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Biomedical subjects

B Scatton

Publications and source records attributed to B Scatton.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Differential control by N-methyl-D-aspartate and kainate of striatal dopamine release in vivo: a trans-striatal dialysis study.

Using the technique of trans-striatal dialysis in halothane-anesthetized rats, we have studied the effects of intrastriatally infused N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), kainate, and quisqualate on the liberation of endogenous striatal dopamine. The striatal infusion of NMDA (10(-3)-10(-2) M) or kainate (10(-4)-10(-2) M) but not of quisqualate (up to 10(-2) M) for one 20-min fraction provoked a dramatic increase in striatal dopamine efflux up to a maximum of 1,200 and 3,400% of basal levels for NMDA and kainate, respectively. NMDA (10(-3) M) evoked liberation of striatal dopamine was totally blocked by coinfusion of 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (2-APV; 5 X 10(-4) M) and by the systemic injection of phencyclidine (3 mg/kg i.p.). The effects of NMDA (10(-3) M) were also totally antagonized in a dose-dependent manner by the striatal coinfusion of atropine (10(-7)-10(-4) M), and abolished in rats that had received bilateral striatal ibotenate lesions (10 micrograms/1 microliter) 1 week prior to implantation of the dialysis fiber. The striatal infusion of tetrodotoxin (10(-6) M) reduced basal dopamine efflux by 60-70% and abolished the NMDA (10(-3) M)-evoked liberation of striatal dopamine. The effects of kainate (10(-3) M) on striatal dopamine efflux were only partially reduced by doses of 2-APV or atropine that totally blocked the NMDA response, and were also partially resistant to tetrodotoxin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate

Noradrenaline antagonizes and ouabain potentiates the effects of N-methyl-D-aspartate on rat cerebellar cyclic GMP production.

Noradrenaline potently antagonizes the effects of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) (80 microM) on cyclic GMP production in immature rat cerebellar slices in vitro (IC50 = 0.6 microM). The effect is stereospecific (D-noradrenaline, IC50 = 100 microM), and also observed with adrenaline (IC50 = 0.5 microM) and isoprenaline (IC50 = 1.2 microM). The alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonists methoxamine or phenylephrine or the mixed alpha 1/alpha 2 agonists oxymetazoline or xylometazoline (100 microM) do not block the effects of NMDA, but the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine is weakly active (IC50 = 200 microM). Salbutamol and terbutaline were also inactive except at high concentrations (300 microM), as were a number of other catechol and phenylethylamine derivatives. The antagonistic effects of noradrenaline on the NMDA response were insensitive to phentolamine, atenolol, or propranolol (up to 100 microM), but were blocked by the alpha 2 antagonist idazoxan (1-10 microM). The Na+,K+-ATPase inhibitor ouabain (0.1-10 microM) markedly potentiates the effects of NMDA in this model, and also antagonizes and reverses the ability of noradrenaline (10 microM) to block the effects of NMDA. The results suggest that noradrenaline and Na+,K+-ATPase activity have potent modulatory effects on the NMDA response.

Animals

Lack of evidence for axonal transport of D1 and D2 receptors in the nigro-striatal pathway of the rat.

The possibility that D1 and D2 dopamine receptors are axonally transported in the nigro-striatal pathway has been investigated in the rat by placing a coronal knife cut (sparing the striato-nigral pathway) through the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) and autoradiographically examining the density of D2 (as labeled by [3H]spiperone in the presence of ketanserin) and D1 (as labeled by [3H]SCH 23390) receptors. The efficacy of MFB transection has been assessed by measuring in parallel the binding of [3]ketanserin, a ligand that has been reported to be axonally transported in this bundle. At 12 h post-transection, there was a minor accumulation of [3H]spiperone binding on both sides of the transection. However, (+)butaclamol (1 microM) failed to displace the ligand build-up at the knife cut, thus demonstrating the nonspecific nature of [3H]spiperone accumulation. Similar results were observed at 24, 48, and 72 h after severing the MFB. MFB transection also failed to cause changes in specific [3H]SCH 23390 binding at the knife cut at 12-72 h post-surgery. In contrast, a dramatic accumulation of [3H]ketanserin binding sites was observed rostral and caudal to the cut at 12 h post-transection, attesting to the efficacy of the lesion. These results confirm the existence of both anterograde and retrograde transport of [3H]ketanserin binding sites and suggest that D1 and D2 receptors are not axonally transported in fibers of the nigro-striatal pathway.

