Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C J Schmidt

Publications and source records attributed to C J Schmidt.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced hyperthermia and neurotoxicity are independently mediated by 5-HT2 receptors.

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) produced a significant hyperthermia in rats which was antagonized in a competitive manner by the selective 5-HT2 antagonist, MDL 11,939. The 5-HT antagonist also blocked MDMA-induced neurotoxicity as assessed by the decline in regional 5-HT concentrations observed 1 week later. These two effects of MDL 11,939 were dissociated at higher doses of MDMA where the antagonist still provided virtually complete protection against the neurochemical deficits but only partially attenuated the hyperthermic response. In contrast to the effect of the 5-HT2 antagonist, haloperidol did not alter MDMA-induced hyperthermia but did antagonize its long-term neurochemical effects. Similarly, coadministration of the selective 5-HT uptake inhibitor, MDL 27,777, did not affect the hyperthermia produced by a high dose of MDMA but completely prevented the depletion of 5-HT. When the MDMA-induced hyperthermia was prevented by temporarily maintaining animals at reduced ambient temperature, the neurochemical changes normally observed 1 week later were also blocked. Although these results demonstrate that the drugs tested do not antagonize MDMA-induced neurotoxicity by interfering with its effect on body temperature, they do indicate that MDMA-induced hyperthermia may contribute to the development of the drug's long-term neurochemical effects.

3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine↗
PubMed1990

Antagonism of the neurotoxicity due to a single administration of methylenedioxymethamphetamine.

The role of transmitter release in the serotonergic neurotoxicity of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) was examined using treatments altering MDMA-induced release or its consequences. The long-term decrease in 5-HT concentrations and tryptophan hydroxylase activity produced by MDMA was antagonized by depletion of vesicular monoamines with reserpine or interruption of monoamine synthesis with the decarboxylase inhibitor, monofluoromethyl DOPA (dihydroxyphenylalanine). Similar results were achieved by selectively inhibiting dopamine synthesis with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine or through bilateral lesions of the substantia nigra with 6-hydroxydopamine. The dopamine receptor antagonist haloperidol was also effective in this regard. Although these results strongly implicate dopamine release in the long-term neurochemical effects of MDMA, protection was also provided by selective 5-HT2 antagonists indicating that the neurotoxicity is dependent upon the release of both dopamine and 5-HT.

3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine↗
PubMed1990

Reversal of the acute effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine by 5-HT uptake inhibitors.

Recent evidence suggests that the acute 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-induced loss of tryptophan hydroxylase activity (TPH) may be due to the oxidation of critical sulf-hydryl groups on the molecule. To determine if TPH activity could be regenerated in vivo we administered a 5-HT uptake inhibitor at various times immediately after MDMA. Although enzyme activity began to decline immediately following MDMA administration, rats receiving the uptake inhibitor 1 h post MDMA showed a rapid recovery of TPH activity. Administration of an uptake inhibitor 3 h post MDMA was without effect on the time course of TPH inactivation. The results suggest that systems exist within the serotonergic neuron for the reductive regeneration of active TPH. Furthermore, these systems are acutely compromised following the administration of MDMA.

3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine↗
PubMed1990

Strychnine-sensitive, glycine-induced release of [3H]norepinephrine from rat hippocampal slices.

The amino acid glycine is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter of the mammalian spinal cord. Glycine has also been shown to facilitate the excitatory actions of glutamate at the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor subtype. In this article, glycine is shown to increase the Ca2(+)-dependent release of [3H]norepinephrine from preloaded slices of the rat hippocampus. This effect was inhibited noncompetitively by nanomolar concentrations of strychnine, which differentiates it from the glycine site associated with the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. Glycine also released [3H]acetylcholine, but was without effect on the efflux of [3H]serotonin or gamma-[3H]aminobutyric acid from the same tissue preparation. The release of [3H]norepinephrine was reversibly blocked by tetrodotoxin, indicating the effect is not initiated at the noradrenergic terminals, but requires propagation of an action potential. The results suggest that a glycine site that is pharmacologically similar to that found in the spinal cord exists in the rat hippocampus. We suggest that this site may participate in modulating the release of specific neurotransmitters in the brain.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1990

Selective 5-hydroxytryptamine2 receptor antagonists protect against the neurotoxicity of methylenedioxymethamphetamine in rats.

