Prejunctional α2A-autoreceptors in the human gastric and ileocolic arteries

This study was undertaken to determine the subtype of prejunctional α₂-autoreceptors in human blood vessels. Segments of gastric and ileocolic arteries were incubated with [³H]noradrenaline and subsequently perifused with modified Krebs-Henseleit solution containing cocaine (12 μM). Five periods of electrical stimulation (S₁–S₅) were applied (1 Hz, 1 ms, 50 V for 1 min). Concentration-response curves for the facilitatory effect of eight α-adrenoceptor antagonists [rauwolscine, 2-[2-(2-methoxy-1,4-benzodioxanyl)] imidazoline (RX821002), yohimbine, phentolamine, idazoxan, 2-(2’,6’-dimethoxyphenoxyethyl)-aminomethyl-1,4-benzodioxan (WB4101), spiroxatrine and prazosin] were determined. All antagonists enhanced the stimulation-evoked overflow of tritium, indicating the existence of α₂-autoreceptors. The EC _30% values of the antagonists (concentrations that increased the evoked overflow of tritium by 30%) were taken as a measure of affinity to the autoreceptors. Correlations between the pEC _30% values obtained in the present study and the pK _i values of the same antagonists at cloned human α_2A-, α_2B-, α_2C-adrenoceptors expressed in Chinese hamster lung cells and at α_2D-adrenoceptors in the rat submaxillary gland or the bovine pineal gland showed that the α₂-autoreceptors in the human gastric and ileocolic arteries resemble most closely the α_2A-subtype. Received: 6 April 1998 / Accepted: 4 May 1998     

Desensitization of capsaicin-evoked neuropeptide release — Influence of Ca2+ and temperature

Summary Capsaicin-induced stimulation and desensitization of neuropeptide release from primary afferent neurons was investigated in the rat urinary bladder in-vitro. The capsaicin (5 min contact time)-evoked release of calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity (CGRP-IR) was dose-dependent; threshold to produce detectable release was 0.1 μmol/l, the EC₅₀ was 0.17 μmol/l. Pre-exposure of tissues to capsaicin (0.1–1.0 μmol/l, 5 min contact time) caused a dose-dependent reduction of the amount of CGRP-IR which was released by a second exposure to capsaicin. At 0.1 and 0.3 μmol/l, capsaicin was less effective to inhibit the subsequent K⁺-evoked release than that evoked by a second capsaicin exposure. Pre-exposure to 1 μmol/l capsaicin completely prevented subsequent K⁺- or capsaicin-evoked release of CGRP-IR. Exposure of the preparation to capsaicin (0.3μmol/l) in a Ca²⁺-free, EDTA-containing medium did not produce release of CGRP-IR. A subsequent stimulation with capsaicin in a 2.5 mmol/l Ca²⁺-containing superfusion solution was not less effective to release CGRP-IR than in tissues which had not been pre-exposed to capsaicin. At 18°C, the capsaicin-evoked release of CGRP-IR was reduced to 20% of the value obtained by the same dose (0.3 μmol/l for 5 min) of capsaicin at 37°C. Comparison of the desensitizing effect of 0.3 and 0.1 μmol/l capsaicin at 18°C and 37°C, respectively, showed significant inhibition of desensitization at 18°C. Inhibition of desensitization was also observed when the amount of CGRP-IR, which was released during preexposure to capsaicin (0.3 μmol/l for 10 min) at 18°C, was 3-fold higher than that produced by pre-exposure to capsaicin (0.1 μmol/l for 5 min) at 37°C. The present results show that in a narrow range of concentrations, capsaicin induces “selective” desensitization which is entirely dependent on the presence of external Ca²⁺ — and which is attenuated at low temperature.     

Effects of imidazoline derivatives on cholinergic motility in guinea-pig ileum: involvement of presynaptic α2-adrenoceptors or imidazoline receptors?

The present study investigates the possibility that imidazoline receptors mediate modulation of cholinergic motor functions of the guinea-pig ileum. For this purpose, the effects of a series of compounds with known affinity for α₂-adrenoceptors and/or imidazoline recognition sites were examined on the cholinergic twitch contractions evoked by electrical field stimulation (0.1 Hz) of longitudinal muscle-myenteric plexus preparations. Additional experiments were carried out on ileal strips preincubated with [³H]choline, superfused with physiological salt solution containing hemicholinium-3, and subjected to electrical field stimulation (1 Hz). The stimulation-induced outflow of radioactivity was taken as an index of endogenous acetylcholine release. α-Methyl-noradrenaline, noradrenaline, clonidine, medetomidine, oxymetazoline and xylazine caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of twitch responses (IC₅₀ from 0.13 to 1.05 μM; E_max from 85.9 to 92.5%). Rilmenidine and agmatine were less potent in reducing the twitch activity, and the latter compound acted also with low intrinsic activity (IC₅₀=44.9 μM; E_max=35.5%). In interaction experiments, the inhibitory action of clonidine on twitch responses was competitively antagonized by RX 821002 (2-(2-methoxy-1,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)-2-imidazoline), idazoxan, rauwolscine, yohimbine and BRL 44408 (2-[2H-(1-methyl-1,3-dihydroisoindole)-methyl]-4,5-dihydroimidazoline), whereas prazosin (10 μM), ARC 239 (2-(2,4-(O-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl-4,4-dimethyl-1,3-(2H,4H)-isoquinolindione; 10 μM) and BRL 41992 (1,2-dimethyl-2,3,9,13b-tetrahydro-1H-dibenzo[c,f]imidazol[1,5-a]azepi-ne; 10 μM) were without effect. Rauwolscine antagonized the inhibitory effects of various agonists on ileal twitch activity in a competitive manner and with similar potency. Agmatine and idazoxan did not significantly modify the twitch contractions when tested in the presence of α₂-adrenoceptor blockade by rauwolscine (3 μM) or RX 821002 (1 μM). Linear regression analysis showed that the affinity values of antagonists correlated with their affinity at the α_2A and α_2D binding sites as well as at previously classified α_2A/D adrenoceptor subtypes, whereas no significant correlation was obtained when comparing the potency estimates of agonists and antagonists with the affinity at I₁ or I₂ binding sites. When tested on the electrically induced outflow of tritium, α-methyl-noradrenaline, noradrenaline, clonidine, medetomidine, oxymetazoline, xylazine and rilmenidine yielded inhibitory concentration-response curves which were shifted rightward to a similar extent in the presence of rauwolscine (3 μM). In the absence of further drugs, agmatine significantly reduced the evoked tritium outflow at the highest concentrations tested (10 and 100 μM), whereas idazoxan (up to 100 μM) was without effect. When RX 821002 (1 μM) was added to the superfusion medium, neither agmatine nor idazoxan modified the evoked outflow of radioactivity. The results argue against modulation by imidazoline receptors of acetylcholine release from myenteric plexus nerve terminals. They provide evidence that compounds endowed with imidazoline-like structures affect the cholinergic motor activity of the guinea-pig ileum by interacting with presynaptic α₂-adrenoceptors belonging to the α_2D subtype. Received: 10 October 1997 / Accepted: 14 March 1998     

Nociceptin inhibits noradrenaline release in the mouse brain cortex via presynaptic ORL1 receptors

A fourth type of opioid receptor, termed ORL₁, has been cloned and nociceptin (also known as orphanin FQ) has been identified as an endogenous ligand at this receptor. We examined whether nociceptin affects the release of noradrenaline in the brain. For this purpose, cerebral cortex slices from the mouse, rat or guinea-pig were preincubated with [³H]noradrenaline and then superfused with medium containing desipramine and rauwolscine. Tritium overflow was evoked electrically (0.3 Hz) or by introduction of Ca²⁺ 1.3 mM into Ca²⁺-free K⁺-rich (15 mM) medium. Nociceptin 1 μM reduced the electrically evoked tritium overflow from mouse, rat and guinea-pig brain cortex slices by 80, 71 and 36%, respectively. Naloxone 10 μM did not change the effect of nociceptin. All subsequent experiments were performed on mouse brain cortex slices and in the presence of naloxone 10 μM. The concentration-response curve of nociceptin (maximum inhibition by 80%, pEC₅₀ 7.5) was shifted to the right by the non-selective ORL₁ receptor antagonist naloxone benzoylhydrazone and the selective ORL₁ receptor antagonist [Phe¹ψ(CH₂-NH)Gly²]-nociceptin(1–13)NH₂ (pA₂ 6.6 and 7.2, respectively). Naloxone benzoylhydrazone did not affect the evoked overflow by itself whereas [Phe¹ψ(CH₂-NH)Gly²]-nociceptin(1–13)NH₂ caused an inhibition by maximally 35% (pEC₅₀ 7.0; intrinsic activity α 0.45). The inhibitory effect of [Phe¹ψ(CH₂-NH)Gly²]-nociceptin(1–13)NH₂ was counteracted by naloxone benzoylhydrazone. Nociceptin also reduced the Ca ²⁺ -evoked tritium overflow in mouse brain cortex slices superfused in the presence of tetrodotoxin. This effect was also antagonized by naloxone benzoylhydrazone, which, by itself, did not affect the evoked tritium overflow. In conclusion, nociceptin inhibits noradrenaline release more markedly in the mouse than in the rat or guinea-pig brain cortex. The effect of nociceptin in the mouse brain cortex involves ORL₁ receptors, which are located presynaptically on noradrenergic neurones. Received: 19 June 1998 / Accepted: 17 July 1998     

P2-Receptor-mediated inhibition of noradrenaline release in the rat hippocampus

Experiments on hippocampal slices were carried out in order to find out whether the release of noradrenaline in the hippocampus can be modulated through P2-receptors. The slices were preincubated with [³H]-nor-adrenaline, superfused with medium containing desipramine (1 μM), and stimulated electrically, in most experiments by 4 pulses/100 Hz. The adenosine A₁-receptor agonist N⁶-cyclopentyl-adenosine (CPA) and the nucleotides ATP, adenosine-5’-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATPγS) and adenosine-5’-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (ADPβS) decreased the evoked overflow of tritium by up to 55 %. The adenosine A_2a-agonist 2-p-(2-carboxyethyl)-phenethylamino-5’-N-ethylcarboxamido-adenosine (CGS 21680; 0.003-0.3 μM) caused no change. The concentration-response curve of CPA was shifted to the right by the A₁-antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX; 3 nM) but not by the P2-receptor antagonists cibacron blue 3GA (30 μM) and reactive blue 2 (30 μM); the apparent pK_B value of DPCPX against CPA was 9.0. In contrast, the concentration-response curve of ATP was shifted to the right by DPCPX (3 nM), apparent pK_B 8.7, as well as by ciba-cron blue 3GA (30 μM), apparent pK_B 5.2, and reactive blue 2 (30 μM), apparent pK_B 5.6; the antagonist effects of DPCPX and cibacron blue 3GA were additive in a manner compatible with the blockade of two separate receptors for ATP. The same pattern was obtained with ATPγS: its concentration-response curve was shifted to the right by DPCPX as well as by cibacron blue 3GA and reactive blue 2. Suramin (300 μM) antagonized neither the effect of ATP nor that of ATPγS. The 5’-nucleotidase inhibitor α,β-methylene-ADP (100 μM) did not change the effect of ATP. Only cibacron blue 3GA (30 μM) but not reactive blue 2 (30 μM), given alone, consistently caused a small increase of the evoked overflow of tritium. Hippocampal slices degraded exogenous ATP, and this degradation was reduced by cibacron blue 3GA (30 μM), reactive blue 2 (30 μM) and suramin (300 μM). The results indicate that the noradrenergic terminal axons of the rat hippocampus possess P2-receptors in addition to the known A₁-adenosine receptors. The presynaptic P2-receptors mediate an inhibition of noradrenaline release, are activated by nucleotides but not nucleosides, and are blocked by cibacron blue 3GA and reactive blue 2. ATP and ATPγS act at both the A₁- and the P2-receptors. An autoreceptor function of cerebral presynaptic P2-receptors remains doubtful. Received: 20 November 1996 / Accepted: 10 February 1997     

Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor, but not nitric oxide or prostacyclin release, is resistant to menadione-induced oxidative stress in the bovine coronary artery

The interaction of superoxide anions (O₂ ^–) generated by menadione with the synthesis and/or action of nitric oxide (NO), prostacyclin (PGI₂) and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) was investigated in segments of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) isolated from bovine hearts. EDHF and NO release were monitored by superfusion bioassay in segments pre-constricted with the thromboxane mimetic, U46619, PGI₂ release in addition by enzyme immunoassay for 6-keto-prostaglandin F_1α, and generation of O₂ ^– by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence. Bradykinin (1–1,000 pmol) elicited a prominent, endothelium-dependent, relaxant response, 50–60% of which was insensitive to combined blockade of cyclooxygenase with diclofenac (1 μM) and NO synthase with N ^G-nitro-l-arginine (50 μM). This diclofenac/N ^G-nitro-l-arginine-insensitive relaxant response was completely abrogated in the presence of tetrabutylammonium (3 mM), a non-selective inhibitor of Ca²⁺-dependent K⁺ channels, or when the segments were pre-constricted with potassium chloride (60 mM) instead of U46619, and thus most likely mediated by EDHF. Despite causing a two- to fourfold increase in the concentration of O₂ ^– in or at the vessel wall, menadione (30 μM) did not affect the diclofenac/N ^G-nitro-l-arginine-insensitive relaxant response to bradykinin. When administered in the absence of N ^G-nitro-l-arginine, however, menadione significantly inhibited the relaxant response to bradykinin, presumably by attenuating the NO-mediated relaxation. Menadione also abolished the bradykinin-stimulated release of PGI₂ from luminally perfused segments of the LAD. This effect was more pronounced in the absence of N ^G-nitro-l-arginine, indicating that PGI₂ release in this preparation may be more sensitive to inhibition by peroxynitrite, the reaction product of NO and O₂ ^–, than to O₂ ^– alone. These findings suggest that, in contrast to NO and PGI₂, the release, and presumably also the mechanism of action, of EDHF in the bovine LAD is resistant to an increase in the local concentration of O₂ ^– or peroxynitrite which is thought to play an important role in coronary heart disease. Received: 27 August 1998 / Accepted: 18 November 1998     

Adenosinergic modulation of 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one induced catalepsy in mice

  Rationale: Neurosteroid 3α, 5α THP, a positive allosteric modulator of the GABA_A receptor Cl^– ionophore complex, induces catalepsy-like dopamine antagonists, adenosine agonists or GABA agonists. Adenosine and dopamine receptors are co-localized on GABAergic neurons in the striatum and regulate GABA-mediated neurotransmission. Moreover, the antagonistic interactions between specific subtypes of adenosine and dopamine receptors are involved in motor depressant or motor stimulant effects of adenosine receptor agonists or antagonists, respectively. Such interaction may modulate neurosteroid-induced catalepsy. Objective: This study examined the modulation of 3α, 5α THP-induced catalepsy by adenosinergic agents. Methods: Catalepsy induced by 3α, 5α THP (2–8 μg, ICV) was assessed by bar test periodically up to 3 h in mice. Adenosine A₁, A_2A or A₃ receptor agonists or antagonists were given IP or ICV prior to 3α, 5α THP. Some animals received IP dopamine D₂ receptor agonist or antagonist 30 min prior to above combination treatment. Results: Adenosine A₁, A_2A, and A₃ receptor agonists potentiated, whereas adenosine A_2A receptor antagonists, but not A₁ antagonists, reversed 3α, 5α THP-induced catalepsy. These effects of adenosine agonists and antagonists were abolished by prior administration of bromocriptine, the dopamine D₂ receptor agonist and spiperone, the dopamine D₂ receptor antagonist, respectively. Conclusions: These findings suggest specific adenosine-dopamine receptor interaction in the striatum to modulate 3α, 5α THP-induced catalepsy. Received: 1 November 1998 / Final version: 5 January 1999     

Role of action potentials and calcium influx in ATP- and UDP-induced noradrenaline release from rat cultured sympathetic neurones