Animals

In vivo interaction of zolpidem with central benzodiazepine (BZD) binding sites (as labeled by [3H]Ro 15-1788) in the mouse brain. Preferential affinity of zolpidem for the omega 1 (BZD1) subtype.

Zolpidem is a novel hypnotic drug which possesses preferential affinity, under in vitro conditions, for the omega 1 (BZD1) subtype of BZD binding sites. In the present study the in vivo interaction of zolpidem with mouse brain BZD binding sites, as labeled by i.v. injection of [3H]Ro 15-1788, has been investigated. Intraperitoneal administration of zolpidem (30 min before sacrifice) decreased in a dose-dependent manner, the retention of [3H]Ro 15-1788 in the cerebral cortex (ED50 = 8.9 mg/kg i.p.); the inhibition by zolpidem was maximal (70%) at 5 to 10 min postinjection and of only 10% 1 hr later. These kinetics are in agreement with its short lasting hypnotic properties. CGS 9896, CL 218,872 and flunitrazepam also prevented the cortical accumulation of [3H]Ro 15-1788 with ED50 values of 12.5, 24 and 0.17 mg/kg i.p., respectively. Zolpidem, like flunitrazepam, diminishes exploratory activity and possesses anticonvulsant and myorelaxant effects in the mouse. However, in contrast to flunitrazepam, the sedative action of zolpidem can be evidenced at a much lower recognition site occupancy (35%) than that needed for myorelaxant or anticonvulsant effects (50-56%). The regional selectivity of zolpidem as an inhibitor of [3H]Ro 15-1788 in vitro and in vivo binding in the mouse brain has been assessed by quantitative autoradiography.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Distribution of central omega 1 (benzodiazepine1) and omega 2 (benzodiazepine2) receptor subtypes in the monkey and human brain. An autoradiographic study with [3H]flunitrazepam and the omega 1 selective ligand [3H]zolpidem.

The distribution of the central omega 1 (benzodiazepine1; BZD1) and omega 2 (BZD2) receptor subtypes has been studied autoradiographically in monkey and human brain sections using [3H]flunitrazepam (which binds indiscriminately to omega 1 and omega 2 subtypes) and [3H]zolpidem (which recognizes selectively the omega 1 subtype). Both ligands labeled an homogeneous population of binding sites (Kd values approximately equal to 1.5 nM and approximately equal to 5 nM, respectively) whose pharmacological characteristics were similar to those of central omega (BZD) receptors. Regional displacement studies in monkey brain showed that zolpidem was a more effective displacer of [3H]flunitrazepam from omega 1-than from omega 2-enriched areas. For example, it was 73-fold more potent in the cerebellum (omega 1-enriched) than in the dentate gyrus (omega 2-enriched). Zolpidem thus selectively recognizes omega 1 sites in primate brain. The autoradiographic distribution of [3H]flunitrazepam (omega 1 + omega 2) binding sites in primate brain was highly heterogeneous. Very high densities were observed in lamina IV of the neocortex (with higher densities in the occipital than in the frontal pole), the substantia innominata and molecular layer of the dentate gyrus. Intermediate densities were found in other neocortical laminae, cerebellum (molecular layer), claustrum, globus pallidus, caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens, dentate gyrus (granular layer) and the majority of thalamic nuclei. Structures displaying low binding densities included the substantia nigra and the subthalamic nucleus. The regional distribution pattern of [3H]zolpidem binding sites was qualitatively similar to that of [3H]flunitrazepam but the relative density of the 3H-ligands differed in several brain regions. The relative density of omega 1 and omega 2 subtypes in each particular primate brain region was evaluated by measuring 1) the ratio of [3H]zolpidem to [3H]flunitrazepam binding; 2) [3H]flunitrazepam binding in the presence and in the absence of 100 nM zolpidem. With both approaches, a preferential enrichment in omega 1 sites was observed in lamina IV of sensorimotor cortical regions and in the extrapyramidal motor system (globus pallidus, ventral thalamic complex, subthalamic nucleus, substantia nigra and cerebellum). In contrast, omega 2 sites predominated in limbic areas (e.g., the dentate gyrus, amygdala, nucleus accumbens, cingulate and parahippocampal gyri) and in the anterior thalamic nucleus and caudate nucleus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals

Ifenprodil and SL 82.0715 as cerebral anti-ischemic agents. I. Evidence for efficacy in models of focal cerebral ischemia.

