Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G R Hanson

Publications and source records attributed to G R Hanson.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Induction of neurotensin and c-fos mRNA in distinct subregions of rat neostriatum after acute methamphetamine: comparison with acute haloperidol effects.

Large increases of neurotensin (NT)-like immunoreactivity in the rat neostriatum have been reported previously after treatment with either dopamine D2 receptor antagonists (e.g., haloperidol) or potent indirect dopamine agonists (e.g., methamphetamine). Combined administration of these two opposite classes of drugs results in additive increases in striatal NT-like immunoreactivity suggesting that distinct mechanisms may underlie increases in NT content after haloperidol and methamphetamine. Our recent studies demonstrate that acute haloperidol treatment increases NT immunoreactivity in the striatum, at least in part, by enhancing the expression of the NT/neuromedin N (NT/N) gene in neurons confined to the dorsolateral sector of the striatum. Additionally, this induction of NT/N gene transcription in the dorsolateral striatum by haloperidol appears to involve participation of the immediate early gene, c-fos. The present study investigated alterations in NT/N and c-fos gene expression after acute methamphetamine (10 mg/kg s.c.) treatment and compared these changes to those observed after acute haloperidol (1 mg/kg i.p.) administration. Unlike haloperidol, methamphetamine increased NT/N mRNA expression in the periventricular dorsomedial quadrant of the striatum and induced c-fos mRNA primarily in the medial aspects of the central core of the neostriatum. These data suggest that Fos may not act as a primary transcription factor in methamphetamine-induced NT/N gene expression in the dorsomedial striatum. The results also indicate that additive increases in striatal NT-like immunoreactivity after simultaneous treatment with haloperidol and methamphetamine may be due to induction of NT/N gene expression in distinct neostriatal neuronal populations.

Animals↗

Effects of nimodipine on the amphetamine- and methamphetamine-induced decrease in tryptophan hydroxylase activity.

The effects of nimodipine on the amphetamine- and methamphetamine-induced decrease in central tryptophan hydroxylase activity was examined. Rats were administered 4 or 5 injections of amphetamine or methamphetamine at 6-h intervals with or without nimodipine (1 mg/kg), and killed 1 or 18 h after the last drug administration. The decrease in hippocampal tryptophan hydroxylase activity induced by amphetamine and methamphetamine was potentiated by the administration of nimodipine. Moreover, while hippocampal tryptophan hydroxylase activity was not altered by 2.5 mg/kg methamphetamine alone, the coadministration of 1 mg/kg nimodipine decreased the enzymatic activity to 68% of control. The decrease in striatal tryptophan hydroxylase activity caused by these amphetamine analogues was not significantly altered by the coadministration of nimodipine. Interestingly, nimodipine increased hippocampal and striatal amphetamine concentrations to 187 and 162%, respectively, of the concentrations measured in animals treated with amphetamine alone. Nimodipine also increased by 2-fold the plasma concentration of methamphetamine and amphetamine measured 3 h after a single administration of methamphetamine, whereas the hippocampal concentrations of these compounds were raised to 354 and 516%, respectively, of that in animals treated with methamphetamine alone. These results suggest that nimodipine altered drug distribution and potentiated the methamphetamine-induced decrease in hippocampal tryptophan hydroxylase activity by increasing the cerebral methamphetamine concentration.

Amphetamine↗

Blockade of tachykinin NK1 receptors by CP-96345 enhances dopamine release and the striatal dopamine effects of methamphetamine in rats.

The nonpeptide, tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist, CP-96345, permits the study of the physiological role of extrapyramidal substance P systems. Using microdialysis, we observed that locally applied CP-96345 (200 nM) caused a significant increase in dopamine release in the striatum as well as substantially enhancing striatal dopamine release caused by a low dose of methamphetamine (0.5 mg/kg s.c.). In addition, multiple systemic administrations of CP-96345 almost doubled the dopamine-mediated responses of the striatal neurotensin and dynorphin systems to high doses of methamphetamine (10 mg/kg/dose s.c.). Our findings suggest that the physiological role of substance P released in the striatum is to decrease the activity of the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway.

Animals↗

Effects of ritanserin on the 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced decrease in striatal serotonin concentration and on the increase in striatal neurotensin and dynorphin A concentrations.