The serotonergic deficits resulting from methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-induced neurotoxicity were prevented by the simultaneous administration of 5-hydroxytryptamine2 (5-HT2) receptor antagonists such as MDL 11,939 or ritanserin. This effect was not region specific as protection was observed in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum 1 week after the administration of a single dose of MDMA. MDL 11,939 also showed some efficacy at reducing the deficits in 5-HT concentrations and tryptophan hydroxylase activity produced by multiple administrations of MDMA. Protection against the neurotoxicity required the administration of MDL 11,939 within 1 hr of MDMA indicating 5-HT2 receptor activation was an early event in the process leading to terminal damage. Examination of the effect of the 5-HT2 receptor blockade on the early neurochemical alterations induced by MDMA revealed an inhibitory effect on MDMA-stimulated dopamine synthesis. Analysis of these data and the associated changes in dopamine metabolites indicates that 5-HT2 receptor antagonists block MDMA-induced neurotoxicity by interfering with the ability of the dopamine neuron to maintain its cytoplasmic pool of transmitter and thereby sustain carrier-mediated dopamine release.

3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine↗
PubMed1990

Activity of 5,7-dichlorokynurenic acid, a potent antagonist at the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-associated glycine binding site.

5,7-Dichlorokynurenic acid (5,7-DCKA), one of the most potent excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists yet described, binds to a strychnine-insensitive glycine binding site located on the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor complex (Ki = 79 nM versus [3H]glycine). 5,7-DCKA (10 microM) antagonized the ability of NMDA to stimulate the binding of the radiolabeled ion channel blocker N-[3H][1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]-piperidine ([3]TCP). Glycine was able to overcome this effect and in the presence of 5,7-DCKA enhanced [3H]TCP binding to antagonist-free levels. 5,7-DCKA completely and noncompetitively antagonized several NMDA receptor-mediated biochemical and electrophysiological responses. Thus, micromolar concentrations of 5,7-DCKA inhibited NMDA-stimulated elevation of cytosolic calcium in cultured hippocampal neurons, cGMP accumulation in cerebellar slices, and norepinephrine release from hippocampal slices. The glycine antagonist could also block the action of synaptically released agonist, as shown by its ability to inhibit the increase in the magnitude of the population spike that follows tetanic stimulation of the hippocampus in vitro (long term potentiation). Inclusion of glycine or D-serine prevented all these effects of the antagonist. 5,7-DCKA was a potent anticonvulsant when administered intracerebroventricularly to mice. As in the in vitro experiments, the dose-response curve for the antagonist was shifted rightward in a parallel fashion when D-serine was coinjected. This spectrum of activity displayed by a compound acting at the glycine binding site suggests that the therapeutic utility of glycine antagonists will be similar to those proposed for other types of glutamate receptor antagonists.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

MDL 27,032 [4-propyl-5-(4-pyridinyl)-2(3H)-oxazolone], an active site-directed inhibitor of protein kinase C and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase that relaxes vascular smooth muscle.