Recent studies have strongly implicated the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate in the cascade of pathological mechanisms that cause neuronal loss after certain types of brain ischemia. The neurotoxic effects of glutamate are mediated, at least in global ischemia, via NMDA receptors. In the present study we have examined the effects of compounds that possess NMDA receptor antagonist properties (ifenprodil, SL 82.0715 [(+/-)-alpha-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]- 1-piperidineethanol] and 1-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine) on the histological consequences of focal, as opposed to global, cerebral ischemia in both the rat and the cat. Ifenprodil (0.3-3 mg/kg i.v.) administered as a perfusion over 3 hr after occlusion of the feline middle cerebral artery reduced the volume of infarcted tissue (measured 4 days after occlusion) in a dose-related manner. At the highest dose a 42% reduction of infarcted volume was noted, essentially in cortical tissue. In an identical protocol, a derivative of ifenprodil, SL 82.0715, reduced the volume of infarction in a manner comparable to that described for ifenprodil. As SL 82.0715 possesses better p.o. bioavailability, this compound was also evaluated in the rat, again after middle cerebral artery occlusion. First administered 30 min after the induction of ischemia, SL 82.0715 (1 and 10 mg/kg p.o.) reduced infarction volume by 34 and 48%, respectively. The quantitative histology was performed 2 days after middle cerebral artery occlusion. The noncompetitive receptor antagonist, 1-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine, administered (1 mg/kg i.p.) before the induction of focal ischemia, similarly and significantly decreased the final volume of infarction. As both ifenprodil and SL 82.0715 are noncompetitive antagonists of the NMDA receptor, two conclusions may be drawn from the present investigation. First, NMDA antagonism by ifenprodil and its derivative is an effective approach for tissue sparing in animal models of stroke and brain infarction. Second, these pharmacological observations provide evidence for the involvement of excitatory amino-acid induced-neurotoxicity in the evolution and consequences of focal cerebral ischemia.

Animals

Pharmacological characterization of serotonin-stimulated phosphoinositide turnover in brain regions of the immature rat.

The effects of serotonin (5-HT) and related agonists and antagonists on phosphoinositide turnover have been investigated in several brain regions of the immature rat. In the presence of LiCl, 5-HT caused a marked increase in total [3H]inositol phosphate levels in cortical (maximal effect + 420%, EC50 = 7 microM) and to a lesser extent in hippocampal and striatal slices prepared from the immature (8-day-old) rat; the cortical 5-HT-induced phosphoinositide response was tetrodotoxin resistant. The magnitude of the increase in the cortical phosphoinositide response caused by 5-HT was maximal at 1 day postnatal and progressively declined to reach 6% of this maximal response in the adult. After incubation of immature (8-day-old) rat cortical slices for 2.5 min with 5-HT (in the absence of LiCl), inositol 1-phosphate, inositol 1,4-bisphosphate, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate levels increased about 2-fold. A variety of 5-HT2 or mixed 5-HT1/5-HT2 agonists stimulated total [3H]inositol phosphate formation in the immature rat cortex and hippocampus with a rank order of potency [alpha(+)-methyl-5-HT greater than quipazine greater than MK 212 greater than 5-HT] which resembles their potencies at the 5-HT2 binding site. In contrast, the 5-HT1A agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin, the 5-HT1B agonists 1-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine and 1-(m-chlorophenyl)-piperazine and the 5-HT3 agonist 2-methyl-5-HT were inactive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

L-glutamate increases internal free calcium levels in synaptoneurosomes from immature rat brain via quisqualate receptors.

Internal free calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i) have been monitored in synaptoneurosomes from 8-d-old rat whole brain previously loaded with the calcium-sensitive fluorescent probe Fura 2. Under basal conditions, [Ca2+]i was around 200 nM, this concentration increasing only slowly during storage of the synaptoneurosomes at room temperature (40% increase 2 hr after loading). Opening of sodium channels with veratridine- (10 microM) or KCl- (30 mM) induced depolarization caused rapid increases in synaptoneurosomal [Ca2+]i. [Ca2+]i was also markedly increased by addition of the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 (10-100 nM). The effect of veratridine, but not of KCl was prevented by previous addition of TTX (1 microM). KCl-induced [Ca2+]i increase was dependent on external Ca2+ and was partially blocked by the dihydropyridine derivative PN 200-110 (IC50 0.15 microM, maximal inhibition 55% at 3 microM). L-Glutamate elicited a concentration-dependent fast increase in synaptoneurosomal [Ca2+]i in the 8-d-old (but not in the adult) rat brain (EC50 = 2 microM). The effect of glutamate was stereospecific, the EC50 of the D-isomer being 47 times higher than that of L-isomer. The magnitude of the L-glutamate response differed in several brain regions, being highest in the cerebral cortex and lowest in the cerebellum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Raised extracellular potassium relieves the blockade by magnesium of NMDA-induced cerebellar cyclic GMP production.

