Browsing Electronic Theses and Dissertations by Department "Pharmacology and Toxicology"
Now showing items 1-20 of 29
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Buprenorphine metabolism by preterm placentas: A pilot study
(2007-10-31)The focus of this investigation is to attempt to identify and characterize the major enzyme responsible for metabolism of buprenorphine to nor-buprenorphine in human preterm placentas and to elucidate whether the ... -
Cellular mechanisms that modulate kainate receptor trafficking and assembly
(2007-06-08)Kainate receptors (KARs) in the mammalian brain play a variety of physiological roles that require selective assembly, intracellular trafficking, and synaptic targeting. Cytoplasmic and non-cytoplasmic determinants that ... -
Characterization of serum-induced CYP1A1 expression and activity in mouse embryo fibroblasts
(2005-07-07)The AhR is a ligand-activated transcription factor that mediates the toxic effects of environmental contaminants that include TCDD. Using a TCDD dose-response treatment in MEFs, we observed a super induction of CYP1A1 with ... -
Chemical Mixtures of Xenoestrogens and Their Metabolites Alter Estradiol-Induced Non-Genomic Signaling
(2013-06-03)BACKGROUND: Xenoestrogens (XEs) pose a threat to human health by disrupting natural responses of physiologic estrogens. Bisphenol-A (BPA), a plastics monomer, is potently estrogenic via non-genomic signaling; however, ... -
“Differential regulation of PTHrP gene expression by 1,25(OH)2D3 in prostate cancer cell lines”
(2005-07-08)Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is expressed by prostate cancer cells. Since PTHrP enhances the growth and osteolytic potential of prostate cancer cells, it is important to control PTHrP expression in these ... -
Dopamine-induced synaptic plasticity in the amygdala in saline-and cocaine-treated animals undergoing conditioned place preference
(2008-11-24)One of the biggest problems facing cocaine addicts is relapse and currently there are no treatments for relapse. These studies will provide insight into the underlying mechanisms of LTP mediating relapse to cocaine. A ... -
Effects of perinatal phencyclidine treatment on neuronal viability, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor regulation and schizophrenic-like behaviors
(2009-03-06)Clinical use of phencyclidine (PCP), a potent dissociative anesthetic, was abandoned as a result of reports of post-operative hallucinations and disoriented behavior; further, illicit use has substantially diminished because ... -
A general scaffold for the synthesis of cysiherbaine and its analogues
(2008-12-03)Dysiherbaine 1 and a select number of structurally related compounds have been shown to have selective effects on ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs). iGluRs are essential components in the central nervous system (CNS); ... -
Methadone metabolism in placentas from preterm pregnancies
(2005-07-20)The aim of this investigation is to identify and characterize the enzyme system responsible for the N-demethylation of methadone in human preterm placentas. The metabolism of methadone revealed typical Michaelis-Menten ... -
Molecular Insights and Physiological Consequences of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Regulated Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Expression
(2013-06-03)The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, attenuates liver regeneration in vivo when activated by its prototypical agonist 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) following 70% partial ... -
Novel Insights Into Normal Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Biology Through the Regulation of Stanniocalcin 2
(2013-06-03)Proper hepatocyte function is vital for survival; hence unrepaired destruction of the parenchymal tissue leading to liver decompensation is devastating. Therefore, understanding the homeostatic process regulating liver ... -
Regional and temporal differential regulation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor by phencyclidine during development
(2005-07-06)Disruptions in glutamatergic neurotransmission may play a role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. The purpose of this study was to determine phencyclidine (PCP)-induced changes in the NMDA receptor subunit composition ... -
The role of 4-hydroxynonenal in cellular signaling mechanisms
(2007-04-03)One of the critical steps involved in cellular oxidative stress is the peroxidation of membrane lipids. The downstream effects of the autocatalytic lipid peroxidation (LPO) cycle are widespread and involve several processes. ... -
The role of amygdala group I mGluRs in synaptic plasticity and conditioned place preference in rodents
(2007-07-17)Currently, there are no approved medications for treating cocaine addiction, and cocaine addicts are highly prone to relapse. Cocaine cravings or seeking is difficult to control because of contextual cues and adequate ... -
The role of reactive oxygen species as mediators of respiratory syncytial virus induced pulmonary inflammation
(2008-06-27)Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the leading cause of epidemic respiratory tract illness in children worldwide. Although the mechanisms of RSV-induced airway disease are unknown, experimental evidence suggests that ... -
Role of serotonin2C receptor (5-HT2CR) in expression of cocaine-induced conditioned hyperactivity
(2005-08-31)Environmental cues can become classically conditioned to cocaine exposure and are known to contribute to drug craving and relapse in addicts. The 5-HT2C receptor (5-HT2CR) has been shown to modulate the behavioral effects ... -
Role of the PI-3K/Akt and ERK pathways in phencyclidine-induced neurotoxicity in neonatal rats and the protection by lithium and BDNF
(2009-06-11)Phencyclidine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) open channel blocker that causes schizophrenia-like symptoms in healthy humans and exacerbates psychoses in schizophrenics. In animals, PCP administration to immature ... -
Role of the ventral tegmental area, cannabinoid receptors and GABA neurons in motor activity
(2006-12-19)Illicit abuse of psychoactive substances, including marijuana, continues to be a serious problem in our society and therefore cultivating a more thorough understanding of the neuroanatomical and neurochemical substrates ... -
The serotonin (5-HT) 2C receptor (5-HT2CR) and its downstream signaling components: Distinct adaptations in cortical circuits associated with cocaine exposure
(2009-03-17)Repeated intermittent cocaine administration results in a progressive augmentation of motor stimulant responses to subsequent drug challenge. Neuronal adaptations underlying this enduring behavioral transformation, known ... -
Serotonin 5-HT<sub/>2C</sub> receptors: Role in (+)-MDMA sensitization and distribution in the ventral tegmental area
(2005-03-09)Serotonin (5-HT) released consequent to acute (+)-3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine [(+)-MDMA; \"ecstasy\"] administration stimulates 5-HT<sub/>2C</sub> receptors (5-HT<sub/>2C</sub>R) to exert inhibitory influence on ...