Search

N-Methyl-D-aspartate- (NMDA-) evoked [3H]acetylcholine release in rabbit caudate nucleus slices was inhibited by the antiparkinsonian drugs budipine (1-tert-butyl-4,4-diphenylpiperidine) and biperiden (1-bicyclo[2.2.1.]hept-5-en-2-yl-1-phenyl-3-piperidino propanol) yielding functional Ki values of 4.6 and 8.8 microM. In contrast to the competitive antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonopentaonate, budipine and biperidene significantly reduced both the apparent KD and the Emax value of NMDA. Moreover, they displaced [3H]MK-801 specifically bound to membranes of the same tissue, although with low affinity (IC50: 38 and 92 microM). It is concluded that budipine and biperiden are use-dependent (uncompetitive) antagonists at the NMDA receptor, binding to the receptor-linked ion channel, but probably not to the MK-801 binding site. NMDA antagonism may contribute to the antiparkinsonian effects of budipine.

Slices of rat hippocampus, preincubated with [3H]noradrenaline [(3H]NA), were superfused continuously and stimulated by addition of 3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP; 100 microM) for 10 min to the superfusion medium. An overflow of 3H evoked by 3,4-DAP (representing [3H]NA release) was measurable not only in the presence but also in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Both the protein kinase C (PKC) activator 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (4 beta-PDB) and the PKC inhibitor polymyxin B, affected mainly the evoked release in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ in a facilitatory or inhibitory manner, respectively. Moreover, in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, both the 3,4-DAP-evoked [3H]NA release and the facilitatory effect of 4 beta-PDB were abolished in the presence of tetrodotoxin or in the absence of Na+ in the superfusion medium. Ruthenium red, a blocker of mitochondrial Ca2+ reuptake, potently increased 3,4-DAP-evoked [3H]NA release in Ca(2+)-free EGTA-containing medium. The facilitatory effects of ruthenium red and 4 beta-PDB were additive. From these and earlier observations we conclude (1) that the mechanism of 3,4-DAP-evoked [3H]NA release involves both Ca2+ influx into the nerve terminals and mobilization of intraneuronal Ca2+ pools. Most probably Ca2+ release from cytoplasmic Ca2+ stores (e.g. endoplasmic reticular pools or mitochondria) is induced by Na+ ions entering the nerve endings during 3,4-DAP-evoked repetitive action potentials. (2) The facilitatory effect of phorbol ester on 3,4-DAP-evoked NA release appears to be mediated not by changes in Ca2+ influx, but by enhancement of intraneuronal events distal to Na+ ion entry and increased intracellular Ca2+ availability.

[3H]Acetylcholine release from slices of rabbit hippocampus was elicited by electrical field stimulation (360 pulses/3 Hz). Both forskolin, commonly used as a specific activator of adenylate cyclase, as well as 1,9-dideoxy-for-skolin, which fails to activate adenylate cyclase, increased the evoked transmitter release in an almost identical manner. In addition, the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, rolipram, and the membrane-permeable analogue of cAMP, 8-Br-cAMP, did not influence acetylcholine release. These data show that forskolin is not specific to adenylate cyclase and that the increase in acetylcholine release in the rabbit hippocampus occurs through a mechanism other than activation of adenylate cyclase.

The release of tritiated noradrenaline, evoked by stimulation of rat hippocampus slices with 3,4-diaminopyridine (200 microM, 2 min), was enhanced by the nitric oxide (NO) synthase substrate, L-arginine (but not by D-arginine), by NO donors (sodium nitroprusside, 3-morpholino-sydnonimine), and by 8-Br-cGMP. The effect of L-arginine was stereospecifically antagonized by NG-nitro-L-arginine, which given alone was inhibitory. From these findings we conclude that endogenously formed NO facilitates 3,4-diaminopyridine-evoked noradrenaline release in rat hippocampus.

The tritium overflow evoked by electrical stimulation of rabbit hippocampal slices labeled with [3H]noradrenaline was inhibited by ω-conotoxin GVIA, a peptide modulator of the N-type voltage-sensitive calcium channel (N-VSCC). The magnitude of this inhibition was unchanged in the presence of substances which interact with N- and/or L-VSCCs (cadmium, neomycin, (−)- and (+)-202−791), α 2 - adrenoceptors (idazoxan, UK-14304), protein kinase C (4β-phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate) or potassium channels (4-aminopyridine). This finding suggests that the attenuation of calcium-dependent neurotransmitter release by ω-conotoxin GVIA is relatively insensitive to alterations of such release effected by other substances.

