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A Carlsson

Publications and source records attributed to A Carlsson.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

Acute effects of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine on dopamine metabolism in mouse and rat striatum.

Monoamines and metabolites in mouse striatum were measured at intervals (0-6 h) after injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP; 50 mg kg-1 subcutaneously). In addition, the accumulation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa), induced by inhibition of the aromatic amino acid decarboxylase by 3-hydroxybenzylhydrazine (NSD 1015), was assessed during every 15 min (0-135 min) after MPTP administration. The alterations induced by MPTP during the first hour after injection were a transient acceleration followed by a marked retardation of dopa synthesis, a decrease in 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC; -55%) and an increase in 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT; +400%). Between 60 and 75 min after administration, some dramatic changes took place: a 40% reduction of dopamine (DA), a marked additional increase in 3-MT (to 1300% of control) and an increase in homovanillic acid (HVA; +50%). The period after 75 min was characterized by a further depletion of DA, a decrease in 3-MT and a transient increase in HVA (max. 240% of control). Six hours after the administration, all concentrations of DA and its metabolites were subnormal, i.e. DA (30% of control), 3-MT (10%), DOPAC (10%) and HVA (65%). The MPTP-induced retardation of dopa synthesis was not antagonized by haloperidol or by reserpine pretreatment. MPTP (25 or 50 mg kg-1 s.c.) produced similar acute changes in the levels of DA and its metabolites in rat as in mouse striatum, though much less pronounced.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗

Evidence for dopamine release and metabolism beyond the control of nerve impulses and dopamine receptors in rat substantia nigra.

In rat substantia nigra a biphasic disappearance curve of dopamine (DA) was seen after tyrosine hydroxylase inhibition by alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (alpha-MT): the initial phase had a fast turnover and a half life of 0.5 h and the later phase had an extremely slow turnover. In contrast to the effects in striatum, neither haloperidol nor apomorphine influenced alpha-MT-induced DA disappearance in the substantia nigra. Furthermore, inhibition of impulse flow by gamma-butyrolactone prevented DA disappearance in striatum but not in the substantia nigra. Measurements of DA and 3-methoxytyramine following treatment with inhibitors of monoamine oxidase (pargyline) and catechol-O-methyl transferase (tropolone) indicated that O-methylation is a more important metabolic pathway in the substantia nigra than in the striatum. The data are interpreted to indicate that the release and metabolism of DA in the substantia nigra are largely beyond the control of nerve impulses and DA receptors. It is suggested that such an arrangement forms an important feature of autoreceptor-mediated feedback control of DA nerve cell activity.

4-Butyrolactone↗

Decreased prolactin responsiveness to thyrotrophin-releasing hormone and metoclopramide in hyperthyroidism.

To investigate whether prolactin (Prl) responsiveness to thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) differs in thyrotoxic and normal individuals, serum Prl was determined before and after iv injection of 200 micrograms TRH in 10 patients with untreated thyrotoxicosis and also in 9 normal subjects. Both the maximal Prl increment after TRH and the total Prl response, represented by the Prl incremental area, were significantly larger in the normal subjects compared with the thyrotoxic (max Prl increment 56 +/- 11 vs 15 +/- 3 ng/ml, P less than 0.001; Prl incremental area 3071 +/- 522 vs 579 +/- 171, P less than 0.001; mean +/- SEM). The maximal Prl increase after 15 mg oral metoclopramide (MET) was also significantly larger in the normal (125 +/- 13 ng/ml) than in the thyrotoxic subjects (60 +/- 13 ng/ml, P less than 0.01). When 200 micrograms TRH was injected iv 90 min after oral administration of 15 mg MET, an additional Prl increase was observed in normal individuals (21 +/- 6 ng/ml, P less than 0.01). In thyrotoxic patients, however, iv TRH failed to induce a significant increase in Prl after oral priming with MET (0 +/- 3 ng/ml). When 7 thyrotoxic patients, made euthyroid by 125I-treatment, were investigated according to the same protocol as the one mentioned above, they displayed normal Prl responses to iv TRH and to oral MET. Furthermore, they showed a significant Prl response to iv TRH after oral priming with MET (20 +/- 8 ng/ml, P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

The antibacterial effect of attacins from the silk moth Hyalophora cecropia is directed against the outer membrane of Escherichia coli.

The attacins are antibacterial proteins which accumulate in the hemolymph of the giant silk moth, Hyalophora cecropia, in response to a bacterial infection. Here we show that the permeability barrier function of the outer membrane is affected shortly after addition of attacin to growing cultures of Escherichia coli. Specifically, the penetration through the outer membrane of beta-lactam antibiotics, chicken egg white lysozyme and the detergent Triton X-100 was found to be facilitated. The sensitivity of E. coli to cecropin B, another antibacterial protein present in the hemolymph of H. cecropia, was also found to be increased after treatment with attacin. The results suggest that the target of the attacins in E. coli is the outer membrane. Other effects of the attacins which have been observed are likely to be indirect consequences of the alteration in the properties of the outer membrane. These effects include changes in the cell shape, irregular patterns of cell division and lysis. The minimal concentration at which the attacins affected the growth of E. coli was 1 and 0.5 microM for the neutral (pI 7) and basic (pI 9) attacins, respectively, which corresponds to less than 2% of the concentration of the attacins in the hemolymph of infected pupae.

