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A Lajtha

Publications and source records attributed to A Lajtha.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Co-release of endogenous ATP and [3H]noradrenaline from rat hypothalamic slices: origin and modulation by alpha2-adrenoceptors.

The release of endogenous ATP, measured by the luciferin-luciferase assay, and of [3H]noradrenaline from the in vitro superfused rat hypothalamic slices were studied. ATP and [3H]noradrenaline were released simultaneously during resting conditions and in response to low and high frequency field electrical stimulation; the release of both substances were frequency dependent between 2 Hz and 16 Hz. The stimulation-induced release of ATP and [3H]noradrenaline was diminished by more than 80% under Ca2+-free conditions. Tetrodotoxin inhibited the majority of the evoked release of both ATP and [3H]noradrenaline, however, it was less effective in reducing the release of [3H]noradrenaline, than that of ATP. Bilateral stereotaxic injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (4 microg/side) to the ventral part of the ventral noradrenergic bundle, originating from the A1 cell group in the brainstem, resulted in a 55% reduction of endogenous noradrenaline content of the hypothalamic slices, and the tritium uptake and the stimulation-evoked release of [3H]noradrenaline was also markedly reduced. While the basal release of ATP was not affected, the evoked release was diminished by 72% by this treatment. Perfusion of the slices with noradrenaline (100 microM) initiated rapid and continuous tritium release; on the other hand, it did not release any ATP. In contrast, 6 min perfusion of (-)nicotine and 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenyl-piperazinium iodide evoked parallel release of ATP and [3H]noradrenaline which was inhibited by the nicotinic receptor antagonist mecamylamine; 6-hydroxydopamine lesion of the ventral part of the ventral noradrenergic bundle did not affect the nicotine-evoked ATP and [3H]noradrenaline release. While CH 38083, a non subtype-selective alpha2-antagonist and BRL44408, the subtype-selective alpha2AD antagonist augmented the evoked release of [3H]noradrenaline, ARC239, a selective alpha2BC antagonist was without effect. In contrast, neither of the alpha2-antagonists significantly affected the evoked-release of ATP. In summary, we report here that endogenous ATP and [3H]noradrenaline are co-released stimulation-dependently from superfused rat hypothalamic slices. A significant part of the release of both compounds is derived from the nerve terminals, originating from the A1 catecholaminergic cell group of brainstem nuclei. Unlike that from the peripheral sympathetic transmission, noradrenaline and alpha1-adrenoceptor agonists were unable to promote the release of ATP. Conversely, parallel ATP and noradrenaline release could be induced by nicotine receptor activation, but this release does not originate from the same nerve endings. The evoked-release of [3H]noradrenaline is inhibited by endogenous noradrenaline via alpha2AD subtype of adrenoreceptors, while the release of ATP is not subject to this autoinhibitory modulation. In conclusion, our results support the view that ATP is involved in the neurotransmission in the hypothalamus, but the sources of the released ATP and noradrenaline seem to be not identical under different stimulatory and modulatory conditions.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Alteration of protease levels in different brain areas of suicide victims.

Numerous recent studies found that proteases play a major role in brain function. In addition to their role in protein turnover, they have modulatory functions and an important role in apoptosis, pathological changes, and other mechanisms. To explore possible differences in brain protein metabolism of suicide victims, we examined the activity of two proteases, cathepsin D and calpain (I and II combined), in eleven discrete areas of postmortem brain tissue of 21 victims of suicide and of 31 age- and sex-matched control subjects without a history of psychiatric or neurological disease. The levels of functionally important amino acids in five of these areas were also measured. Cathepsin D activity was found to be lower in two of eleven regions of brains of suicide victims, the parahippocampal cortex and the medial hypothalamus, by 26% and 27%, respectively. Calpain activity was lower in two different areas tested, 29% in the medulla oblongata and 26% in the lateral prefrontal cortex, and was 18% higher in the midbrain. There were no significant differences in the other areas (globus pallidus, hippocampus, amygdala, caudate nucleus, ventral tegmental area, and nucleus accumbens). Protease distribution was regionally heterogeneous--the levels in the globus pallidus were low, and in the hippocampus high, with about a two-fold difference. The length of the postmortem period for obtaining tissue, the storage time of the frozen tissue, and the age of the subject had no apparent influence on the results obtained. Although there was a tendency toward higher levels of aspartate and glycine in brain areas from suicide victims, the difference was not significant. The variations among individual brains were greater in amino acid levels than in protease levels. The findings indicate the possible role of protein metabolism in depressive or suicidal behavior.