MDL 27,032 [4-propyl-5-(4-pyridinyl)-2(3H)-oxazolone] is a novel vasodilator whose mechanism of action has not been elucidated. We investigated whether smooth muscle relaxation by MDL 27,032, in vitro, may involve an alteration in the activity of protein kinase C, cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase or myosin light chain kinase by investigating the effects of MDL 27,032 on cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) and protein kinase activities. Strips of dog femoral artery or saphenous vein contracted with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) were relaxed by 100 microM concentrations of MDL 27,032, as well as by other known inhibitors of PDEs [3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine and papaverine], myosin light chain kinase (W-7) and protein kinase C (H-7 and polymyxin B). In contrast to 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine and papaverine, MDL 27,032 was either inactive or weak as an inhibitor of purified PDE types I, II, IVa and IVb. Similarly, it was a weak inhibitor of myosin light chain kinase. However, MDL 27,032 was a significantly more potent inhibitor of protein kinase C and cAMP-dependent protein kinase in cytosolic extracts of dog vein. Kinetic experiments utilizing purified rat brain protein kinase C revealed that inhibition with MDL 27,032 was competitive with Mg(++)-ATP (Ki 24 microM) and noncompetitive with phospholipid, diacylglycerol, PMA, calcium or substrate proteins. Inhibition of the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase was also competitive with Mg(++)-ATP (Ki 14.3 microM). Similar results were obtained with MDL 27,032 and H-7 on both enzymes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗
PubMed1989

Myosin I heavy-chain genes of Acanthamoeba castellanii: cloning of a second gene and evidence for the existence of a third isoform.

We have determined the complete sequence and structure of a second myosin I heavy-chain gene from Acanthamoeba castellanii. This gene, which we have named MIL, spans approx. 6kb, is split by 17 introns, encodes a 1147-aa polypeptide, and is transcribed in log-phase cells. The positions of six of the introns are conserved relative to a vertebrate muscle myosin gene. Similar to the previously characterized MIB heavy-chain gene, the deduced MIL heavy-chain aa sequence reveals a 125-kDa protein composed of a myosin globular head domain joined to a novel, approx. 50-kDa C-terminal domain that is rich in glycine, proline and alanine residues. There are differences, however, between MIL and MIB in the sequence organization of their unconventional C-terminal domains. We conclude from this and other data that Acanthamoeba express at least three myosin I heavy-chain isoforms: MIL, plus MIA and MIB, whose purifications have been published previously. Amoeba genomic DNA blots probed with a short, highly conserved sequence whose position is transposed between MIB and MIL indicate that the Acanthamoeba myosin I heavy-chain gene family may actually contain as many as six genes. Finally, we compared the myosin I sequences with those of two related proteins, Drosophila NinaC and the bovine myosin I-like protein, and found that a portion of the unconventional C-terminal domains of the amoeba myosins I and the bovine protein appear to be related.

Acanthamoeba↗
PubMed1989

Neuronal expression of a newly identified Drosophila melanogaster G protein alpha 0 subunit.

Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) mediate signals between activated cell-surface receptors and cellular effectors. A bovine G-protein alpha-subunit cDNA has been used to isolate similar sequences from Drosophila genomic and cDNA libraries. One class, which we call DG alpha 0, hybridized to position 47A on the second chromosome of Drosophila. The nucleotide sequence of the protein coding region of one cDNA has been determined, revealing an alpha subunit that is 81% identical with rat alpha 0. The cDNA hybridizes strongly to a 3.8 kb mRNA and weakly with a 5.3 kb message. Antibodies raised against a trp-E-DG alpha 0 fusion protein recognized a 39,000 Da protein in Drosophila extracts. In situ hybridization to adult Drosophila sections combined with immunohistochemical studies revealed expression throughout the optic lobes and central brain and in the thoracic and abdominal ganglia. DG alpha 0 message and protein were also detected in the antennae, oocytes, and ovarian nurse cells. The neuronal expression of this gene is similar to mammalian alpha 0, which is most abundantly expressed in the brain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Guanine nucleotides are competitive inhibitors of N-methyl-D-aspartate at its receptor site both in vitro and in vivo.