In magnesium-containing Krebs buffer raised extracellular potassium increases the effects of NMDA on cyclic GMP production in immature rat cerebellar slices in vitro. This effect is not seen in magnesium-free buffer. The interaction between magnesium and potassium ions has competitive kinetics and the blockade of the NMDA channel by magnesium is surmountable by potassium. The inhibitory potency of magnesium on the NMDA receptor channel complex can thus be regulated by extracellular potassium levels. This may explain the unmasking of NMDA receptors in high frequency stimulation and their involvement in epilepsy and ischaemia, conditions in which synaptic potassium levels are elevated.

Animals

Effects of the GABA receptor agonist, progabide, upon local cerebral glucose utilization.

The effects of a specific GABA receptor agonist, progabide, have been examined on local cerebral glucose utilization through the use of the autoradiographic [14C]2-deoxyglucose technique in conscious rats. The intraperitoneal administration of progabide (80-320 mg.kg-1) resulted in a heterogeneous pattern of significantly reduced glucose utilization throughout the 50 discrete regions of the brain that were studied. Insignificant decreases in local cerebral glucose use were noted following the low dose of progabide (80 mg.kg-1). Following progabide (160 mg.kg-1), reductions of approximately 20% in glucose utilization were observed in most of the extrapyramidal system (substantia nigra, pars compacta and reticulata; globus pallidus; caudate nucleus), some thalamic nuclei (lateral geniculate body, anterior and ventrolateral thalamic nuclei), a number of areas related to the limbic system (cingulate cortex; amygdala; hypothalamus; lateral habenula; nucleus accumbens; dorsal hippocampus as well as the CA3 field) and the raphé nuclei. In contrast, layer IV of the neocortex, the cerebellum and cerebellar nuclei, displayed only minimal (10-15%) reductions in glucose utilization. At the highest dose (320 mg.kg-1) examined, progabide effected widespread though heterogeneously distributed decreases in glucose use. The overall pattern of decreased glucose use seen with progabide was different from that noted with previously studied GABA-mimetic drugs, such as muscimol, except for those changes observed in the extrapyramidal and sensory-motor areas for which similar dose-response relationships occurred. A significant correlation was observed between progabide-induced decreases in glucose utilization and in serotonin synthesis in a number of brain areas. The pattern of progabide-induced changes in integrated functional activity is compatible with its neurochemical spectrum and could indicate the loci at which its anticonvulsant, antidepressant and extrapyramidal activities are initiated.

Animals

Peripheral type benzodiazepine binding sites are a sensitive indirect index of neuronal damage.

The effects of excitotoxic lesions on the neuronal marker enzymes choline acetyltransferase and glutamate decarboxylase and on the levels of 'peripheral type' benzodiazepine binding sites (PTBBS) (a putative glial marker) have been compared to see whether PTBBS provide a suitable if indirect quantitative index of neuronal damage. Intrastriatal injection of excitotoxic compounds provoked a dose-dependent increase in the levels of PTBBS. The potency order was the following: kainate greater than AMPA greater than N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) greater than quisqualate. The maximal increases in this parameter were 400, 470, 320 and 210% for kainate (12 nmol), AMPA (100 nmol), NMDA (500 nmol) and quisqualate (250 nmol), respectively. 2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate (100 nmol)--an antagonist of the NMDA receptor subtype--completely blocked the increase in PTBBS induced by NMDA (250 nmol), but was without effect against the other excitotoxins. Increases in binding levels were in general mirrored by a decrease in choline acetyltransferase and glutamate decarboxylase activity. However, PTBBS were a more sensitive indirect index of neuronal damage than neuronal enzymes because the alterations in binding were statistically significant at doses of excitotoxins lower than those causing a loss of marker enzymes. It is concluded that PTBBS are a suitable and sensitive means of detecting discrete neurotoxic changes and that its measurement will help in the study of other pathological and experimental models.

Animals

Lesions of the posterior septum or of the habenula decrease [3H]hemicholinium-3 binding (as measured by autoradiography) in the interpeduncular nucleus of the rat.