The concentration of serotonin (5-HT) measured in rat striatum was reduced to 75% of control 1 week after a single subcutaneous administration of dl-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 20 mg/kg). This decrease was prevented by pretreating the animals with ritanserin. Eighteen hours after MDMA (20 mg/kg), striatal concentrations of neurotensin-like immunoreactivity (NTLI) and of dynorphin A-like immunoreactivity (DLI) were increased to 250 and 487% of control, respectively, but ritanserin failed to prevent these changes. This study supports a role for 5-HT2 receptors in the mechanism by which a single high dose of MDMA induces neuronal damage to the serotonergic system, but not the MDMA-induced increase in central NTLI and DLI concentrations.

3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine↗

VIP and NPY in canine hearts. Distribution and effect of total and selective parasympathetic denervation.

The hypotheses that vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is evenly distributed throughout atrial and ventricular myocardium and is present in postganglionic parasympathetic neurons in the regions of the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes were tested in three groups of dogs. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) tissue concentrations were determined in each group. In six sham dogs VIP and NPY concentrations were evenly distributed and were higher in atria compared with ventricles. In nine parasympathectomized dogs, VIP concentrations in sample sites from regions of the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes were comparable to those in sham-operated controls. In nine denervated dogs VIP concentrations were significantly decreased in three adjacent sample sites along the atrioventricular groove. In these dogs NPY concentrations were not detectable or were significantly decreased at all sample sites of both atria and ventricles. These data suggest that VIP neurons are evenly distributed in atrial and ventricular myocardium but do not originate in parasympathetic ganglia supplying the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes. The data also demonstrate the possible presence of extrinsic VIP neurons in the canine right ventricle and indicate that NPY may be a useful marker of myocardial adrenergic innervation.

Animals↗

Release of vasoactive intestinal peptide and neuropeptide Y from canine heart.

The effects of right cervical vagal and left sympathetic stimulation on release of immunoreactive vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) into cardiac venous and lymphatic effluent was tested in 11 anesthetized adult mongrel dogs. After stimulation of the right cervical vagus (1 ms, 20 Hz, 5 V) for 3 min, VIP output in lymphatic effluent was significantly increased at 1.90 +/- 0.56 pg/min compared with control of 0.90 +/- 0.42 pg/min. NPY output in lymphatic effluent and VIP and NPY release into coronary venous effluent, as measured by the arterial-coronary sinus concentration difference, were not changed. After stimulation of the ansae of the left sympathetic ganglion (1 ms, 10 Hz, 5 V) for 3 min, NPY output in lymphatic effluent was significantly increased at 4.72 +/- 1.58 pg/min compared with a control of 0.73 +/- 0.66 pg/min. VIP output in lymphatic effluent was not changed. VIP arterial-coronary sinus concentration difference decreased slightly but significantly, and NPY arterial-coronary sinus concentration difference decreased markedly after left sympathetic stimulation. In three additional dogs in which coronary sinus blood flow was measured, NPY overflow during left sympathetic stimulation increased from 28.2 +/- 23.5 to 129.6 +/- 212.7 pg/min. Thus VIP and NPY release from the canine heart can be evoked by right cervical vagal and left sympathetic stimulation, respectively. VIP and NPY may play a role as cardiac noncholinergic-nonadrenergic neurotransmitters.

Animals↗

Differential regulation of neuropeptide Y systems in limbic structures of the rat.

Neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity (NPYLI) in the frontal cortex and nucleus accumbens was significantly decreased after acute and multiple administrations of phencyclidine-HCl (PCP). The role of dopamine, serotonin and sigma receptors in these PCP-induced effects was evaluated. Neither the dopamine D1 antagonist SCH 23390 nor the D2 antagonist sulpiride by itself altered cortical neuropeptide systems, but in combination they totally blocked the PCP-induced changes. In contrast, sulpiride alone significantly decreased accumbens NPYLI content and enhanced the PCP-induced decreases, whereas SCH 23390 alone had no effect on accumbens NPYLI levels but did attenuate PCP-induced effects. Neither depletion of serotonin nor blockage of the sigma "receptor" had any effect on PCP-induced changes in either structure. The effects of the selective, noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist MK-801 on cortical and accumbens NPYLI content were similar to those of PCP, suggesting an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor mechanism in these effects. Administration of gamma-aminobutyric acid-transaminase (GABA-T) inhibitors, gamma-vinyl-GABA (GVG, vigabatrin, MDL 71,754) or aminooxyacetic acid alone had no effect on cortical NPYLI content; however, administration of aminooxyacetic acid alone decreased accumbens NPYLI levels. Co-administration of these GABA-T inhibitors with PCP completely blocked PCP-induced cortical NPYLI decreases and attenuated NPYLI changes in the accumbens. These data suggest that limbic neuropeptide systems are differentially modulated by N-methyl-D-aspartate and dopaminergic activity and that glutamatergic influences on cortical and accumbens NPY systems are mediated, at least in part, by GABAergic mechanisms.