Amino Acids↗

Effects of arginine vasopressin and atriopeptin on chloride uptake in cultured astroglia.

Ion and water homeostasis in the CNS is subjected to a neuroendocrine control exerted by neuropeptides formed within the brain. In order to gain information on this neuroendocrine control of Cl- homeostasis, 36Cl- uptake was measured in cultured Type-I astrocytes exposed to the neuropeptides [Arg8]Vasopressin (AVP), and atriopeptin (AP) and to various Cl- transport modifiers. AVP increased while AP decreased 36Cl- uptake of cultured astrocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Both effects became statistically significant at greater than 10(-9) M concentration of the peptides. For the appearance of the effects at least 30-min exposure was necessary. AVP and AP extinguished each other's effect by almost stochiometric manner. When administered together with AVP, the VIA vasopressin receptor antagonist "Manning compound" inhibited, while V2 vasopressin receptor agonist did not influence the 36Cl- uptake-increasing effect of AVP. However, bumetanide, a specific inhibitor of Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransport, inhibited the effect of vasopressin and also inhibited the 36Cl- uptake of AVP non-treated, control cells. Our findings suggest that brain Cl- homeostasis is controlled by neuroendocrine system in the CNS.

Animals↗

Dopamine, as well as norepinephrine, is a link between noradrenergic nerve terminals and splenocytes.

The effect of supramaximal electric field stimulation on 3H released from rat spleen strips was studied after loading with either [3H]dopamine ([3H]DA) or [3H]norepinephrine ([3H]NE). In some experiments, [3H]DA and [3H]NE stored in the tissue or released in response to electrical stimulation were separated from their tritiated metabolites using HPLC followed by radiochemical detection. The stimulation-evoked release of 3H after loading with either derivative was subject to negative feedback modulation through alpha2-adrenergic, D2-dopamine and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, and could be prevented by either calcium removal or tetrodotoxin blocking of Na+ influx, indicating its neuronal and vesicular origin. After the separation of radioactive metabolites by HPLC, both the tissue loaded with [3H]DA and the fractions collected during electrical stimulation contained a considerable amount of [3H]NE, providing evidence that the neurons it originated from were adrenergic in function. [3H]DA was also released during electrical stimulation. Since the spleen does not receive dopaminergic innervation, it was concluded that the noradrenergic axon terminals in the spleen were able to take up DA, convert it in part into NE, and release it as both DA and NE in response to neural activity. The ratio of [3H]DA and [3H]NE in the spleen loaded with [3H]DA was found to be dependent on both temperature and time of loading, and could be modulated by various drugs such as desmethylimipramine, a NE uptake blocker, and disulfiram or fusaric acid, dopamine beta-hydroxylase inhibitors. The phenomenon may reveal a new mechanism by which immunocytes in the spleen can be regulated by the neuroendocrine system.

Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors↗

Characterization of nicotinic receptors involved in the release of noradrenaline from the hippocampus.

