Biomedical subjects

S Z Langer

Publications and source records attributed to S Z Langer.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed1987

Methiothepin enhances the potassium-evoked release of [3H]-noradrenaline in rat pineal gland.

The 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) autoreceptor antagonist methiothepin increased in a concentration-dependent manner the K+-evoked release of [3H]-noradrenaline in pineal glands from normal and parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA)-treated rats. However, 5-HT and the 5-HT receptor agonists, LSD and 5-methoxytryptamine, were inactive at modulating the K+-evoked release of [3H]-noradrenaline in pineal glands from normal and PCPA-treated rats. When tested on the uptake of [3H]-noradrenaline in the pineal gland, methiothepin was found to be a potent inhibitor (IC50 = 10.6 nmol/l). Exposure to methiothepin failed to increase the K+-evoked release of [3H]-noradrenaline when tested in the presence of cocaine. While the K+-evoked release of [3H]-noradrenaline was shown to be modulated through inhibitory presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors in pineal glands from normal and PCPA-treated rats, no evidence was obtained for a presynaptic modulation through 5-HT receptors of [3H]-noradrenaline release. The facilitation by methiothepin of the K+-evoked release of [3H]-noradrenaline in rat pineal gland appears to be due to the inhibition of noradrenaline uptake by this compound.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Circadian rhythm of the Bmax of [3H]-imipramine binding in rabbit platelets.

[3H]-imipramine binding was measured in rabbit blood platelet membranes on a 24 h cycle. Animals were kept on a 14 h light (L) 10 h dark (D) schedule, and blood samples were collected at L + 2, L + 8, D + 2, D + 8 and L + 2 h on a following cycle. Significant differences were found for Bmax values of [3H]-imipramine binding, with highest values during the dark phase and lowest during the light phase. No significant differences were found in Kd values. These results suggest the existence of a circadian rhythm for the Bmax of [3H]-imipramine binding in blood platelets.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

A functional response to D1 dopamine receptor stimulation in the central nervous system: inhibition of the release of [3H]-serotonin from the rat substantia nigra.

The influence of dopamine receptor agonists on the calcium dependent electrically-evoked release of [3H]-serotonin was studied in the superfused rat substantia nigra. The electrically-evoked overflow of [3H]-serotonin was significantly inhibited by micromolar concentrations of exogenous dopamine and of the D1-selective dopamine receptor agonists, fenoldopam and SKF 38393. The inhibitory effects of dopamine and fenoldopam on [3H]-serotonin release were antagonized by the D1-selective dopamine receptor antagonist SCH 23390. S-sulpiride, an antagonist of D2 receptors failed to antagonize the inhibitory effects of dopamine on [3H]-serotonin release. Moreover, quinperol, the selective D2 receptor agonist did not modify the electrically evoked release of [3H]-serotonin. In the presence of nomifensine, SCH 23390 but not S-sulpiride enhanced in a concentration dependent manner the electrically-evoked release of [3H]-serotonin. Under similar experimental conditions, exposure to fenoldopam did not inhibit the electrically-evoked release of [3H]-serotonin from rat hippocampal or hypothalamic slices. These results indicate that, in rat substantia nigra, exogenous as well as endogenous dopamine causes inhibition of serotonin release by activation of dopamine receptors of the D1-subtype.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

[3H]-5-methoxytryptoline is not actively accumulated by rabbit platelets.

