Biomedical subjects

A J Dunn

Publications and source records attributed to A J Dunn.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

Behavioral responses to stress are intact in CRF-deficient mice.

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) has been implicated in endocrine and behavioral responses associated with stress. We have now studied the behavior of mice lacking the CRF gene (CRFko), comparing them to wild-type (WT) mice. Behaviors were observed in untreated mice, as well as following restraint or intraperitoneal administration of mouse interleukin-1beta (mIL-1beta). In the multicompartment chamber (MCC), the behaviors of CRFko and WT mice were very similar, and prior restraint and IL-1beta induced similar decreases in stimulus-contact times in both genotypes. In the elevated plus maze (EPM), restraint decreased the number of open arm entries but the behavior of both genotypes was very similar. In the open field (OF), the changes in locomotor activity in response to restraint were similar in both genotypes, although CRFko mice displayed slightly increased locomotor activity compared to WT mice. In both the MCC and the EPM, grooming behavior was increased by restraint, and was higher in the CRFko than in the WT mice. Compared to WT mice, CRFko mice had lower basal plasma concentrations of corticosterone which did not increase significantly following footshock. Thus, CRFko mice showed a clear dichotomy; the stress-related activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis was absent, whereas the stress-related behavioral responses thought to be mediated by brain CRF were unaffected. These results suggest that when mice develop in the absence of CRF, another factor (or factors) assumes the behavioral functions normally ascribed to brain CRF, but not activation of the HPA axis. Alternatively, the natural modulator of behavior may not be CRF, but some other molecule that can act on receptors sensitive to CRF. Thus, redundant CNS mechanisms appear to be involved in stress-related behaviors.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Stress-induced behaviors require the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) receptor, but not CRH.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is a central regulator of the hormonal stress response, causing stimulation of corticotropin and glucocorticoid secretion. CRH is also widely believed to mediate stress-induced behaviors, implying a broader, integrative role for the hormone in the psychological stress response. Mice lacking the CRH gene exhibit normal stress-induced behavior that is specifically blocked by a CRH type 1 receptor antagonist. The other known mammalian ligand for CRH receptors is urocortin. Normal and CRH-deficient mice have an identical distribution of urocortin mRNA, which is confined to the region of the Edinger-Westphal nucleus, and is absent from regions known to mediate stress-related behaviors. Since the Edinger-Westphal nucleus is not known to project to any brain regions believed to play a role in anxiety-like behavior, an entirely different pathway must be postulated for urocortin in the Edinger-Westphal nucleus to mediate these behaviors in CRH-deficient mice. Alternatively, an unidentified CRH-like molecule other than CRH or urocortin, acting through the CRH receptors in brain regions believed to mediate stress-induced behaviors, may mediate the behavioral response to stress, either alone or in concert with CRH.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

The role of interleukin-6 in the activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis and brain indoleamines by endotoxin and interleukin-1 beta.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is one of several cytokines that can stimulate the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis. Because IL-6 is produced in response to the administration of endotoxin (LPS) and interleukin-1 (IL-1), it is possible that IL-6 contributes to the neuroendocrine and neurochemical changes induced by them. In this study, intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of LPS elevated plasma concentrations of IL-6 while activating the HPA axis in a dose-dependent manner. Both responses reached a peak at around 2-3 h. Mouse IL-1beta administration (100 ng, i.p.) induced large increases in plasma corticosterone and a substantial, but short-lived increase in plasma IL-6 with a peak at 2 h. Pretreatment of mice intraperitoneally with a monoclonal antibody to mouse IL-6 significantly attenuated the plasma ACTH and corticosterone responses to LPS at 3 h, but not at 1 h. Anti-IL-6 treatment also attenuated the LPS-induced increases of tryptophan and the serotonin catabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), but not that of the norepinephrine catabolite, 3-methoxy,4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol (MHPG). Pretreatment of mice with anti-IL-6 significantly attenuated the IL-1-induced increases of plasma ACTH and corticosterone at 2 h, but not at 4 h. The IL-1-induced increases of MHPG, tryptophan and 5-HIAA in hypothalamus and brain stem were not significantly altered. These results suggest that IL-6 contributes to the later phases of the LPS- and IL-1-induced stimulations of the HPA axis and to the indoleaminergic responses to LPS, but not to IL-1.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed1999

The roles of IL-1, IL-6, and TNFalpha in the feeding responses to endotoxin and influenza virus infection in mice.