Animals↗

(+)- and (-)-3-PPP exhibit different intrinsic activity at striatal dopamine autoreceptors controlling dopamine synthesis.

Both enantiomers of the dopamine analogue 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-n-propylpiperidine (3-PPP; 0.5-32 mg/kg s.c.) dose dependently reduced the increase in striatal dopamine (DA) synthesis rate produced by gamma-butyrolactone (GBL). Whereas (+)-3-PPP completely prevented the action of GBL, (-)-3-PPP was only partially effective. In addition, (-)-3-PPP partially antagonised the inhibitory action of apomorphine on the GBL-induced increase in DA synthesis rate. These findings suggest that (+)- and (-)-3-PPP act as full and partial agonists respectively, at striatal DA autoreceptors controlling DA synthesis.

4-Butyrolactone↗

Anticonflict effect of the putative serotonin receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT).

The putative 5-HT agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OHDPAT) produced in rats an increase in the number of shocks accepted in a modified Vogel's conflict test design. Subchronic pretreatment with p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) similarly caused release of the punished behavior. This anticonflict effect of PCPA was antagonized by both 5-hydrotryptophan and 8-OH-DPAT. Thus in naive animals 8-OH-DPAT exerting anticonflict effects acted like a 5-HT antagonist, whereas in subchronically PCPA-pretreated animals with presumably supersensitive 5-HT receptors, 8-OH-DPAT decreasing the number of accepted shocks acted like a 5-HT agonist.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗

Insect immunity. The primary structure of the antibacterial protein attacin F and its relation to two native attacins from Hyalophora cecropia.

The attacins are antibacterial proteins present in the hemolymph of the pupae of the silk moth Hyalophora cecropia after bacterial infection. We present the primary structure of one attacin, the F form. We show that this protein is derived by proteolysis from the native protein, attacin E. Using a method for rapid purification from the hemolymph of immunized pupae of the neutral attacin E and a basic attacin, both proteins were found in freshly collected immune hemolymph. We conclude that they are the native products of two attacin genes, the existence of which was inferred from the isolation of two cDNA clones as described in the accompanying paper. The two proteins, which differed in their pIs (7 and 9), were found to have similar mol. wts. (20 000) and closely related primary structures, displaying a total of 40 amino acid substitutions, 12 of which were of a non-conservative nature.

Journal Article↗

Antipsychotic treatment with alpha-methyltyrosine in combination with thioridazine: prolactin response and interaction with dopaminergic precursor pools.

The antipsychotic effect of alpha-methyltyrosine (alpha-MT) in combination with thioridazine was investigated by means of rating scales for "social behaviour" and "mental symptoms". The clinical effect was also evaluated in relation to the serum concentrations of alpha-MT and thioridazine and to the increase in prolactin secretion in response to the interaction with hypothalamic dopaminergic mechanisms. The interactions between the serum levels of alpha-MT and those of the transmitter precursors phenylalanine and tyrosine were analysed. The results confirmed the ability of alpha-MT (2 g/day) to potentiate the antipsychotic effect of thioridazine, whereby the dose of neuroleptic drug required to control psychotic symptoms may be markedly reduced. None of the four patients who completed the trial showed side effects that could be ascribed to alpha-MT. The antipsychotic effect of thioridazine, alone or in combination with alpha-MT, correlated well with the prolactin response in the individual patient. No important interference with serum phenylalanine or tyrosine levels was noted during treatment with alpha-MT.

Aged↗

Biochemical and functional evidence for a marked dopamine releasing action of N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (NMPTP) in mouse brain.

The acute effects of N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (NMPTP) on mouse central monoaminergic neurons were investigated. In striatum, two hours after the injection of NMPTP (50 mg/kg s.c.) there was a seven-fold increase in 3-methoxytyramine that coincided with a 55% decrease in dopamine. In addition, the same dose of NMPTP caused an acute increase in mouse motor activity; this effect was antagonized by haloperidol or by pretreatment with reserpine. These data indicate that NMPTP initially causes a pronounced release of dopamine into the extraneuronal space.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗

"On-off" phenomenon in Parkinson's disease: correlation to the concentration of dopa in plasma.