Animals↗

Short-term effects of 2,4,5-trihydroxyamphetamine, 2,4,5-trihydroxymethamphetamine and 3,4-dihydroxymethamphetamine on central tryptophan hydroxylase activity.

In previous studies, we have reported the long-term effects of several metabolites of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) on tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) activity. In this study, the short-term effects of three metabolites of MDMA. 2,4,5-trihydroxyamphetamine (THA), 2,4,5-trihydroxymethamphetamine (THM) and 3,4-dihydroxymethamphetamine, and the in vitro effect of THA on TPH activity are reported. After short-term treatment, hippocampal TPH activity was decreased to 8 and 54% of control in response to THA and THM, respectively, but was unaltered after 3,4-dihydroxymethamphetamine. Incubating TPH from THM-treated rats with dithiothreitol under nitrogen failed to reverse the decrease in enzyme activity induced by THM treatment. THA also decreased tyrosine hydroxylase activity to 75% of control, whereas the enzyme activity remained unaltered by THM. The structural analog of THA, 6-hydroxydopamine, failed to reproduce the effect of THA on TPH activity; however, 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine decreased hippocampal TPH activity to 18% of control. In the in vitro study, the hippocampus and the striatum were incubated in varying concentrations of THA. After a 1-h incubation at 37 degrees C, hippocampal TPH activity was decreased to 83, 71, 68, 47 and 3% of control after exposure to 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 0.5 or 5.0 mM THA, respectively; striatal TPH activity was reduced to 98, 95, 70, 54 and 17% of control, respectively. Incubating the enzyme under reducing conditions failed to restore the enzyme activity to control levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

5,6-Dihydroxytryptamine↗

Long-term alteration in the central monoaminergic systems of the rat by 2,4,5-trihydroxyamphetamine but not by 2-hydroxy-4,5-methylenedioxymethamphetamine or 2-hydroxy-4,5-methylenedioxyamphetamine.

The long-term effects of three metabolites of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) on the central monoaminergic systems of the rat were examined. Seven days after the intracerebroventricular administration of 0.25 and 0.5 mumol 2,4,5-trihydroxyamphetamine, hippocampal tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) activity was reduced to 5 and 1% of control, respectively, while norepinephrine (NE) concentration was depressed to 10 and 18% of control. These two respective dosages also decreased striatal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity to 67 and 10% of control, respectively, while nigral TH activity was reduced to 59 and 20% of control. Striatal TPH activity was reduced to 74 and 81% of control, respectively, while the activity in the dorsal and median raphe remained unaltered. The intracerebroventricular administration of 1 mumol 2-hydroxy-4,5-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (6-OH-MDMA) failed to alter TPH activity, TH activity or NE concentration after 14 days. In contrast, 1 mumol of 2-hydroxy-4,5-methylenedioxyamphetamine (6-OH-MDA) induced a 30% increase in striatal TPH activity and a 50% increase in nigral TH activity. The study of the formation of 2,4,5-trihydroxyamphetamine after MDMA treatment may provide insight as to how MDMA destroys serotonergic nerve terminals.

3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine↗

Characterization of phencyclidine-induced effects on neuropeptide Y systems in the rat caudate-putamen.

