Biomedical subjects

B Costall

Publications and source records attributed to B Costall.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

PubMed1987

5-Hydroxytryptamine involvement in the locomotor activity suppressant effects of amphetamine in the mouse.

d-Amphetamine, in doses lower than required to increase motor activity, reduced mouse spontaneous locomotor activity when this was assessed using cages equipped with photocell units, using treadwheels, or the measurement of spontaneous climbing behaviour. Acute treatments with the serotonergic agonists quipazine and 5-hydroxy-DL-tryptophan also reduced wheel running activity, spontaneous locomotor activity assessed using photocell cages, and spontaneous climbing behaviour; fenfluramine caused a similar effect. Pretreatment with 5-hydroxy-DL-tryptophan enhanced the inhibitory effects of d-amphetamine. A 3-day treatment with fenfluramine, or lesions of the median raphe nucleus (but not the dorsal raphe nucleus) abolished the ability of d-amphetamine to reduce motor activity in the three test systems. It is concluded that low doses of d-amphetamine can reduce locomotor activity and that the effects may be mediated via an enhancement of the release of 5-hydroxytryptamine from the system arising in the median raphe nucleus.

Amphetamine↗

PubMed1987

The effects of some polyamines on putative behavioural indices of mesolimbic versus striatal dopaminergic function.

The presence of polyamines in the brain, together with the previous reports of a structural similarity with neuroleptics, has led to the hypothesis that polyamines may have a modulatory role in the control of cerebral dopamine function. In this study, the effects of two polyamines, spermine and spermidine, were therefore tested on indices of dopamine-mediated behaviour in rats and mice. Spermine and spermidine caused a dose-dependent inhibition of mouse spontaneous climbing behaviour and wheel running at doses between 5 and 40 mg/kg IP but failed to cause catalepsy in the rat or to antagonise the stereotyped behaviour induced by apomorphine. When polyamines were given by intracerebral injection a similar regional selectivity was seen. Both spermine and spermidine (5-20 micrograms) when given bilaterally into the nucleus accumbens inhibited the hyperactivity caused by amphetamine injected into the same nucleus. However, when injected into the rat corpus striatum, neither polyamine was able to initiate any asymmetry or circling either spontaneously or after apomorphine injection IP. These results indicated a selective action of polyamines on mesolimbic dopamine behaviour. Possible implications for the understanding of psychosis and future work are suggested.

Amphetamine↗

PubMed1987

Emesis induced by cisplatin in the ferret as a model for the detection of anti-emetic drugs.

The intravenous injection of cisplatin in the ferret caused a consistent emetic (vomiting/retching) response. Emesis induced by cisplatin was abolished by the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) M-receptor antagonists ICS205-930, zacopride, dazopride and metoclopramide. The neuroleptic agents haloperidol, fluphenazine, domperidone, sulpiride and tiapride also antagonized emesis induced by cisplatin but only a proportion of the animals were completely protected and diazepam and prednisolone only reduced the intensity of the response. It is concluded that compounds used in the clinic to antagonise emesis induced by chemotherapy are effective in the ferret model. Antagonism of emesis induced by cisplatin in the ferret was most potently achieved by the use of the 5-HT M-receptor antagonists ICS205-930 and zacopride. However, an antagonism of dopamine receptors would appear relevant to the anti-emetic effects of the neuroleptic agents and may contribute to the anti-emetic effects of metoclopramide. Diazepam and prednisolone exert their modest antagonism by unknown mechanisms. The use of the 5-HT M-receptor antagonists is revealed as a novel approach to the treatment of emesis induced by cisplatin.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Behavioural consequences of the infusion of dopamine into the nucleus accumbens of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).

Marmosets, shown to have comparable levels of spontaneous locomotor activity, assessed in cages equipped with infra-red photocell units, could be separated into "high", "moderate" and "low activity" responders on the basis of their locomotor hyperactivity response to peripherally administered (-)N-n-propylnorapomorphine [(-)NPA]. Animals selected as "low" and "high activity" responders to (-)NPA were subjected to chronic infusion of dopamine, or its solvent, bilaterally into the nucleus accumbens for 13 days through Alzet osmotic minipumps. Both "low" and "high activity" responders exhibited an increased locomotor activity which peaked on days 6-7 of the infusion. This hyperactivity, caused by infusion of dopamine was antagonised by small doses of sulpiride and fluphenazine. After the infusion, the level of spontaneous locomotor activity of the marmosets was unchanged from pre-infusion values. However, 2-3 weeks after discontinuing the infusion, the animals initially classified as "low activity" responders showed markedly enhanced activity when challenged with (-)NPA, and conversely, animals initially classified as "high activity" responders showed a reduced responsiveness to (-)NPA. It is concluded that the consequences of a persistent increase in the activity of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens of the brain of the marmoset are to (a) enhance locomotor activity during infusion and (b) after discontinuing infusion, to modify the locomotor responsiveness to challenge with a dopamine agonist, with the direction of the change dependent on the initial basal locomotor responsiveness to (-)NPA.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

The action of dazopride to enhance gastric emptying and block emesis.