Adenine and uracil nucleotides release noradrenaline from rat postganglionic sympathetic neurones by activation of P2X-receptors and distinct receptors for uracil nucleotides, respectively. The present study on cultured neurones of rat thoracolumbal paravertebral ganglia has analysed the involvement of action potentials and calcium influx in the nucleotide-induced transmitter release. ATP and UDP (100 μM each) caused a marked release of previously incorporated [³H]noradrenaline. The P2-receptor antagonists suramin (300 μM) and cibacron blue 3GA (3 μM) decreased the ATP-induced but not the UDP-induced release. The response to ATP was decreased by the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin (0.5 μM; by 47%), by the N-type calcium channel blocker ω-conotoxin GVIA (100 nM; by 35%), and by the α₂-adrenoceptor agonist UK-14,304 (1 μM; by 45%); it was not changed by the potassium channel blocker tetraethylammonium (10 mM). The response to UDP was abolished by tetrodotoxin, greatly decreased by ω-conotoxin (by 78%), also abolished by UK-14,304, and increased by tetraethylammonium (by 410%). ATP (100 μM) caused a marked increase in intraaxonal free calcium as measured by fura-2 microfluorimetry. Withdrawal of extracellular calcium diminished the calcium response to ATP by 85%, and tetrodotoxin and ω-conotoxin diminished it by about 40%. As studied with the amphotericin B-perforated patch method, ATP (100 μM) induced a large depolarisation and action potential firing. UDP (100 μM) induced only a small depolarisation but it also elicited action potentials. UDP increased the excitability of the neurones. The results indicate that the ATP-induced release of noradrenaline depends on influx of calcium from the extracellular space. Calcium passes through two structures: voltage-gated channels and – probably – the P2X-receptor itself. Only that component of ATP-induced transmitter release which is triggered by opening of voltage-gated calcium channels is sensitive to modulation by α₂-adrenocep-tors. In contrast to ATP, the UDP-induced release of noradrenaline is entirely due to generation of action potentials followed by calcium influx through voltage-gated channels. All of the UDP-induced release is therefore sensitive to α₂-adrenoceptor modulation. Received: 22 September 1998 / Accepted: 25 January 1999     

Native 5-HT1B receptors expressed in OK cells display dual coupling to elevation of intracellular calcium concentrations and inhibition of adenylate cyclase

The opossum kidney (OK) cell line has been shown previously to express endogenous 5-HT_1B receptors which negatively couple to adenylate cyclase. Since other G_i-linked receptors have been shown to inhibit adenylate cyclase and to elevate intracellular calcium concentrations ([Ca²⁺]_i), studies were initiated to determine whether native opossum 5-HT_1B receptors could also display dual coupling to these signal transduction mechanisms. Saturation studies using [¹²⁵I](–)-iodocyanopindolol ([¹²⁵I]CYP) to radiolabel the 5-HT_1B receptor in OK cell membranes (in the presence of 3 μM (–)-isoproterenol to mask β-adrenergic receptors) yielded an equilibrium dissociation constant (pK _d) of 10.04 and binding site density (B _max) of 55 fmol/mg protein. Exposure of intact OK cells to 5-HT, CP 93,129, a selective rodent 5-HT_1B receptor agonist, and (±)-cyanopindolol, a mixed 5-HT_1A/1B receptor agonist/antagonist, produced concentration-dependent inhibitions of forskolin (3 μM)-stimulated cAMP accumulation (FSCA; E _max=90–95%) and elevations of [Ca²⁺]_i (E _max∼200 nM increase above basal levels). Agonist potencies (pEC₅₀) ranged from 9.7 to 8.1 and were comparable between the two second messenger assays, although slightly higher agonist potencies (∼three-fold) were observed in the cAMP assay. GR 127,935, a selective 5-HT_1B/1D receptor antagonist, behaved as a strong partial agonist in both the cAMP and calcium assays, with an intrinsic activity of 0.7 relative to 5-HT. Methiothepin, a nonselective 5-HT receptor antagonist, competitively antagonized the inhibitory cAMP response elicited by CP 93,129, yielding an apparent pK _b value of 7.3. Methiothepin (10 μM) completely antagonized the stimulatory calcium response evoked by a saturating concentration of CP 93,129 (100 nM). Pertussis toxin pretreatment blocked the CP 93,129-induced inhibition of FSCA and elevation of [Ca²⁺]_i in OK cells, indicating the involvement of G_i/o proteins in transducing these second messenger responses. The agonist properties of (±)-cyanopindolol and GR 127,935 observed in both second messenger assays suggests that a large degree of receptor reserve may be present, even though 5-HT_1B receptor expression is low in OK cells. The OK cell line continues to serve as a model system to investigate 5-HT_1B receptor-mediated signaling events. Received: 31 March 1998 / Accepted: 21 July 1998     

Plasma levels of aspirin following effervescent and enteric coated tablets,and their effect on platelet function

Summary Oxcarbazepine (oxcarb) 600 and 900 mg (2360 and 3540 μmol) was taken by 3 volunteers (2 ♀, 1 ♂; 45–67 kg; age 22–34 years) after an overnight fast. Blood, saliva and urine were collected for the next 72 h for assay of oxcarb, 10,11-dihydro-10-hydroxy-carbamazepine (OHcarb), and 10,11-dihydrotrans-10,11-dihydroxy-carbamazepine (diol). Oxcarb reached a maximum level of about 1 μg/ml (3.93 μmol/l) within 1 h and dropped below the detection limit (0.1 μg/ml=0.39 μmol/l) within 3 h. The active metabolite OHcarb appeared in the blood before oxcarb and reached the higher maximum level of 7.4 μg/ml (29 μmol/l) after 7 h. Thereafter serum levels decreased with a t_1/2 of about 25 h, and after 40 h with a t_1/2 of 9 h, the latter agreeing with the renal excretory t_1/2 calculated from the urine data (10 h). The ratio of OHcarb concentration in saliva to that in plasma varied considerably (0.3–1.7; median 1; r>0.9), whereas that of blood to plasma was 1.25 with only small variation (r>0.98); OHcarb concentrations in erythrocytes were 50% higher than in plasma. Diol was detected in blood (maximum level 0.5 μg/ml=1.84 μmol/l) in 2 volunteers. 45% of the dose could be recovered in urine (Oxcarb 5%, OH-carb 36%, Diol 4%). Whereas Oxcarb was completely conjugated, only 25% of OHcarb was conjugated and diol was unconjugated.     