The pharmacological features of putative nicotinic acetylcholine receptor sites involved in the release of [3H]noradrenaline were assessed in rat hippocampus. The effect of nicotinic agonists to induce [3H]noradrenaline release was examined in superfused slices. The nicotinic agonists (-)-epibatidine, (+)-anatoxin-a, dimethylphenylpiperazinium, (-)-nicotine and (-)-lobeline released [3H]noradrenaline. The dose-response curves to nicotinic agonists were bell shaped, and indicated that their functional efficacies and potency vary across agonists. Maximal efficacy was seen with dimethyl-phenylpiperazinium and lobeline (Emax values two to three times higher than other agonists). The rank order of potency for the agonists to release [3H]noradrenaline was (-)-epibatidine > (+)- anatoxin-a > dimethylphenylpiperazinium > cytisine > nicotine > (-)-lobeline. The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists (n-bungarotoxin > mecamylamine > (+)-tubocurarine > hexamethonium > alpha-bungarotoxin = dihydro-beta-erythroidine) and tetrodotoxin antagonized the effect of dimethylphenylpiperazinium to release [3H]noradrenaline. The results, based on these pharmacological profiles, suggest the possible involvement of alpha 3 and beta 2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits in the control of [3H]noradrenaline release from hippocampal slices. The absence of effect of alpha-bungarotoxin and alpha-conotoxin-IMI excludes the possible involvement of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors containing the alpha 7 subunit. The release of [3H]noradrenaline by dimethylphenylpiperazinium was Ca2+ dependent. Nifedipine failed to prevent the dimethylphenylpiperazinium-induced release of [3H]noradrenaline, but Cd2+, omega-conotoxin and Ca(2+)-free conditions significantly reduced the dimethylphenylpiperazinium-induced release, suggesting that N-type voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels are involved in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor response. These voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels are activated by the local depolarization produced by sodium influx through the nicotinic channels activated by dimethylphenylpiperazinium. Thus, the observed tetrodotoxin sensitivity of dimethylphenylpiperazinium-induced release of [3H]noradrenaline can be explained either by local depolarization and subsequent generation of action potentials at the preterminal area or that these nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are located on interneurons rather than directly on noradrenergic terminals.

Animals↗

Ibogaine and cocaine abuse: pharmacological interactions at dopamine and serotonin receptors.

Ibogaine is an indole alkaloid that has been of interest in recent years due to its putative efficacy in the treatment of drug dependence. For the most part, animal data have shown attenuation of some of the effects of stimulant drugs, for example, motor stimulation and self-administration. The mechanism of this inhibition of drug-induced behavior seems to suggest the action of the dopamine, serotonin, NMDA, kappa, and/or sigma receptor sites, as indicated by the affinity of ibogaine to receptor selective ligands in binding competition studies. However, affinity for receptors does not in itself indicate their involvement. In vitro perfusion studies have proven a useful model to study the effect of ibogaine on neurotransmitter systems and the functional effects of such interactions. This review summarizes these data and the support of multiple effects of ibogaine, and the potential importance of its action on serotonergic modulation of dopamine release.

Animals↗

Dual effect of DMPP on the resting release of noradrenaline from rat hippocampal slices.

The effect of the nicotinic receptor agonist dimethylphenylpiperazinium iodide (DMPP) on the resting release of [3H]noradrenaline from superfused hippocampal slices was studied in rat. Continuous administration of DMPP at a concentration range of 1-100 microM increased the [3H]noradrenaline release in a dose-dependent manner. The response to DMPP was characterized by an immediate steep increase (peak response) followed by a sudden decline to a lower level that was constant with time (tall response) and still was significantly higher than the spontaneous release. Further analysis revealed that the release of noradrenaline in response to DMPP consists of two components. While nicotinic receptor antagonists (mecamylamine 10 microM, pancuronium 10 microM, pipecuronium 10 microM), the nonselective Ca-antagonist Cd2+ (125 microM) and tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1 microM) completely abolished the peak response (phase I), they had no effect on the tall response (phase II). Ca(2+)-free medium containing 1 mM EGTA also blocked phase I but in contrast with other drugs enhanced phase II. The release during phase I is subject to presynaptic feedback modulation, since the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist xylazine (3 microM) inhibited the DMPP-evoked stimulation of [3H]noradrenaline release, that inhibition was antagonized by a selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, (+/-)-[7,8-(methylenedioxy)-14-alpha-hydroxyalloberbane hydrochloride [(+/-)-CH-38083] (2 microM). (+/-)-CH-38083 (2 microM) alone significantly enhanced the DMPP-evoked increase of [3H]noradrenaline release. Phase II was not effected by alpha 2-adrenergic drugs. Whereas the noradrenaline uptake blockers despramine (DMI, 1-10 microM), nisoxetine (1-10 microM), and nomifensine (10 microM) inhibited both phases, nomifensine at a concentration of 1 microM selectively blocked only phase II. Our data indicate that DMPP has a dual effect on the hippocampal noradrenaline release: phase I is a transient, nicotinic receptor-mediated exocytotic release, and phase II is a maintained, carrier-mediated process.