Using newly developed radioimmunoassays for 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α and 6,15-diketo-13,14-dihydro-prostaglandin F1α, the plasma concentrations of these two prostacyclin derivatives were measured in anaesthetized cats. After the administration of angiotensin II, which releases prostacyclin into the circulation, concentrations of both derivatives rose simultaneously, the major immunoreactivity being 6,15-diketo-13,14-dihydro-prostaglandin F1α. Angiotensin II-induced prostacyclin release was not caused by vasoconstriction alone, since comparable vasopressor responses to noradrenaline and vasopressin were not accompanied by increases in prostacyclin plasma levels. Injection of exogenous prostacyclin resulted in a shortlasting peak of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α, which rapidly declined ( t 1 2 : 1.29–1.52 min ). 6,15-diketo-13,14-dihydro-prostaglandin F1α appeared with a t 1 2 of 0.48–1.38 min and was eliminated with a t 1 2 of 8.0–9.0 min . Due to its longer half-life in the circulation 6,15-diketo-13,14-dihydro-prostaglandin F1α again was the predominant derivative after 3 min. These data suggest that in vivo prostacyclin is mainly inactivated by the 15-hydroxy-PG-dehydrogenase-, Δ13-reductase-pathway, rather than by hydrolysis. Therefore, 6,15-diketo-13,14-dihydro-prostaglandin F1α seems to be a better indicator or prostacyclin plasma levels than 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α, although under certain conditions the additional determination of this product of hydrolysis can be valuable.

Slices of rabbit or rat brain cortex were preincubated with [3H]noradrenaline, and slices of rabbit caudate nucleus or rat stratum with [3H]dopamine. The slices were then superfused and stimulated electrically. In rat cortex slices, PGE2 (0.01-1 millimicronmol/l) markedly reduced the stimulation-evoked overflow of tritium. PGF2alpha (1 millimicronmol/l) caused a slight decrease only after the formation of endogenous prostaglandins had been blocked by indomethacin. PGD2 (1 millimicronmol/l) had no effect. In slices of rabbit cortex and caudate nucleus as well as in rat striatal slices, none of the prostaglandins (1 millimicronmol/l) caused any change, irrespective of whether the production of endogenous prostaglandins was intact or blocked. The results show that, of three major prostaglandins that occur in the brain, only PGE2 is a potent presynaptic inhibitor of noradrenaline release in the rat. The catecholamine neurones of rabbit brain, and the dopamine neurones of rat striatum, are resistant to these prostaglandins.

A possible influence of botulinum A toxin on the modulation of evoked neurotransmitter release was investigated in hippocampus tissue. Rabbit hippocampal slices prelabelled with [3H]noradrenaline ([3H]NA), [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine ([3H]5-HT) or [3H]choline were superfused with physiological medium and were stimulated electrically during superfusion. The evoked release of [3H]NA, [3H]5-HT and [3H]acetylcholine [( 3H]ACh) was inhibited by botulinum A toxin in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Neither the inhibition of release of [3H]NA and [3H]5-HT by the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine nor facilitation of release in the presence of alpha 2-antagonists were influenced by pretreatment of the tissue with botulinum toxin. The toxin caused no [32P]ADP ribosylation of synaptosomal proteins of hippocampus. The facilitation of the stimulation-induced [3H]NA and [3H]5-HT release by the specific protein kinase C (PKC) activator 4 beta-phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) was significantly diminished by botulinum A toxin. These results show that the evoked transmitter release is inhibited by botulinum A toxin by a mechanism which does not involve ADP ribosylation or an interaction with the alpha 2-adrenoceptor mechanism.

12-O-Tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), enhanced the electrically evoked overflow of [ 3 H]noradrenaline in a concentration-dependent manner in rabbit hippocampal slices. 4-O-Methyl-TPA, which lacks the ability to activate PKC had no effect on the evoked tritium overflow. The enhancement of noradrenaline release by TPA was affected by neither the α 2 -adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine nor the α 2 -adrenoceptor agonist clonidine. It is concluded from these results that PKC in involved in the mechanism of stimulus-secretion coupling in noradrenergic nerve terminals of the rabbit hippocampus.

Protein kinase C (PKC)-activating phorbol esters enhanced the electrically evoked 5-HT release from rabbit hippocampal slices preincubated with [3H]5-HT. The release was diminished by polymyxin B, an inhibitor of PKC. These results are compatible with a stimulatory effect of PKC on the 5-HT release induced by action potentials. The mutual effects of PKC affecting drugs on 5-HT release suggest a functional but not a competitive interaction. The attenuation or the enhancement of effects of 5-HT autoreceptor ligands at various 5-HT biophase concentrations found after PKC-affecting drugs are in line with the view that autoreceptor-mediated events are not directly influenced by the enzyme PKC.

Slices of rabbit hippocampus were preincubated with [3H]serotonin then superfused continuously and stimulated twice electrically. The stimulation-evoked overflow of tritium was Ca2+-dependent, tetrodotoxin-sensitive and subject to modulation by serotonin autoreceptors. It was decreased by various adenosine receptor agonists in an order of potency that was typical for A1-(Ri-) receptors: N6-cyclohexyladenosine greater than (-)N6-phenylisopropyladenosine greater than 5'-N-ethylcarboxamideadenosine greater than (+)N6-phenylisopropyladenosine = adenosine. The effects of the agonists were antagonized by 8-phenyltheophylline. The hypothesis that endogenous adenosine influences hippocampal serotonin release is supported by the following findings: both the adenosine receptor antagonists (theophylline or 8-phenyltheophylline (10 microM, each)) and the enzyme adenosine deaminase (10 micrograms/ml) increased, whereas R-E 244 (3 microM), an inhibitor of adenosine uptake, significantly decreased the evoked tritium overflow. When 8-phenyltheophylline was present throughout superfusion the effects of both R-E 244 and exogenous adenosine deaminase were abolished. It is concluded that serotonin release in the rabbit hippocampus is depressed by endogenous adenosine via A1-(Ri-) receptors.

Prostaglandin E2 synthesis in rabbit splenic fibroblasts was stimulated by noradrenaline but not by isoprenaline. Noradrenaline, isoprenaline and prostaglandin E2 increased intracellular cAMP accumulation. Noradrenaline-, but not isoprenaline-evoked cAMP accumulation was reduced by indomethacin; only combinations of phentolamine or indomethacin with propranolol abolished the noradrenaline effect. We conclude that the noradrenaline-induced increase in cAMP levels of rabbit splenic fibroblasts was due to stimulation of both α- and β-adrenoceptors. The response to α-receptor stimulation was possibly mediated by prostaglandin E2.

We used rabbit hippocampus slices preincubated with [ 3 H]noradrenaline (NA) and applied short pulses of 3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP) during superfusion to investigate the mechanism underlying the 3 H overflow evoked by 3,4-DAP and the effects of the protein kinase C (PKC) activator, 4β-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB), in this model. The 3 H overflow evoked by 200 μM 3,4-DAP (about 4–5% of tissue-tritium) was largely Ca 2+ -dependent, tetrodotoxin-sensitive and markedly reduced by clonidine, but it was enhanced by yohimbine. We also demonstrated that the response could be inhibited via presynaptic adenosine (A 1 −) and opioid (κ−) receptors. PDB (1 μM) markedly increased the 3,4-DAP-evoked 3 H overflow, its effect being almost unchanged following activation of presynaptic α 2− , A 1− or κ-receptors. Inhibitors of PKC (polymyxin B, staurosporine) almost abolished the 3,4-DAP-evoked 3 H overflow and antagonized the effects of PDB. It is concluded that application of 3,4-DAP (200 μM for 2 min) to brain slices leads to depolarization of the neuronal membrane, Na + current-carried action potentials, Ca 2+ influx and the exocytotic release of NA, which in many aspects resembles the release evoked by electrical field stimulation. The findings with phorbol ester further support the involvement of PKC in transmitter release. Activation of PKC apparently does not directly interfere with signal transduction mechanisms of presynaptic inhibitory receptors on noradrenergic nerve terminals.

Administration of convulsant doses of pentetrazole induced an increase of PGF2 alpha, PGE2 and TXB2 immuno-reactive material in mouse brain in vivo. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs indomethacin, flurbiprofen and diclofenac in equipotent doses inhibited the convulsion-induced increase of prostaglandins and thromboxane B2 (P less than 0.01). The same drugs also lowered the LD50 of pentetrazole (P less than 0.05) and accelerated the onset of tonic seizures evoked by pentetrazole (P less than 0.05). Ibuprofen in a submaximal centrally effective dose acted in the same way on cerebral PG and TXB2 synthesis and on the LD50 of pentetrazole but failed to influence significantly the latency time to the onset of pentetrazole-induced tonic seizures. Aspirin (100 mg/kg) and paracetamol (30 mg/kg), which were without effect on cerebral PG and TXB2 concentrations following pentetrazole-induced seizures, were also ineffective in lowering the convulsive threshold and the LD50 of pentetrazole. It is concluded that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs act on the convulsive threshold by inhibition of cerebral prostaglandin and/or thromboxane synthesis.

The rabbit superior mesenteric artery and portal vein were used for a study of the effects of noradrenaline, high potassium, angiotensin II and bradykinin on both the contraction development and PG synthesis (PGE 2 and PGF 2α ) in tissue. Noradrenaline induced contractions but no PG release, high potassium evoked contractions and PG release, angiotensin II elicited contractions and PG release in the mesenteric artery but only PG release in the portal vein, and bradykinin initiated PG release and a small decrease in basal tone. The stimulus-evoked PG release was Ca 2+ -dependent. It is concluded that, at least in some tissues, stimulus-evoked PG release is completely independent from the contractile mechanism. The variable pattern in contractile responses and stimulus-evoked PG release in various tissues may depend on variations of the stimulus-induced accessibility of Ca 2+ ions to either phospholipase A 2 or the contractile apparatus.