The substituted benzamide derivatives, dazopride and metoclopramide, enhanced field stimulation-induced contractions of guinea-pig stomach strips and gastric emptying in the guinea-pig after peripheral, intracerebroventricular and intrahypothalamic injection. In the isolated vagal nerve preparation from the rabbit, both compounds were shown to be 5-hydroxytryptamine M-receptor antagonists. Dazopride and metoclopramide were equipotent in antagonising cisplatin-induced emesis in the ferret, whereas metoclopramide was approximately 200 times more potent than dazopride in antagonising the emesis caused by the dopamine agonist 2-di-n-propylamino-5,6-dihydroxytetralin in the marmoset. In behavioural tests which indicate dopamine receptor antagonism in the rat, metoclopramide induced catalepsy, antagonised amphetamine-induced stereotypy and the hyperactivity induced by the intrastriatal injection of dopamine, caused body asymmetry on unilateral injection into the striatum and also antagonised apomorphine-induced climbing and circling behaviour in the mouse. In contrast, dazopride had little or no action in these tests and failed to displace [3H]spiperone in radioligand binding assays. The use of dazopride provides evidence to dissociate a dopamine receptor blockade from an ability to facilitate gastric emptying and to antagonise cisplatin-emesis, and indicates that antagonism of 5-hydroxytryptamine M-receptors is the essential basis of action for dazopride and plays an important role in the actions of metoclopramide.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Ketotifen can antagonise changes in sensitivity of cerebral dopamine receptors: behavioural correlates in rodent and primate.

Rats preselected as "low responders" to the hyperactivity-inducing action of (-)N-n-propylnorapomorphine [(-)NPA] responded to an infusion of dopamine into the nucleus accumbens (25 micrograms/24 hr for 13 days) with hyperactivity during the infusion and long-term increased sensitivity to (-)NPA administered after the infusion. Both effects were antagonised by ketotifen (intraperitoneal infusion, 1 mg/kg/day), administered during the period of infusion of dopamine. Animals subject to infusion of dopamine also showed enhanced hyperactivity to L-DOPA (plus benserazide): this enhanced response was also antagonised by ketotifen, given acutely as a single dose (1 mg/kg i.p.). When haloperidol was given concurrently with the infusion of dopamine, spontaneous locomotor activity was markedly increased after the infusion for a period of at least 7 weeks: this long-term change was antagonised by ketotifen (1 mg/kg/24 hr), given during the period of treatment with dopamine/haloperidol or by a single acute injection of ketotifen (0.1-1.0 mg/kg i.p.) on an established response. Ketotifen, in doses up to 20 mg/kg (i.p.) did not reduce spontaneous locomotor activity, cause catalepsy or antagonise amphetamine-induced stereotypy in normal rats. In the marmoset, an enhanced sensitivity to the locomotor-stimulant effects of L-DOPA was induced 5 to 8 weeks after a treatment for 4 days with the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), which led to the development of akinesia and severe depletion of dopamine in the striatum. Treatment with a single dose of ketotifen (1 mg/kg i.p.) 60 min before L-DOPA antagonised the enhanced locomotor responsiveness to the L-DOPA/benserazide regimen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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

PubMed1987

Withdrawal syndrome following subchronic treatment with anxiolytic agents.

The acute administration of diazepam (0.1-2.5 mg/kg IP), sulpiride (0.5-20 mg/kg IP) and tiapride (0.5-40 mg/kg IP) to the mouse enhanced exploratory activity (rearings/line crossings) in the brightly illuminated white area of a two compartment white/black anxiety test box, with a corresponding decrease in the black, indicating an anxiolytic action. This profile of change was maintained during a twice daily administration for 7 days with diazepam (2.5 and 10 mg/kg), sulpiride (5 and 20 mg/kg) and tiapride (10 and 40 mg/kg). However, 8 and 48 hr following withdrawal of diazepam, the profile of exploratory behaviour was reversed to a preference for the black area: by 96 hr values for behaviour had returned to control levels. In contrast, an anxiolytic profile of action was maintained 8 and 48 hr following the withdrawal of sulpiride and tiapride, the values returning to control levels after 96 hr. It is concluded that a sub-chronic treatment with diazepam, sulpiride and tiapride induces an anxiolytic profile of action in the mouse model, that an anxiogenic profile follows the abrupt withdrawal of diazepam but that this is not recorded following the abrupt withdrawal of sulpiride and tiapride.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Antiemetic properties of the 5HT3-receptor antagonist, GR38032F.

