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Biomedical subjects

R Brus

Publications and source records attributed to R Brus.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Destruction of catecholamine-containing neurons by 6-hydroxydopa, an endogenous amine oxidase cofactor.

The amino acid, 6-hydroxydopa (6-OHDOPA), found at the active site of amine oxidases, exists as a keto-enol. Exogenously administered 6-OHDOPA is an excitotoxin like beta-N-oxalylamino-L-alanine (BOAA) and beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), acting at the non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (non-NMDA) alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) receptor. BMAA and BOAA are causal factors of neurolathyrism in humans. Much exogenously administered 6-OHDOPA is biotransformed by aminoacid decarboxylase (AADC) to the highly potent and catecholamine-(CA) selective neurotoxin, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). 6-OHDOPA destroys locus coeruleus noradrenergic perikarya and produces associated denervation of brain by norepinephrine-(NE) containing fibers. Opiopeptides and opioids enhance neurotoxic effects of 6-OHDOPA on noradrenergic nerves, by a naloxone-reversible process. An understanding of mechanisms underlying neurotoxic effects of 6-OHDOPA can be helpful in defining actions of known and newfound amino acids and for investigating their potential neurotoxic properties.

Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing)

Nitro-l-arginine attenuates SKF 38393-induced oral activity in neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats.

Nitric oxide (NO) in brain has been implicated in neuronal regulatory processes and in neuropathologies. Previously we showed that NO modified quinpirole-induced yawning, a behavioral measure of dopamine (DA) D3 receptor activation in rats. The aim of this study was to characterize the effect of nitro-L-arginine methyl ester HCl (NAME) and L-arginine HCl on reactivity of rats to the DA D1 receptor agonist SKF 38393 and DA D1 antagonist SCH 23390 in intact and neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rats (134 micrograms of base ICV at 3rd day after birth). L-arginine HCl (300 mg/kg i.p.) increased the oral activity response in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats, like SKF 38393, and induced catalepsy in intact control rats, like SCH 23390. In contrast, NAME had no effect on oral activity or catalepsy, but fully attenuated SKF 38393-induced oral activity. These findings indicate that L-arginine HCl has no apparent effect at the DA D1 receptor, but that NAME is effective in attenuating a DA D1 agonist-induced effect. Consequently NO may be an intracellular second messenger for supersensitized receptors associated with DA D1 agonist-induced oral activity.

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

Nitric oxide (NO) and central dopamine (DA) D3 receptor reactivity to quinpirole in rats.

Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in large number of pathologies and in normal physiological function of the brain. The aim of this study was to recognize the effect of Nitro-L-Arginine Methyl Ester.HCl (NAME) and L-Arginine Ethyl Ester.HCl (ARGININE) on reactivity of the central DA D3 receptor to agonist (Quinpirole) in rats. For this reason we have been used specific behavioural procedure such yawning behaviour which is mediated via central DA D3 receptors. Experiments were perform in adult male Wistar rats treated daily with quinpirole (0.05 mg/kg IP) or vehicle (0.9% NaCl) for the first 11 days from birth to obtain of the central D3 receptor supersensitivity. NAME and ARGININE in different way modified response of the central DA receptor to quinpirole estimated by means yawning behavioural procedure.

Animals

Dopamine and 5-HT receptor sensitivity does not correlate with neostriatal dopamine or 5-HT content.

To explore associations of neostriatal (NST) endogenous levels of dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) with sensitivity of their receptors, graded doses of 6-hydroxydopamine HBr (0 to 400 micrograms, ICV; 6-OHDA; desipramine pretreatment, 20 mg/kg IP) were given to rats between birth (P 0) and P 42. Numbers of vacuous chewing movements (VCMs) induced by SKF 38393 or m-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP), respective DA D1 and 5-HT2 agonists, were subsequently determined. Enhanced SKF 38393-induced VCMs occurred when NST DA was reduced 97%-98% by high dose 6-OHDA (100-134 micrograms) at P 0 or P 3, but not in rats with 95%-97% loss in DA produced by 6-OHDA at P7 (134 micrograms) or P3 (67 micrograms). Enhanced m-CPP-induced VCMs occurred even when NST 5-HT content was not elevated after 6-OHDA (134 micrograms at P 10). Accordingly, D1 and 5-HT receptor sensitivity is not correlated with respective NST DA and 5-HT contents. The stage of ontogeny at the time of DA denervation may be the governing influence on receptor sensitivity.

