectively). AVP (1 microM) stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in the terminal nephron segments only, i.e., the late portion of the distal convoluted tubule, the cortical and medullary portions of the collecting tubule (activity ratios 81, 51, and 97, respectively). As measured in one experiment, nearly one-half maximal responses were obtained with 0.1 IU/ml PTH or 0.3 ng/ml SCT in thick ascending limbs and with 1 nM AVP in collecting tubules, suggesting that enzyme sensitivity to hormones as well preserved under the conditions used in this study.

Sublocalisation of the X breakpoint in the translocation (X; 18)(p11.2; q11.2) primary change in synovial sarcomas.

A specific translocation between chromosomes X and 18 was identified in synovial sarcomas. From a girl with synovial sarcoma, we isolated two clones with t(X; 18)(p11.2; q11.2) and which had lost the normal X chromosome. Southern blot analysis of DNA from the tumor, the patient and her parents demonstrated that the normal X chromosome, lost in the tumor, was the paternal one. A somatic hybrid cell line was established by fusing tumor cells (after passages on athymic mice) to an HPRT deficient hamster cell line. By cytogenetic, in situ hybridization and molecular analysis, it was found to contain the derivative (X) chromosome in the absence of the der (18) chromosome. To determine the position of the breakpoint on the X chromosome, Southern blots of DNA from this hybrid were hybridized to [32P]-labelled X chromosome probes. DXS146 and DXS255 were retained in the hybrid cell line whereas GAPDP1, the ARAF1 and TIMP proto-oncogenes were not present, indicating that the breakpoint lies proximal to GAPD1, ARAF1 and TIMP and distal to DXS255 and DXS146. Results obtained from other authors are compared. Further studies will be necessary to determine the extent of variation of the breakpoint in different tumors.

Increase of adipose differentiation by hypolipidemic fibrate drugs in Ob 17 preadipocytes: requirement for thyroid hormones.

The action of hypolipidemic fibrate drugs (HFD) (clofibrate, bezafibrate, fenofibrate) was studied in relation to thyroid hormone (TH) action in the TH-sensitive Ob 17 preadipocyte cells which require an early presence of TH for terminal differentiation. HFD markedly amplified the adipose differentiation and the development of several lipogenic enzymes, thus accelerating their appearance after cell growth arrest. This amplifying action could be obtained whatever the time of drug addition to the cells and required the continuous presence of the drug. HFD action was strictly dependent on the presence of TH. Within the active concentration range (0.01-0.25 mM) in serum-containing medium, HFD moderately down-modulated the nuclear TH receptor level (and c-erb alpha mRNA abundance), this being additive to the known maximal but partial down-regulation provoked by TH. The results strengthen the TH obligatory role for Ob 17 cell differentiation and give arguments against a TH-like role of HFD. In this cell line, HFD mainly behave as amplifiers for the expression of lipogenic phenotypes in already committed cells.

Adipose angiotensinogen is involved in adipose tissue growth and blood pressure regulation.

White adipose tissue and liver are important angiotensinogen (AGT) production sites. Until now, plasma AGT was considered to be a reflection of hepatic production. Because plasma AGT concentration has been reported to correlate with blood pressure, and to be associated with body mass index, we investigated whether adipose AGT is released locally and into the blood stream. For this purpose, we have generated transgenic mice either in which adipose AGT is overexpressed or in which AGT expression is restricted to adipose tissue. This was achieved by the use of the aP2 adipocyte-specific promoter driving the expression of rat agt cDNA in both wild-type and hypotensive AGT-deficient mice. Our results show that in both genotypes, targeted expression of AGT in adipose tissue increases fat mass. Mice whose AGT expression is restricted to adipose tissue have AGT circulating in the blood stream, are normotensive, and exhibit restored renal function compared with AGT-deficient mice. Moreover, mice that overexpress adipose AGT have increased levels of circulating AGT, compared with wild-type mice, and are hypertensive. These animal models demonstrate that AGT produced by adipose tissue plays a role in both local adipose tissue development and in the endocrine system, which supports a role of adipose AGT in hypertensive obese patients.

Functional properties of Ca2+-inhibitable type 5 and type 6 adenylyl cyclases and role of Ca2+ increase in the inhibition of intracellular cAMP content.