GR38032F is a highly selective 5HT3-receptor antagonist which inhibits vomiting induced by cisplatin, cyclophosphamide or X-radiation in the ferret. Since cisplatin selectively increased the levels of 5HT and 5HIAA in the intestinal mucosa, a possible site of the antiemetic action of GR38032F may be on 5HT3-receptors on vagal afferents in the small intestine. The potent antiemetic action of GR38032F should be of clinical value in reducing the nausea and vomiting associated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy of cancer.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

The effect of GR38032F, novel 5-HT3-receptor antagonist on gastric emptying in the guinea-pig.

The effects of GR38032F a novel, selective and potent 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT3)-receptor antagonist on gastric emptying in the guinea-pig were investigated and compared to those of metoclopramide and haloperidol. Both GR38032F and metoclopramide increased gastric emptying in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, haloperidol was ineffective. GR38032F was about 200 times more potent than metoclopramide in enhancing gastric emptying over the 2 h period studied.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Effects of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, GR38032F, on raised dopaminergic activity in the mesolimbic system of the rat and marmoset brain.

1 The ability of the selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist GR38032F to reduce raised mesolimbic dopaminergic activity was studied in behavioural experiments in the rat and marmoset. 2 GR38032F injected into the nucleus accumbens (0.01-1 ng) or peripherally (0.01-1 mg kg-1 i.p.) inhibited the locomotor hyperactivity caused by the acute intra-accumbens injection of amphetamine (10 micrograms) in the rat. Similar treatments with sulpiride and fluphenazine also inhibited the amphetamine-induced hyperactivity. 3 The peripheral administration of GR38032F (0.001-0.1 mg kg-1 i.p., b.d.) during a 13 day period of dopamine infusion (25 micrograms 24 h-1) into the nucleus accumbens of the rat reduced the dopamine-induced hyperactivity response to control (vehicle infused) levels. Locomotor activity remained at control levels after discontinuing the dopamine/GR38032F treatment regimen. 4 The hyperactivity caused by the infusion of dopamine into the rat nucleus accumbens was also inhibited by fluphenazine (0.01-0.05 mg kg-1 i.p., b.d.), but locomotor activity was suppressed to levels below control values and a rebound hyperactivity occurred after discontinuation of the dopamine/fluphenazine treatment regimen. 5 The discontinuation of a concomitant 13 day intra-accumbens infusion of dopamine with haloperidol, 0.01 mg kg-1 i.p.t.d.s., caused a rebound hyperactivity. This hyperactivity was suppressed by GR38032F (0.001-0.1 mg kg-1 i.p.). 6 The unilateral infusion of dopamine (25 micrograms 24 h-1, 13 days) into the left amygdala of rats having right hemispheric dominance (as measured in a turn preference test) caused locomotor hyperactivity. Intraperitoneal administration of GR38032F (0.1-100 micrograms kg-1) or fluphenazine (0.025-0.1 mg kg-1), and the intra-amygdaloid injection of GR38032F (0.1-100 ng) or fluphenazine (25-500 pg), either into the infused or non-infused side, inhibited the dopamine-induced locomotor hyperactivity. 7 Marmosets receiving bilaterial infusions of dopamine (25 micrograms 24 h-1 for 13 days) into the nucleus accumbens also exhibited increased locomotor activity, GR38032F (0.1-1.0 micrograms kg-1 t.d.s.), reduced the hyperactivity to control levels with no rebound hyperactivity following the discontinuation of the dopamine/GR38032F treatment regimen. Fluphenazine (0.01-2.5 mg kg-1 i.p., t.d.s.) also inhibited the hyperactivity, but locomotor activity was reduced to values below control levels and a rebound hyperactivity followed the discontinuation of the dopamine/fluphenazine treatment. 8. It is concluded that the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist GR38032F, and the neuroleptic agents fluphenazine, sulpiride and haloperidol, can reduce raised mesolimbic dopaminergic activity in the rat and marmoset. GR38032F is distinguished from the dopamine receptor antagonists by, firstly, its ability to return the hyperactivity response to control values, without excessive suppression of locomotion even on enhanced dosage regimes and, secondly, by the lack of rebound hyperactivity following abrupt discontinuation of its treatment.

Amygdala↗

PubMed1987

An HPLC assay procedure of sensitivity and stability for measurement of acetylcholine and choline in neuronal tissue.