Animals

[The effect of dietary fish oil supplementation on the clinical course of asthma in children].

The effect of fish oil on the clinical progress of asthma in children was examined in this study. Twenty-one children with mild asthma and 16 children with severe asthma were given 15 ml of fish oil daily for 12 weeks. A control group of 23 children took sunflower oil. The basic therapy of asthma was continued. Clinical symptoms, ratings of PEF, FEV1, FEF25-75 and blood levels of total cholesterol, triglicerydes and 25-OHD were monitored. After the 8-th week, only slight improvement in the case of mild asthma was observed. The changes in lipids were within the normal range, but there was a significant increase in the 25-OHD level.

Adolescent

Enhanced oral activity responses to intrastriatal SKF 38393 and m-CPP are attenuated by intrastriatal mianserin in neonatal 6-OHDA-lesioned rats.

Enhanced oral activity is induced in neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine- (6-OHDA-) lesioned rats by systemic administration of the dopamine (DA) D1 receptor agonist SKF 38393 and serotonin (5-HT) 5-HT2A,2C agonist m-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP). The DA D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 effectively attenuates the effect of SKF 38393 but not m-CPP. The 5-HT2 antagonist mianserin attenuates the effects of both m-CPP and SKF 38393, suggesting that DA agonist effects are mediated by 5-HT neurochemical systems. To test whether DA and 5-HT agonist effects and interactions might occur within the neostriatum, rats were implanted with permanent injection cannulae, with tips in the ventral striatum. One group of rats was lesioned at 3 days after birth with 6-OHDA HBr (100 micrograms salt form, in each lateral ventricle; desipramine HCl pretreatment, 20 mg/kg IP, base form, 1 h), while controls received the vehicle in place of 6-OHDA. Cannulae were implanted when rats weighed 200-250 g. During a 1-h observation session SKF 38393 (5 nmol per side) produced 74.3 +/- 19.2 oral movements in intact rats and 310.7 +/- 97.0 oral movements in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats. m-CPP (10 nmol per side) produced 72.6 +/- 15.1 and 274.5 +/- 65.0 oral movements in these respective groups. These responses were several-fold greater than the 25.3 +/- 7.3 and 41.8 +/- 9.5 oral movements in the same groups after saline (0.5 microliter per side) (P < 0.05). Mianserin (6 nmol per side) alone had no effect on oral activity but attenuated responses to both SKF 38393 and m-CPP in intact and 6-OHDA-lesioned rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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

Enhanced quinpirole response in rats lesioned neonatally with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine.

The ontogenic destruction of dopamine (DA) neurons in rat brain is associated with supersensitization of DA D1 receptors. This effect is attenuated when rats are cotreated in ontogeny with the serotonin (5-HT) neurotoxin, 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT). In an attempt to determine whether 5-HT fibers might have a similar modulatory role on the sensitivity of the DA D2 receptor complex, we pretreated rats with desipramine HCl (20 mg/kg, IP, base), 1 h before the DA neurotoxin, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA; 134 micrograms ICV, base) and/or 5,7-DHT (75 micrograms ICV) and/or vehicle. At about 3 months after birth dose-effect curves for quinpirole-induced oral activity were constructed for each group of rats. We found that quinpirole, an agonist for the DA D2 receptor complex, produced a dose-related increase in oral activity in all groups of rats. After a 200 micrograms/kg dose of quinpirole HCl, however, neonatal 5,7-DHT-lesioned rats had a peak oral response of 54.4 +/- 5.1 (mean and SEM) vs. 22.6 +/- 4.8 for control rats (p < 0.01). In neonatal 6-OHDA-lesioned rats this dose of quinpirole increased oral activity to 36.8 +/- 5.8 oral movements (p < 0.05 vs. control). In rats lesioned with both 5,7-DHT and 6-OHDA, the oral response was not different from control. The enhanced oral response to quinpirole in 5,7-DHT-lesioned rats was attenuated by spiperone, an antagonist for the DA D2 receptor complex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine

Ethanol inhibits cadmium accumulation in brains of offspring of pregnant rats that consume cadmium.