Among the different adenylyl cyclase (AC) isoforms, type 5 and type 6 constitute a subfamily which has the remarkable property of being inhibited by submicromolar Ca2+ concentrations in addition to Galphai-mediated processes. These independent and cumulative negative regulations are associated to a low basal enzymatic activity which can be strongly activated by Galphas-mediated interactions or forskolin. These properties ensure possible wide changes of cAMP synthesis. Regulation of cAMP synthesis by Ca2+ was studied in cultured or native cells which express naturally type 5 and/or type 6 AC, including well-defined renal epithelial cells. The results underline two characteristics of the inhibition due to agonist-elicited increase of intracellular Ca2+: i) Ca2+ rises achieved through capacitive Ca2+ entry or intracellular Ca2+ release can inhibit AC to a similar extent; and ii) in a same cell type, different agonists inducing similar overall Ca2+ rises elicit a variable inhibition of AC activity. The results suggest that a high efficiency of AC regulation by Ca2+ is linked to a requisite close localization of AC enzyme and Ca2+ rises.

[Impact of media alerts on contraceptive pills medication]. / Enquête concernant le retentissement des alertes médiatiques sur la pilule.

INTRODUCTION: The end of 2012 was marked by some media alerts regarding combined hormonal contraceptives (CHC) and lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies selling these birth control pills. In this study, we analyzed whether these information had an impact on the number of abortion. METHODS: Prospective study determining the number of women asking for abortion and who spontaneously declare that the contraception defect was due to an abandon of their oral contraception as they were scared of some information they received from media about the medication. RESULTS: Eleven centers out of 16 did participate to the study, allowing the study of 2300 abortion during this time frame. Ninety-eight of these pregnancies (4.2%) were due to an interruption of the contraceptive treatment as a consequence of media alerts. Average age was 26 years old. Within these pregnancies, 4 (6%) started in December 2012, 3 months after the beginning of the alerts, 11 (16%) in January, 24 (36%) in February and 18 (27%) in March 2013 (4-6 months later). In 7 cases (10%) CHC stopped by fear of information reported by media were of 2nd generation, in 17 cases (25%) of 3rd generation, in 32 cases (48%) of 4th generation and microprogestative in 2 cases (3%). CONCLUSION: Women who declared that they stopped their birth control medication by fear of information reported in media, represented 4% of the number of abortions performed between 2013 February 18th and 2013 April 30th.

Retinoic acid decreases nuclear triiodothyronine receptor expression and impairs an early step of adipose differentiation in the thyroid hormone-sensitive mouse Ob 17 preadipocyte cell line.

In the murine preadipocyte cell line Ob 17, T3 is known to be necessary at an early step of adipose differentiation for the expression of late phenotypes [lipogenic enzymes such as malic enzyme, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH), etc.] and not necessary for the expression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), which emerges earlier, at growth arrest. These cells contain nuclear T3 receptors, which mainly belong to products of the c-erbA alpha gene and are down-regulated by T3. In this work, retinoic acid (RA) added to Ob 17 cells at growth arrest impaired morphological differentiation and the development of both late (malic enzyme and GPDH) and early (LPL) phenotypes regardless of whether T3 was added. T3 sensitized the cells to the inhibitory action of RA; the ED50 for GPDH activity was shifted from 0.5 microM to 3 nM in cells cultured with 1.5 nM T3. Later addition of RA (6 days after growth arrest) did not inhibit the differentiation. RA also brought out a marked and fast decrease in nuclear T3 receptors. This was observed whatever the stage of cell development and related to both a rapid decrease in the relative abundance of c-erbA alpha-related mRNA species and an increased disappearance rate, suggesting the involvement of pre- and posttranslational events. RA and T3 acted additively in decreasing the T3 receptor and c-erbA alpha mRNA levels. The effects of RA on T3 receptors were rapidly reversed after RA withdrawal; the reversal was large (75%) when RA was introduced at growth arrest and total when introduced later. The cell sensitivity to RA, considering the T3 receptors, was higher at growth arrest (ED50 for RA, 0.2 and 1.5 microM in assays with RA added at growth arrest and 5 days later, respectively). The results suggest intricated regulatory pathways between RA and T3 at an early step of adipose differentiation and also suggest that among different mechanisms through which RA may impair this differentiation, a decreased level of nuclear T3 receptors at an early period should play a role.