To investigate the relation between "on-off" fluctuations in symptomatology and bioavailability of dopa in patients with Parkinson's disease, five Parkinsonian patients with pronounced "on-off" symptoms were studied. Continuously during the study the degree of disability in the patients was registered. Every one hour, and in addition, whenever there was a change from "on" to "off" or vice versa, a blood sample was collected for dopa determination. Since dopa is transported from plasma into the brain by a saturable carrier for which it has to compete with endogenous large neutral amino acids (LNAA), the concentrations of these competitors were measured too. In four of the patients there were considerable oscillations in the plasma dopa concentration during the day; in one of these patients the highest value was as much as 12 times higher than the lowest value. These dramatic fluctuations in the absolute concentration of dopa in plasma had a major influence on the relative dopa concentrations (calculated as the ratio dopa/sum of LNAA) as the fluctuations in the concentrations of LNAA in plasma were much less pronounced. Consequently, the absolute and the relative concentrations of dopa in plasma were highly parallelled. In four of the five patients "on"-periods began within one hour after a peak in the concentration of dopa in plasma and in the fifth patient five out of seven "on"-periods were preceded by a rise in plasma dopa concentration within the same time interval. From the present data it could be concluded that the "on-off" phenomenon in Parkinson's disease, at least partly, is due to oscillations in the concentration of dopa in plasma. A reduction in the variations of the concentration of dopa in plasma seems to be necessary to overcome the "on-off" problem. The introduction of a slow release preparation of dopa is therefore urgently warranted. The concentration of LNAA in plasma must, however, also be considered in this context.

Aged↗

8-Hydroxy-2-(alkylamino)tetralins and related compounds as central 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonists.

A series of 2-(alkylamino)tetralins related to 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (21) were prepared and tested as dopamine (DA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor agonists. Several of the compounds were potent 5-HT agonists devoid of DA-mimetic effects. N-Ethyl or N-propyl substitution of 8-hydroxy-2-aminotetralin gave the most potent agonists. It was shown that the most potent compound, (+)-21, has the 2R configuration. 5,8-Di-methoxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (31) was found to be a weak DA agonist devoid of 5-HT activity. The corresponding indan derivative, 4,7-dimethoxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan (39), has been reported to be active on both DA and 5-HT receptors. The 5-HT-stimulating properties of compounds 21 and 39 as compared to the incapability of compound 31 to activate the 5-HT receptor is tentatively explained by the assumed mode of binding of the compounds to the 5-HT receptor.

Animals↗

C1-Methylated 5-hydroxy-2-(dipropylamino)tetralins: central dopamine-receptor stimulating activity.

C1-Methylated derivatives of the potent dopaminergic agonist 5-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (6) have been synthesized and tested for central dopamine (DA) receptor stimulating activity, by using biochemical and behavioral tests in rats. Both cis- and trans-5-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (4 and 3) may be classified as central DA-receptor agonists, albeit of lower potency than 6. The results obtained indicate that both 4 and 3 display DA-autoreceptor stimulation capacity. However, only one of the isomers, trans-3, is able to elicit clear-cut postsynaptic DA receptor agonist actions at larger doses. 5-Hydroxy-1,1-dimethyl-2-(n-propylamino) tetralin (5) was found to be inactive.

Animals↗

Beta-adrenergic influence on brain concentrations of monoamine precursors.

The beta-adrenergic agonist isoprenaline: Causes a decrease in most amino acids in plasma. Changes the relation between the large neutral amino acids in plasma in favor of tyrosine and Try. Causes an increase in brain concentrations of tyrosine and Try. Causes an increase in brain concentrations of DOPA and Try after the administration of these amino acids. The reported effects might be of clinical importance in the treatment of mental depression and other diseases where amino acids are used as therapeutic agents.

Amino Acids↗

Dopamine receptors involved in prolactin secretion pharmacologically characterized by means of 3-PPP enantiomers.

3-(3-Hydroxyphenyl)-N-n-propylpiperidine (3-PPP) is a novel compound existing in two enantiomers which, as judged by recent biochemical and behavioural studies, both have clearcut though differential effects on central dopamine (DA) receptors. Thus, while both enantiomers act in low doses as agonists preferentially on autoreceptors, in higher doses the (+)-form is an agonist also postsynaptically while the (-)-form acts as an antagonist on postsynaptic DA receptors in the striatum and in the limbic system. In the present study both enantiomers were evaluated with respect to their effects on pituitary DA receptors involved in prolactin release. In previously untreated rats, no increase in prolactin release was observed after administration of either enantiomer in low or high doses. The lack of effect of high doses of the (-)-form indicates that DA receptors on the lactotrophs are pharmacologically different from postsynaptic DA receptors in nigrostriatal and mesolimbic systems. The finding that both enantiomers exerted a dose-dependent prolactin suppressive effect in reserpine-pretreated animals suggests instead that DA receptors on the lactotrophs are pharmacologically similar to DA autoreceptors in the brain. The effect of both 3-PPP enantiomers on prolactin release in reserpine-pretreated animals was antagonized by haloperidol, sulpiride and metoclopramide while pimozide and clozapine appeared less active. This finding is discussed with respect to possible selectivity on pre- vs. postsynaptic DA receptors for various antagonists.

Animals↗