Guanine nucleotides were shown to alter N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-effector coupling by competitive antagonism at the glutamate binding site, rather than via interaction with an intracellularly located GTP-binding protein. Thus, in contrast to known G-protein linked receptors, micromolar concentrations of guanine nucleotides and their analogs decreased both agonist [( 3H]glutamate) and antagonist [( 3H]-3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid binding to the NMDA receptor complex. The most potent compound, the GDP analog guanosine-5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDP beta S), was studied in detail. GDP beta S exhibited almost 200-fold selectivity for the glutamate recognition site vs. the strychnine-insensitive glycine binding site. IC50 values were 2.7 +/- 1.4 and 484 +/- 97 microM, respectively. GDP beta S also inhibited N-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl-3H]piperidine binding (IC50 was 28.0 +/- 3.7 microM) in an NMDA-reversible fashion. [3H]-3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid saturation binding studies revealed an increase in Kd from 263 +/- 49 (control) to 552 +/- 134 nM (8 microM GDP beta S) without any change in maximum binding (4.94 +/- 0.34 and 5.19 +/- 0.58 pmol/mg of protein, respectively). GDP beta S was also a competitive inhibitor of the following NMDA-stimulated responses: elevation of cyclic GMP in neonatal rat cerebellar slices, release of preloaded [3H]norepinephrine from superfused rat hippocampal slices and elevation of cytosolic calcium concentration in fura-2-loaded cultured rat forebrain neurons. IC50 values were 78.4, 53.4 and 1.6 microM, respectively. Finally, GDP beta S resembled known NMDA receptor antagonists in its ability to block NMDA receptor-induced seizures after i.c.v. administration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Release of [3H]norepinephrine from rat hippocampal slices by N-methyl-D-aspartate: comparison of the inhibitory effects of Mg2+ and MK-801.

The excitatory amino acid receptor subtype activated by N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) was studied using superfused slices from the rat hippocampus preloaded with [3H]norepinephrine. NMDA-induced release was inhibited by the direct receptor antagonist CPP, and was sensitive to physiological concentrations of Mg2+. NMDA-induced transmitter release in the presence of Mg2+ was demonstrable if the slices were first depolarized by exposure to elevated K+ or kainic acid to relieve the voltage-dependent Mg2+ blockade. Transmitter release was also inhibited by the indirectly acting antagonists MK-801 and phencyclidine. This effect of MK-801 showed use dependence, while inhibition of release by Mg2+ remained at a constant level with repeated agonist application. Kinetic analysis indicated the mechanism of MK-801 inhibition was uncompetitive in that agonist was required for the association of the inhibitor with the receptor-channel complex. In contrast, Mg2+ inhibited NMDA-induced transmitter release through a noncompetitive process. The two antagonists also differed in terms of reversibility with inhibition by Mg2+ being evident only in the presence of the cation. The effect of MK-801, however, was still apparent for several stimuli after removal of the drug. These results demonstrate the utility in this in vitro release system for studying the unique characteristics of the NMDA receptor complex.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1988

Direct central effects of acute methylenedioxymethamphetamine on serotonergic neurons.

Acute peripheral administration of either the (+) or (-) stereoisomer of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) to rats results in a rapid loss of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) activity in several brain regions. This decline in enzyme activity precedes a decrease in serotonin (5-HT) concentrations in the same areas. An initial rise in the concentration of 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid after drug administration suggests that an increase in the turnover of 5-HT is an early event in the development of these changes. Unsuccessful attempts to reproduce the in vivo effects of MDMA on TPH activity using in vitro preparations such as cortical slices or the mouse mastocytoma cell line, P-815, suggested a requirement for an intact neuronal system or metabolism of the drug. Injection of MDMA directly into several brain regions also had no effect on TPH activity or 5-HT concentrations. However, when brain concentrations of MDMA were maintained using a constant i.c.v. infusion, TPH activity declined as observed following peripheral administration. The results, therefore, indicate that the acute effect of MDMA on 5-HT synthesis is a direct central effect of the drug which may be triggered by a sustained increase in transmitter turnover.