Multiple administrations of the psychotomimetic drug, phencyclidine-HCI (PCP), decreased striatal neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity (NPY-LI) levels in a dose-dependent manner. Single or multiple PCP administrations decreased striatal NPY levels after 10-12 h; levels returned to control 24 h after a single dose or 58 h after multiple doses. In contrast, no significant changes were seen in nigral NPY levels with either acute or multiple-dose PCP treatments. The role of monoamine, sigma or opioid receptors in PCP-induced striatal NPY changes was evaluated. When administered alone, the alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist, prazosin, the sigma antagonist, BMY 14802, and the dopamine D2 antagonist, sulpiride decreased striatal NPY levels; however, only prazosin and the dopamine D1 antagonist, SCH 23390, significantly attenuated PCP-induced changes. Administration of the gamma-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T) inhibitors, amino-oxyacetic acid (AOAA) or gamma-vinyl-GABA (GVG, vigabatrin, MDL 71,754) alone had no effect on striatal NPY-LI levels while administration of these indirect GABA agonists prior to or concurrently with PCP treatment completely blocked PCP-induced changes in striatal NPY-LI levels. The effect of the non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, MK-801, on striatal NPY-LI content resembled that of PCP and was also blocked by the two indirect GABA agonists. These data suggest that NPY systems are modulated by glutamatergic activity (specifically by the NMDA receptor) and that the interaction between these two transmitter systems is mediated by GABAergic mechanisms.

4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase↗

Response of monoaminergic and neuropeptide systems to 4-methylaminorex: a new stimulant of abuse.

4-Methylaminorex is an amphetamine analog which has recently gained attention due to its potential as a stimulant of abuse and the ease with which it is synthesized. Administration of acute and multiple doses of 4-methylaminorex caused rapid (3-h) and long-term (7-day) declines in striatal tryptophan hydroxylase activity with few changes in other serotonergic parameters. The acute response by tryptophan hydroxylase to this drug was reversed by incubating the tissues in a reducing environment suggesting that 4-methylaminorex alters this enzyme through oxidative mechanisms. The 4-methylaminorex-induced long-term reduction in tryptophan hydroxylase activity might be due to neurotoxic action on serotonergic systems. In contrast, although a decline in striatal tyrosine hydroxylase occurred 3 h following a single dose of 4-methylaminorex, no changes in this enzyme were observed at 7 days after acute or multiple dosing with this drug. This result suggests that 4-methylaminorex is not neurotoxic to the dopaminergic neurons. Even though this amphetamine analog apparently does not have long-term effects on dopaminergic systems, it does appear to enhance substantially dopaminergic activity. Evidence for increased dopamine activity resulting from 4-methylaminorex administration included dramatic but temporary rises in the levels of nigral neurotensin, dynorphin A and substance P following multiple drug administration. Similar peptide changes have been observed with other amphetamine-related stimulants and are mediated by increases in dopaminergic activity. In summary, 4-methylaminorex has significant impact on monoaminergic pathways. In general, its spectrum of effects on these systems is like that of the ring-substituted amphetamines, such as methylenedioxymethamphetamine.

Animals↗

Role of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in dopamine D1-, but not D2-, mediated changes in striatal and accumbens neurotensin systems.

The role of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in specific D1 and D2 regulation of striatal and accumbens neurotensin (NT) systems was investigated. As demonstrated previously, stimulation of D1 receptors with multiple administrations of SKF 38393 significantly increased striatal and accumbens NT content to approximately 145% of control. These responses were completely blocked by coadministration of the non-competitive NMDA antagonist, MK 801. Previous studies have documented that D2 receptors tonically regulate striatal NT systems. Thus, multiple doses of sulpiride, a D2 antagonist, increased striatal NT content to 167% of control while quinpirole, a D2 agonist, decreased striatal NT content to 58% of control. MK 801 did not alter either striatal NT response to D2 manipulation. As previously reported, levels of accumbens NT changed only in response to D2 blockade and not to D2 stimulation. Thus, sulpiride increased accumbens NT content to 138% of control; this was not blocked by the coadministration of MK 801. NT content also significantly increased after stimulation of glutamate receptors with NMDA. To determine if D1 receptors participate in this NMDA-mediated change, the D1 antagonist SCH 23390 was coadministered. Blockade of D1 receptors did not significantly alter the response of striatal NT systems to NMDA. However, in both striatum and nucleus accumbens, the NMDA effect on NT systems appeared to be lessened. In summary, expression of D1-, but not D2-mediated changes in striatal and accumbens NT systems are markedly dependent on NMDA receptor activity. In comparison, expression of the NMDA-mediated changes in the same NT systems do not appear to be as dependent on D1 receptor activity.

2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-ben↗

Responses of limbic and extrapyramidal neurotensin systems to stimulants of abuse. Involvement of dopaminergic mechanisms.