A method is presented for the sensitive and specific determination of acetylcholine and choline in neuronal tissue. The method is based on the separation of acetylcholine and choline by reversed-phase HPLC, passing the eluent into a post-column reactor containing choline oxidase and acetylcholinesterase covalently bound to vinyl sulphone bonded onto a hydroxyethyl methacrylate support, and electrochemical detection of the hydrogen peroxide formed. The limit of detection of the procedure is 1 pmol for acetylcholine and 500 fmol for choline. The excellent baseline stability of the method ensures the rapid and reliable processing of a large number of samples.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1986

The neurotoxic actions of 6-hydroxydopamine infused into the rat substantia nigra.

6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) 10 and 40 micrograms/24 h infused bilaterally for 4 days into the rat substantia nigra (SN) caused a 'freezing' akinetic response which was apparent within 24 h and which persisted throughout the period of infusion. The infusion of 10 or 40 micrograms/24 h 6-OHDA into the SN failed to cause any change in motor coordination, or induce limb and body rigidity. The infusion of 40 micrograms/24 h 6-OHDA led to significant reductions in the striatal levels of dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovanillic acid and noradrenaline; no changes were observed following the 4-day infusion of 10 micrograms 6-OHDA. The consequences of infusing 6-OHDA into the SN are discussed in relation to those induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP+) where the spectrum of behavioural and biochemical change caused by 6-OHDA is shown not to mimic the actions of either MPTP or MPP+.

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

PubMed1986

Lithium and bupropion antagonise the phasic changes in locomotor activity caused by dopamine infused into the rat nucleus accumbens.

Dopamine infused persistently (25 micrograms/24 h for 13 days) into the nucleus accumbens of rat brain caused phasic increases in spontaneous locomotor activity during the period of infusion. This phasic responding was prevented by lithium administered throughout the infusion period in divided doses (3 X daily administrations of 2.5 mg/kg IP) or as a continuous IP infusion (7.5 mg/kg/24 h), and by bupropion treatment (5-20 mg/kg 3 X daily). In contrast, imipramine, amitriptyline and nomifensine failed to prevent the phasic locomotor response to dopamine at doses which did not by themselves cause marked motor changes. Locomotor activity was measured using individual photocell cages, and rats preselected to (-)NPA were those initially showing a modest locomotor activity. Fourteen to twenty-eight days after discontinuing the dopamine infusion rats showed increased responsiveness to (-)NPA which persisted throughout the remainder of the 70-day withdrawal period. This long-term change was prevented when lithium was given continuously throughout the period of dopamine infusion, but not when lithium was given in divided doses, showing the importance of the mode of drug delivery. The long-term change caused by the dopamine infusion could also be prevented by bupropion but not by imipramine, amitriptyline or nomifensine to show again that the actions of classical antidepressant drugs may be differentiated from those of lithium and bupropion. Therefore, it is suggested that the model of phasic hyperactivity described may provide a means for more closely analysing, both behaviourally and biochemically, the site and mechanism of action of lithium (and bupropion) in the control of the short- and long-term consequences of an enhanced mesolimbic dopamine activity.

Amitriptyline↗

PubMed1986

The effect of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) on striatal and limbic catecholamine neurones in white and black mice. Antagonism by monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

Albino mice and pigmented mice were treated for 6 days with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) at the maximum tolerated doses (2 days at 30 mg/kg i.p., 2 days at 40 mg/kg i.p. and 2 days at 50 mg/kg i.p. in white mice, 6 days at 30 mg/kg i.p. in pigmented mice) and the effects of simultaneous treatment with the monoamine oxidase inhibitors, deprenyl (1 mg/kg, i.p.), MDL 72145 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) and clorgyline (5 mg/kg, i.p.), determined behaviourally (daily for 6 days and for 4 days after withdrawal) and biochemically (92 hr after withdrawal of drug). In albino mice MPTP caused depletions of dopamine (90%), dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC; 82%) and homovanillic acid (HVA; 65%) in the striatum and in dopamine (54%), DOPAC (51%) and HVA (53%) in the nigra. However, MPTP was not selective in its action since the levels of dopamine and its metabolites were also reduced in limbic tissue. Further, MPTP affected the function of noradrenaline, with reduced levels in tissues of the striatum (74%) and nigra (46%). Pigmented mice were as susceptible as albino mice to the actions of MPTP to reduce the levels of dopamine and metabolites in the striatum. However, the limbic areas and substantia nigra of the pigmented mouse were more resistant to the actions of MPTP. Treatment with deprenyl and MDL 72145 (but not clorgyline) could be shown to reduce the biochemical and behavioural consequences of the action of MPTP (although behavioural changes, development of severe motor incapacitation and prostrate appearance, appeared to be non-specific).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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

PubMed1986

MPP+ can disrupt the nigrostriatal dopamine system by acting in the terminal area.