Animals↗

Effects of iminodipropionitrile on cerebral amino acid levels.

Iminodipropionitrile (IDPN), a compound that causes dyskinetic symptoms in animals and has possible use as a model for human dyskinesia, was tested in mice and rats for its effect on cerebral amino acids. In mice, 2 h after IDPN administration, the level of total brain alanine was reduced; after 5 h the levels of aspartic acid and glutamic acid were also reduced, and the level of glutamine was increased. In rats, after chronic administration of IDPN, the level of glutamic acid in the total brain tissue was reduced. After acute administration of IDPN using microdialysis, extracellular GABA and extracellular glutamine levels in the striatum were elevated. This study shows that IDPN causes alterations in total and extracellular levels of neurotransmitter amino acids in the brain, which could have a role in IDPN-induced dyskinesia.

Animals↗

Reversal of phencyclidine-induced hyperactivity by glycine and the glycine uptake inhibitor glycyldodecylamide.

Phencyclidine (PCP) induces a psychotic state that closely resembles schizophrenia. In preclinical studies, PCP has been shown to induce its unique behavioral effects by blocking excitatory neurotransmission mediated at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, suggesting that agents which potentiate NMDA receptor-mediated neurotransmission might have clinically beneficial effects. The present study demonstrates that the NMDA co-agonist glycine inhibits rodent hyperactivity induced by PCP, but not amphetamine. Glycyldodecylamide, a compound that blocks neuronal glycine uptake and which may therefore increase intrasynaptic glycine levels, inhibits PCP-induced hyperactivity more potently than glycine. These results complement recent clinical studies with glycine and suggest that glycine-uptake inhibitors, as well as glycine, may be beneficial in the treatment of PCP-induced psychosis and schizophrenia.

Amphetamine↗

Inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase potentiates the dimethylphenylpiperazinium-evoked carrier-mediated release of noradrenaline from rat hippocampal slices.

The effect of 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), an inhibitor of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) on the dimethylphenylpiperazinium(DMPP)-evoked release of [3H]noradrenaline ([3H]NA) from rat hippocampal slices was studied. The effect of DMPP (20 microM) to increase the basal release of [3H]NA was significantly potentiated by 7-NI (40 microM). In our previous study we showed that the response to DMPP has two components, a nicotinic receptor-mediated, [Ca2+]-dependent exocytosis followed by a [Ca2+]-independent, uptake blocker-sensitive carrier-mediated release. To clarify which part of the response was affected by the inhibition of nNOS, we investigated the effect of 7-NI on the nicotine-evoked NA release (nicotine has only receptor-mediated effect) and on the DMPP-evoked NA release in Ca(2+)-free medium where the receptor-mediated component is abolished. Nicotine (100 microM) significantly increased the basal release of [3H]NA but this release was not affected, whereas in Ca(2+)-free medium the response to DMPP (20 microM) was still potentiated by 7-NI (40 microM). In the presence of the NA uptake blocker desipramine (10 microM) DMPP (20 microM) was unable to provoke NA release independently from the presence or absence of 7-NI (40 microM). Our data show that 7-NI influences the carrier-mediated component of DMPP-evoked [3H]NA release, which indicates that nitric oxide produced by nNOS may play a role in the regulation of the NA uptake carrier.

Animals↗

Metabolism of (-)-deprenyl and PF-(-)-deprenyl in brain after central and peripheral administration.

We examined the cerebral metabolism of L-deprenyl and its fluoro-derivative pF-deprenyl, assaying the parent compounds, their metabolites desmethyl deprenyl, L-amphetamine, and L-methamphetamine, and the fluoro analogs of these metabolites. We compared the levels of the metabolites after subcutaneous injection with those after intracerebral administration (via microdialysis) of the parent compounds. The assay of the parent compounds and their metabolites was by GC-MS measurement of the components of brain microdialysate samples. After their subcutaneous administration, deprenyl and F-deprenyl rapidly entered the brain and then their concentration decreased, with an approximate half-life of 4.5 h. After the intracerebral administration the diffusion from the site of administration was minor. A small fraction (a few percent) of the intracerebrally administered deprenyl was metabolized in situ in the brain possibly by a nonenzymatic process. Metabolism of pF-deprenyl was somewhat more rapid. The higher cerebral levels of metabolites after the subcutaneous administration indicate their exogenous origin-metabolism of parent compounds in the periphery and penetration of the brain by the metabolites.