Modulation of the hyperpolarization-activated inward current (If) by antiarrhythmic agents in isolated human atrial myocytes

The hyperpolarization-activated inward current (I _f) has been discussed to contribute to arrhythmias in human atrial myocardium. I _f was found to be increased by β-adrenergic stimulation. In the present study, we evaluate the modulation of I _f by carbachol, adenosine and by class Ic, III and IV antiarrhythmic drugs in isolated human atrial myocytes. The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record I _f in isolated myocytes from 18 human right atrial appendages. A typical time- and voltage-dependent hyperpolarization-activated inward current could be recorded in all cells investigated (n=56). Mean current density recorded at –130 mV was –2.8±1.2 pApF^–1. Both adenosine and carbachol were found to directly inhibit I _f in human atrial myocytes by shifting the activation curves to more negative potentials. Adenosine 10^–5 mol/l shifted the potential of half-maximal activation by –5.9±0.4 mV from –99.4±0.6 mV to –105.3±0.4 mV (n=8; P<0.05), and carbachol 10^–5 mol/l by –5.7±0.5 mV from –99.2±0.5 mV to –104.9±0.6 mV (n=6; P<0.05). The concentration-response curve of adenosine calculated by a Hill function yielded a half-maximal effect of adenosine (EC₅₀) at a concentration of 3.6±0.5 μmol/l, a maximal shift of –6.5±0.3 mV, and a Hill coefficient (h) of 2.40. We did not observe any effect of flecainide (10^–5 mol/l; n=8), sotalol (10^–5 mol/l; n=6), amiodarone (10^–5 mol/l; n=6) or verapamil (10^–5 mol/l; n=5) on I _f in human atrial myocytes. However, propafenone (10^–5 mol/l) was found to reversibly reduce I _f current size (9/13 cells) by shifting the activation curve by –5.2±0.4 mV (P<0.05). In human atria adenosine- and muscarinic receptor stimulation might function as endogenous protective mechanisms inhibiting the initiation of ectopic tachycardia by reducing I _f current size. Propafenone may be more effective in some patients with atrial tachycardias that do not respond to other class Ic, III and IV antiarrhythmic drugs. However, it has yet to be defined whether these agents suppress atrial tachycardias via an inhibition of I _f in vivo. Received: 27 May 1998 / Accepted: 15 September 1998     

Effect of selective phosphodiesterase inhibitors on synaptic transmission in the guinea-pig ileum

The effect of selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors was studied on neural transmission within the enteric nervous system employing a two-compartment bath (containing the oral and the anal end of a segment of guinea-pig ileum, respectively). Ascending excitatory enteric nerve pathways were activated by electrical field stimulation (10 Hz for 2 s, 45 mA, 0.5 pulse duration) in the anal compartment and the resulting contraction of the intestinal circular muscle in the oral compartment was recorded. The partitioned bath enables PDE inhibitors and other drugs to be applied to enteric nerve pathways (in the anal compartment) without interfering with the recording of the smooth muscle contraction in the oral compartment. The PDE 4 inhibitors rolipram (0.01–10 μM) and Ro-20-1724 (0.01–10 μM) significantly (P<0.01) inhibited (10–91% and 9–83%, respectively) the nerve-mediated contractions. When both rolipram and Ro-20-1724 were tested after phentolamine (1 μM) or yohimbine (0.1 μM), they were significantly (P<0.01) less effective. By contrast prazosin (1 μM) was ineffective. Vinpocetine (50 μM), milrinone (30 μM) and zaprinast (100 μM), which inhibit PDE 1, 3 and 5, respectively, did not modify the nerve-mediated contractions. 8-Bromoadenosine 3’,5’-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cyclic AMP) or N⁶,2’-O-dibutyryladenosine 3’,5’ cyclic monophosphate (dibutyryl cyclic AMP), two analogues of cyclic AMP, at lower concentrations (0.1–1 μM) significantly (P<0.01) inhibited (15–73% and 5–49%, respectively) the nerve-mediated contractions, while at higher concentrations (10–100 μM) they caused a significant (P<0.01) potentiating (48–68% and 77–78%, respectively) effect. These results indicate that inhibition of PDE 4 (but not PDE 1, PDE 3 or PDE 5) produces a depression of neural transmission within the enteric nervous system, possibly by releasing noradrenaline acting at α₂-adrenoceptors on enteric neurons. Received: 21 November 1997 / Accepted: 11 March 1998     

Activators of protein kinase A induce a glibenclamide-sensitive 86Rb+ efflux in rat isolated aorta

