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K Fuxe

Publications and source records attributed to K Fuxe.

At least 649 records · Page 36Linked to original sources

Evidence for an inhibitory dopaminergic and stimulatory noradrenergic hypothalamic influence on PMS-induced ovulation in the immature rat. II. A pharmacological analysis.

Pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMS; 10 IU day 30)-induced ovulation was used as a model to study the effect of drugs interfering with monoamine neuro-transmission on CNS processes controlling ovulation. The drugs were administered during the critical period on day 32 and tubal eggs were counted in the morning of day 33. When injected during the critical period, dopamine (DA) receptor agonists such as apomorphine, ET 495, ergotamine, 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine, lergotrile and ergocornine inhibited ovulation, an effect which was counteracted by the DA receptor blocking agent, pimozide. However, by itself pimozide had no significant effect, whereas combined noradrenaline (NA) and DA receptor blocking agents such as chlorpromazine and clozapine inhibited ovulation. alpha- and beta-adrenergic blocking agents and drugs influencing 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) neurotransmission did not affect ovulation. LH-RH removed the ovulatory blockade induced by ET 495 in the same dose-range as it removed pentobarbital-induced blockade of ovulation. Furthermore, ergocornine did not black ovulation after the critical period and was less effective when given prior to the critical period. Therefore it is likely that the DA receptor agonists act via a central action. Thus, the present findings give further support for the existence of a central inhibitory DA and facilitory NA mechanism in the control of PMS-induced ovulation in the immature female rat.

Animals↗

Immunohistochemical studies on the localization and distribution of monoamine neuron systems in the rat brain II. Tyrosine hydroxylase in the telencephalon.

Extensive plexuses of TH-positive nerve terminals were found in many parts of the telencephalon, mainly confined to the subcortical and limbic cortical structures. Of special interest were the distinct networks of varying densities in the amygdaloid cortex, the entorhinal cortex, the prepiriform cortex, the anterior cingulate cortex and the (pre-)frontal cortex. Their distribution is identical with the patterns observed in recent studies on cortical dopamine nerve terminals using certain modifications of the Falck-Hillarp technique. The extremely dense TH innervations patterns of the caudate nucleus, nucleus accumbens, tuberculum olfactorium and the less dense basket-like innervation of the lateral septal nuclei could also be demonstrated. TH-positive cell bodies in a periglomerular position could be observed in the olfactory bulb. A few TH-positive cell bodies were observed in the area around the anterior commissure and in the cingulate cortex. In one area, the hippocampal formation, TH-positive dotlike structures were located in the position of the mossy fibres. In all probability they do not belong to monoamine neurons but may contain a cross-reacting protein. In general, the distribution and density of TH-positive terminals agrees well with extensive regional, biochemical studies on TH activity performed by other groups. Minor discrepancies are discussed. As stated in a parallel study on the distribution of TH in the mes- and diencephalon these findings indicate that TH activity is closely related to the amount of enzyme protein. The TH enzyme levels seem to be much higher in the DA than in the NA nerve terminals of the forebrain which would explain the preferential demonstration of DA terminals in the forebrain using TH antiserum and the high and low TH enzyme activity in DA and NA rich regions, respectively.

Animals↗

Possible involvement of GABA mechanisms in central cardiovascular and respiratory control. Studies on the interaction between diazepam, picrotoxin and clonidine.

Various doses (0.1-1 mg/kg) of diazepam were given to chloralose anesthetized rats, with both systemic (i.p.) and central injections being tested. Arterial pressure, heart rate, respiration depth and frequency were recorded. Diazepam caused a dose-dependent decrease in the arterial pressure after systemic administration and also decreased it after central administration. However, only intraventricular but not intracisternal injections of diazepam were effective. The hypotensive effect of systemic diazepam was competitively counteracted by pretreatment with picrotoxin, a putative gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor blocking agent. The hypotensive effect of the centrally acting alpha-adrenoreceptor agonist clonidine was not influenced by picrotoxin pretreatment. The effect of diazepam on heart rate was inconsistent. Diazepam caused a reduction of respiratory frequency, which was not counteracted by picrotoxin pretreatment. It is concluded that central gabergic mechanisms are to some extent involved in the hypotensive effect of diazepam, probably at a supramedullary level. The hypotensive effect of a threshold dose of diazepam was blocked by a small dose of clonidine. Likewise, diazepam pretreatment could counteract the hypotension, bradycardia and respiratory frequency reduction caused by a threshold dose of clonidine. These results suggest that gabergic and/or other benzodiazepine-sensitive receptors may interact with alpha-adrenoreceptors in the control of central cardiovascular and respiratory mechanisms.

Aminobutyrates↗

Behavioral effects of 5, 7-dihydroxytryptamine lesions of ascending 5-hydroxytryptamine pathways.

