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A. Meli

Bio: A. Meli is an academic researcher from University of Ferrara. The author has contributed to research in topics: Capsaicin & Neurokinin A. The author has an hindex of 25, co-authored 51 publications receiving 1561 citations.

Papers published on a yearly basis

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Observations provide the first indication that capsaicin-sensitive structures (nerves?) may be present in the human urinary bladder as they have been shown to occur in various other species.

206 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Evidence is presented that multiple neurokinin receptors are present in the same organ and participate with different modalities to the regulation of smooth muscle function.
Abstract: The ability of six neurokinins (substance P, neurokinin A, neurokinin B, physalaemin, eledoisin and kassinin) to induce hypotension, salivary secretion and to activate motility of the duodenum and of the urinary bladder was investigated in urethane-anaesthetized rats. A comparison of the relative potency of these substances in producing a given biological effect yielded results consistent with the hypothesis of the existence of three distinct types of receptor in rat peripheral tissues, namely SP-P, SP-K and SP-E according to the nomenclature proposed by Buck, Burcher, Shults, Lovenberg & O'Donohue (1984), or NK-P, NK-A and NK-B according to that of Regoli, D'Orleans-Juste, Drapeau, Dion & Escher (1985). An NK-P receptor is responsible for the production of the hypotensive effect and for the activation of salivary secretion. An 'NK-P like' receptor subtype may be involved in determining the direct contractile effects on muscle cells of neurokinins in the rat isolated urinary bladder and the 'phasic' contraction of the rat duodenum. An NK-A receptor mediates the 'tonic' contraction of the rat duodenum while an NK-B receptor mediates the activation of the micturition reflex. Evidence is presented that multiple neurokinin receptors are present in the same organ and participate with different modalities to the regulation of smooth muscle function.

113 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 May 1989-Peptides
TL;DR: Replacement of the glycine in position 8 of the C-terminal heptapeptide NKA(4-10) with beta-alanine give rise to a potent and selective agonist for the NK-2 tachykinin receptor.

89 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Findings support the concept that there are two independent mechanisms for activating the 'efferent' function of sensory nerves, one of which is activated by capsaicin and is Ruthenium Red-sensitive but omega-conotoxin-resistant, while the other isactivated by propagated action potentials (field stimulation) and is omega- Conot toxin-sensitive and Ruthenia Red-resistant.

81 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Evidence is provided that selective desensitization of peripheral terminals of Capsaicin-sensitive nerves of the rat urinary bladder inactivates their sensory and "efferent" function in a manner similar to that observed after systemic capsaicin desensItization in adult rats.

70 citations


Cited by
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Journal Article
TL;DR: This paper focuses on hot pepper, which is eaten on a daily basis by an estimated one-quarter of the world’s population and has potential to be a biological target for regenerative medicine.
Abstract: Natural products afford a window of opportunity to study important biology. If the natural product is used or abused by human beings, finding its biological target(s) is all the more significant. Hot pepper is eaten on a daily basis by an estimated one-quarter of the world’s population and

1,848 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
Peter Holzer1
TL;DR: Etude du mecanisme d'action des neurones sensoriels et des fonctions de leurs effecteurs locaux en reponse a differents stimuli, au niveau des tissus directement en contact avec l'environnement exterieur.

1,685 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Development of drugs capable of controlling the sensory-efferent functions of the capsaicin-sensitive sensory neurons represent a new and very promising area of research for pharmacological treatment of various human diseases.
Abstract: Capsaicin-sensitive sensory neurons convey to the central nervous system signals (chemical and physical) arising from viscera and the skin which activate a variety of visceromotor and neuroendocrine reflexes integrated at various levels (intramurally in peripheral organs, at level of prevertebral ganglia, spinal and supraspinal level). Much evidence is now available that peripheral terminals of certain sensory neurons, widely distributed in skin and viscera have the ability to release, upon adequate stimulation, their transmitter content. In addition to the well-known "axon reflex" arrangement, the capsaicin-sensitive sensory neurons have the ability to release the stored transmitter also from the same terminal which is excited by the environmental stimulus. The efferent function of these sensory neurons is realized through the direct and indirect (i.e. mediated by activation of other cells) effects of released mediators. The action of released transmitters on postjunctional elements covers a wide range of effects which may have a physiological or pathological relevance. Development of drugs capable of controlling the sensory-efferent functions of the capsaicin-sensitive sensory neurons represent a new and very promising area of research for pharmacological treatment of various human diseases.

933 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The aim of this review is to summarize and synthesize basic information and recent advances in the understanding of the properties of the detrusor smooth muscle, its contractile system, cellular signaling, membrane properties, and cellular receptors.
Abstract: The detrusor smooth muscle is the main muscle component of the urinary bladder wall. Its ability to contract over a large length interval and to relax determines the bladder function during filling and micturition. These processes are regulated by several external nervous and hormonal control systems, and the detrusor contains multiple receptors and signaling pathways. Functional changes of the detrusor can be found in several clinically important conditions, e.g., lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and bladder outlet obstruction. The aim of this review is to summarize and synthesize basic information and recent advances in the understanding of the properties of the detrusor smooth muscle, its contractile system, cellular signaling, membrane properties, and cellular receptors. Alterations in these systems in pathological conditions of the bladder wall are described, and some areas for future research are suggested.

834 citations