The present study was designed to test the effect of ethanol on cadmium accumulation in tissues of pregnant rats and their offspring. Starting 10 days before mating and continuing until parturition, ethanol (10% v/v) was present in the drinking water of half the rats. Cadmium chloride (CdCl2; 50 ppm) was present in the water of half the rats (+/- ethanol) from the fist day after mating until parturition. On the day of parturition cadmium accumulated to a moderate level in bone (7.3 micrograms/g tissue, wet weight; this and other values, P < 0.05 vs. control), liver (12.9 micrograms/g) and kidney (13.0 micrograms/g) of dams, while the brain had only a low level of cadmium (0.45 microgram/g). In offspring at 6 weeks cadmium accumulated in high amounts in the brain (34.0 micrograms/g), bone (15.9 micrograms), kidney (78.2 micrograms/g) and particularly the liver (227.3 micrograms/g). Ethanol, given simultaneously with cadmium, inhibited cadmium accumulation in brain (1.8 micrograms/g), bone (3.28 micrograms/g) and kidney (61.3 micrograms/g), but enhanced cadmium accumulation in liver (408.7 micrograms/g). At 12 weeks there were only residual levels of cadmium in all tissues of offspring. These findings demonstrate an interaction between 2 known teratogenic agents, with ethanol conferring protection of the brain from cadmium accumulation. The nature of this interaction is not known, but is likely to be related to ethanol induction of metallothionein in the liver and placenta.

Analysis of Variance

[Is a fish oil enriched diet therapeutically beneficial?].

The metabolism of arachidonic acid (AA) and significance of leukotrienes in the pathogenesis of asthma are presented in this article. The effect of a diet containing eicosapentaenoic acid in the treatment of a variety of diseases is discussed as well.

Arachidonic Acid

Proposed animal model of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Dopamine (DA) neurons are implicated in the hyperlocomotion of neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rats, an animal model of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Because serotonin (5-HT) neurons mediate some DA agonist effects, we investigated the possible role of 5-HT neurons on locomotor activity. Rats were treated at 3 days after birth with vehicle or 6-OHDA (134 micrograms ICV; desipramine pretreatment, 20 mg/kg IP, 1 h), and at 10 weeks with vehicle or 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT; 75 micrograms ICV; pretreatment with desipramine and pargyline, 75 mg/kg IP, 30 min), to destroy DA and/or 5-HT fibers. Intense spontaneous hyperlocomotor activity was produced in rats lesioned with both 6-OHDA and 5,7-DHT. Locomotor time in this group was 550 +/- 17 s in a 600 s session, vs. 127 +/- 13 s in the 6-OHDA group and < 75 s in 5,7-DHT and intact control groups (p < 0.001). Oral activity dose-effect curves established that 5,7-DHT attenuated DA D1 receptor supersensitivity and further sensitized 5-HT2c receptors. Acute treatment with dextroamphetamine (0.25 mg/kg SC) reduced locomotor time in 6-OHDA + 5,7-DHT-lesioned rats to 76 +/- 37 s (p < 0.001). Striatal DA was reduced by 99% and 5-HT was reduced by 30% (vs. 6-OHDA group). Because combined 6-OHDA (to neonates) and 5,7-DHT (to adults) lesions produce intense hyperlocomotion that is attenuated by amphetamine, we propose this as a new animal model of ADHD. The findings suggest that hyperactivity in ADHD may be due to injury or impairment of both DA and 5-HT neurons.

5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine

Supersensitization of the oral response to SKF 38393 in neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats is eliminated by neonatal 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine treatment.

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 5-HT2c receptors mediate the enhanced oral activity response to the dopamine (DA) D1 agonist, (+/-)-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine-7,8-diol (SKF 38393) in neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rats. To study the possible involvement of 5-HT fibers on this process, the effect of the 5-HT neurotoxin, 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) was determined. Rats were treated at 3 days after birth with desipramine (20 mg/kg i.p., base) 1 hr before intracerebroventricular vehicle, 6-OHDA (134 micrograms, base) and/or 5,7-DHT (50 micrograms, base). Oral activity was observed at 7 weeks and later. In neonatal 6-OHDA-lesioned rats oral activity dose-effect responses were increased by SKF 38393, 1-(3-chlorophenyl)-piperazine (m-CPP) and pilocarpine-respective DA D1, 5-HT2c and muscarinic receptor agonists. Rats treated neonatally with 5,7-DHT had agonist-induced responses resembling that of the saline control group. However, in rats treated neonatally with both 5,7-DHT and 6-OHDA, oral activity responses were reduced at nearly all doses of SKF 38393 and pilocarpine vs. that of the 6-OHDA group. The response of the 5,7-DHT + 6-OHDA group to m-CPP was reduced at only the 1.0 mg/kg dose. Of a variety of stereotyped behaviors that were observed in separate test sessions, m-CPP-induced grooming activity was less in the 5,7-DHT + 6-OHDA group vs. the 6-OHDA group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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