Calcitriol down-modulates the 3,5,3' triiodothyronine (T3) receptors and affects, in a biphasic manner, the T3-dependent adipose differentiation of Ob 17 preadipocytes.

In previous reports, we showed that T3 is required for terminal differentiation of the murine Ob 17 preadipocytes, and that it partially down-modulates the abundance of its own nuclear receptor sites (T3R). We also reported that a profound depletion of the T3R was produced by all-trans-retinoic acid at concentrations that inhibit adipose differentiation. Here, we report that calcitriol (VD), which activates a nuclear receptor (VDR) closely related to the T3R and retinoid receptors, also markedly affects nuclear T3 binding and T3-induced differentiation of Ob 17 cells. Within a nearly physiological concentration range (0.1-2.5 nM), calcitriol profoundly down-modulated T3R abundance without altering the affinity for T3. The T3R depletion was a fast event, sustained under VD and reversed within 48 h of VD withdrawal. The order of efficient concentration ranges of VD and analogs suggests an involvement of the VDR. The T3R-depleting effect of VD was observed at every stage of adipose differentiation and was additive to the depleting effect of T3. Within the 0.1-2.5 nM VD concentration range, the c-erbA alpha and -alpha 1 messenger RNA levels (only c-erbA alpha gene products were detected in these cells) were poorly decreased; VD also did not alter a protein band specifically detected with specific anti-c-erbA alpha 1 antibodies in Western blots of nuclear extracts. VD accelerated the T3R disappearance rate; the results suggest that this would probably involve sequestration, rather than degradation, events. Interestingly, calcitriol added to the culture medium of Ob 17 preadipocytes markedly influenced the adipose differentiation, exerting a clear-cut stimulation at levels of 0.25 nM or less and profound inhibition at concentrations above 0.25 nM. Both effects were observed provided that VD was added within an early critical period of the differentiation process, as we previously reported for T3. The stimulations caused by low concentrations of VD and 1.5 nM T3 were additive. Increasing the VD concentration produced a progressive attenuation, then a suppression, of the stimulating effect of T3. Comparative analyses of VD-related changes in adipose differentiation and T3R abundance suggest that a correlation may exist between optimal differentiation and a partial depletion of the T3R, whereas a profound depletion of the T3R occurred at inhibitory concentrations of VD. The present results sustain the concept that T3R play a role in the differentiation of Ob 17 preadipocytes. Moreover, the results suggest that there may be a T3 receptor site concentration optimal for efficient differentiation. A regulation of this concentration involves ligands of other closely related receptors and, thus, probably the interplays that exist between these receptors.

Vasopressin-dependent adenylate cyclase activities in the rat kidney medulla: evidence for two separate sites of action.

This study demostrates the existence of an adenylate cyclase sensitive to vasopressin in the medullary portion of the rat thick ascending limb. Maximal adenylate cyclase stimulations achieved in that segment (31-fold) were higher than those obtained in collecting tubules from the same rats (22-fold). From comparisons of absolute maximal responses it can be calculated that thick ascending limbs account for about 80% of the response to vasopressin of a kidney medulla homogenate. The apparent Km value of adenylate cyclase activation (from 10(-9)-2 x 10(-8) M) in thick ascending limbs was higher in each experiment than that simultaneously measured in the collecting tubules from the same rats (2 x 10(-10)-3 x 10(-9) M). Such a lower sensitivity is probably not due to a greater hormone degradation by the thick ascending limb samples. Experiments using structural analogues of the oxytocin series ([deamino-6-carba]oxytocin and vasotocin) did not give evidence for different vasopressin receptors in the thick ascending limb and the collecting tubule. A step beyond the hormone-receptor interaction, thus, must account for the different patterns of adenylate cyclase response to vasopressin of these two segments.

Angiotensinogen-deficient mice exhibit impairment of diet-induced weight gain with alteration in adipose tissue development and increased locomotor activity.