Amphetamine↗

Effect of ibogaine on cocaine-induced efflux of [3H] dopamine and [3H] serotonin from mouse striatum.

Ibogaine, an indole alkaloid with proposed antiaddictive properties, has structural similarity to serotonin and has been shown to have affinity to the kappa-opioid binding site. In addition to the dopamine system, the serotonin system is a major target for cocaine action and the opioid system can affect the serotonin system. Therefore, the present study examined the effect of ibogaine on cocaine-induced, electrically evoked efflux of [3H]dopamine and [3H]serotonin from striatal tissue incubated in vitro, and their modulation by the kappa-opioid system. Cocaine (10(-6) M) added in vitro increased tthe fractional efflux of both [3H]dopamine (FRS2/FRS1 = 2.42 +/- 0.36) and [3H]serotonin (FRS2/FRS1 = 1.31 +/- 0.06). Mice treated in vivo with ibogaine (40 mg/kg or 2 times 40 mg/kg, IP) and killed 2 or 18 h later still showed the cocaine-induced increase in [3H]dopamine, but [3H]serotonin efflux was not increased. The 5-HTIB agonist CGS-12066A (10(-6) M, added in vitro) increased [3H]dopamine release, but did not alter cocaine-induced efflux of [3H]dopamine. CGS-12066A did not affect [3H]serotonin release, but the cocaine-induced increase in [3H]serotonin was inhibited. CGS-12066A (1 mg/kg, SC) potentiated cocaine (25 mg/kg, SC)-induced locomotor activity. Ibogaine pretreatment reduced both the cocaine and the CGS-12066A cocaine-induced increase in locomotor activity. The kappa-opioid agonist U-62066 (10(-6) M, added in vitro) reduced both [3H] dopamine and [3H]serotonin release. This inhibitory effect was blocked by in vivo administration ibogaine. U-62066 did not alter cocaine-induced [3H]dopamine efflux, but reduced cocaine-induced [3H]serotonin efflux. In striatal tissue from ibogaine-pretreated mice, U-62066 restored the cocaine-induced increase in [3H]serotonin release. U-62066 (1 mg/kg, SC) potentiated cocaine-induced behavior and maintained an increased locomotor activity after ibogaine treatment. The results suggest that ibogaine may block the cocainemediated effects on serotonergic transmission, that subsequently modulate dopamine release. The kappa-opioid modulation of serotonergic transmission is also involved.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

The effect of ibogaine on Sigma- and NMDA-receptor-mediated release of [3H]dopamine.

The indole alkaloid ibogaine has been suggested to have potential for inhibiting dependency on stimulant drugs. Radioligand binding studies have suggested possible multisite actions of ibogaine: affinity at the kappa-opioid, NMDA, and sigma receptors, with effects on dopamine (DA) release. To further investigate the multiplicity of sites of action of ibogaine and the presynaptic regulation of the DA release, the effect of ibogaine on NMDA- and sigma-receptor-mediated efflux of [3H]DA was measured in striatal tissue from C57BL/6By mice. Striatal tissue was incubated in vitro with [3H]DA and the effect on DA release was measured. Both NMDA (25 microM) alone increased the efflux of DA. (+/)-Pentazocine (100 nM) did not inhibit the NMDA-evoked release. MK-801 (5 microM) completely inhibited the NMDA-evoked release and inhibited the (+/-)-pentazocine-evoked release by 49%. Ibogaine (10 microM) itself increased the efflux of DA; at 1 microM it was without effect. Ibogaine (1 microM) inhibited the NMDA-evoked release of DA by 31% and inhibited the (+/-)-pentazocine-evoked release by 48%. In addition, the level of basal release of DA obtained after the NMDA- or (+/)-pentazocine-evoked-release remained higher in the tissue exposed to ibogaine throughout. The results suggest that sigma receptors can regulate the release of DA, along with an action at the NMDA receptor. We previously reported action of ibogaine at the kappa-opioid site. The elevated basal release of DA in the presence of ibogaine after NMDA- or (+/-)-pentazocine-evoked release may reflect the ibogaine-induced removal of the tonically active kappa-opioid system that acts presynaptically to reduce dopamine release. The kappa-opioid system also appears to be inhibitory on both the NMDA and sigma receptors.