Ontogenetic SKF 38393 treatments sensitize dopamine D1 receptors in neonatal 6-OHDA-lesioned rats.

Neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) treatment of rats is associated with supersensitization of the dopamine (DA) D1 agonist induction of stereotyped and locomotor behaviors. The present study was conducted to determine whether ontogenetic treatments of these rats with the DA D1 receptor agonist, SKF 38393, would produce a maximal DA D1 receptor supersensitivity, as measured by locomotor behavior in adulthood. Rat pups were treated daily with SKF 38393-HCl (3.0 mg/kg per day, i.p.) or saline vehicle for 28 consecutive days from birth. These animals were additionally treated at 3 days after birth with 6-OHDA-HBr (100 micrograms, in each lateral ventricle, salt form) or its vehicle. Between 6 and 9 weeks locomotor activity or stereotyped behaviors were observed after weekly challenge doses of SKF 38393-HCl (3.0 mg/kg, i.p.). In the neonatal 6-OHDA group, successive SKF 38393 treatments produced progressively greater locomotor activity. In the group of rats treated during postnatal ontogeny with both 6-OHDA and SKF 38393 daily treatments, the first adult challenge dose of SKF 38393 produced an enhanced locomotor response, greater than that seen in other groups (P < 0.01). Subsequent SKF 38393 treatments of this group produced increasingly greater locomotor responses. SKF 38393-induced stereotyped behavioral effects were greater in the 6-OHDA-lesioned groups, whether or not SKF 38393 was administered ontogenetically. Profound reductions (> 99%) of DA and its metabolites were found in the striatum of neonatal 6-OHDA treated rats, regardless of whether SKF 38393 was co-administered ontogenetically.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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

Age-dependence of a 6-hydroxydopamine lesion on SKF 38393- and m-chlorophenylpiperazine-induced oral activity responses of rats.

Neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) treatment is associated with destruction of dopamine (DA) fibers and subsequent sprouting of serotonin (5-HT) fibers in the striatum of rats. Enhanced oral activity responses to SKF 38393 and m-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP), respective agonists for the DA D1 receptor complex and 5-HT2C receptor complex, ensue. To study the ontogenetic nature of this effect, rats were treated at birth, 3 days, 7 days, 10 days or 14 days with 6-OHDA-HBr (200 micrograms i.c.v.; salt form), following desipramine-HCl pretreatment (20 mg/kg i.p., 1 h; base form). Another group of rats was treated at 35 days and again at 42 days with 6-OHDA-HBr (300 micrograms i.c.v.), following desipramine-HCl (20 mg/kg i.p., 1 h) and pargyline-HCl (50 mg/kg i.p., 30 min). In rats treated from birth to 10 days, 6-OHDA reduced striatal DA content at 5 months by > or = 94%. Striatal 5-HT content was elevated by 28% to 51%, but only in rats treated with 6-OHDA at 7 days from birth or earlier. An enhanced oral activity response to SKF 38393-HCl (0.03 to 1.0 mg/kg i.p.) was absent in rats treated 7 days or later, and the change in SKF 38393 effect was correlated with a change in striatal DA content. An enhanced response to m-CPP.2HCl (0.3 to 6.0 mg/kg i.p.) was absent after treatment at 14 or 35 days, when striatal DA content was reduced only 44% to 63% and 5-HT content was not changed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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

Low-dose quinpirole ontogenically sensitizes to quinpirole-induced yawning in rats.