White adipose tissue is known to contain the components of the renin-angiotensin system, which gives rise to angiotensin II from angiotensinogen (AGT). Recent evidence obtained in vitro and ex vivo is in favor of angiotensin II acting as a trophic factor of adipose tissue development. To determine whether AGT plays a role in vivo in this process, comparative studies were performed in AGT-deficient (agt(-/-)) mice and control wild-type mice. The results showed that agt(-/-) mice gain less weight than wild-type mice in response to a chow or high fat diet. Adipose tissue mass from weaning to adulthood appeared altered rather specifically, as both the size and the weight of other organs were almost unchanged. Food intake was similar for both genotypes, suggesting a decreased metabolic efficiency in agt(-/-) mice. Consistent with this hypothesis, cellularity measurement indicated hypotrophy of adipocytes in agt(-/-) mice with a parallel decrease in the fatty acid synthase activity. Moreover, AGT-deficient mice exhibited a significantly increased locomotor activity, whereas metabolic rate and mRNA levels of uncoupling proteins remained similar in both genotypes. Thus, AGT appears to be involved in the regulation of fat mass through a combination of decreased lipogenesis and increased locomotor activity that may be centrally mediated.

Nuclear factors specifically favor thyroid hormone binding to c-ErbA alpha 1 protein (thyroid hormone receptor alpha) over-expressed in E. coli.

A recombinant rat thyroid hormone receptor alpha (TR alpha or c-ErbA alpha 1) was produced in E. coli as a non-mutated, nonfusioned protein and obtained as an efficient DNA and T3 binding protein that could be easily handled in a buffer-soluble state (rec-TR alpha). It was found that nuclear extracts (NE) added to rec-TR alpha markedly amplified not only DNA binding, which has been well documented, but also T3 binding (increased binding site concentration), which has not yet been reported. This T3 binding amplifying effect on rec-TR alpha occurs at low NE protein concentrations that produce no or minimal endogenous TR with respect to rec-TR, while similar concentrations of other proteins (e.g. ovalbumin or cytosol) only moderately enhanced T3 binding. The T3 binding amplifying nuclear factors, which are partly heat-labile, appeared as necessary auxiliaries in the analyses of partially purified rec-TR alpha. A protective effect of NE against a loss of affinity for T3 under the action of antibodies directed to certain sequences in the TR alpha D domain suggests that nuclear factors help rec-TR alpha to acquire and/or stabilize a conformation that allows the high affinity T3 binding. The nature of this nuclear amplifying factor is still unknown: RXR alpha which, produced in vitro, could amplify binding of the rec-TR alpha to a DNA thyroid response element, was unable to display such a rescue of high affinity binding sites.

Heterogeneous distribution of nuclear triiodothyronine receptors in liver and preadipose cells as evidenced by their reactivity to antibodies against different protein products of erb A oncogenes.

Polyclonal antibodies raised in rabbits against bacterially produced peptides in the C-terminal region of v-erb A or human c-erb A alpha oncogenes recognize the nuclear triiodothyronine (T3) receptors in the T3-sensitive Ob 17 mouse preadipocyte cell line and not in mouse or rat liver. The results confirm the existence of different T3 receptors in different tissues. The results also suggest a heterogeneous receptor distribution within the preadipose cell line, with a predominance of c-erb A alpha-type species. Antibodies raised against domain 149 227, but not against domain 245-325, impair T3 binding, suggesting a role for this domain in ligand binding.

Sites of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis along the rabbit nephron.

The purpose of this study was to establish whether the nephron segments recognized as PGE2 target sites in the rabbit, i.e. the proximal tubule, the thick ascending limb and the collecting tubule, are also sites of PGE2 production. We therefore developed a microimmunoassay sensitive enough to allow the measurement of PGE2 on microdissected tubular segments about 1 mm in length. Under the conditions used (30 min incubation at 20 degrees C), a basal rate of PGE2 production was measured in the cortical (CCT) and medullary portions of the collecting tubule, as could be expected. In the presence of 10(-4) M sodium arachidonate, it was shown that: (1) The thin descending limb (TDL) is also an active site of PGE2 formation. When expressed per mm tubule length the amounts formed were lower in TDL than in CCT (14.1 +/- 2.7 SE pg/mm, n = 5, vs. 93.5 +/- 10.7, n = 8). They were quite comparable, however, when expressed per microgram total proteins (0.70 ng in TDL vs 0.6 in CCT). (2) A slight PGE2 production was noted in the connecting tubule but it was likely due to contamination by adjacent CCT cells. (3) In the other nephron segments, only negligible amounts of PGE2 were formed, which are probably of no physiological significance.

