Age-related differences in sensitivity to organophosphorus pesticides

Organophosphorus (OP) pesticides are used extensively throughout the world to control undesirable pest species. The primary mechanism of action for OP insecticides is inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme dynamically involved in cholinergic neurotransmission. Extensive inhibition of AChE leads to accumulation of acetylcholine in the synapse, disruption of normal impulse flow and subsequent signs of toxicity, including autonomic dysfunction, involuntary movements, muscle fasciculations and a host of others. It is generally believed that young individuals are more sensitive to the neurotoxic effects of these agents relative to adults. Essentially all studies addressing age-related differences in sensitivity to these toxicants have examined responses to acute exposures, however, using acute toxicity (lethality) as the endpoint. As the biochemical mechanism of toxicity for this class of toxicants (inhibition of AChE) is well known and considering that low level, repeated exposures are of great concern to the general public, we propose that evidence of neurochemical alterations, especially when exposures occur during development and maturation, is a more relevant endpoint of toxicity than lethality for estimating susceptibility. This report briefly summarizes previous and ongoing work in our laboratory which examines the relative sensitivity to these toxicants between young and adult rats.     

Methylphenidate-like stimulants in vitro release [3H]tyramines but not [14C]dopamine

The effects of methylphenidate, cocaine, nomifensine and amfonelic acid on the simultaneous uptake and release of [14C]dopamine and [3H]p-tyramine or [3H]m-tyramine were examined in rat striatal slices. While the uptake of each amine was inhibited equally by each drug, only [3H]tyramines were released. The d-amphetamine-induced release of [14C]dopamine and [3H]p-tyramine was antagonized by these drugs. These findings suggest that the tyramines can be transported independently from dopamine.     

Comparative in vivo effects of parathion on striatal acetylcholine accumulation in adult and aged rats

Aged rats are more sensitive to the acute toxicity of the prototype organophosphate insecticide, parathion. We compared the acute effects of parathion on diaphragm and brain regional cholinesterase activity, muscarinic receptor binding and striatal acetylcholine levels in 3- and 18-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats. Adult and aged rats were surgically implanted with a microdialysis cannula into the right striatum 5-7 days prior to parathion treatment. Rats were given either vehicle (peanut oil, 2 ml/kg) or one of a range of dosages of parathion (adult: 1.8, 3.4, 6.0, 9.0, 18 and 27 mg/kg, s.c.; aged: 1.8, 3.4, 6 and 9 mg/kg, s.c.) and body weight, functional signs of toxicity, and nocturnal motor activity were recorded for seven days. Three and seven days after parathion treatment, microdialysis samples were collected and rats were subsequently sacrificed for biochemical measurements. Higher dosages of parathion led to significant time-dependent reductions in body weight in both age groups. Rats in both age groups treated with lower dosages showed few overt signs of cholinergic toxicity while equitoxic high dosages (adult, 27 mg/kg; aged, 9 mg/kg) elicited marked signs of cholinergic toxicity (involuntary movements and SLUD [i.e., acronym for Salivation, Lacrimation, Urination and Defecation] signs) with peak effects being noted 3-4 days after treatment. Nocturnal activity (ambulation and rearing) was reduced in both age groups following parathion dosing, with more prominent effects in adults and rearing being more consistently affected. Dose- and time-dependent inhibition of cholinesterase activity was noted in both diaphragm and striatum. Total muscarinic receptor ([(3)H]quinuclidinyl benzilate, QNB) binding was significantly lower in aged rats, and both total binding and muscarinic agonist ([(3)H]oxotremorine methiodide] binding was significantly reduced in both age-groups treated with the highest dosages of parathion (adult, 27 mg/kg; aged, 9 mg/kg). In contrast to relatively similar levels of cholinesterase inhibition, striatal extracellular acetylcholine levels were significantly lower (2.2- to 2.9-fold) in aged rats at both 3 and 7 day time-points compared to adult rats treated with equitoxic dosages (i.e., 9 and 27 mg/kg, respectively). No age-related differences in in vitro striatal acetylcholine synthesis or in vivo acetylcholine accumulation following direct infusion of the cholinesterase inhibitor neostigmine (1 microM) were noted. While aged rats are more sensitive than adults to the acute toxicity of parathion, lesser acetylcholine accumulation was noted in the striatum of aged rats exhibiting similar levels of cholinesterase inhibition. These findings suggest that lesser acetylcholine accumulation may be required to elicit cholinergic signs in the aged rat, possibly based on aging-associated changes in muscarinic receptor density.     