In summary, we have observed that drugs of abuse, which can cause schizophrenia-like paranoia, alter striatal and accumbens NT systems in a similar, dramatic fashion. The NT responses to these drugs, in particular METH, are mediated by activation of DA D1 receptors. We have observed that NMDA-type glutamate receptors are essential for the D1-NT interaction. NMDA receptors are selective, since they do not contribute to the antagonistic effects of DA D2 receptors on NT activity. This observation suggests that NT responses to D1 and D2 regulation are mediated through separate and distinct mechanisms. Finally, we found that the presence of METH dramatically reduces striatal NT release, which most likely leads to NT accumulation in nerve terminals and the observed increase in NT tissue level. The blockade of NT release by a psychotogenic drug, such as METH, is consistent with the hypothesis that NT has antipsychotic activity and a decrease in its release may contribute to some forms of schizophrenia similar to that caused by intense use of the stimulants of abuse.

Animals↗

Vasoactive intestinal peptide in canine hearts: effect of total cardiac denervation.

The effect of total cardiac denervation on the distribution of cardiac immunoreactive vasoactive intestinal peptide (IR-VIP) was determined in four groups of dogs. Denervated dogs killed at either 7 days (group 1) or 30 days (group 3) were compared with sham-operated dogs killed at either 7 days (group 2) or 30 days (group 4). The highest concentrations of IR-VIP were found in the left atrium and proximal left anterior descending and circumflex coronary arteries and were not affected by denervation. Concentrations of IR-VIP in the left ventricle were barely detectable. Only right ventricular IR-VIP concentrations were significantly lower in denervated compared with sham-operated dogs in both groups. Thus these data provide evidence of intrinsic VIP innervation of the atria and epicardial coronary arteries and localized extrinsic VIP innervation of the right ventricle of the canine heart.

Animals↗

Effects of 3,4-dihydroxymethamphetamine and 2,4,5-trihydroxymethamphetamine, two metabolites of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, on central serotonergic and dopaminergic systems.

The effects of 3,4-dihydroxymethamphetamine (DHM) and 2,4,5-trihydroxymethamphetamine (THM) on central serotonergic and dopaminergic systems were investigated to determine if these metabolites share the neurochemical properties of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine. THM (50-200 micrograms) or DHM (135 micrograms) was administered i.c.v. to rats; 5 days later, cortical, striatal and hippocampal tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) activity were decreased by THM in a dose-dependent manner, whereas DHM was without effect in these brain structures. The concentration of serotonin in the brain structures contralateral to the side of THM injection was also decreased, but to a lesser degree. THM (100 and 200 micrograms) increased TPH activity to 155% of control in the dorsal raphe, whereas a dose of 50 micrograms increased TPH activity to 132% of control in the median raphe nucleus. THM also markedly reduced striatal tyrosine hydroxylase activity, but did not alter enzyme activity in the substantia nigra; DHM increased striatal tyrosine hydroxylase activity to 115% of control. These results suggest that THM, but not DHM, is toxic to both dopaminergic and serotonergic nerve terminals. Although THM could not be established as the neurotoxic metabolite explaining 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) toxicity, its properties may prove useful in elucidating amphetamine toxicity.

3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine↗

Effect of flunarizine and nimodipine on the decrease in tryptophan hydroxylase activity induced by methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine.

The effect of calcium channel blockers on the decrease in central tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) activity and serotonin (5-HT) concentration induced by repeated large doses of methamphetamine (METH) or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) was evaluated. Rats received four or five injections of METH (10 or 15 mg/kg) or MDMA (10 mg/kg) at 6-h intervals, and were sacrificed 18 to 20 h or 1 week after the last administration. Flunarizine (30 mg/kg) prevented the decline in cortical and neostriatal TPH activity induced by MDMA, but failed to alter the effect of METH. The effect of flunarizine on the METH- and MDMA-induced changes in cortical 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentrations paralleled the changes in enzyme activity. Nimodipine, diltiazem or TA-3090 failed to prevent the MDMA- and the METH-induced decline in TPH activity or in 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid content. Because haloperidol failed to mimic the protective action of flunarizine, it is unlikely that flunarizine exerts its action by blocking the dopamine D-2 receptors. This study suggests that calcium influx may participate in the MDMA-induced decline in central TPH activity, and that the mechanism by which MDMA and METH decreases TPH activity differs.

3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine↗