Influenza infection or administration of bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) results in diminished feeding and loss of body weight. It has been suggested that these effects may be mediated by cytokines, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and/or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha). To assess the potential role of these cytokines, we tested the ability of the naturally occurring IL-1-receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), a monoclonal antibody to mouse IL-6 (IL-6mAb), and a TNF binding protein fragment (TNFbp) to antagonize hypophagia induced by intraperitoneally (ip) injected mouse IL-1beta or LPS or by inoculation with influenza virus. Feeding was assessed by measuring the daily intake of food pellets and sweetened milk in a 30-min period. The hypophagia induced by mIL-1beta or LPS was not affected by pretreatment with IL-6mAb. The effects of IL-1beta were blocked by IL-1ra but unaffected by TNFbp. TNFbp and IL-1ra given separately both exhibited a tendency to attenuate LPS-induced hypophagia. The effectiveness of TNFbp plus IL-1ra treatment was similar to that of the individual antagonists. However, combined treatment with TNFbp, IL-1ra, and IL-6mAb almost completely prevented the depressing effect of LPS on milk intake. The antagonists were also tested in influenza virus-inoculated mice. IL-1ra was delivered chronically by osmotic minipumps and was supplemented by treatment with TNFbp and IL-6mAb. The treatments slightly attenuated the effects of the virus on milk intake 48 h after the inoculation and delayed the decrease in body weight. However, over the entire course of the experiment, the treatment produced very small, statistically nonsignificant, attenuations of the depressions in milk and food pellet intake. Similar results were obtained with TNFbp alone or the combination of IL-6mAb and TNFbp. The results suggest that IL-1beta, TNFalpha, and IL-6 contribute to the hypophagia induced by LPS. However, antagonism of all three cytokines was not sufficient to prevent the decreases in feeding and loss of body weight induced by influenza virus infection.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Effects of cytokines on cerebral neurotransmission. Comparison with the effects of stress.

Table 2 summarizes the reported responses of the HPA axis, as well as catecholamines and indoleamines to the cytokines discussed above. Cytokine administration to animals can elicit a number of effects on the brain, including neuroendocrine and behavioural effects, and also alters the metabolism of neurotransmitters. The most well documented effect is the activation by interleukin-1 (IL-1) of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis, which is accompanied by a stimulation of cerebral noradrenaline (NA) metabolism, probably reflecting increased NA secretion. IL-1 also stimulates indoleamine metabolism, most prominently increasing tryptophan concentrations, and increasing the metabolism of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT). IL-6 induces a short-lived activation of the HPA axis, and has effects on tryptophan and 5-HT similar to those of IL-1. Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) has effects on the HPA axis similar to those of IL-6, but affects NA and tryptophan only at high doses. Interferon alpha had no effects on the parameters studied. The effects of IL-1 are remarkably similar to those observed following administration of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS), and infections, such as influenza virus. They also resemble quite closely the responses that are observed to stressors commonly studied in laboratory animals, such as electric shock or restraint. The major differences are: that the NA response to shock or restraint is very uniform throughout the brain, whereas that to IL-1, LPS or infection is significantly greater in the hypothalamus; and, responses in dopaminergic (DA) systems are normally observed to shock or restraint, with especially prominent responses in the limbic cortex, whereas DA responses are rarely observed in response to IL-1 and immune stimuli, and when they do occur, the mesocortical system is not selectively affected. The neurochemical responses to cytokines may underlie some of the endocrine and behavioural responses. The NA response to IL-1 is apparently related to the HPA activation, but not the hypophagia. The significance of the indoleaminergic responses is not known.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Endotoxin- and interleukin-1-induced hypophagia are not affected by adrenergic, dopaminergic, histaminergic, or muscarinic antagonists.

Endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) administration induce hypophagia in rodents. Both IL-1 and LPS are known to activate cerebral norepinephrine and serotonin metabolism, and IL-1 affects that of acetylcholine and histamine. Each of these neurotransmitters has been implicated in feeding behavior. Therefore, the ability of specific antagonists of the above neurotransmitter systems to counteract feeding responses to peripherally injected mIL-1beta and LPS was studied. Feeding was assessed in nondeprived mice by measuring the intake of sweetened milk in a 30-min period, as well as daily food pellet intake. LPS and mIL-1beta reliably reduced milk intake, and often reduced food pellet intake and body weight. Treatment of the mice with peripherally administered alpha-adrenergic (phentolamine or prazosin) or 3-adrenergic antagonists (propranolol), either alone or in combination, did not significantly alter the hypophagic responses to mIL-1beta or LPS. Mice in which cerebral norepinephrine was depleted with DSP-4 or 6-hydroxydopamine also displayed the usual hypophagia in response to mIL-1beta and LPS. The hypophagic responses to mIL-1beta and LPS were not affected by the histaminergic antagonists, pyrilamine (H1), cimetidine (H2), thioperamide (H3), or the histamine-depleting agent, alpha-fluoromethylhistidine, nor by the muscarinic cholinergic antagonist, scopolamine. The responses to mIL-l1 were also unaffected by the dopamine receptor antagonist, haloperidol, the opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone, and the NO synthase inhibitor, L-NAME. These results suggest that adrenergic, dopaminergic, histaminergic, cholinergic, opioid or nitric oxide systems are not essential for the hypophagia induced by IL-1, and that multiple redundant pathways may be involved in illness-related hypophagia.

Adrenergic Antagonists↗

PubMed1999

CRF-deficient mice respond like wild-type mice to hypophagic stimuli.

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) has been implicated in physiological processes associated with stress, including changes in feeding behavior. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of CRF and urocortin have been shown to depress feeding, and antagonism of CRF receptors has been reported to attenuate hypophagic responses to many treatments, suggesting that brain CRF may mediate these responses. We have now studied feeding behavior of mice lacking the CRF gene (CRFko), comparing them to wild-type (CRFwt) mice. Feeding was assessed in nondeprived mice by measuring the intake of sweetened milk in a 30-min period and the food pellet intake over 24 h. ICV administration of CRF or urocortin (1 microg, but not lower doses) depressed milk and food pellet intake in normal mice. Physical restraint for 30 min, or administration of mouse interleukin-1beta (mIL-1beta, 100 ng, IP), lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 microg, IP), or the serotonergic agonist (d-fenfluramine, 4 mg/kg, IP) reliably reduced milk intake. LPS also reduced food pellet intake. The responses to restraint, IL-1, LPS, and fenfluramine were indistinguishable between the CRFwt and CRFko mice. These results suggest that CRF is not essential for the reduction in sweetened milk intake that occurs following restraint, LPS, IL-1, or d-fenfluramine administration to mice.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Molecular mechanisms of actions of interleukin-6 on the brain, with special reference to serotonin and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis.

Biological activities of the multifunctional cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL-6) include stimulation of B cell proliferation, immunoglobulin production, and initiation of the acute-phase response. IL-6 affects the CNS in that it activates the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis and increases brain tryptophan and serotonin metabolism. IL-6 has been proposed as an important mediator of interaction between the neuroendocrine and immune systems. The peripheral and central effects of IL-6 are presumably mediated through its membrane receptor (IL-6R). IL-6, IL-6R and their respective mRNAs have been detected in several brain regions. Although the functions of cytokines overlap considerably, each displays its own characteristic properties. Expression of IL-6 in the brain has been observed in several CNS disorders, some of which have been associated with disorders of serotonin metabolism. It is proposed that interactions between IL-6 and brain serotonin is a complex process which involves corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and opioid peptides. It is likely that the molecular mechanisms underlying the actions of IL-6 on the HPA axis and its other brain functions involve the integrated effects of glutamate, Ca2+, 3',5'-cyclic AMP, protein kinase C, and other metabolic pathways.