In vitro [3H]-erythromycin binding to Staphylococcus aureus

Characteristics of erythromycin binding to Staphylococcus aureus were determined by using kinetics and equilibrium binding experiments. Both methods yielded identical values of the dissociation constant, i.e. 0.1 muM. This value was in accord with that found with a bacterial extract of ribosomes which are the organelles where erythromycin exerts its action. This good agreement shows that the dissociation constant of erythromycin determined with intact bacteria is a good reflect of specific bacterial receptors of macrolides, i.e. ribosomes. In addition, mechanism of uptake of the antibiotic by Staphylococcus aureus was investigated. Passive diffusion process was shown to be mainly responsible for this phenomenon.     

Increased [3H]nitrendipine binding sites in rat heart during adult maturation and aging.

To study the effects of maturation and aging on calcium channels, we investigated the characteristics of binding of a radioligand, [3H]nitrendipine, to relatively pure sarcolemmal membranes from 2-, 12- and 24-month-old Sprague-Dawley rat hearts. Specific binding of [3H]nitrendipine was saturable, and the Scatchard analysis of the binding revealed a single class of binding sites. Binding of [3H]nitrendipine to the membrane of 12-month-old-rats was 50-75% greater than to the membrane of 2-month-old young adult rats with no further changes in binding during aging from 12 to 24 months. The maximum number of dihydropyridine binding sites (Bmax) was 70% higher in 12- and 24-month-old rat hearts (0.45 and 0.43 pmol/mg protein) than in 2-month-old rats (0.27 pmol/mg protein). The affinity for [3H]nitrendipine binding, on the other hand, was similar in all three age groups (KD values of 0.27, 0.31 and 0.29 nM in 2-, 12- and 24-month-old rats, respectively, at 25 degrees). Membranes of all three age groups showed a similar degree of enrichment in sarcolemmal marker enzymes, indicating that the difference in membrane purity was not a contributing factor to the observed increase in density. Furthermore, increased binding of [3H]nitrendipine to the membranes of older rat hearts was observed throughout the purification scheme. Since [3H]nitrendipine binding sites are considered to be specific sites for voltage-gated Ca2+ channels of the sarcolemma, it is concluded that the density of these channels in the myocardium increases during adult maturation and is maintained through senescence.     

3H]oxotremorine-M binding to membranes prepared from rat brain and heart: evidence for subtypes of muscarinic receptors

[3H]Oxotremorine-M has been used as a ligand to label muscarinic binding sites on membranes prepared from rat fore-brain and heart. In rat brain membranes, two binding sites could be identified: a high affinity low capacity site and a low affinity high capacity site. In contrast, only a high affinity site could be labelled in heart membranes. The potency order of agonists for the high affinity site in brain membranes and heart membranes was the same, suggesting that these binding sites represent the same subtype of muscarinic receptors. However, the affinity of pirenzepine for the brain high affinity site was higher than that for the heart high affinity site suggesting that these sites may represent different receptor populations. The potency order of agonists for the high affinity and low affinity sites in brain membranes were significantly different suggesting that these binding sites represent pharmacologically distinct binding sites. GTP abolished the high affinity sites in heart and brain membranes, but the low affinity site in brain membranes appeared unaffected. These results are consistent with the hypothesis proposing subtypes of muscarinic receptors.     

Neuraminidase reduces the number of super-high-affinity [3H]oxotremorine-M binding sites in lung.

The effects of neuraminidase on the binding of the radioligand agonist [3H]oxotremorine-M ([3H]oxo-M) were investigated in lung membranes. [3H]Oxo-M labelled super-high-affinity binding sites (KD of 1.36 nM), as indicated by the very high affinity displayed by carbachol when tested in competition with 0.5 mM [3H]oxo-M. Neuraminidase reduced the number of [3H]oxo-M binding sites with no change occurring in the KD. These results suggest that the effects of neuraminidase may explain virus-induced airway hyperresponsiveness.     