5-Methoxytryptoline (5-MeO-TLN, 6-methoxytetrahydro-beta-carboline) inhibits with high affinity [3H]-imipramine binding to the serotonin transporter in platelets. To evaluate whether 5-MeO-TLN is a substrate for the serotonin transporter, the accumulation of [3H]-5-MeO-TLN into rabbit platelets was studied in vitro. At short incubation times (5 min), [3H]-5-MeO-TLN accumulation was temperature-sensitive, but not saturable over a concentration range from 0.06 mumol/l to 10 mumol/l. Moreover, [3H]-5-MeO-TLN uptake was not affected by 100 mumol/l ouabain, its structural analogs tryptoline and 5-hydroxytryptoline, nor by the serotonin uptake inhibitors imipramine and citalopram. After longer incubation times (60 min), [3H]-5-MeO-TLN accumulation at 0 degree C approached that seen at 37 degrees C and temperature-sensitive [3H]-5-MeO-TLN uptake could no longer be observed. It is concluded that temperature-sensitive accumulation of [3H]-5-MeO-TLN is not mediated by the serotonin transporter and most likely represents a passive, diffusional process, the rate of which is temperature-dependent. The present studies thus confirm the hypothesis that 5-MeO-TLN affects [3H]-imipramine binding in platelets through a competitive mechanism and not via an allosteric interaction mediated through the substrate recognition site of the macromolecular complex of serotonin transporter.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Effect of prolonged clonidine treatment and its withdrawal on noradrenaline turnover in the cerebral cortex and medulla oblongata of the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

We have investigated the effect of prolonged treatment with clonidine (delivered intravenously via osmotic minipumps, 0.5 mg . kg-1 X 24 h-1 for 10 days) and of withdrawal of this treatment on ingestive behaviour and on the cerebral turnover of noradrenaline in the adult spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). Clonidine amplified the fall in food and water intakes induced by minipump implantation. Ingestive behaviour returned to normal by the 4th to the 5th day in controls and by the 7th to the 8th day in clonidine-treated SHR. Clonidine withdrawal produced an increase in water intake above pre-implantation values. Body weight fell during clonidine treatment, then recovered slightly during withdrawal. After 5 days' treatment total DOPEG levels (an index of noradrenaline turnover) were reduced in cerebral cortex and medulla oblongata. The noradrenaline metabolite levels increased following withdrawal of drug treatment, the increase being more marked and faster in onset in cerebral cortex than in medulla oblongata. Thus prolonged treatment with clonidine decreases noradrenaline turnover and withdrawal of such treatment increases turnover.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Changes in [3H]5-HT uptake and [3H]imipramine binding in platelets after chlorimipramine in healthy volunteers. Comparison with maprotiline and amineptine.

In the platelets of normal healthy volunteers (n = 8) taking chlorimipramine (50 mg/day) for 1 week, the saturable uptake of [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) was fully inhibited at the end of the week, but returned to control values after 2 weeks washout. The Bmax of [3H]imipramine binding was decreased by 63% at the end of the treatment and remained significantly decreased below control values after 1 week washout, whereas the Kd values were increased at the end of the treatment, but had returned to baseline values after 1 week washout. The time course of recovery following the administration of chlorimipramine showed some variation between subjects, but it was necessary to wait up to 4 weeks of washout before the Bmax of [3H]imipramine returned to baseline levels. In contrast, neither 1-week treatment with maprotiline (50 mg/day) nor with amineptine (100 mg/day) changed the parameters of [3H]5-HT uptake or [3H]imipramine binding in platelets from healthy volunteers. These results support the following conclusions. (1) [3H]Imipramine binding in platelets can be down-regulated by relatively low, subtherapeutic doses of chlorimipramine. (2) It is possible to dissociate [3H]imipramine binding parameters from [3H]5-HT uptake because the time course of recovery was clearly different, indicating that [3H]imipramine labels a site linked with, but different from, the 5-HT recognition site in the transporter complex. (3) A washout of antidepressants of 4 weeks may be needed when studying the parameters of [3H]imipramine binding in platelets from depressed patients if the previous medication involved chlorimipramine. For antidepressants like maprotiline or amineptine, that act through mechanisms other than inhibition of 5-HT uptake, the time of washout appears to be less critical, although it is not possible to rule out the existence of some secondary modifications influencing the 5-HT transporter complex.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Effect of chronic treatment with selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors and specific 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake inhibitors on [3H]paroxetine binding to cerebral cortical membranes of the rat.

[3H]Paroxetine is a highly selective ligand for the 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter complex and the specific binding of this ligand to membrane fractions from cerebral cortex or hippocampus was studied in rats treated with specific inhibitors of the uptake of 5-hydroxytryptamine and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. The Kd and Bmax of the binding of [3H]paroxetine to cerebral cortical membranes of the rat was unaffected, compared to sham controls, by either acute or chronic administration with citalopram or chlorimipramine. Also, chronic treatment with chlorimipramine did not alter the parameters of the binding of [3H]paroxetine to hippocampal membranes from the rat compared to sham controls. Furthermore, chronic and acute treatments with clorgyline or deprenyl did not produce any significant changes in the Kd and Bmax of the binding of [3H]paroxetine to cerebral cortical membranes in the rat. These findings on the binding of [3H]paroxetine are discussed in light of previous equivocal results on the plasticity of neuronal binding sites for [3H]imipramine after various pharmacological treatments.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

[3H]tryptamine binding sites of rat cerebral cortex: pharmacological profile and plasticity.

Equilibrium saturation analysis of the binding of [3H]tryptamine to membranes from the cerebral cortex of the rat at 0 degrees C indicated that [3H]tryptamine bound to a single class of high affinity binding sites (Kd = 1.29 +/- 0.13 nM). The binding of [3H]tryptamine was potently inhibited by tryptamine itself, beta-carboline, tetrahydro-beta-carboline and several beta-phenylethylamine derivatives. Structure-activity relationships of the beta-phenylethylamines tested showed that substitutions in para-position were the most potent with the following rank order of potency H less than OH less than Cl less than OCH3. Although chronic treatment with parachlorophenylalanine did not affect the parameters of the binding of [3H]tryptamine to cerebral cortical membranes of the rat, chronic treatment with clorgyline and deprenyl resulted in a 49% decrease in the density of binding sites for [3H]tryptamine, with no change in Kd. This modulation of the binding of [3H]tryptamine lends support to the proposal that binding sites for [3H]tryptamine could represent a specific class of receptors in the CNS. As such, the structure-activity relationships revealed within and between the various families of compounds tested provides useful information for the development of new chemical tools as potential agonists and/or antagonists at these sites.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Calcium channel receptor binding studies for diltiazem and its major metabolites: functional correlation to inhibition of portal vein myogenic activity.

Pharmacologically distinct but allosterically interacting calcium channel antagonist binding sites have recently been identified using radiolabeled dihydropyridine derivatives (e.g., [3H]nitrendipine) and the benzothiazepine [3H]diltiazem. Whereas the functional significance of the dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist receptor is well documented, it remains to be established whether drug interactions with the recognition site for [3H]diltiazem within the slow calcium channel or the allosteric interaction of the diltiazem binding site with the dihydropyridine receptor are of physiological significance. In a study of structure-activity relationships, we therefore examined the effects of diltiazem and five of its analogs on the binding of [3H]diltiazem and [3H]nitrendipine to the rat cerebral cortex. In parallel, we studied the effects of these drugs on the spontaneous myogenic contractions of the rat portal vein, a functional test of calcium antagonism. The diltiazem analogs used in this study correspond to its major metabolites in humans, i.e., N-desmethyl-(MA, desacetyl-(M1), N-desmethyl, desacetyl-(M2), O-desmethyl, desacetyl (M4), N-desmethyl, O-desmethyl, desacetyl-diltiazem (M6). Unlabeled diltiazem inhibited [3H]diltiazem binding at 37 degrees C with a pIC50 [-log IC50 (M)] of 6.87. pIC50 values for M1, MA, M2, M4, and M6 were 6.72, 6.49, 6.03, 5.51, and 5.33, respectively. pIC50 values for these drugs on [3H]diltiazem binding were significantly correlated (p less than 0.01) with their pEC50 values for enhancement of [3H]nitrendipine binding to cerebral cortical membranes at 37 degrees C. Maximal enhancement of [3H]nitrendipine binding by diltiazem, M1, MA, M2, M4, and M6 was 73, 50, 9.7, 11, 12, and 52%, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Allosteric Regulation↗

PubMed1987

Autoradiographic localization of [3H]zolpidem binding sites in the rat CNS: comparison with the distribution of [3H]flunitrazepam binding sites.

The regional distribution of [3H]zolpidem, a novel imidazopyridine hypnotic possessing preferential affinity for the BZD1 (benzodiazepine subtype 1) receptor, has been studied autoradiographically in the rat CNS and compared with that of [3H]flunitrazepam. The binding of [3H]zolpidem to rat brain sections was saturable, specific, reversible, and of high affinity (KD = 6.4 nM). It occurred at a single population of sites whose pharmacological characteristics were similar to those of the benzodiazepine receptors labeled with [3H]flunitrazepam. However, ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate and CL 218,872 were more potent displacers of [3H]zolpidem than of [3H]flunitrazepam. The autoradiographic brain distribution of [3H]zolpidem binding sites was qualitatively similar to that previously reported for benzodiazepine receptors. The highest levels of [3H]-zolpidem binding sites occurred in the olfactory bulb (glomerular layer), inferior colliculus, ventral pallidum, nucleus of the diagonal band of Broca, cerebral cortex (layer IV), medial septum, islands of Calleja, subthalamic nucleus, and substantia nigra pars reticulata, whereas the lowest densities were found in parts of the thalamus, pons, and medulla. Comparative quantitative autoradiographic analysis of the binding of [3H]zolpidem and [3H]flunitrazepam [a mixed BZD1/BZD2 (benzodiazepine subtype 2) receptor agonist] in the CNS revealed that the relative density of both 3H-labeled ligands differed in several brain areas. Similar levels of binding for both ligands were found in brain regions enriched in BZD1 receptors, e.g., substantia nigra pars reticulata, inferior colliculus, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex lamina IV. The levels of [3H]zolpidem binding were five times lower than those of [3H]flunitrazepam binding in those brain regions enriched in BZD2 receptors, e.g., nucleus accumbens, dentate gyrus, and striatum. Moreover, [3H]zolpidem binding was undetectable in the spinal cord (which contains predominantly BZD2 receptors). Finally, like CL 218,872 and ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate, zolpidem was a more potent displacer of [3H]flunitrazepam binding in brain regions enriched in BZD1 receptors than in brain areas enriched in BZD2 receptors. The present data add further support to the view that zolpidem, although structurally unrelated to the benzodiazepines, binds to the benzodiazepine receptor and possesses selectivity for the BZD1 receptor subtype.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Temperature dependence of drug interaction with the platelet 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter: a clue to the imipramine selectivity paradox.

Although [3H]imipramine is a selective radioligand for the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) transporter in human platelets, its affinity for binding to the 5-HT transporter complex at 0 degrees C (0.6 nM) is significantly higher than its potency for inhibition of [3H]5-HT uptake at the physiological temperature of 37 degrees C (Ki = 29 nM). As this apparent discrepancy could be related to the assay temperature, we studied the thermodynamics of drug interaction with the 5-HT transporter at assay temperatures between 0 degrees C and 37 degrees C, using as radioligands [3H]imipramine (0 degrees C and 20 degrees C) and [3H]paroxetine (20 degrees C and 37 degrees C), a newly available probe for the 5-HT transporter. At 20 degrees C, Ki values of 14 tricyclic and nontricyclic drugs for inhibition of [3H]imipramine and [3H]paroxetine binding to human platelet membranes were highly significantly correlated (r = 0.98, p less than 0.001), validating the use of these two radioligands to study the 5-HT transporter over a temperature range larger than was previously possible with [3H]imipramine alone. The affinity of imipramine for the 5-HT transporter is progressively enhanced with decreasing incubation temperature, thus favoring the selectivity of [3H]imipramine for the 5-HT transporter at 0 degrees C. At 37 degrees C, the Ki of imipramine for inhibition of [3H]paroxetine binding is 32 nM, and equals its Ki value for inhibition of 5-HT uptake into human platelets. With the exception of chlorimipramine, other tricyclic 5-HT uptake inhibitors showed a temperature sensitivity in their interaction with the 5-HT transporter similar to that of imipramine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biological Transport, Active↗

PubMed1987

Presynaptic dopamine receptors in the cardiovascular system.

Stimulation by agonists of presynaptic dopamine receptors on nerve terminals of peripheral sympathetic neurons results in inhibition of norepinephrine release and a concomitant reduction of end organ responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation. These presynaptic dopamine receptors are of the DA-2 subtype and can be blocked selectively by the antagonist S-sulpiride. Presynaptic DA-2 receptors are the target of action of agonists with potential antihypertensive and bradycardic effects. Under control conditions exposure to S-sulpiride on its own does not enhance norepinephrine release. Following chronic treatment of cats with pargyline, S-sulpiride produced a small but significant increase in the electrically-evoked release of 3H-norepinephrine from perfused atrial slices. The possible involvement of peripheral presynaptic DA-2 receptors in the antihypertensive effects of monoamine oxidase inhibitors is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Association of [3H]-imipramine and [3H]-paroxetine binding with the 5HT transporter in brain and platelets: relevance to studies in depression.

[3H]-Imipramine and [3H]-paroxetine label with high affinity a site which is associated with the serotonergic transporter in brain and platelets. The pharmacological profile of inhibition by drugs of [3H]-imipramine and [3H]-paroxetine binding is highly correlated with the potency of the drugs to inhibit the uptake of 5HT. Denervation of serotonergic neurons by electrolytic lesions or with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine produces marked decreases in the density of [3H]-imipramine as well as [3H]-paroxetine binding. Dissociation kinetic experiments support the view that the substrate recognition site for 5HT is different from the modulatory site which is labelled by [3H]-imipramine or [3H]-paroxetine. The existence of an endogenous ligand acting on the [3H]-imipramine recognition site to modulate the 5HT transporter was proposed by several laboratories. [3H]-Imipramine binding in platelets appears to be a biological marker in depression. Studies carried out in several laboratories report a significant decrease in the Bmax of platelet [3H]-imipramine binding without changes in Kd, when severely depressed untreated patients are compared with healthy volunteers matched for age and sex. The Bmax of platelet [3H]-imipramine binding appears to be a state-dependent biological marker in depression. It is tempting to speculate that the endocoid of the [3H]-imipramine recognition site may play a role in the pathogenesis of depression.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Comparative analysis of beta-1 adrenoceptor agonist and antagonist potency and selectivity of cicloprolol, xamoterol and pindolol.

The partial beta adrenoceptor agonist properties of cicloprolol, xamoterol and pindolol have been compared in vivo (anesthetized catecholamine-depleted or pithed rats) and in vitro (guinea pig or rat right atria and guinea pig tracheal muscle preparations) conditions. All three compounds increased heart rate in the former preparations, and their intrinsic activities relative to isoproterenol were 0.7, 0.65 and 0.45, respectively. The positive chronotropic effects of cicloprolol or xamoterol were competitively antagonized by betaxolol or propranolol; however, part of those induced by pindolol were resistant to these beta adrenoceptor antagonists. None of these compounds increased the spontaneous beating rate of isolated guinea pig atria; however, xamoterol only increased heart rate in isolated rat atria, and its intrinsic activity with respect to isoproterenol was 0.4. Pindolol, xamoterol and cicloprolol behaved as competitive beta-1 adrenoceptor antagonists against isoproterenol-induced tachycardia in a pithed rat model. In order to mimic the intrinsic effects of the partial agonist drugs, control dose-response curves for isoproterenol were determined in pithed rats in which the base-line heart rate was elevated by thoracic spinal cord stimulation. In this in vivo preparation, xamoterol and pindolol were more potent beta-1 adrenoceptor antagonists than cicloprolol; however, cicloprolol and xamoterol, in contrast to pindolol, were selective for beta-1 adrenoceptors. In isolated spontaneously beating guinea pig right atria, cicloprolol and xamoterol were equipotent beta-1 adrenoceptor antagonists but were about 50 times less potent than pindolol. In isolated rat atria, the beta-1 adrenoceptor antagonist potency of xamoterol was greater (pA2 = 8.7) than in guinea pig atria (pA2 = 7.8). The potencies of cicloprolol and pindolol did not vary between these species. In catecholamine-depleted rats, high i.v. doses of cicloprolol had vasodilator activity that was partly mediated by beta-2 adrenoceptors. In carbachol-contracted guinea pig trachea, cicloprolol and xamoterol, in contrast to pindolol, were relatively inactive against isoproterenol-induced relaxation. In conclusion, cicloprolol and xamoterol, similarly to pindolol, behave as agonists and antagonists of beta-1 adrenoceptors. However, only cicloprolol and xamoterol show an elevated degree of selectivity toward the beta-1 adrenoceptor subtype.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

PubMed1987

Interaction between neuronal uptake inhibitors and presynaptic serotonin autoreceptors in rat hypothalamic slices: comparison of K+ and electrical depolarization.

In rat hypothalamic slices prelabeled with [3H]-5-hydroxytryptamine ([3H]-5-HT), exposure to the 5-HT receptor agonist lysergic acid diethylamide (0.1-1 microM) or 5-methoxytryptamine (0.1-10 microM) decreased in a concentration-dependent manner the release of 3H-transmitter elicited by high K+ or electrical stimulation. Exposure to the 5-HT autoreceptor antagonist methiothepin (0.1-1 microM) increased in a concentration-dependent manner the K+ stimulation-evoked overflow of [3H]-5-HT and a similar increase was observed under conditions of electrical stimulation. In contrast, exposure to the nontricyclic 5-HT uptake inhibitor citalopram (0.1-1 microM) did not modify by itself the electrically evoked overflow of [3H]-5-HT, but increased in a concentration-dependent manner the release of 3H-transmitter elicited by K+ stimulation. This effect of citalopram on transmitter release was potentiated when the endogenous stores of 5-HT were depleted by pretreatment with para-chlorophenylalanine methyl ester (300 mg/kg i.p.). Citalopram was shown previously to antagonize the inhibition by lysergic acid diethylamide of the electrically evoked release of [3H]-5-HT in rat hypothalamic slices. Yet, this inhibitor of neuronal uptake of 5-HT did not antagonize the effects of lysergic acid diethylamide when the release of [3H]-5-HT was evoked by K+ depolarization. Electrical stimulation represents a more physiological experimental model for transmitter release than exposure to high K+, and therefore the interaction between 5-HT uptake blockade and presynaptic inhibitory 5-HT autoreceptors, observed in the hypothalamus with electrical stimulation but not with K+ depolarization, remains of biological relevance.

5-Methoxytryptamine↗

PubMed1987

Fengabine, a novel antidepressant GABAergic agent. II. Effect on cerebral noradrenergic, serotonergic and GABAergic transmission in the rat.

The effects of fengabine (a novel benzylidene derivative possessing clinically demonstrated antidepressant action) on neurochemical parameters related to norepinephrine, serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons have been investigated in the rat and mouse brain. When given acutely, fengabine (50-1000 mg/kg i.p.) does not alter norepinephrine uptake but accelerates the turnover rate of norepinephrine in the rat brain as demonstrated by the enhancement of: the alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine-induced disappearance of norepinephrine in the hypothalamus; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid levels in noradrenergic cell body areas; the pargyline-induced accumulation of normetanephrine in the hypothalamus; and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethyleneglycol levels in the hypothalamus, septum and spinal cord. No tolerance to the effect of fengabine on the latter biochemical parameter was observed after repeated treatment for 2 weeks at doses of 100 or 200 mg/kg i.p., b.i.d. Fengabine (100 or 200 mg/kg i.p., b.i.d.), given for 14 days, causes a desensitization of isoprenaline-stimulated adenylate cyclase in septal and cortical slices of the rat but fails to modify cortical beta, alpha-1 or alpha-2 adrenoceptor binding sites. Fengabine (up to 400 mg/kg i.p.) has no effect on rat cerebral serotonin uptake, synthesis or metabolism. Moreover, when given subacutely (100 or 200 mg/kg i.p., b.i.d. for 2 weeks), it fails to alter rat cortical serotonine receptors or [3H]imipramine binding sites. Fengabine (up to 50-100 microM) is also inactive in vitro on [3H] GABA binding to GABAA or GABAB receptors in the rat brain or on GABA transaminase activity in the mouse brain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Newly synthesized noradrenaline mediates the alpha 2-adrenoceptor inhibition of [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine release induced by beta-phenylethylamine in rat hippocampal slices.

In slices of the rat hippocampus, alpha 2-adrenoceptors located presynaptically on serotonergic nerve terminals modulate the electrically evoked calcium-dependent release of [3H]serotonin [( 3H]5HT). We have investigated the effects of a naturally occurring trace amine, beta-phenylethylamine (beta-PEA), on noradrenergic transmission in the rat hippocampus. Under experimental conditions in which MAO of type B is inhibited by deprenyl-exposure to beta-PEA (0.1-10 microM) facilitates the spontaneous outflow of [3H]noradrenaline and inhibits the electrically evoked release of [3H]5HT. The inhibitory effect of beta-PEA (3 microM) on the evoked release of [3H]5HT was antagonized by the alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist idazoxan at 1 microM, and by pretreatment with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (alpha-MpT, 300 mg/kg i.p., 2 h). The inhibition of tyrosine hydroxylase activity by alpha-MpT does not modify the inhibition of the evoked release of [3H]5HT by the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, 6-fluoronoradrenaline, or the serotonin receptor agonist, 5-methoxytryptamine. Pretreatment with the neurotoxin DSP4 (50 mg/kg i.p., 10 days) markedly antagonized the inhibitory action of beta-PEA on [3H]5HT release. These results indicate that the noradrenaline-releasing action of beta-PEA inhibits the electrically evoked release of [3H]5HT through the activation of alpha 2-adrenoceptors. This inhibitory effect appears to be mediated exclusively through the release of newly synthesized noradrenaline, and does not involve the direct activation by beta-PEA of the inhibitory 5HT autoreceptors which modulate [3H]5HT release in the rat hippocampus.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

High affinity [3H]zolpidem binding in the rat brain: an imidazopyridine with agonist properties at central benzodiazepine receptors.

[3H]Zolpidem, a novel hypnotic drug possessing a chemical structure unrelated to that of benzodiazepine (BZD) was employed as a new ligand to determine its binding characteristics to membrane preparations of rat cerebral cortex and cerebellum. In both structures, the imidazopyridine [3H]zolpidem bound with high affinity to a single population of recognition sites. The cerebellum possessed a similar number of [3H]zolpidem and [3H]diazepam binding sites, while the cerebral cortex possessed a lower density of [3H]zolpidem than [3H]diazepam binding sites. In contrast to [3H]diazepam binding, [3H]zolpidem binding was not detectable in the spinal cord. In the cortex, BZDs had a similar potency to displace [3H]zolpidem and [3H]diazepam binding while non-BZDs were more potent to inhibit [3H] zolpidem binding than [3H]diazepam binding. The binding of [3H]zolpidem was enhanced by GABA to the same extent as [3H]diazepam binding. The increase in [3H] zolpidem binding caused by chloride ions was less pronounced than that in [3H]diazepam binding. It is concluded that [3H]zolpidem possesses selectivity for BZD receptors with the pharmacological characteristics and regional distribution of the BZD1 receptor subtype. [3H]Zolpidem as a radioligand offers a useful additional tool to study the mechanism of action of hypnotics acting through BZD receptor subtypes.

Animals↗