The effect of activators of protein kinase A on membrane K⁺ permeability and the interaction of these compounds with cromakalim, an opener of ATP-sensitive K⁺ channels (K_ATP channels), were investigated. Membrane K⁺ permeability was assessed by measuring ⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux from rings of rat aorta. Forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase, and isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX), a nonselective phosphodiesterase inhibitor, induced small, concentration-dependent increases in tracer efflux up to 20-40% over the basal level. The effect of forskolin was abolished by the K⁺ channel blocker tedisamil (1 μM) and partially inhibited by glibenclamide (1 μM), a relatively selective blocker of K_ATP channels. Further studies were conducted in the presence of 35mM KCl in the bath in order to increase the size of the ⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux stimulated by forskolin and IBMX. At high concentrations, these compounds produced a biphasic effect with a peak increase being followed by a lower plateau value. Glibenclamide inhibited the ⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux response to forskolin and IBMX by 50-80%. The K⁺ channel blockers tedisamil (1 μM), Ba²⁺ (1mM) and tetraethylammonium (10mM) also reduced the peak response to forskolin by about 50% and abolished or greatly inhibited the plateau response. In addition to the small effect on basal ⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux, forskolin (0.3 μM) increased cromakalim-induced ⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux 3.4 times. At higher concentrations, however, a concentration-dependent inhibition was observed with an IC₅₀ value of 7.6 ±0.4 μM. 1,9-dideoxyforskolin, which does not increase cAMP, increased neither basal nor cromakalim-induced ⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux; however, it inhibited cromakalim-stimulated tracer efflux with an IC₅₀ value of 22 ±2 μM. It is concluded that forskolin and IBMX, probably by increasing intracellular cAMP levels, induce a ⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux from rat aorta, the major part of which is glibenclamide-sensitive and may pass through K_ATP channels. In addition, low concentrations of forskolin greatly facilitate the K_ATP channel opening effect of cromakalim whereas high concentrations block the channel; this blocking effect of forskolin is unrelated to the cAMP elevating action. Received: 25 September 1996 / Accepted: 20 December 1996     

Histaprodifen, methylhistaprodifen, and dimethylhistaprodifen are potent H1-receptor agonists in the pithed and in the anaesthetized rat

Selective H₂- and H₃-receptor agonists, exhibiting an at least tenfold higher potency than histamine itself at the respective receptors, have been known for several years. Selective H₁-receptor agonists with a potency exceeding that of histamine have become available only recently; the most potent are methylhistaprodifen and dimethylhistaprodifen [N ^α-methyl- and N ^α,N ^α-dimethyl-2-(3,3-diphenylpropyl)histamine, respectively] with 3.4- and 2.4-fold higher potencies than histamine in vitro (in the guinea-pig ileum). The aim of the present study was to examine whether these compounds and the parent compound histaprodifen are potent H₁-receptor agonists in the pithed and in the anaesthetized rat. In pithed, vagotomized rats diastolic blood pressure was decreased by 2-(2-thiazolyl)ethanamine i.v. (which was used as a reference H₁-receptor agonist) and by histaprodifen, methylhistaprodifen, and dimethylhistaprodifen; the maximum decrease was about 45 mmHg for each compound, and the potencies, expressed as pED₅₀, the negative logarithm of the dose (in mole per kilogram body weight) eliciting a half-maximal response, were 7.23, 7.55, 8.43 and 8.12, respectively. The dose/response curves of the four compounds were shifted to the right to about the same extent by the H₁-receptor antagonist dimetindene (1 μmol/kg i.v.). The vasodepressor response was not affected by combined i.v. administration of the H₂- and H₃-receptor antagonists ranitidine and thioperamide, by combined i.v. administration of the α₁- and α₂-adrenoceptor antagonists prazosin and rauwolscine, and by the β-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol i.v. but was attenuated by the inhibitor of NO synthase, N ^ω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester i.v. In anaesthetized rats 2-(2-thiazolyl)ethanamine, histaprodifen, methylhistaprodifen and dimethylhistaprodifen i.v. also decreased diastolic blood pressure in a manner sensitive to dimetindene i.v. Our data show that histaprodifen and, in particular, methyl- and dimethylhistaprodifen are highly potent H₁-receptor agonists in vivo. Received: 3 September 1998 / Accepted: 23 October 1998     

ORL1 receptor-mediated inhibition by nociceptin of noradrenaline release from perivascular sympathetic nerve endings of the rat tail artery

In the present study the effect of the opioid heptadecapeptide nociceptin, also termed orphanin FQ, an endogenous ligand for the orphan receptor named ORL₁ (opioid receptor-like 1) receptor, was investigated on [³H]noradrenaline release induced by electrical field stimulation (24 pulses at 0.4 Hz, 200 mA, 0.3 ms duration) in the rat tail artery in the absence and presence of an α₂-adrenoceptor antagonist, rauwolscine 3 μM. Nociceptin inhibited the electrically-evoked tritiated noradrenaline release in a concentration-dependent manner from rat tail arteries. This inhibitory effect of nociceptin was enhanced in the presence of the α₂-adrenoceptor antagonist rauwolscine (maximum inhibition by 25% and 50% in the absence and presence of rauwolscine, respectively). At a supramaximal concentration (10 μM), the inhibitory action of DAGO, a selective μ-opioid receptor agonist, was less pronounced than that of nociceptin. The inhibitory effect of nociceptin was counteracted by naloxone benzoylhydrazone (3 μM) which by itself did not change the stimulation-evoked noradrenaline overflow. Naloxone (10 μM), a non-selective opioid receptor antagonist, did not affect the inhibitory effect of nociceptin whereas it abolished that of DAGO. In conclusion, these results suggest that nociceptin modulates noradrenergic neurotransmission by acting on prejunctional ORL₁ receptors located on nerve terminals innervating the rat tail artery. They also demonstrate that prejunctional ORL₁ receptors interact with prejunctional α₂-adrenoceptors. The physiological significance of this phenomenon remains to be determined. Received: 27 August 1998 / Accepted: 29 September 1998     

Contrasting effects of clonidine and diazepam on tests of working memory and planning

Theα ₂ adrenoceptor has recently been implicated in working memory (WM), a function dependent on the integrity of the prefrontal cortex. Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled design, the present investigation examines the effects of two doses (1.5 μg/kg and 2.5 μg/kg) of the mixedα ₁/α ₂ adrenoceptor agonist clonidine (CLO) on performance of various computerised tests of WM and planning in healthy, young volunteers. These are compared to the effects produced by two doses (5 mg and 10 mg) of diazepam (DZP) on largely the same set of neuropsychological tests in a comparable set of subjects. Administration of CLO resulted in impulsivity of responding in a planning task, as well as differential dose-dependent effects on two analogous tests of spatial and visual WM. The nature of these effects were suggestive of mnemonic, rather than executive, dysfunction. Conversely, DZP produced specific deficits on tests of spatial WM and planning very similar to those seen following lesions to the frontal lobes. Therefore, these two sedative drugs produce doubly dissociable, dose-dependent effects on different aspects of cognitive function.     

Comparison of the discriminative and neuroendocrine effects of centrally penetrating kappa-opioid agonists in rhesus monkeys

Abstract Rationale. The discriminative effects of κ-agonists may be mediated centrally, whereas their effects in a neuroendocrine biomarker assay (prolactin release) may be mediated by κ-receptors in hypothalamic areas outside the blood-brain barrier. Prolactin may thus be a useful biomarker, due to its potential to provide quantitative pharmacodynamic data for κ-opioid ligands in vivo. The potency of centrally penetrating κ-agonists could be similar in these two assays, due to their ability to occupy κ-receptor pools inside and outside the blood-brain barrier, following SC administration. Objective. To compare the potency of centrally penetrating κ-agonists in producing U69,593-like discriminative stimulus effects (U69,593 is considered a selective κ-agonist), and in producing prolactin release in rhesus monkeys. Methods. Cumulative dose-effect curves of κ-agonists (R84760, bremazocine, spiradoline and U50,488) were investigated in a food-reinforced U69,593 discrimination (n=3), and compared to those for the μ-opioids fentanyl and nalbuphine and the δ-agonist SNC80. Selected κ-opioids (R84760 and spiradoline) were compared to fentanyl, nalbuphine and SNC80 in the neuroendocrine biomarker assay, in intact female rhesus monkeys (n=4). Results. All the selective κ-agonists caused dose-dependent generalization (i.e. at least 90% drug-appropriate responding) in the U69,593 discriminating subjects, and caused robust, dose-dependent prolactin release in female rhesus monkeys. By contrast, fentanyl, nalbuphine and SNC80 did not cause generalization in these subjects. Fentanyl and nalbuphine also caused prolactin release; quantitative antagonism (apparent pK_B) experiments following nalmefene (0.01, 0.1 mg/kg) differentiated the effects of a selective κ-agonist (spiradoline) from those of a selective μ-agonist (fentanyl). A positive correlation (r=0.99) was noted between the mean log ED₅₀ of κ-agonists in the discrimination and neuroendocrine assays, from these and previous determinations. Conclusions. The potency of centrally penetrating κ-agonists in causing their neuroendocrine effects is similar to their potency in causing discriminative effects. Furthermore, apparent pK_B experiments with nalmefene differentiated the receptor mediation (i.e. κ or μ) of these compounds in the neuroendocrine biomarker assay. Electronic Publication     

Tachykinin NK2 receptors in the hamster urinary bladder: in vitro and in vivo characterization

We have characterized the contractile responses produced by stimulation of the tachykinin NK₂ receptor in the hamster urinary bladder in vitro and in vivo. In isolated bladder strips, neurokinin A (NKA, pD ₂ 7.40, E_max 71% of the response to 80 mM KCl) and the synthetic tachykinin NK₂ receptor selective agonist [βAla⁸]NKA(4–10) (pD ₂ 7.48, E_max 77% of the response to KCl) both induced a concentration-dependent contraction, whereas the tachykinin NK₁ and NK₃ receptor selective agonists, [Sar⁹]substance P sulfone and senktide, respectively, produced a negligible contractile effect. The bicyclic peptide antagonists MEN 11420 and MEN 10627 behaved as competitive antagonists of the response to [βAla⁸]NKA(4–10) with apparent pK _B values of 9.3 and 9.7, respectively. Comparable apparent pK _B values were estimated against NKA (pK _B 9.2 and 9.4 for MEN 11420 and MEN 10627, respectively). Under isovolumetric recording of the intravesical pressure, the nicotinic receptor agonist DMPP (0.6 μmol/kg i.v.) produced a phasic contraction of the hamster bladder in vivo that was abolished by hexamethonium (110 μmol/kg i.v.) or by surgical ablation of pelvic ganglia. In vivo [βAla⁸]NKA(4–10) (10 nmol/kg i.v.) induced a tonic-type sustained bladder contraction with superimposed high frequency and small amplitude (<12 mmHg) phasic contractions and, in about 70% of cases examined, a few high amplitude (>20 mmHg) phasic contractions. Hexamethonium abolished the high amplitude phasic contractions, indicating their reflex origin. In animals subjected to the ablation of pelvic ganglia, the urinary bladder response to [βAla⁸]NKA(4–10) was comparable to that observed after administration of hexamethonium. Moreover, hexamethonium did not affect the contractile responses to [βAla⁸]NKA(4–10) in ganglionectomized animals. MEN 10627 and MEN 11420 produced a dose-dependent and long-lasting inhibition of the contractile response to [βAla⁸]NKA(4–10): the least effective doses of the two antagonists were 30 and 3 nmol/kg i.v. for MEN 10627 and MEN 11420, respectively. An almost complete and long-lasting inhibition of the response to the agonist was produced at doses of 10 and 100 nmol/kg i.v. of MEN 11420 and MEN 10627. In urethane-anaesthetized hamsters the non-stop intravesical infusion of saline (50 μl/min) produced repetitive micturition cycles which were abolished by hexamethonium (110 μmol/kg i.v.) or by surgical removal of the pelvic ganglia. MEN 11420 (100 nmol/kg) had no significant effect on the volume-evoked micturition reflex in anaesthetized hamsters. In conclusion, the hamster urinary bladder is a suitable preparation for studying the action of tachykinin NK₂ receptor antagonists in vivo: in this species, the stimulation of tachykinin NK₂ receptors induces bladder contractions. Blockade of tachykinin NK₂ receptors does not appreciably modify the volume-evoked micturition reflex in this species. Received: 22 April 1998 / Accepted: 12 June 1998     