Specific binding of [3H]prazosin to myocardial cells isolated from adult rats

The characteristics of alpha-adrenoceptors in rat myocardium were investigated by specific binding of [3H]prazosin to cells isolated from adult rat heart by perfusion with collagenase and hyaluronidase. The cells were incubated in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer gassed with 95% O2 and 5% CO2 at 31 degrees with the appropriate concentrations of the different ligands. Non-specific binding was defined by the addition of 10(-5) mole/l. phentolamine. The binding of [3H]prazosin was saturable and reached equilibrium within 15 min. Scatchard analysis showed a straight line giving an apparent dissociation constant, Kd, equal to 155.9 +/- 8.0 pmole/l. and a maximal number of binding sites equal to 76.7 +/- 11.1 fmole/mg protein. Inhibition of specific [3H]prazosin binding by different adrenergic blockers showed the order of potency characteristic of alpha 1-adrenoceptors: prazosin much greater than phentolamine greater than yohimbine much greater than propranolol. Inhibition by adrenergic agonists showed the order of potency: adrenaline greater than noradrenaline = phenylephrine greater than isoprenaline. The same orders of potency were observed in the presence of propranolol. However, propranolol slightly decreased the affinity for noradrenaline and phenylephrine. Hofstee analyses of the inhibition curves showed two binding components for all ordinary alpha-adrenoceptor blockers and agonists including unlabelled prazosin. In contrast, [3H]prazosin showed only one binding component. Both binding components were of the alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtype according to the order of potency of blockers. The different ligands had different affinity ratios for the two binding components giving them different profiles. Trifluoperazine, a phenothiazine compound, also had high affinity for the [3H]prazosin binding sites. This drug, however, apparently detected one class of binding sites only, as interpreted from the Hofstee analysis. Hill analyses of the inhibition data consistently yielded Hill constants, nH, in the range 0.75-0.85 except for [3H]prazosin, where nH = 1.02 and for trifluoperazine, where nH = 1.07. Although the two binding components may serve different functions, it seems impossible at present to relate the negative and the positive inotropic components, respectively, of the alpha-adrenergic inotropic response observed in functional studies only to one or the other binding component.     

[3H] sertraline binding to rat brain membranes

Tritiated sertraline, a radiolabeled form of a potent and selective inhibitor of serotonin uptake, was found to bind with high affinity to rat whole brain membranes. Characterization studies showed that [³H] sertraline binding occurred at a single site with the following parameters:K _d 0.57 nM,B _max 821 fmol/mg protein,n _h 1.06. This binding was reversible; the dissociation constant calculated from kinetic measurements (K _d 0.81 nM) agreed with that determined by saturation binding experiments. [³H] Sertraline binding in the presence of serotonin, paroxetine, fluoxetine or imipramine suggested competitive inhibition of binding (large increase inK _d with little change inB _max). The rank order of potency of inhibition of [³H] sertraline binding was similar to that of inhibition of serotonin uptake for known uptake inhibitors and the 1-amino-4-phenyltetralin uptake blockers. A marked decrease in ex vivo [³H] sertraline binding in the brain of rats 7 days after treatment withp-chloroamphetamine was consistent with the loss of serotonin uptake sites induced by this agent. The results of our study indicated that [³H] sertraline labels serotonin uptake sites in rat brain.     

Displacement of [3H]oxotremorine-M binding by muscarinic antagonists in guinea-pig atrial and ileal membrane homogenates

Displacement of [3H]oxotremorine-M [( 3H]oxo-M) binding by muscarinic antagonists that are functionally non-selective (atropine), ileoselective (4-DAMP) or cardioselective (gallamine, pancuronium, vecuronium, himbacine) was investigated in guinea-pig atrial and ileal longitudinal muscle membranes. [3H]Oxo-M bound to a single population of high affinity sites in atrial (KD = 11.40 nM) and ileal (KD = 6.15 nM) membranes. Atropine displaced [3H]oxo-M binding sites in a competitive manner, showing similar affinities in the two tissues. 4-DAMP showed two binding sites in ileum but not in atria. The dissociation constant at the high affinity site in ileum was ca 5-fold lower than the value observed in atria, indicating ileoselectivity. Vecuronium also displaced [3H]oxo-M binding in a competitive manner and exhibited similar affinities in both tissues. Gallamine, pancuronium and himbacine displayed two binding sites in each of the two tissues with the majority of sites (ca. 60-80%) showing high affinity. Overall the cardioselective antagonists do not exhibit any consistent correlation between the affinities found in functional experiments and those determined in binding experiments.     

Characteristics of [3H]sultopride binding to rat brain

The binding of [3H]sultopride, a benzamide drug, to rat brain was investigated in vitro. Specific [3H]sultopride binding was observed in dopaminergic regions: striatum, nucleus accumbens, olfactory tubercle, substantia nigra, frontal cortex and anterior pituitary. Specific [3H]sultopride binding to striatum was saturable and had one high affinity binding site with a KD of 5.8 nM and a total density of receptors 25.7 pmol/g. [3H]Sultopride binding was stereoselectively displaced by (-)- and (+)-sultopride. Inhibition studies indicated that all neuroleptic drugs and dopamine were capable of displacing sultopride from its binding sites. A highly significant correlation was observed between IC50 values against [3H]sultopride and those against [3H]spiperone binding. Specific [3H]sultopride binding was highly dependent on the presence of sodium ions. The results suggest that the characteristics of sultopride binding sites seem to be similar to those of the D2-receptor labeled by spiperone and haloperidol. The sultopride binding site was highly dependent on the presence of sodium ions and may thus be characterized as a sodium-dependent D2-receptor.     

Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase in different parts of the brain of mice by isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate in vitro and in vivo

AChE activity in four parts of the mouse brain, i.e. in the pons and medulla oblongata, mesencephalon, diencephalon and basal ganglia, was inhibited in vitro by isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate. The inhibition constants, n (Hill coefficient) and I₅₀ were determined. The values of both constants, n and I₅₀, were the same for all studied parts of the brain (n=1.7 and I₅₀=5.0 × 10^–10 M). In experiments in vivo, mice were administered the poison in doses ranging from 1.4 to 28.6 mol×10^–7/kg, i.e., 0.02 to 0.40 mg/kg. AChE activity was then measured and the degree of inhibition was correlated with the dose of organophosphate given. AChE in the basal ganglia was the most resistant. The highest degree of inhibition was observed in the ponto-medullar portion. This selective inhibition lends support to a concept of this particular portion of the brain as having special importance in the toxidynamics of poisoning. The comparison of AChE inhibition in vitro and in vivo suggests that only about 1% of an injected dose is involved inhibiting AChE in the brain.     

Melatonin enhancement of [3H]-gamma-aminobutyric acid and [3H]muscimol binding in rat brain

The pineal hormone, melatonin, enhanced the sodium-independent binding of [3H]-gamma-aminobutyric acid ([3H]GABA) and [3H]muscimol in the rat cerebral cortex in vitro. This effect was augmented by preincubation of synaptic membranes with melatonin but was abolished by preincubation with Triton X-100. Saturation binding studies using [3H]GABA (2.5 to 1000 nM) indicated that the melatonin-induced enhancement of binding is due to an increase in low-affinity GABAA binding sites. These findings suggest that the central effects of melatonin involve modulation of GABAergic function.     

Up-regulation of brain [3H]diazepam binding sites in chronic caffeine treated rats

Brain [3H]diazepam and [3H]L-phenylisopropyladenosine binding sites in caffeine treated (75 mg/kg/day, i.p. 12 days) and caffeine withdrawn (30 days) rats were examined. Treatment with caffeine (75 mg/kg/day) for 12 days increases the Bmax (maximum binding capacity) for [3H]diazepam binding by 30.9% whereas the same treatment increases the Bmax for [3H]L-PIA binding by 165%. The Bmax for [3H]diazepam binding sites returns to slightly below control levels but [3H]L-PIA binding sites remain elevated after 30 days of caffeine withdrawal. These findings suggest that the up-regulation of [3H]diazepam binding sites seen in caffeine treated rats may not be adequately explained by a direct antagonism of caffeine on benzodiazepine receptors. Other modes of interaction therefore must be considered.     

Differential sensitivity of [3H]nitrendipine binding to cations of toxicological interest in various rat brain areas

[3H]Nitrendipine ([3H]NTP) is a radiolabelled calcium antagonist which can be used to study neuronal calcium (Ca2+) channels. The interaction of Mn2+, Zn2+, Pb2+ and La3+ on [3H]NTP binding was studied in 3 brain areas particularly rich in [3H]NTP binding sites. Differences were observed in the brain regional distribution of [3H]NTP binding as well as in their sensitivity to the metal ions Pb, Mn and Zn. The binding data suggest that neuronal Ca2+ channels in different brain areas display distinct sensitivity to selected divalent cations.     

毛地黄黄酮和玄参黄酮抑制[~3H]地西泮和体外大鼠脑膜的结合(英文)

从阿拉伯艾蒿提取到两种苯并二氮杂受体的配基,毛地黄黄酮和玄参黄酮。两种化合物在体外可抑制[~3H]地西泮和大鼠皮层细胞膜的结合,IC_(50)值分别为1.3μmol·L~(-1)和23μmol·L~(-1)。两种化合物GABA比分别为1.1和1.2,都可少量增加[~(35)S]TBPS的结合,提示这种化合物是苯并二氮杂受体的拮抗剂或部分激动剂。     

Characterization of [3H]tryptamine binding sites in brain

[3H]Tryptamine binds with high affinity to sites on rat brain membranes. The sites have the characteristics of tryptamine receptor recognition sites. These sites are widely distributed among rat brain regions with the highest density occurring in the cerebral cortex, striatum and hippocampus. The site is also found in human cerebral cortex. The binding site is localized mainly to the synaptosomal fraction. Drug competition studies indicate that the [3H]tryptamine binding site is distinct from serotonin receptors. Drugs that are potent inhibitors of [3H]tryptamine binding include tetrahydro-beta-carboline, quipazine, phenylethylamine, amphetamine, p-chloroamphetamine and methamphetamine.