It is known that dopamine (DA) receptors can be sensitized by repeated treatments with quinpirole during postnatal development. This study was undertaken to determine whether low-dose quinpirole treatments might sensitize receptors to quinpirole-induced yawning behavior. Rats were treated with quinpirole HCl (50 micrograms/kg per day) or saline at four different periods of ontogeny: a) the 10th day of gestation to day of birth; b) 1st-11th days after birth; c) 12th-22nd days from birth; or d) 23rd-33rd days from birth. The numbers of yawns occurring in 1 h after a challenge dose of quinpirole HCl (50 micrograms/kg, IP) was determined at 6 weeks. Rats exposed prenatally to quinpirole demonstrated increased numbers of yawns following the third dose of quinpirole (2-day interval between doses). In rats exposed postnatally to quinpirole, there was a 70-300% increase in the yawning response, with the greatest response occurring in the group treated with quinpirole from birth to 11 days from birth. The findings demonstrate that quinpirole receptors are sensitized by a low dose of quinpirole, 60-fold lower than previously shown. It is suggested that sensitized receptors are of the DA D3 subclass.

Animals

Serotonin (5-HT) systems mediate dopamine (DA) receptor supersensitivity.

To study interactions between DA and 5-HT neurochemical systems in the DA D1 supersensitized induction of oral activity in neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioned rats, the effects of a variety of 5-HT receptor agonists and antagonists were determined. At 3 days after birth rats were treated with desipramine HCl (20 mg/kg i.p., base form) 1 h before 6-OHDA HBr (100 micrograms, salt form, in each lateral ventricle). When these rats were studied as adults it was determined that the striatal content of DA, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) was reduced by 98%, while the striatal content of 5-HT was elevated by 75%. The Bmax and Kd for [3H]SCH 23390 and [3H]spiperone binding to striatal homogenates was unaltered in the lesioned rats. However, oral activity responses to a D1 agonist (SKF 38393), D2 antagonist (spiperone) and 5-HT1C agonist [1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine] were enhanced several fold in the lesioned rats. Several other agonists and antagonists that act at 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors did not produce an altered response in the lesioned rats, nor were these substances effective in attenuating m-CPP-enhanced oral activity responses. The DA D1 receptor antagonist, SCH 23390 HCl (0.30 mg/kg i.p.), did not attenuate the response to m-CPP 2HCl (1.0 mg/kg i.p.). However, the 5-HT receptor antagonist, mianserin HCl (1.0 mg/kg s.c.) did effectively attenuate the oral activity response to SKF 38393 HCl (1.0 mg/kg i.p.). These findings indicate that there is supersensitization of both DA D1 and 5-HT1C receptors in neonatal 6-OHDA-lesioned rats, and that a D1 agonist acts via the 5-HT1C receptors. Therefore, induction of oral activity by DA agonists occurs through a serotoninergic neurochemical system.

Animals

Behavioural effects of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) in rats.

Behavioural effects of intracerebroventricularly-injected (icv) LHRH were studied in female rats. Locomotor and exploratory activities as well as irritability were determined. A pronounced inhibitory effect of 10 micrograms doses of LHRH was found. At 100 micrograms doses of LHRH, barrel behaviour was observed. We conclude that LHRH can modify the activity of central serotonergic receptors in rats.

Animals

Ontogenetic homologous sensitization to the antinociceptive action of quinpirole in rats.

Repeated postnatal treatment of rats with the dopamine receptor agonist, quinpirole results in exaggeration of selected behaviors that are induced by quinpirole in adulthood. To determine whether the antinociceptive response to quinpirole could be similarly enhanced, rats were treated daily from birth with quinpirole HCl (3.0 mg/kg per day i.p. x 28 days) and their response time in the hot plate analgesia test was determined at 4 months. An acute dose of quinpirole HCl (100 or 1000 micrograms/kg i.p.) produced an analgesic response in the neonatally primed rats and in the vehicle controls. More significantly, the effect was substantially greater in the quinpirole-primed group at each of these two doses of quinpirole. This effect of quinpirole was fully attenuated in both groups by treatment with the dopamine receptor antagonist, spiperone HCl (0.30 mg/kg i.p., 1 h before quinpirole). The analgesic effect of morphine sulfate (6.0 mg/kg i.p.) was not greater in the quinpirole-primed group. These findings demonstrate that the ontogenetic sensitization of quinpirole receptors results in enhanced antinociceptive responses to quinpirole in adulthood. This animal model may be useful for studying the involvement of dopamine systems in algesia and analgesia.

Aging