In protriptyline (25 mg/kg) pretreated rats stereotactic 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) lesions of the medial plus laternal 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HE) bundles in the mesencephalon increased the 5-HT fluorescence in these bundles, and reduced the in vitro uptake of [3H] 5-HT in the hypothalamus to 16% of control values after 2 mug 5,7-DHT/4mul and 12% after 4 mug 5,7-DHT/4mul, and in the cortex cerebri to 35 and 34% of control values, respectively. Selective lesion of the medial 5-HT bundle reduced [3H] 5-HT uptake both in hypothalamus and in cortex cerebri to 45-48% of control values, while selective lesion of the lateral 5-HT bundles significantly reduced [3H] 5-HT uptake only in cortex (to 73-75%). No significant change was observed in [3H] noradreanaline uptake after any injection, or in [3H] 5-HT uptake after vehicle injections. Locomotor activity in an open field 3-10 days postoperatively was significantly reduced by lesions of the medial plus lateral 5-HT bundles. 5-Hdroxytryptophan (50 mg/kg) and a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor (MK 486, 75 mg/kg) 17 days postoperatively induced a pronounced behavioral "5-HT syndrome" in these rats with medial plus lateral lesions but not in controls. Pain sensitivity, as measured by the hot plate test, was not changed by any lesion, even when tryptophan hydroxylase was partly inhibited with alpha-propyldopacetamide (100 mg/kg). Morphine analgesia and acquisition of a one-way avoidance response also were unchanged. Apomorphine (2 mg/kg)-induced locomotor activity and stereotyped behavior, as measured in an Animex activity meter, were not significantly different from control values in the 5,7-DHT groups. It was concluded that the medial 5-JT BUNDLE INNERVATES BOTH THE HYPOTHALAMUS AND THE CORTEX CEREBRI AND THE LATERAL 5-HT bundle mainly the cortex. These ascending 5-HT neurons are involved in maintaining open field ambulation. No wupport was obtained for the view that they are involved in pain mechanisms, in morphine-induced analgesia, in apomorphine-induced motor behavior, or in one-way avoidance learning.

Afferent Pathways↗

Effect of some phosphodiesterase inhibitors on central dopamine mechanisms.

The effect of five phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors (papaverine, IBMX, theophyllamine, dipyridamol and M & B 22,948) was studied on adenylate cyclase and on cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activities in extracts of rat caudate nucleus. For comparison the effect on DA turnover and on turning behaviour in rats with unilateral lesions of the nigro-neostriatal DA nerurons was studied. Cyclic AMP PDE was inhibited by papaverine, dipyridamol, IBMX, M & B 22,948 and theophyllamine in that order of potency. Cylcic GMP PDE was inhibited by IBMX, papaverine, M & B 22,948 and theophyllamine, but not by dipyridamol. Basal adenylate cyclase washigher if assayed in the presence of papaverine or dipyridamol than if theophyllamine or IBMX was present. The degree of stimulation caused by DA was not significantly influenced by the PDE inhibitors. Papaverine and dipyridamol enhanced DA disappearance in the caudate nucleus and the tuberculum accumbens, but not in the median eminence. Caffeine had no significant effect. Papaverine (1-28 mg/kg) had no signigicant effect on L-dopa (5 mg/kg)-induced turning, and actually inhibited turning induced by the combination of L-dopa (10 mg/kg) and atropine (5 mg/kg). The other four PDE inhibitors all potentiated L-dopa-induced turning. Theophyllamine (20 mg/kg) and IBMX (5 mg/kg) even caused turning when given alone. The data are compatible with the opinion that PDE inhibition leads to an enhanced effect of DA in the caudate nucleus. However, the results also demonstrate that several of the PDE inhibitors have effects on central DA mechanisms that are difficult to explain solely on the basis of PED inhibition.

2',3'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases↗

The effect of mepiprazole on central monoamine neurons. Evidence for increased 5-hydroxytryptamine and dopamine receptor activity.

In combined biochemical, histochemical and functional studies on central monoamine neurons it has been shown that a pyrozolyl derivative with a phenyl piperazine side chain (PAP) exerts marked effects on central dopamine (DA) and particularly 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) neurons. The brain 5-HT turnover was reduced with doses down to 0.25 mg/kg, and spontaneous overflow of radioactivity from 3H-5-HT-labelled cortical slices was markedly increased by PAP in a concentration of 10(-6) M. PAP may therefore cause extragranular release of 5-HT stores, since the 5-HT levels were not affected. In agreement with this view, sexual behaviour in the female rat, which is controlled by an inhibitory 5-HT pathway, was inhibited by low doses (0.1-0.5 mg/kg) of PAP. The extensor hindlimb reflex, which is dependent on 5-HT receptor activity, was only increased with higher doses (2.5-10 mg/kg), suggesting that the spinal 5-HT nerve terminals are less sensitive to the releasing action of PAP. A certain direct activation of spinal 5-HT receptors may also be involved, since the actions of PAP in the spinal cord were independent of presynaptic 5-HT stores. The actions of PAP on the DA neurons mainly involve a presynaptic action in the DA nerve terminals leading to increased DA receptor activity. This action may primarily involve a blockade of DA uptake (50% inhibition at 10(-6) M) and/or an extragranular release of DA (two-fold increase in spontaneous overflow at 10(-6) M). The DA turnover was not clearly affected, although a trend to a reduction was observed especially in the nuc, accumbens, probably as a result of a compensatory nervous feedback reducing nervous impulse flow. In agreement with the view mentioned above, PAP mimics amphetamine and not apomorphine in the rotometer model which reveals changes in DA receptor activity. PAP in doses of 0.5-1 mg/kg causes a turning towards the denervated side. The brain noradrenaline (NA) turnover is only significantly increased with somewhat higher doses (5-10 mg/kg) and may be related to NA receptor blockade, since the L-DOPA-induced increase in flexor activity is blocked by PAP in doses down to 0.5 mg/kg. It is suggested that the extragranular release of 5-HT caused by PAP is partly responsible for the inhibition of conditioned avoidance behaviour and the reduction of threatening behaviour found after PAP in low doses (0.05-0.5 mg/kg). In the clinic, PAP may prove to be a new therapeutic tool in the treatment of depressions due to 5-HT deficiency. Its actions on DA terminals may also prove helpful in this respect. When combined with L-DOPA, PAP may also help to alleviate the motor deficits in parkinsonian patients with a moderate degree of degeneration of the DA system in view of its action on DA uptake and/or release.

Animals↗