Adrenal Cortex↗

PubMed1998

The role of cytokines in infection-related behavior.

Infections are associated with a specific behavioral pattern that includes hypomotility, hypophagia, increased sleep, decreased libido, and decreased exploration. This behavioral response is considered adaptive and important for the survival of the animal. A similar behavioral pattern was observed following treatment with endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) and cytokines, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1). Because the secretion of these cytokines is induced by LPS and infections, it is possible that they mediate the behavioral responses to infection. We have studied ingestive behavior and locomotor activity in mice following infection with influenza virus, or injection of LPS, IL-1, or IL-6. A lethal dose of influenza virus, LPS, IL-1a and IL-1b each decreased the intake of sweetened condensed milk and 24-hour food pellet intake and decreased locomotor activity. Mouse IL-6 was ineffective. A sublethal dose of influenza virus decreased food pellet intake and locomotor activity, but did not significantly alter milk intake. Indomethacin prevented the behavioral responses to IL-1, and attenuated those to LPS, but had only a very small effect on those to influenza virus. Similar results were obtained with the IL-1-receptor antagonist (IL-1ra); it completely prevented the responses to IL-1, attenuated those to LPS, but, even after chronic high dose administration, attenuated the effects of influenza virus infection only slightly. Our results suggest that while IL-1 may play an important role in the responses to infection, IL-6 does not. Moreover, IL-1 cannot be the only factor contributing to the altered behavior of LPS-injected or influenza virus-infected mice.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Mouse interleukin-6 stimulates the HPA axis and increases brain tryptophan and serotonin metabolism.

Neuroendocrine and neurochemical responses were studied following administration of recombinant mouse IL-6 (mIL-6) to mice. Intravenous (iv) or intraperitoneal (ip) injection of mIL-6 caused a rapid and short-lived activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis, as indicated by increases in plasma ACTH and corticosterone, with peak responses around 30-60 min. These responses contrast with those to ip mIL-1beta which is substantially more potent and induces a greater response which does not peak until about 2 h following ip administration. Unlike IL-1 and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), IL-6 had no detectable effect on norepinephrine metabolism. However, tryptophan concentrations were elevated in most brain regions studied 1-2 h following iv mIL-6, and 2 h following ip mIL-6, significantly later than the peak HPA response. 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and the ratio of 5-HIAA to serotonin (5-HT) were elevated at around the same time in the brain stem, and occasionally in other brain regions. These responses were observed at doses of mIL-6 as low as 0.25 microg, and near maximal effects were achieved by 0.5 microg. Recombinant human IL-6 elicited similar responses, but was significantly less potent. Heat-treated mIL-6 elicited none of the responses. Serum amyloid A protein (SAA) concentrations were not elevated until 4 h after iv or ip mIL-6 administration, suggesting that the neuroendocrine and neurochemical changes were not secondary to an acute phase protein response. Intracerebroventricular injection of mIL-6 also elevated tryptophan and 5-HIAA in the hypothalamus and brain stem. Pretreatment of mice with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, or the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) did not attenuate the mIL-6 induced neuroendocrine or neurochemical responses. However, the ganglionic blocking drug, chlorisondamine, prevented the increases in tryptophan and 5-HIAA:5-HT ratios. IL-6 may contribute to the HPA and indoleaminergic responses to LPS and IL-1. It is possible that the increases of tryptophan and serotonin metabolism may contribute to some of the biological effects of IL-6.

Adrenal Cortex↗

PubMed1998

Brain catecholaminergic and tryptophan responses to restraint are attenuated by nitric oxide synthase inhibition.

