Includes copies of author's previously published works. / Bibliography: leaves 106-122. / xiii, 123 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Examines the relationship between circulating adrenaline (AD) and blood pressure. Results suggest that the elevation of circulating AD in hypertensive rats is a consequence rather than a cause of their hypertension. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Physiology, 1995

Bibliography: leaves 169-205. This thesis suggests that the testicular macrophage exhibits characteristics similar to that of a suppressor macrophage phenotype. The inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation by the testicular macrophage, its unique cytokine profile, high basal production of GM-CSF and prostaglandins, and the refractoriness to LPS all suggests a role that contributes to the immune privilege that is afforded the testis. However, these aspects of testicular macrophage immuno-biology also support a role in local cell-cell communication and regulation of the normal physiology of the testis, and macrophages may be directly involved in Leydig cell steriogenesis.

The objective of this study was to further determine the distribution of selenoprotein W (SeW) in tissues from rats and sheep fed different selenium levels and to search for the possible functions of this protein. In the rat study a total of 28 rat tissues were examined and SeW was found in all of the tissues except for liver, thyroid, pancreas, pituitary and eyes regardless of the level of Se fed. SeW was not detected in heart, lungs, prostate, esophagus, small intestine, tongue, skin diaphragm and skeletal muscle from selenium deficient rats, but was present in these tissues when the two higher levels of selenium (0.1 and 4.0 mg/kg) were fed. SeW has the highest expression in muscle, brain, testis and spleen when selenium is adequate. Interestingly, selenium deficiency resulted in undetectable SeW levels in heart and muscle from deficient sheep and rats, but the content in brain was unaffected by selenium status. Second generation selenium depleted and repleted rats indicated that the expression of SeW in cortex and cerebellum was not significantly affected by selenium, but selenium increased its levels in thalamus. Cortex had the highest SeW expression among the three parts of the rat brain. SeW levels in muscle, spleen, skin and testis were undetectable in weanling rats, but became detectable after 6 weeks of selenium repletion. Studies with various brain cell cultures indicated that Se appears to be metabolized differently by different brain cell types. As demonstrated in neuroblastoma and glial cells, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity decreased at a faster rate than SeW with neuroblastoma cells whereas SeW decreased at a faster rate than GPX activity in glial cells when selenium was removed from the media. Since other work showed that glutathione was bound to SeW, it was speculated that it has antioxidant function similar to other selenoproteins. SeW overexpressed and underexpressed cell lines were established by DNA recombinant techniques. There was a greater survival rate of overexpressed cells when incubated with 2,2'-Azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) than control cells, suggesting SeW possibly has an antioxidant function. / Graduation date: 1999

Regeneration of the gastrocnemius muscle in 25 white rats was reinvestigated using reimplantation of minced muscle fragments in order to compare the fiber profiles of the regenerate and normal contralateral gastrocnemius. Fiber profiles were prepared from both the regenerate and the normal muscle 45 days postoperatively using myosin ATPase histochemistry.Counts made of type 1, 2A, 2B, and 2C fibers showed a significant (P<(0.05) change in the profile of the regenerated muscle compared to the contralateral muscle.The results indicated that although there was a change in the fiber profile at 45 days, the regenerated muscle appeared to follow a path of developmental recapitulation. Changes in the fiber appeared to be related to reinnervation of the regenerate.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

Serum lactage dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase level were studied in sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 400 to 680 grams. Five groups of ten rats each ran forty-five minutes (16 m/min) with variable percentages of the total bout consisting of downhill running (16° incline): Group I- 0%, Group II- 22%, Group III- 50%, Group IV- 78%, Group V- 100% downhill. Group VI consisted of ten sedentary controls. Serial blood samples were obtained immediately after exercise, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 hours found to exist between a non-trained rat’s weight and its ability to finish the exercise bout and live beyond 48 hours.Each exercise group, except Group V, showed s significant decrease in the CPK activity at 24 and/or 36 hours post-exercise. Group V showed a significant elevation (P<0.05) in LDH and CPK activity at 12 hours. With the total exercise time remaining the same, a linear relationship was suggested between duration of downhill running and LDH activity at 12 and 24 hours post-exercise, r=0.5880 (n=26) and r=0.4490 (n=28), respectively.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Physiology / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

published_or_final_version / Physiology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences