Biomedical subjects

I K Ho

Publications and source records attributed to I K Ho.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

Possible involvement of protein kinases in physical dependence on opioids: studies using protein kinase inhibitors, H-7 and H-8.

Effects of a cAMP-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C inhibitor, H-7 (1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine) and a cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor, H-8 (N-[2-(methylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide), on the behavioral signs of naloxone (an opioid receptor antagonist)-precipitated withdrawal syndrome and effects of H-7 on the change of protein kinase C activity in the pons/medulla region induced by morphine (a mu-opioid receptor agonist) or butorphanol (a mu/delta/kappa mixed opioid receptor agonist) were investigated in this study. Rats were intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) infused with morphine (26 nmol/microliters/h) or butorphanol (26 nmol/microliters/h) through osmotic minipumps for 3 days. In some groups, either saline or drug-treated groups were concomitantly infused with H-7 (1 and 10 nmol/microliters/h) or H-8 (10 nmol/microliters/h). The expression of physical dependence produced by morphine or butorphanol, as evaluated by naloxone (5 mg/kg i.p.)-precipitated withdrawal signs, was reduced by concomitant infusion of H-7 or H-8. In the same condition, morphine and butorphanol chronic treatment enhanced (28.1% and 26.3% enhancement over the saline-treated group, respectively) cytosolic protein kinase C activity in the pons/medulla, but not in the membrane fraction. Furthermore, concomitant infusion of H-7 inhibited the enhancement of protein kinase C activity. These results indicate that various types of protein kinases may play an important role in the development and/or expression of physical dependence on opioids. Among them, the enhancement of cytosolic protein kinase C activity in the pons/medulla region seems to be one of the major underlying mechanisms in opioid physical dependence.

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

PubMed1995

Ca2+ channel blocker, diltiazem, prevents physical dependence and the enhancement of protein kinase C activity by opioid infusion in rats.

The influence of an L-type Ca2+ channel blocker, diltiazem [(2S-cis)-3-(acetyloxy)-5-[2-(dimethylamino)-ethyl]-2,3-dihydro-2- (4- methoxyphenyl)-1,5-benzothiazepin-4(5H)-one], on the behavioral signs of naloxone (opioid receptor antagonist)-precipitated withdrawal syndrome and the enhancement of protein kinase C activity in the pons/medulla regions of rats rendered dependent on morphine (mu-opioid receptor agonist) or butorphanol (mu/delta/kappa mixed opioid receptor agonist) was investigated. The expression of physical dependence produced by continuous intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of morphine (26 nmol/microliters per h) or butorphanol (26 nmol/microliters per h) for 3 days, as evaluated by naloxone (5 mg/kg, i.p.)-precipitated withdrawal signs, was dose dependently attenuated by concomitant infusion of diltiazem (10 and 100 nmol/microliters per h). Furthermore, diltiazem (100 nmol/microliters per h) completely inhibited the enhancement of cytosolic protein kinase C activity in the pons/medulla regions in rats rendered dependent by continuous infusion with morphine or butorphanol. These results suggest that the augmentation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration mediated through L-type Ca2+ channels during continuous opioid infusion leads to the enhancement of cytosolic protein kinase C activity in the pons/medulla region which is intimately involved in the development and/or expression of physical dependence on opioids.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Simultaneous measurement of biogenic amines and their metabolites in rat brain regions after acute administration of and abrupt withdrawal from butorphanol or morphine.

Changes in levels of biogenic amines and metabolites were measured using high performance liquid chromatography fitted with an electrochemical detection in various rat brain regions after acute administration of and abrupt withdrawal from continuous intracerebroventricular infusion of butorphanol (a mu/delta/kappa mixed opioid receptor agonist) or morphine (a mu-opioid receptor agonist). A single dose of butorphanol (26 nmol/5 microliters) or morphine (26 nmol/5 microliters) increased levels of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid in the striatum and limbic region and of homovanilic acid in the cortex, striatum, and limbic region. In animals which had been infused with butorphanol (26 nmol/microliters/hr) or morphine (26 nmol/microliters/hr) for 3 days, an increase in dopamine turnover was observed. The levels of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid was decreased and that of homovanilic acid was increased in the striatum, limbic region, and midbrain immediately after termination of opioid infusion. Both dopamine metabolites (in these areas) were decreased at 2 and 6 hr after butorphanol or morphine withdrawal. Changes in norepinephrine, serotonin, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels in some brain regions were observed in the morphine-, but not in butorphanol-dependent rats. These data suggest that the increase and the decrease in dopaminergic activity, but not noradrenergic and serotonergic neurons, in the some brain regions are closely associated with the production of antinociception of and the expression of withdrawal syndrome from butorphanol and morphine, respectively.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Increased locus coeruleus glutamate levels are associated with naloxone-precipitated withdrawal from butorphanol in the rat.

Extracellular fluid levels of glutamate were measured in the locus coeruleus during butorphanol (a mixed agonist at mu-, delta-, and kappa-opioid receptors) withdrawal by using microdialysis in conscious butorphanol-dependent Sprague-Dawley rats. Guide cannulae were implanted chronically and rats were given intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusions of butorphanol (26 nmol/1 microliter/hr) or saline (1 microliter/hr) for 3 days. Microdialysis probes (2 mm tip) were inserted into the locus coeruleus 24 hr before precipitation of withdrawal by i.c.v. injection of naloxone (48 nmol/5 microliters). A separate series of rats was rendered dependent by peripheral injection of butorphanol (20 mg/kg, s.c., b.i.d.) for 5 days and naloxone (5 mg/kg, i.p.) was given to precipitate withdrawal. Single injections of butorphanol (26 nmol/5 microliters, i.c.v.) had no effect on the extracellular fluid levels of glutamate, compared to rats injected with vehicle. Behavioral evidence of withdrawal was detected following naloxone challenge in butorphanol-dependent rats (both i.c.v. and s.c. models), but not in non-dependent, vehicle-treated rats. Significant increases (P < 0.05) in levels of glutamate were noted after naloxone-precipitated withdrawal only in the butorphanol group. The glutamate levels in the locus coeruleus increased from 8.37 +/- 2.01 before, to 21.93 +/- 4.58 microM in the first 15 min sample following i.c.v. injections of 48 nmol/5 microliters naloxone and from 10.84 +/- 1.74 before, to 26.01 +/- 6.19 microM in the 15-30 min sample following i.p. injections of 5 mg/kg naloxone in the butorphanol-dependent rats, respectively. These results provide direct evidence to support the role of excitatory amino acids within the locus coeruleus in butorphanol withdrawal.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Changes in [3H]flunitrazepam binding in the brain of rats made tolerant to and dependent upon pentobarbital.

Changes in benzodiazepine binding sites labeled by [3H]flunitrazepan (FNZ) in twenty discrete brain regions of rats made tolerant to and dependent upon pentobarbital were examined. Animals were rendered tolerant by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion with pentobarbital (300 micrograms/ 10 microliters/ hr for six days) through pre-implanted cannulae connected to osmotic mini-pumps. The pentobarbital dependence was assessed 24 hr after abrupt withdrawal from pentobarbital. In the tolerant rats, a significant increase in [3H]FNZ binding sites was found in layer IV of frontal cortex and the molecular layer of olfactory bulb. [3H]FNZ binding sites in the pentobarbital dependent rats were significantly increased in layers I-III and V-VI of frontal cortex, caudate-putamen, olfactory tubercle, globus pallidus and ventral pallidum, in addition to those observed in the tolerant group. There was, however, no significant difference in the hippocampus and several regions in the hindbrain in either pentobarbital-treated group. Taken together with characteristics of subtypes of benzodiazepine receptors and changes in GABA-benzodiazepine receptor complexes elucidated in our previous studies, these findings suggest that both types of benzodiazepine receptors are involved in the development of pentobarbital intoxication mediated by GABAA receptors.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

A novel quantitative receptor autoradiography and in situ hybridization histochemistry technique using storage phosphor screen imaging.

A new technique of image acquisition for quantitative receptor autoradiography and in situ hybridization histochemistry was developed using storage phosphor screen imaging. This method was at least 4-5 times faster than conventional film densitometry. Two of the advantages of the phosphor screen method are high sensitivity and wide linear range of response. Other aspects of this method were compared with those of conventional densitometry. Use of storage phosphor screen imaging will allow greatly increased speed of pharmacological screening procedures that utilize quantitative autoradiography.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Quantitative autoradiographic localization of [3H]3-OH-PCP (1-(1(3-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexyl)piperidine) binding sites in rat brain.

Binding of a novel radioligand, [3H]3-OH-PCP (1(1(3-hydroxyphenyl) cyclohexyl)piperidine), to N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-coupled and -uncoupled PCP sites was investigated in the rat brain. The highest densities of [3H]3-OH-PCP binding were observed in the hippocampal formation, notably in the stratum radiatum and oriens of CA1 region, and dentate gyrus. There were relatively high levels of binding in the olfactory system, superficial layer of cortices, the amygdala and the thalamus. In contrast, lower levels of binding were found in the globus pallidus, cerebellum, and brain stem, except for the superior colliculus. These findings demonstrate that [3H]3-OH-PCP binds to discrete regions within the rat brain. Its distribution is consistent with autoradiographic localization of [3H]TCP and [3H]MK-801 binding sites in the rat brain, suggesting that [3H]3-OH-PCP binds to NMDA/PCP ion-channel complexes in preference to sigma sites.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

PubMed1995

Comparative rewarding properties of morphine and butorphanol.

Because butorphanol (Stadol), a synthetic morphinan compound, has been demonstrated in our laboratories to produce physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms in rats, we have hypothesized that butorphanol has rewarding properties indicative of abuse potential. To test this hypothesis, the effects of equimolar doses of butorphanol tartrate (0.5-5.0 micrograms) and morphine sulfate (0.8-8.0 micrograms) were assessed in inbred Lewis male rats using the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. Unilateral microinjections (1 microl/inj) of saline or opioids were made into the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Microinjections of saline to controls were associated with both sides of modified Skinner boxes, whereas opioid injections were associated only with the white chambers (less preferred side to the naive animals). Opioids were administered alternating with saline in the drug-treated animals on alternating days. During eight conditioning sessions the rats learned to associate light and dark sides of the Skinner boxes with microinjections of opioids or saline, respectively. Although all doses of morphine induced significant preference over saline, only the higher doses of butorphanol (2.0-5.0 micrograms) produced significant conditioned place preference for the sides of the chambers associated with the drugs. These results suggest that, like morphine which is widely abused, butorphanol also has rewarding properties, and, therefore, further investigations regarding its abuse potential are necessary.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Influence of chronic opioid treatment on low Km GTPase activity in rat brain: evidence for the involvement of G-proteins in opioid tolerance.

To investigate G protein function during the initial state of opioid tolerance, low Km GTPase activity was measured following chronic treatment with morphine (mu agonist) and butorphanol (mu/delta/kappa mixed agonist) in rats. Chronic opioid administration (20 mg/kg, IP) was performed once a day for 7 consecutive days. Under these conditions, antinociceptive tolerance to morphine but not butorphanol was developed. Chronic morphine treatment enhanced basal low Km GTPase activity in the pons/medulla, but not in the cortex and midbrain. On the other hand, chronic butorphanol treatment had no effect on basal low Km GTPase activity. These results suggest that chronic in vivo treatment of rats with mu agonists leads to an increase in the hydrolysis of GTP to GDP, by a basal low Km GTPase activity of G-proteins in the pons/medulla and that an enhancement of GTPase activity in this specific area may contribute to the development of antinociceptive tolerance to mu agonists.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Antidotal efficacy of alpha-ketoglutaric acid and sodium thiosulfate in cyanide poisoning.

Alpha-ketoglutaric acid and sodium thiosulfate antagonize the toxic effects of cyanide. The present study was performed to test whether a synergistic effect may occur. The alpha-ketoglutaric acid/sodium thiosulfate solutions were injected intraperitoneally into mice prior to exposure to hydrogen cyanide (HCN) in a dynamic inhalation chamber or preceding an intraperitoneal injection of sodium cyanide (NaCN). All lethal concentration (LCT) and lethal dose (LD) values were determined after a period of 24 h. Alpha-ketoglutaric acid alone provided no protection at 250 mg/kg when challenged with HCN. Sodium thiosulfate 500 mg/kg provided a 5% protection. However, when these doses of alpha-ketoglutaric acid and sodium thiosulfate were combined, protection was increased by 18%. Alpha-ketoglutaric acid (250 mg/kg) and sodium thiosulfate (1000 mg/kg) provided an additional 48% protection against a LCT88 of HCN. A single dose of alpha-ketoglutaric acid (500 mg/kg) and sodium thiosulfate (1000 mg/kg) solutions afforded a 70% increase in survivability of the exposed animals. When mice were injected ip with 100 mg/kg of alpha-ketoglutaric acid 15 min prior to the injection of 5.5 mg/kg (LD50) of NaCN, the lethality was reduced to an LD30. Two hundred mg/kg alpha-ketoglutaric acid, challenged with the same dose of NaCN, reduced the lethality to 23%. When mice were challenged with 6.0 mg/kg of NaCN (LD70) pretreated with 100 mg/kg of alpha-ketoglutaric acid or 200 mg/kg of sodium thiosulfate, the LD was not altered in the former but reduced to an LD15 in the latter. At higher doses of sodium thiosulfate (500 mg/kg), an LD60 occurred at 13.6 mg/kg NaCN (2.5 x LD50).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Binding affinity of N3-substituted uridine for synaptic membrane and their CNS depressant effects.