Increases in the brain concentrations of tryptophan and in serotonin (5-HT) metabolism are commonly observed in animals under stress. Previous experiments indicated that the increase in brain tryptophan and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) observed in response to administration of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) were largely prevented by pretreatment with N-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of NO synthase (NOS). Therefore we tested whether the increases in tryptophan and 5-HT metabolism observed following restraint and footsthock were similarly affected. Mice were injected with L-NAME (30 mg/kg) or saline and restrained for 40 min. Restraint caused increases in concentrations of tryptophan and the catabolites of dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and 5-HT in the medial prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, and brain stem. The L-NAME pretreatment significantly attenuated, but did not prevent, the changes in tryptophan and catecholamine metabolism, with a very small effect on the increase in plasma corticosterone. When mice pretreated with L-NAME were subjected to 30 min footshock, the NOS inhibitor had no statistically significant effects on the increases in DA, NE and 5-HT metabolism, but tended to attenuate the increases in tryptophan. We interpret these results to indicate that NOS plays a relatively small role in the cerebral neurochemical responses to restraint and footshock, but the role in the restraint-induced changes was greater than that in the footshock-induced ones. The attenuation of the restraint-related effects on the catecholamines most probably reflects a contribution to the CNS responses from peripheral vascular changes which are likely to be limited by the inhibition of NOS.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Cortical catecholamine secretion following intravenous nitroprusside infusion: a voltammetric study.

Intravenous administration of sodium nitroprusside (NP) decreases blood pressure and activates noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC). Microdialysis studies have shown that NP infusion is accompanied by increased extracellular concentrations of norepinephrine (NE) in the medial prefrontal cortex. The present study used in vivo voltammetry to obtain a finer temporal analysis of the NP-induced changes in the extracellular concentrations of catecholamine-like compounds in the LC terminal fields in the rat medial prefrontal cortex. Intravenous infusion of rats with NP caused a rapid decrease in blood pressure that lasted for the duration of the infusion but rapidly reversed when the infusion was terminated. After a delay of between about 2 and 8 min (mean 5 min), there was an increase in extracellular concentrations of a NE-like substance. Presumed cortical release of NE lasted for several minutes but had almost returned to baseline by the time the NP infusion was terminated at 15 min. In many cases, the first peak was followed by a second one, usually of smaller amplitude but more prolonged than the first one. There was no clear response to the cessation of infusion of NP. The time course of the initial response is comparable to the previously reported electrophysiological response of LC-NE neurons to NP. In rats treated with DSP-4 to deplete cortical NE, blood pressure was reduced as in untreated rats, but no voltammetric response to NP infusion was observed. These results suggest that activation of the NE-LC neurons by NP results in a delayed synaptic release of NE in the cerebral cortex which attenuates within several minutes.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Intracerebroventricular infusion of CRF increases extracellular concentrations of norepinephrine in the hippocampus and cortex as determined by in vivo voltammetry.

Previous studies have indicated that intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusions of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) activate locus coeruleus (LC) noradrenergic neurons and increase the metabolism and extracellular concentrations of norepinephrine (NE) in several brain regions, suggesting increased release. To examine the temporal aspects and mechanism of the presumed release of NE, CRF was infused i.c.v. and the oxidation current was recorded using carbon fiber voltammetric electrodes placed in rat hippocampus or cortex. The CRF (1 microg, i.c.v.) caused a significant increase of oxidation current with a delay of approximately 5 min, and a peak at approximately 35 min. Similar responses were observed in the medial prefrontal cortex. The hippocampal response was markedly attenuated when CRF was infused into rats pretreated with DSP-4 to deplete NE, suggesting that the observed changes in current resulted from oxidation of NE. The increase of NE-like current did not occur when 25 microg alpha-helical CRF9-41 (ahCRF) was injected immediately before 1 microg CRF, suggesting that the response was mediated by cerebral CRF-receptors. Subcutaneous pretreatment with the ganglionic blocker, chlorisondamine, at a dose of 3 mg/kg had no effect on the voltammetric response to CRF, but a 6 mg/kg dose completely prevented the response. The beta-adrenoceptor antagonists, S-propranolol (5 mg/kg), nadolol (5 and 10 mg/kg), and timolol (5 mg/kg) attenuated the NE response to i.c.v. CRF to varying degrees. When chlorisondamine (3 microg) or nadolol (5 microg) were given i.c.v. before the CRF, the hippocampal responses were not blocked. These results suggest peripheral actions of ganglionic and beta-adrenergic blockers. We conclude that peripheral autonomic mechanisms, and probably both central and peripheral beta-adrenoceptors, contribute to the increased secretion of hippocampal NE in response to i.c.v. CRF.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMed1997

The role of cytokines in the behavioral responses to endotoxin and influenza virus infection in mice: effects of acute and chronic administration of the interleukin-1-receptor antagonist (IL-1ra).

Following infection with influenza virus, animals display decreased locomotor activity and feeding behavior and loss of body weight. It has been suggested that these effects may be mediated by cytokines, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), induced by the infection. To assess the potential role of IL-1, we tested the ability of a naturally occurring IL-1-receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) to antagonize the changes in feeding behavior induced by IL-1, endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS), and infection with influenza virus. Feeding behavior was assessed by measuring the daily intake of food pellets and sweetened milk in a 30-min period. Acute injection of IL-1 beta decreased milk intake, but mouse IL-6 and mouse TNF-alpha did not. However, TNF-alpha decreased food pellet intake slightly, especially when it was injected at the beginning of the dark phase. The reductions in milk intake induced by mouse IL-1 beta were largely prevented by IL-1ra pretreatment (100 micrograms/mouse i.p.). The LPS-induced reductions in milk intake were attenuated, but not blocked, by IL-1ra treatment (300 micrograms/mouse). LPS still induced significant decrements in the presence of the antagonist. In influenza virus-infected mice, IL-1ra was administered either by repeated subcutaneous (s.c.) injections, or by continuous s.c. infusion from osmotic minipumps. These IL-1ra treatments produced small, but statistically significant, attenuations of the depression in milk and food pellet intake in the virus-infected mice. In several experiments, IL-1ra treatment increased the survival of influenza virus-infected mice. Thus the attenuation of the hypophagia may have been caused by this IL-1ra-induced increase in survival. The results suggest that IL-1 contributes to sickness behavior induced by LPS and influenza virus infection, but it is not the only factor involved.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

A new design of carbon fiber microelectrode for in vivo voltammetry using fused silica.

Voltammetric probes were constructed from stainless steel and fused silica tubing sheathing carbon fibers. Electrochemical tests were carried out to compare these electrodes with commercially available glass-sealed IVEC-5 electrodes. Electrodes of both types displayed a similar declining baseline and calculated coefficients of stabilization (tangent of baseline during a stable period). There were no significant differences in sensitivity between the two designs of electrodes to norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA). All tested electrodes showed linear current responses to increasing concentrations of NE and DA. Fused silica (FS type) electrodes are suitable for electrochemical measurements (in vivo voltammetry) and display characteristics similar to those of commercially available IVEC-5 glass-sealed carbon fiber microelectrodes. Manufacture of FS type electrodes in a biochemical laboratory is easy and does not require any special equipment (such as a micropipette puller) or glass-handling skills. An additional fused silica tube can be glued to the electrode for microinjections. The electrodes are very robust, easy to handle and can be mounted on the arms of standard stereotaxic instruments. The electrodes can be made long enough to reach the deepest parts of brain of large animals.

Microelectrodes↗

PubMed1997

Intranigral iron infusion in the rat. Acute elevations in nigral lipid peroxidation and striatal dopaminergic markers with ensuing nigral degeneration.