Inhibition of alpha 2-adrenergic agonists on AVP-induced cAMP accumulation in isolated collecting tubule of the rat kidney.

A microradioimmunoassay for cAMP was developed in order to analyse the effects of alpha-adrenergic agonists on vasopressin (AVP)-induced cAMP cell accumulation in single pieces of microdissected medullary (MCT) and cortical (CCT) rat collecting tubules. Under the experimental conditions chosen (4 min of incubation in the presence of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor), no cAMP could be detected either in the bathing solution or in non-stimulating samples of tubule. In MCT, 10(-6) M AVP stimulated cAMP generation up to 128.3 +/- 9.0 (SEM) fmoles per mm of tubule per 4 min, N = 11. The response was dose-dependent with a KA value below 10(-10) M AVP. The addition of norepinephrine (NE) (10(-5) M in the presence of propranolol) suppressed the larger part of the response to AVP (from 92% with 2 X 10(-11) M AVP to 76% with 10(-6) M AVP); the addition of 10(-7) M NE still reduced by 59% the MCT response to 10(-10) M AVP (26.2 +/- 5.9 vs. 64.0 +/- 6.4 fmoles/mm, N = 3). In CCT, 10(-5) M NE reduced by 84% the cAMP generation induced by 10(-10) M AVP (8.8 +/- 2.0 vs. 54.2 +/- 3.5 fmoles/mm, N = 3). This inhibitory action of NE against the AVP effect in CCT was mimicked by 10(-7) M clonidine; in MCT it was suppressed by phentolamine and yohimbine, but not by prazosin, suggesting that alpha 2-adrenoreceptors are involved. On the other hand, the addition of the alpha-agonists to the incubation solution produced no inhibition of the cAMP cell accumulations induced by glucagon, calcitonin and isoproterenol in CCT, or glucagon in MCT, an observation demonstrating that alpha 2-adrenergic agonists selectively inhibit vasopressin-dependent cAMP generation by these nephron segments.

Antibodies against restricted sequences in human c-ErbA hinge domain recognize differentially natural mammalian alpha- or beta-type triiodothyronine receptors and interfere differently with hormone binding.

In our first report, rabbit antibodies directed to recombinant polypeptides of human alpha-type c-ErbA sequences recognized natural triiodothyronine (T3) receptors (TR) in adipocytes (mouse Ob 17 cell line) but not in liver (mouse, rat). Moreover, some of them, directed to the sequence 150-228, markedly interfered with hormone binding to adipocyte T3 receptors. We now raised antibodies against shorter synthetic peptides within this alpha-type 150-228 c-ErbA sequence, which encompasses part of the hinge (D) domain and N-terminus of the E domain (alpha-150-166 and alpha 172-191) and against a beta-type c-ErbA sequence (beta 204-220 aligned on alpha 150-166, and differing by eight amino acids). Our present antibodies, which bear the expected c-ErbA alpha- or beta-type specificity, immunoprecipitated the TR in nuclear extracts, with a different pattern between tissues: exclusive precipitation by anti-c-ErbA alpha antibodies in Ob 17 adipocytes; large but non-exclusive precipitation by anti-cErbA beta antibodies in rat or mouse liver, which also expresses some alpha-type TR. This pattern of discriminative immunoprecipitation, also obtained in parallel analysis using our previously described antibodies to other c-ErbA alpha or beta sequences (anti-alpha 144-162, anti-alpha 1 403-410 and anti-beta 62-82), roughly verifies results of c-erbA mRNA expression in these tissues. Slight differences appeared in the extent of alpha-type TR recognition by antibodies directed to alpha 172-191, whether TR were liganded or not to T3 before antibody addition. This evokes a different conformation of this region after hormone binding. Most interestingly, these anti-alpha 172-191 antibodies lowered the Ka for T3 and extensively dissociated the adipocyte T3-TR complexes; they interfered poorly with the binding of T3 in liver nuclear extracts. This strongly supports the concept that internal sequences in c-ErbA alpha, more precisely in a restricted C-terminal part of the D domain, are necessary for efficient T3 binding, which also need the C-terminal part of domain E.