The binding affinity for synaptic membrane from bovine thalamus of N3-phenacyl substituted pyrimidine nucleosides having CNS depressant activity was examined by radio receptor assay. N3-Phenacyl derivatives of uridine, thymidine, deoxyuridine, 6-azauridine and arabinofuranosyluracil inhibited specific [3H]uridine binding and exhibited hypnotic activity. However, N3-phenacyl-2',3'-O-isopropylideneuridine, of which structure was different from sugar moiety of N3-phenacyluridine, showed neither the binding affinity nor the hypnotic activity. The results indicated that CNS depressant effect of pyrimidine nucleoside derivatives might relate to uridine binding affinity, so called uridine receptor.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

A protein kinase inhibitor, H-7, inhibits the development of tolerance to opioid antinociception.

To investigate the effect of a protein kinase inhibitor, 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7), on the development of tolerance to antinociception induced by morphine (mu-opioid receptor agonist) and butorphanol (mu/delta/kappa-mixed opioid receptor agonist), rats were infused i.c.v. with morphine, butorphanol and H-7 through osmotic minipumps for 3 days. Concomitant infusion of H-7 dose dependently inhibited the development of tolerance to i.c.v. morphine- and butorphanol-induced antinociception. These results suggest that protein kinases may play an important role in the development of opioid tolerance.

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

PubMed1994

Repeated administration of opioids alters characteristics of membrane-bound phorbol ester binding in rat brain.

Scatchard analysis of saturation binding data indicated that dissociation constant (KD) of [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) binding to the membrane-bound protein kinase C of rat cortex and midbrain was significantly decreased following systemic repeated administration of morphine (mu-opioid receptor agonist) and butorphanol (mu/delta/kappa-mixed opioid receptor agonist). No change in the receptor density (Bmax) of [3H]PDB binding was found following repeated treatment with morphine and butorphanol. On the other hand, neither the Bmax nor KD values in pons/medulla were altered in these rats. These results suggest that systemic repeated opioid treatment, such as morphine and butorphanol leads to an increased affinity for phorbol ester binding to the membrane-bound protein kinase C in rat cortex and midbrain.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Enhancement of the rate of GTP hydrolysis in rat brain by repeated kappa-opioid treatment.

To investigate the G protein and protein kinase C (PKC) systems during the initial state of kappa-opioid tolerance, the low Km GTPase and PKC activities were measured following repeated treatment of rat with the kappa-agonist, U-50,488. In behavioral studies, antinociceptive tolerance to U-50,488 was developed following 7-day treatment with U-50,488. Under these conditions, repeated administration of U-50,488 significantly enhanced the basal low Km GTPase activity in the pons/medulla but not in the cortex and midbrain regions. On the other hand, repeated U-50,488 treatment had no effect on PKC activity in cytosol and membrane fractions under the calcium-chelating conditions. These results indicate that repeated administration of kappa-agonist, U-50,488, increases in the basal hydrolysis of GTP to GDP in rat pons/medulla but not PKC activity which was observed in the case of repeated administration with morphine in rats.

3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cycloh↗

PubMed1994

Influence of chronic morphine treatment on protein kinase C activity: comparison with butorphanol and implication for opioid tolerance.

The aim of this study was to determine whether chronic opioid treatment could influence the protein kinase C (PKC) activity in the rat brain. Chronic morphine (microns agonist) but not butorphanol (mu/delta/kappa mixed agonist) treatment enhanced cytosolic PKC activity in the pons/medulla, but not in the cytosolic fractions of cortex and midbrain regions. Concomitant administration of the opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone, blocked the PKC upregulation by chronic morphine. Chronic administration of morphine and butorphanol produced no change in the membrane PKC activity. Antinociceptive tolerance to morphine but not to butorphanol was developed under these conditions. These results suggest that chronic morphine administration leads to an upregulation of the cytosolic PKC activity in the pons/medulla through repeated activation of mu opioid receptors and that the PKC upregulation in this specific area may contribute to the morphine tolerance.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Involvement of kappa-opioid receptors in opioid dependence/withdrawal: studies using butorphanol.