Iron is known to induce lipid peroxidation and recent evidence indicates that both iron and lipid peroxidation are elevated in the substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease (PD). To test whether excess intranigral iron induces lipid peroxidation, we infused an iron citrate solution (0.63 nmol in 0.25 microL) into the rat substantia nigra and measured nigral thiobarbituric acid reactive products at 1-h, 1-d, 1-wk, and 1-mo postinfusion. In a separate group of iron-infused animals, histologic analysis within the substantia nigra through 1-mo postinfusion was accomplished by thionine- and iron-staining, with concurrent assessment of striatal neurochemical markers. Concentrations of nigral thiobarbituric acid reactive products were significantly elevated at 1 h and 1 d in iron-infused animals compared to vehicle-infused and unoperated animals, with a return to control values by 1 wk. Similarly, striatal dopamine turnover was acutely elevated, suggesting damage to dopaminergic neurons, which was confirmed histologically. Although iron-staining within the iron diffusionary area was increased through the postinfusion month, there was an apparent progression of the cellular character of staining from predominantly neuronal to reactive glial and finally to oligodendroglial by 1 mo postinfusion. This progression of cellular iron-staining may indicate a shifting of infused iron to a more bound unreactive form, thus explaining only an acute elevation in lipid peroxidation through 1 d following intranigral iron infusion. The data indicate that damage to nigral neurons induced by iron infusion is transciently associated with a marker of oxidative damage and supports the possibility that iron-induced oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of PD.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

The association between PrP and infectivity in scrapie and BSE infected mouse brain.

The structure of the scrapie agent remains unknown. However, scrapie infectivity tends to co-sediment with an infection specific fraction of the glycoprotein PrP (PrPSc) under conditions which solubilise the normal form of this protein (PrPc); accordingly, PrP has been proposed as a candidate component of the agent. To investigate this further we have been examining a new scrapie-related murine model in conjunction with established scrapie models. A bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) derived murine model has short incubation periods, high infectivity titre and low amounts of PrP deposited in the brain. A membrane fraction from scrapie/BSE infected brain is solubilised with Sarkosyl at pH > or = 9.0. Most PrP is also solubilised. In models of the disease with little deposition of the PrP in the brain, this solubilisation step is particularly effective in reducing the amounts of PrP sedimented from brain extracts. Gradient centrifugation of the sedimented fraction shows further separation of infectivity and the residual PrP. It is concluded that at least some PrPSc in the brain need not be associated directly with infectious agents but is deposited in brain solely as a pathological product of infection. However, a residual sedimentable fraction contains PrP which may be a component of the agent.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Peripheral administration of interleukin-1 increases extracellular concentrations of norepinephrine in rat hypothalamus: comparison with plasma corticosterone.

Peripheral administration of interleukin-1 (IL-1) activates the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis and also activates norepinephrine (NE) metabolism in the hypothalamus. Because there is evidence that hypothalamic NE can activate CRF secretion, it has been proposed that changes in hypothalamic noradrenergic activity are instrumental in the IL-1-induced activation of the HPA axis. We have examined this hypothesis by assessing the release of hypothalamic NE using in vivo microdialysis following intravenous (IV) or intraperitoneal (IP) injection of human IL-1 beta and comparing the responses with those in plasma corticosterone. The results indicate that extracellular concentrations of NE in the hypothalamus increased following IV and IP administration of IL-1 beta. The elevation was more rapid following IV IL-1 beta, and reached a peak at 1 h, whereas the slower and smaller increase following IP IL-1 beta did not reach a peak until 2 h. The results were similar in both anesthetized and unanesthetized rats. In unanesthetized rats, plasma corticosterone increased shortly following IV or IP IL-1 beta administration, but the peak concentration following IV IL-1 beta was significantly earlier (around 1 h) than that following IP IL-1 beta (around 2 h). The hypothalamic noradrenergic responses followed a pattern similar to that of plasma corticosterone with either route of IL-1 beta administration, but they were not identical. The results are consistent with the possibility that a central noradrenergic mechanism mediates the activation of the HPA axis by peripherally administered IL-1 beta. However, appreciable differences in the time courses of the responses may indicate the involvement of other factors.

Animals↗