Fatty acid activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR).

Peroxisome proliferators such as clofibric acid, nafenopin, and WY-14,643 have been shown to activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), a member of the steroid nuclear receptor superfamily. We have cloned the cDNA from rat that is homologous to that from mouse, which encodes a 97% similar protein. To search for physiologically occurring activators, we established a transcriptional transactivation assay by stably expressing in CHO cells a chimera of rat PPAR and the human glucocorticoid receptor that activates expression of the placental alkaline phosphatase reporter gene under the control of the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter. 150 microM concentrations of arachidonic or linoleic acid but not of dehydroepiandrosterone, cholesterol, or 25-hydroxy-cholesterol, activated the receptor chimera. In addition, saturated fatty acids induced the reporter gene. Shortening the chain length to n = 6 or introduction of an omega-terminal carboxylic group abolished the activation potential of the fatty acid. To test whether a common PPAR binding metabolite might be formed from free fatty acids we tested the effects of differentially beta-oxidizable fatty acids and inhibitors of fatty acid metabolism. The peroxisomal proliferation-inducing, non-beta-oxidizable, tetradecylthioacetic acid activated PPAR to the same extent as the strong peroxisomal proliferator WY-14,643, whereas the homologous beta-oxidizable tetradecylthiopropionic acid was only as potent as a non-substituted fatty acid. Cyclooxygenase inhibitors, radical scavengers or cytochrome P450 inhibitors did not affect activation of PPAR. In conclusion, beta-oxidation is apparently not required for the formation of the PPAR-activating molecule and this moiety might be a fatty acid, its ester with CoA, or a further derivative of the activated fatty acid prior to beta-oxidation of the acyl-CoA ester.

Multiple hormonal control of adenylate cyclase in distal segments of the rat kidney.

Using the single tubule adenylate cyclase microassay, we investigated in vitro in three different segments of the rat nephron whether the effects of various hormones are additive when these hormones are tested in combination. In the cortical portion of the thick ascending limb (CAL), no additivity of the effects of glucagon, calcitonin, and PTH was observed. In the medullary portion of the thick ascending limb (MAL), the effects of vasopressin and glucagon were only partly additive, and the effects of vasopressin and calcitonin were fully additive. In the cortical collecting tubule (CCT), the effects of calcitonin and vasopressin were nonadditive in the kidneys in which vasopressin alone induced a high cyclase stimulation, whereas they were fully additive when vasopressin induced a low cyclase stimulation. The data suggest that in each segment, the hormones tested stimulated the same cells: no additivity was observed when cyclase Vmax acted as the limiting factor of the response; partial or full additivity was observed when the number of hormone receptors acted as the limiting factor of the response. As a consequence, calcitonin, glucagon, and PTH should induce the same effects in CAL; vasopressin, glucagon, and calcitonin, the same effects in MAL; and vasopressin and calcitonin, the same effects in CCT.

A new concept in breast investigation: echo-histological acino-ductal analysis or analytic echography.

"Echo-histological acino-ductal analysis of the breast" or "analytic echography" allows a display of lesions based on anatomo-physio-pathology, their micro-sampling by interventional echography for histological evaluation and their direct visual observation by intra-ductal echo-guided endoscopy. This method efficiently complements the other means of investigation by evaluating mammographic densities and palpable masses, and shows maximum diagnostic efficiency by improving and using the 2 most efficient means of diagnosis for malignancies, namely: the immediate detection of cellular abnormalities by more precise sampling; or the display of tumor evolution in a shorter time (3 months), with repeated sampling.

Echo-histological "Acino-Ductal Analysis". Preliminary results.

Echo-histological "Acino-Ductal Analysis" allows a display of lesions based on anatomo-physio-pathology, their micro-sampling for histological evaluation by interventional echography, and their direct visual observation by intra-ductal echo-guided endoscopy. This combination complements other means of investigation and shows an unequaled power of diagnosis by using the two most efficient means of diagnosis for malignancies: detection of cellular abnormalities and observance of evolution over time.