The present study investigated whether or not the beta-sympathomimetic amine isoprenaline, given systemically to conscious rats, influences corticotrophin (ACTH) release and if so, what could be the role of vasopressin in this response. Isoprenaline (i.m.) elevated plasma ACTH-like immunoreactivity (ACTHi) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The highest dose of isoprenaline used (240 microgram/kg) raised plasma ACTHi about six fold. Most of the ACTHi co-migrated with porcine ACTH-(1-39) on Sephadex G-50 column chromatography. The beta-receptor antagonist propranolol abolished the increase in plasma ACTHi induced by isoprenaline, as did dexamethasone pretreatment. The increase in plasma ACTHi following isoprenaline (120 microgram/kg) injection was diminished by about 35% in rats congenitally lacking vasopressin (Brattleboro rats), when compared to normal rats. The vasopressin analogue, [1-deaminopenicillamine, 2-(O-methyl)tyrosine]-arginine-vasopressin, almost completely prevented the rise in plasma ACTHi provoked by i.v. injection of arginine vasopressin and diminished by about 40% the isoprenaline-(120 microgram/kg)-caused ACTHi release. However, this vasopressin analogue had no effect in Brattleboro rats. These results indicate that isoprenaline, given systemically, stimulates the release of pituitary ACTH and this response appears to be mediated in part by vasopressin acting as an ACTH-releasing factor.

We investigated in conscious rats, whether vasopressin, whose release was stimulated by isoprenaline (i.m.), caused the simultaneous increase in plasma beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (beta-EI). The increase in plasma beta-EI following isoprenaline administration was diminished by about 50% in rats pretreated with a vasopressin antagonist and also in rats with a hereditary absolute lack of vasopressin. We conclude that the isoprenaline-induced release of beta-EI is mediated in part by vasopressin.

Enhancement of neurotransmitter release following phorbol ester-induced activation of protein kinase C (PKC) may be mediated by changes in ion conductance through the presynaptic membrane. This question was studied with rabbit hippocampal slices preincubated with [ 3 H]noradrenaline ([ 3 H]NA). NA release was evoked by pulses of either high K + or Ca 2+ (in the presence of high K + ), or by electrical field stimulation. 4β-Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) increased and polymyxin B (PMB) reduced the K + -evoked NA release independent of the K + concentration used for depolarization. The effects of PDB and PMB were not reduced by tetrodotoxin. PDB still enhanced the NA release triggered by short Ca 2+ pulses in depolarized, axon terminal membranes (30 mM K + and no Ca 2+ ). The electrically evoked NA release was markedly enhanced by PDB even in the absence of Cl − in the medium or in the presence of the K + channel blockers, tetraethylammonium, 4-amino- and 3,4-diaminopyridine. The inhibitory effect of the Ca 2+ channel blocker, Cd 2+ , remained almost unchanged in the presence of PDB. It is concluded that PKC activation facilitates NA release in the hippocampus but not via presynaptic changes in Na + , K + or Cl − currents. Whether phorbol ester mediates an increased intracellular Ca 2+ availability, or whethr a triggering ‘normal’ Ca 2+ influx simply initiates, and synergistically supports, the PKC-mediated reactions leading to enhanced exocytosis, cannot be decided from the results of the present experiments.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not vasopressin release in response to various stimuli in the conscious rat is controlled by endogenous opioid peptides, in particular beta-endorphin. Naloxone (1 mg.kg-1 i.m.) promoted vasopressin release in response to both an angiotensin II infusion (500 ng . kg-1 . min-1) or an isosmolar, nonhypotensive hypovolaemia achieved by polyethylene glycol injection (PEG, 20% solution i.p.); however, naloxone was without effect when vasopressin release was induced by hypertonic saline injection (2.5% solution i.p.) or a severe fall in arterial blood pressure following trimethidinium (10 mg . kg-1 i.m.) induced ganglionic blockade. Vasopressin release was accompanied by an increase in plasma beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (beta-EI) following an angiotensin II infusion of PEG administration, but not after hypertonic saline or trimethidinium injection. Dexamethasone pretreatment (0.5 mg . kg-1 twice i.p.) prevented the increase in plasma beta-EI following an angiotensin II infusion or PEG administration. The simultaneous angiotensin II- or PEG-induced increase in vasopressin release was unaffected or potentiated, respectively, by the glucocorticoid. In contrast, vasopressin release in response to hypertonic saline or trimethidinium injection was significantly inhibited by dexamethasone. We conclude that an inhibitory control by endogenous opiates is involved in some, but not all of the different pathways leading to vasopressin release. The results obtained do not prove but can be reconciled with the proposal that hypophyseal beta-endorphin is the compound responsible.