3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine↗
PubMed1988

Effects of methamphetamine on central monoaminergic systems in normal and ascorbic acid-deficient guinea pigs.

Repeated injections (s.c.) of methamphetamine (METH) were administered to normal and ascorbic acid-deficient (scorbutic) guinea pigs to assess a potential role for ascorbic acid in the METH-induced effects in central monoaminergic systems. The ascorbic acid-deficient condition differentially influenced the METH-induced responses of dopaminergic and serotonergic variables in the striatum: drug-induced changes in dopaminergic variables were identical in normal and scorbutic animals; METH-induced decreases in serotonergic variables [tryptophan hydroxylase activity, serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentrations], however, were prevented in scorbutic animals. The scorbutic condition did not alter significantly the distribution of METH in the brain, nor were striatal concentrations of dopamine (DA) or 5-HT affected. In vitro, ascorbic acid increased significantly DA-mediated [3H]5-HT release from striatal slices, thus suggesting a potential role for ascorbate in DA-mediated actions of METH on serotonergic systems. Although supplemental ascorbate failed to restore the METH-induced serotonergic effects in scorbutic guinea pigs, these data suggest that, in a normal animal, the effects of multiple injections of METH, on serotonergic systems, involve ascorbic acid.

Amphetamine↗
PubMed1987

Depression of rat brain tryptophan hydroxylase activity following the acute administration of methylenedioxymethamphetamine.

The psychotomimetic agent, methylenedioxymethamphetamine, produced a rapid, persistent and dose-dependent reduction in cortical tryptophan hydroxylase activity when administered acutely to rats. This effect did not occur in vitro and did not require N-demethylase activity in the whole animal. Kinetic analysis revealed the loss of enzyme activity to be due to an alteration in Vmax with no change in the affinity of the enzyme for either its cofactor or substrate. Coadministration of the serotonin (5-HT) uptake inhibitor, citalopram, only partially antagonized the loss of tryptophan hydroxylase activity 3 hr after methylenedioxymethamphetamine, but completely prevented the loss of cortical 5-HT. Recovery of enzyme activity did occur by 1 week if the neurotoxic effect of methylenedioxymethamphetamine was blocked by fluoxetine. The effect of methylenedioxymethamphetamine on 5-HT synthesis was not affected by pretreatment with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine, reserpine or yohimbine. Ketanserine and methiothepin, 5-HT receptor antagonists, did partially block the methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced loss of tryptophan hydroxylase activity, suggesting a possible role for neurotransmitter release in the acute effects of the drug on enzyme activity.

3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine↗
PubMed1987

Acute administration of methylenedioxymethamphetamine: comparison with the neurochemical effects of its N-desmethyl and N-ethyl analogs.

The acute and long-term neurochemical effects of three methylenedioxyamphetamine analogs were examined in the serotonergic system of the rat brain. Methylenedioxymethamphetamine as well as its N-desmethyl and N-ethyl derivatives depleted cortical serotonin (5HT) concentrations to less than 30% of control 3 h after drug administration. All three compounds were also very similar in their effects on [3H]5HT release from superfused rat striatal slices. Increasing the size of the N-alkyl substituent did appear to reduce the potency of the agent for inducing [3H]dopamine release. One week following drug administration cortical 5HT concentrations had returned to control levels in animals treated with the N-ethyl derivative while the other two analogs produced persistent depletions in transmitter concentrations. The effects of the latter two drugs were correlated with a significant decrease in whole brain synaptosomal [3H]5HT uptake indicating serotonergic nerve terminal damage. N-ethyl-methylenedioxyamphetamine had no effect on synaptosomal 5HT uptake at one week. The (+) stereoisomer of methylenedioxyamphetamine was slightly more potent than the (-) enantiomer at producing the long-term 5HT depletion as previously shown for its N-methyl derivative suggesting similar mechanisms may be responsible for their neurotoxic effects.

3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine↗