Acute intracerebral injections of MPP+ in the mouse can cause behavioural and biochemical correlates of nigrostriatal dopamine dysfunction, but these are most marked and consistent when injections are directed at the dopamine nerve terminal area (CP) rather than the cell body area (SN). This adds further support to the hypotheses that a locus of neurotoxic action of MPTP/MPP+ may reside in the dopamine cell terminal regions.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

PubMed1986

5-Hydroxytryptamine M-receptor antagonism to prevent cisplatin-induced emesis.

The administration to the ferret of cisplatin, 10mg/kg (i.v.), caused an intense emetic response that was prevented by ICS 205-930 (0.1 and 1.0 mg/kg i.v.) and metoclopramide (4.0 mg/kg i.v.). Smaller doses of ICS 205-930 (0.01 mg/kg i.v.) and metoclopramide (2.0 mg/kg i.v.) attenuated the emetic response to cisplatin. It is concluded that the potent action of ICS 205-930 against cisplatin-induced emesis is the consequence of a 5-hydroxytryptamine M-receptor antagonism which may also contribute to the antiemetic action of metoclopramide.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

The sites and mechanisms of action of 2-di-n-propylamino-5, 6-dihydroxytetralin in the hypothalamus of the rat to modify gastric secretion.

Rats were implanted with chronically indwelling gastric and intracerebral cannulae for the analysis of the hypothalamic sites and mechanisms of action of the dopamine agonist, 2-di-n-propylamino-5,6-dihydroxytetralin, to reduce the volume of gastric secretion and concentration of acid. The hypothalamic areas most sensitive to the actions of the tetralin compound to modify gastric secretion were the ventromedial and dorsomedial nuclei. Movement of the injection site 0.5 or 1.0 mm away from the ventromedial and dorsomedial nuclei in the anterior, posterior or lateral direction led to reduced effectiveness, or loss of action. In a study restricted to the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, the tetralin compound (0.1-5 micrograms) was shown to cause dose-dependent changes in gastric secretion, the reduction in concentration of acid being antagonised by the neuroleptic agents, sulpiride, metoclopramide, cis-flupenthixol and haloperidol, and by the alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, yohimbine injected at the same site. The reduction in secretory volume was antagonised by propranolol. Thus, a locus specificity was shown for the action of the tetralin compound in the dorsomedial and ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei of the rat, to reduce the volume of gastric secretion and concentration of acid. Such actions, as assessed in the ventromedial nucleus, are initiated via neuroleptic-sensitive, dopamine receptor mechanisms with additional involvement of alpha 2-adrenoceptors in the control of change in concentration of acid, and beta-adrenoceptors in the change in volume of secretion.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Modulation of dopamine function by glycine in the nucleus accumbens of the brain of the rat.

The effects of glycine on the phasic changes in locomotor activity in the rat, caused by a persistent infusion of dopamine (DA) into the nucleus accumbens (ACB) were investigated. Dopamine (25 micrograms/24 hr), infused into the nucleus accumbens for 13 days, caused hyperactivity, with two peaks occurring on days 3-4 and 9-11. Glycine (12.5 or 25 micrograms/24 hr) infused into the nucleus accumbens on its own did not alter the locomotor activity, yet when infused at the same time as DA (25 micrograms/24 hr), glycine (12.5 or 25 micrograms/24 hr) inhibited the development of the first peak of hyperactivity induced by DA, with no effect on the second peak. A larger dose of glycine (50 micrograms/24 hr), infused alone, significantly increased locomotor activity, and a combination of this dose with DA (25 micrograms/24 hr), led to a temporal shift in the response to DA such that the first peak of hyperactivity was delayed to "fuse" with the second peak. The locomotor response to a threshold dose of DA (6.25 micrograms/24 hr) plus glycine (50 micrograms/24 hr) was no greater than could be accounted for by the hyperactivity response to glycine alone (50 micrograms/24 hr). Strychnine (10 micrograms/24 hr), infused into the nucleus accumbens, produced no alteration in locomotor activity. Similarly, when infused together with DA (25 micrograms/24 hr), strychnine (10 micrograms/24 hr) caused no significant alteration in the phasic hyperactivity induced by DA. However, strychnine (10 micrograms/24 hr), infused together with DA and glycine (25 and 12.5 micrograms/24 hr respectively), prevented the inhibition by glycine of the first peak of hyperactivity induced by DA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