Animals↗

Differential mechanisms involved in the effect of nicotinic agonists DMPP and lobeline to release [3H]5-HT from rat hippocampal slices.

In the present study we investigated the effect of different nicotinic agonists (dimethylphenyl-piperazinium-iodide (DMPP), (-)nicotine, cytisine, (-)-lobeline, and (-)epibatidine) and antagonists (mecamylamine and dihydro-beta-erythroidine) on the release of [3H]5-HT from hippocampal slices. The nicotinic agonists DMPP and lobeline and electrical field stimulation, released [3H]5-HT from the hippocampus; other nicotinic agonists, such as (-)-nicotine, cytisine, and (-)-epibatidine had no effect. Unlike lobeline-induced release of [3H]5-HT, the effect of DMPP (10 and 40 microM) was antagonized by mecamylamine (20 and 10 microM). The effect of DMPP was [Ca2+]o-independent. In experiments carried out at 7 degrees C, i.e. the membrane carrier proteins are inhibited and the release by lobeline was abolished while the DMPP-induced release of 5-HT was rather potentiated. It is proposed that the effect of DMPP and lobeline, to enhance the release of [3H]5-HT from the hippocampus, was mediated by two different mechanisms. While DMPP-induced 5-HT release can be linked to a non-classical nAChR activation ([Ca2+]o-independence), the effect of lobeline was likely mediated by uptake carriers.

Alkaloids↗

Changes in brain protease activity in aging.

We measured changes in protease activity with aging, conducting assays of cathepsin D and calpain II activities and the rate of degradation of cytoskeletal proteins, preparing the enzymes and substrates from young and aged brains. Calpain preparations added to the young and to the aged substrates were standardized with casein as substrate so that age-related changes in calpain specificity and substrate susceptibility were measured. Several age-related differences were observed in substrate susceptibility and in enzyme activity. With respect to substrate, the neurofilament protein from young animals was somewhat more susceptible to calpain action than that from older animals. With respect to enzyme activity, calpain from aged brain cleaved neurofilament protein at a faster rate than did calpain from young. With neurofilaments, the most rapid breakdown usually occurred when enzyme from aged tissue was incubated with substrate from young. Kidney enzyme of aged rats incubated with neurofilament substrate of aged rats resulted in a more rapid breakdown than enzyme of young kidney incubated with substrate of young. The age dependence of tubulin breakdown was somewhat different from that of neurofilament breakdown. The most rapid breakdown usually occurred when using enzyme from young with tubulin from young. Incubation of neurofilament protein or tubulin with cathepsin D did not reveal any differences with aging. These studies suggest that an increase in enzyme activity observed previously during aging may also include changes in the properties of the enzyme (substrate specificity) and/or in the properties of their endogenous substrates (susceptibility to breakdown).

Aging↗

Amino acid distribution in immature rat brain.

We compared the levels of amino acids in the free pool in 6 regions (cerebral cortex, olfactory bulb, substantia nigra, globus pallidus, caudate nucleus, and spinal cord) in the newborn rat brain. The amino acid distribution was heterogeneous, with the area of highest concentration containing 2-3 fold as much as the lowest area. These differences were considerably less than those previously found for adult brain. Although some areas often contained high levels of amino acids, and others mostly low levels, the distribution of the various amino acids was highly variable. This heterogeneity of distribution in the newborn brain was different from that in the adult brain. We conclude that there is significant heterogeneity of amino acid distribution, that it is different for each amino acid, and that it undergoes major changes during development.

Aging↗