The effects of a bilateral electrolytic lesion of the posterior septum or of the habenula (lateral and medial parts) on [3H]hemicholinium-3 binding sites in the interpeduncular nucleus of the rat were studied through the use of quantitative autoradiography. Lesions of the habenular nuclei or of the posterior septum decreased [3H]hemicholinium-3 binding in the interpeduncular nucleus by 93 and 31%, respectively. These results add further support to the view that the habenula and posterior septum are the major sources of the cholinergic innervation of the interpeduncular nucleus in the rat.

Animals

Tail-pinch stress increases extracellular DOPAC levels (as measured by in vivo voltammetry) in the rat nucleus accumbens but not frontal cortex: antagonism by diazepam and zolpidem.

The effect of a tail-pinch stress on dopamine metabolism in the nucleus accumbens and frontal cortex was investigated in the awake unrestrained rat by measuring extracellular 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) levels through the use of in vivo differential pulse voltammetry. Mild tail pressure for 8 min caused a large (maximal effect + 70%) and sustained (more than 2 h) increase in the amplitude of the DOPAC oxidation peak in the nucleus accumbens but not in the prefrontal cortex. A similar increase in DOPAC levels was observed in the nucleus accumbens postmortem 1 h after tail-pinch stress. The tail-pinch induced increase in extracellular DOPAC levels in the nucleus accumbens was antagonized by pretreatment with diazepam (5 mg/kg i.p.) or zolpidem (5 mg/kg i.p.), a novel non-benzodiazepine hypnotic possessing anxiolytic properties. These results suggest that in contrast to other stressors, tail-pinch selectively activates dopaminergic systems projecting to the nucleus accumbens.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid

Denervation supersensitivity of striatal D2 dopamine receptors is restricted to the ventro- and dorsolateral regions of the striatum.

The precise topographical changes in striatal D2 dopamine receptors that occur after neurotoxic lesion of the mesostriatal dopaminergic pathway have been studied autoradiographically in the rat through the use of [3H]spiperone as a ligand. 6-Hydroxydopamine-induced lesion of the dopaminergic afferents to the striatum caused an increase in [3H]spiperone binding in the ventro- and dorsolateral but not in the ventro- and dorsomedian aspects of the striatum. This lesion caused a loss of tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity in all striatal subregions. These results demonstrate that not all striatal D2 dopamine receptors are able to proliferate after dopaminergic denervation.

Animals

Cortical ablation fails to influence striatal dopamine target cell supersensitivity induced by nigrostriatal denervation in the rat.

The possible influence of the corticostriatal (glutamatergic) pathway on denervation-induced striatal dopamine target cell supersensitivity has been investigated in the rat by measuring the changes in striatal acetylcholine levels induced by the dopamine agonist pergolide and the basal dopamine D2-receptor density after combined 6-hydroxydopamine-induced lesion of the substantia nigra and cortical ablation. Lesion of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway alone enhanced the ability of pergolide (0.06-1 mg/kg i.p.) to increase acetylcholine levels and increased the maximal density of [3H]spiperone binding sites in the striatum. Similar changes in these biochemical parameters were observed after combined cortical ablation and nigral lesion. Cortical ablation by itself slightly diminished acetylcholine levels and reduced by 30% [3H]spiperone binding site density in the striatum. These results indicate that the corticostriatal tract does not influence striatal dopamine target cell supersensitivity caused by dopaminergic denervation.

Acetylcholine

Effect of prolonged clonidine treatment and its withdrawal on noradrenaline turnover in the cerebral cortex and medulla oblongata of the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

We have investigated the effect of prolonged treatment with clonidine (delivered intravenously via osmotic minipumps, 0.5 mg . kg-1 X 24 h-1 for 10 days) and of withdrawal of this treatment on ingestive behaviour and on the cerebral turnover of noradrenaline in the adult spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). Clonidine amplified the fall in food and water intakes induced by minipump implantation. Ingestive behaviour returned to normal by the 4th to the 5th day in controls and by the 7th to the 8th day in clonidine-treated SHR. Clonidine withdrawal produced an increase in water intake above pre-implantation values. Body weight fell during clonidine treatment, then recovered slightly during withdrawal. After 5 days' treatment total DOPEG levels (an index of noradrenaline turnover) were reduced in cerebral cortex and medulla oblongata. The noradrenaline metabolite levels increased following withdrawal of drug treatment, the increase being more marked and faster in onset in cerebral cortex than in medulla oblongata. Thus prolonged treatment with clonidine decreases noradrenaline turnover and withdrawal of such treatment increases turnover.

Animals