The dependence liability of a class of opioid agonist/antagonist analgesics, e.g. pentazocine, butorphanol, and buprenorphine, is widely recognized. However, the relative involvement of mu-, delta-, and kappa-opioid receptors mediating physical dependence on these compounds is not completely known. In the present study, butorphanol dependence was produced by continuous intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of butorphanol (26 nmol/h) for 3 days in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Nor-binaltorphimine, a long-acting kappa-opioid receptor antagonist, and naloxone, a nonspecific antagonist, were administered i.c.v. to precipitate withdrawal in butorphanol-dependent animals, so as to investigate the involvement of central kappa-opioid receptors in opioid dependence. ED50 ratios (naloxone/nor-binaltorphimine) for eliciting withdrawal signs were: teeth-chattering (1.25), yawning (2.13), and ejaculation (0.72). Our data indicate that nor-binaltorphimine precipitated withdrawal behaviors similar to those precipitated by naloxone. It appears that central kappa-opioid receptors may play a major role in the development of butorphanol dependence in rats.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Cardiovascular toxicities of nandrolone and cocaine in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The outcome of concurrent abuse of cocaine and anabolic steroids is largely unknown and merits investigation. The present study was designed to determine whether an animal model could be developed for investigation of the toxic responses to simultaneous administration of cocaine and an anabolic steroid, nandrolone decanoate. Twenty-four male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), all 7 weeks of age, were assigned randomly to four groups: (1) control, (2) cocaine, (3) nandrolone, and (4) cocaine plus nandrolone. Metabolic measurements and indirect (tail-cuff) blood pressure and heart rate measurements were performed on all rats every 2 weeks. All drug treatment groups exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels of blood pressure after 6 weeks of treatment when compared to the control group. Cocaine plus nandrolone group exhibited the lowest heart rate compared to other groups. Rats were euthanized at 13 weeks of age, and different tissues were removed, blotted dry, and weighed. The kidney, levator ani muscle, and seminal vesicle (with prostate glands) weights in both nandrolone-receiving groups were higher than those of the control and cocaine groups. Testicular weights of the cocaine plus nandrolone group were less than those of the control and cocaine groups. Hearts were fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde before myocardial dimension measurements were performed. The nandrolone group showed increased vertical ventricular diameters when compared to the control and cocaine groups. The nandrolone group also displayed higher vertical ventricular circumferences when compared to all the other groups. Finally, the cocaine plus nandrolone group had the greatest ventricular weights (per 100 g body weight) and left ventricular volumes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Binding characteristics of [3H]flunitrazepam in pentobarbital-withdrawal rats.

The effects of chronic pentobarbital (PB) treatment on the binding characteristics of [3H]flunitrazepam (FLU) in rat brain were examined. Saline or sodium PB (500 micrograms/10 microliters/hr) was infused into the lateral cerebral ventricles of rats for 6 days using osmotic pumps. Immediately before withdrawal, there were no significant differences in [3H]FLU binding constants (KD and Bmax) between saline and PB groups. However, 24 hr withdrawal caused an increase in Bmax with no changes in KD. The enhancement of [3H]FLU binding by in vitro addition of chloride ions and PB was not affected after the PB infusion. The PB enhancement of [3H]FLU binding was inhibited by the convulsant, picrotoxinin. PB withdrawal did not cause significant differences in the binding constants of [3H]Ro 15-1788, a benzodiazepine (BZ) antagonist, between the saline and PB groups. Pretreatment of membranes with 0.02 mM of 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-1- propanesulfonate (CHAPS), a zwitterionic detergent, caused decreases in both KD and Bmax in FLU binding in PB-withdrawal membrane, but not in the saline-treated membrane. The enhancement of [3H]FLU binding by chloride ions and PB was not affected by the CHAPS treatment. These results suggest that the change in BZ receptors induced by PB withdrawal is functionally linked to the GABA-BZ-barbiturate receptor complex and that PB withdrawal induces some conformational changes in BZ receptors.

Animals↗