Inhibitory prejunctional muscarinic receptors at sympathetic nerves do not operate through a cyclic AMP dependent pathway

Summary In mouse atria previously incubated with [³H]-noradrenaline, carbachol (1.0 μmol/l) significantly inhibited the fractional stimulation-induced (S-I) outflow of radioactivity. The inhibitory effect of carbachol was greater in the presence of the α-adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine (1.0 μmol/l), which by itself significantly increased the S-I outflow of radioactivity. In both cases the inhibitory effect of carbachol was blocked by atropine (0.3 μmol/l), suggesting that the effect was mediated through muscarinic receptors. 8-Bromo cyclic AMP (270 μmol/l) in the presence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX,100 μmol/l), was used to maximally enhance the S-I outflow of radioactivity through the cyclic AMP mechanism. The inhibitory effect of carbachol either in the presence or in the absence of phentolamine, was not reduced in the presence of 8-bromo cyclic AMP and IBMX. Similar results with carbachol in the presence of 8-bromo cyclic AMP and IBMX were also found in rat right atrial strips which had been incubated with [3H]-noradrenaline. These results suggest that the effects through inhibitory prejunctional muscarinic receptors are not mediated by cyclic AMP. The protein kinase inhibitor, staurosporine (0.1 μmol/l), significantly blocked the enhancing effects of 8-bromo cyclic AMP (270 μmol/l) plus IBMX (100 μmol/l) on the S-I outflow of radioactivity from rat atrial strips. The inhibitory effect of carbachol (1.0 μmol/l) however, was not reduced in the presence of staurosporine, suggesting that protein kinases affected by staurosporine (protein kinase A, protein kinase C) are not involved in the postreceptor mechanism for inhibitory prejunctional muscarinic receptors. This finding further rules out the involvement of cyclic AMP in muscarinic inhibition. The inhibitory effect of carbachol either by itself or in the presence of phentolamine, was not reduced in atria from mice that had been pretreated with pertussis toxin (1.5 or 3.0 μg). Furthermore, in rat atrial strips, the inhibitory effect of carbachol either in the presence or in the absence of phentolamine, was also not altered by pretreating the rats with pertussis toxin (8.4 μg). The results suggest that in both tissues the major mechanism for inhibition of noradrenaline release through muscarinic receptors does not involve a pertussis toxin sensitive G protein. Send offprint requests to M. Costa at the above address     

Effects of methyllycaconitine (MLA), an α7 nicotinic receptor antagonist, on nicotine- and cocaine-induced potentiation of brain stimulation reward

It has been shown that nicotine facilitates intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) reward and that nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are of primary importance for its reinforcing and dependence-producing actions. Recently, we have shown that α₇ nicotinic receptors in the VTA contribute to both the acute effects of nicotine on the mesolimbic dopamine system, as well as to nicotine withdrawal reactions. However, it is not yet known whether the same receptor conformation is directly involved in the reinforcing actions of nicotine. Here, using the curve-shift method we studied the effects of methyllycaconitine (MLA), a selective α₇ receptor antagonist, microinjected (graded doses: 1, 3, 9 μg/μl per side) into the VTA on the rewarding efficacy of lateral hypothalamic self-stimulation and on the systemic nicotine-induced potentiation of brain stimulation reward. MLA did not affect baseline self-stimulation. Nicotine produced a significant reduction in ICSS threshold, without altering maximal rates of responding, while MLA attenuated the effect of nicotine at the two lower doses. Given the reported interaction between nicotine and cocaine at both the neuronal and the behavioral level, we also examined whether α₇ receptor antagonism within the VTA can affect the reinforcing action of cocaine, as measured with ICSS. Interestingly, MLA attenuated the reinforcing effect of cocaine in all doses tested, without altering the maximal rate of responding, i.e. the performance of the animals. These results suggest that α₇ nAChRs in the VTA are involved in mediating the reinforcing actions of drugs of abuse, such as nicotine and cocaine, and provide evidence that α₇ nAChR antagonists may be clinically useful in attenuating the rewarding effects of addictive drugs. Received: 1 September 1999 / Final version: 18 December 1999